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Posted: 1/19/2011 6:35:33 AM EST


I need some new hiking/everyday boots.  If you were going to buy 2 pairs of boots to last you 10 years, what would they be?  I've been a fan of Asolo in the past but I would like to hear other opinions.  



My criteria for boots are as follows:



––Preferably Leather

––Soft Toe

––Resoleable

––Could be worn year round (TN climate)

––I would like to stay under $300/pair

––Can withstand moderate abuse

Link Posted: 1/19/2011 6:53:13 AM EST
[#1]
Danner.
Link Posted: 1/19/2011 9:00:37 AM EST
[#2]




Quoted:

Danner.




What particular model?  I had a pair of Danners in the past and they didn't hold up very well.  From what I've been told some models are better than others.
Link Posted: 1/19/2011 10:08:20 AM EST
[#3]
Why settle on off the shelf boots when you can get some made to your feet.

http://www.russellmoccasin.com/
Link Posted: 1/19/2011 1:12:17 PM EST
[#4]
I have had good luck with 2 pairs of Asolo's.
fugitive GTX & FSN 95 in wide sizes  & alternate the 2.... I purchased some superfeet insoles for them & they have been solid boots for me. I had a pair of Keen Targhee mids that I didnt really dig to much & my brother took them after a few weeks , he digs them. I think maybe it was the non wide thing , don't really know. The keen have alot of room up front though but I just didn't dig them.

Pep
Link Posted: 1/19/2011 2:04:31 PM EST
[#5]





Quoted:
Quoted:


Danner.






What particular model?  I had a pair of Danners in the past and they didn't hold up very well.  From what I've been told some models are better than others.



ft lewis





i bought 2 pairs of danners and we will see if they last me 10 years, i hope so


i got ft lewis uninsulated and canadian 600 gram insulate, but you might not need an insulated pair that far south


maybe get a pair of their temperate boots, or the hot ones if you dont need waterproof





ps, do NOT buy any of their chinese made boots

select usa made on their site to sort
 
Link Posted: 1/19/2011 3:28:00 PM EST
[#6]
Alico, Merrell and Danner that are all leather and have a stitch-down sole.
Link Posted: 1/19/2011 4:53:58 PM EST
[#7]
Asolo FSN95
Link Posted: 1/19/2011 4:59:53 PM EST
[#8]
I would buy boots that gave me proper support, instead of worrying about longevity.



Then again I've been wearing Altima or Welco jungle and desert boots for a long time.

Link Posted: 1/20/2011 8:30:42 AM EST
[#9]
I wear 5.11 tactical boots everyday and they are really comfortable.  Pretty affordable as well.
Link Posted: 1/20/2011 9:48:46 AM EST
[#10]
Link Posted: 1/20/2011 9:50:51 AM EST
[#11]
Danner explorers.
Made in USA
re manufactureable
waterproof
all leather
soft toe
less than $300.00

These will be your best bet I think. I love mine. Takes a few weeks to break in well.
Link Posted: 1/20/2011 3:50:14 PM EST
[#12]
Quoted:

Quoted:

Quoted:
Danner.


What particular model?  I had a pair of Danners in the past and they didn't hold up very well.  From what I've been told some models are better than others.

ft lewis

i bought 2 pairs of danners and we will see if they last me 10 years, i hope so
i got ft lewis uninsulated and canadian 600 gram insulate, but you might not need an insulated pair that far south
maybe get a pair of their temperate boots, or the hot ones if you dont need waterproof

ps, do NOT buy any of their chinese made boots
select usa made on their site to sort


 


This.  Stick with the USA production models.  

I have four pair of Danner: Ft. Lewis, Raiders (discontinued, but Acadia is comparable now), Explorers, and Lights.  I wear the Raiders daily at work (~5 years) and have had them "recrafted" by Danner.  Spendy, but worth it to me.  The Ft. Lewis I regret buying as the 10" upper is too high for me to be comfortable.  The Explorers and Lights I can do yardwork or hike in.  Love them.  

Link Posted: 1/21/2011 7:15:08 AM EST
[#13]
I agree with the advice given about sticking to Made in USA products.

I have an OLD pair of Vasque Sundowner GTX (when they were made in Italy) that have been the best boots I have ever owned.  But, Vasque has their boots made in China now and I can't attest to those....
Link Posted: 1/21/2011 2:49:25 PM EST
[#14]
Quoted:
Danner.


Link Posted: 1/21/2011 2:50:52 PM EST
[#15]
Quoted:
I agree with the advice given about sticking to Made in USA products.

I have an OLD pair of Vasque Sundowner GTX (when they were made in Italy) that have been the best boots I have ever owned.  But, Vasque has their boots made in China now and I can't attest to those....


The Chicom Vasque Sundowner's are actually better than the old sundowners, but my god the colors are gay. I have a pair. They are the most contrasting nasty colors known to man, but one of the most comfortable boots I have ever worn. I'm old, so I don't give a Fuck what they look like really. Plus they used a harder compound rubber for the sole. The old Italy Vasque Sundowner soles wore out so fast it was pathetic.
Link Posted: 1/21/2011 3:22:40 PM EST
[#16]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Danner.




I love danners but they don`t last all that long i have to get a new pair about every 6-8 months
Link Posted: 1/21/2011 4:39:42 PM EST
[#17]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Danner.




I love danners but they don`t last all that long i have to get a new pair about every 6-8 months

!
Must have the newer type like the Strikers? I have a pair also and in less then two years the tread is almost gone! There great boots love them but they don't stand up at all!

OP if you buy the old school boots from Danner the type that you can get a new sole put on you should be good! I had my issued par for a few years before I lost them and loved them.
Link Posted: 1/22/2011 2:34:23 AM EST
[#18]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Danner.




I love danners but they don`t last all that long i have to get a new pair about every 6-8 months


Im going on 14 years of continous use on one pair, so I know you are full of it.

They have been resoled 7 times (for $30 a resole at the local shoe repair shop) though and getting read to pay $160 to Danner to get them totally recrafted. Should be good for another 14.
Link Posted: 1/22/2011 3:02:40 AM EST
[#19]
I like these for the price and ease of finding them.......

ETA: Not resoleable
Link Posted: 1/22/2011 3:17:47 AM EST
[#20]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Danner.




I love danners but they don`t last all that long i have to get a new pair about every 6-8 months


Im going on 14 years of continous use on one pair, so I know you are full of it.

They have been resoled 7 times (for $30 a resole at the local shoe repair shop) though and getting read to pay $160 to Danner to get them totally recrafted. Should be good for another 14.


Some of the new Danners can't be resoled and have bad reviews because the soles only last about a year if your lucky! But like you said the ones that can be resoled can last a long time.

Link Posted: 1/22/2011 4:11:26 AM EST
[#21]
Quoted:
I agree with the advice given about sticking to Made in USA products.

I have an OLD pair of Vasque Sundowner GTX (when they were made in Italy) that have been the best boots I have ever owned.  But, Vasque has their boots made in China now and I can't attest to those....


ETA:  Actually, after doing some research on my boots, mine are teh newer Chicom boots and NOT the Italians I thought they were.  Nevertheless, I've had these boots for 8+ years and the soles are still going strong and the most comfortable boots I own.
Link Posted: 1/22/2011 4:31:44 AM EST
[#22]



Quoted:



Quoted:


Quoted:


Quoted:


Quoted:

Danner.








I love danners but they don`t last all that long i have to get a new pair about every 6-8 months




Im going on 14 years of continous use on one pair, so I know you are full of it.



They have been resoled 7 times (for $30 a resole at the local shoe repair shop) though and getting read to pay $160 to Danner to get them totally recrafted. Should be good for another 14.




Some of the new Danners can't be resoled and have bad reviews because the soles only last about a year if your lucky! But like you said the ones that can be resoled can last a long time.





stitch down boots can be resoled

almost all of the made in the usa danner boots are stitch down



go to the website, select made in usa from the features menu

buy any boot there without a molded sole (molded sole on combat hiker, ICH boots)



you now have a boot that can be resoled and will last a very long time as long as you dont cut the upper
 
Link Posted: 1/22/2011 5:58:51 AM EST
[#23]




Quoted:





Quoted:



Quoted:



Quoted:



Quoted:



Quoted:

Danner.








I love danners but they don`t last all that long i have to get a new pair about every 6-8 months




Im going on 14 years of continous use on one pair, so I know you are full of it.



They have been resoled 7 times (for $30 a resole at the local shoe repair shop) though and getting read to pay $160 to Danner to get them totally recrafted. Should be good for another 14.




Some of the new Danners can't be resoled and have bad reviews because the soles only last about a year if your lucky! But like you said the ones that can be resoled can last a long time.





stitch down boots can be resoled

almost all of the made in the usa danner boots are stitch down



go to the website, select made in usa from the features menu

buy any boot there without a molded sole (molded sole on combat hiker, ICH boots)



you now have a boot that can be resoled and will last a very long time as long as you dont cut the upper







This will probably be what I end up with. I've had a couple pair of Asolo Fugitive GTX, while they are comfortable, the soles only last about 2 years for me. These can't be recrafted either. Another boot I was looking at was the Asolo 520 which can be resoled.



Before I had the Asolo boots, I had a pair of Sundowners which only lasted about 1.5 years. I will have to admit though, I probably pushed them beyond their intended purpose.



The GTX and Sundowners were the most comfortable boots I have ever had.

Link Posted: 1/22/2011 6:32:02 AM EST
[#24]
Link Posted: 1/23/2011 10:08:11 AM EST
[#25]
Can't name the specific type, but I really like my Danner boots. My dad bought me some and wow I've never felt more comfortable walking, sitting, standing, working, even the occasional run from point A to point B because I'm late. Mine happen to be insulated.
Link Posted: 1/23/2011 11:34:49 AM EST
[#26]
I have been wearing the Danner 453 GTX's for about a year now. I wear them for hiking/camping/shooting in the summer and I have wore them all winter for my everyday boot. Honestly the boots still look almost new as mud and dirt seem to just fall off the leather. The sole is still holding very well and the stitching is all 100% intact. They are Gortex so they are waterproof which is nice for hiking in Ohio where there is frequently mud. I wear the boots with standard cotton socks in the summer and they keep my feet warm but not to the point of sweating(unless I am doing an activity where the rest of me is sweating). In the winter I wear wigwams with the boots and I can tromp through snow all day and not get cold toes.One thing I love is how easy they are to get on and off. Once the boot is unlaced the tongue pulls out pretty far and makes removing the boot a breeze. I know that kinda sounds stupid but almost every other boot I own is a chore to get one and off. The boots cannot be resoled and they are Chinese I believe but honestly they are damn fine boots. Like I said these boots only have about 1yr under their belt but they have held up great for me.

http://www.danner.com/boots/453tm-gtxr-dark-tan-hiking-boots.html

Here are a few pics of the boots to give you an idea of how they are wearing. You can see the soles are in excellent shape. I do not do a ton of walking on concrete aside from driveways and parking lots so I do not know how well they would wear in an environment where they see concrete all day long.





Link Posted: 1/23/2011 2:00:13 PM EST
[#27]
Boots to last you a life time: Wesco.
Link Posted: 1/24/2011 1:44:49 PM EST
[#28]
Redwing, been wearing them for years and will continue to.
Link Posted: 1/24/2011 2:16:17 PM EST
[#29]
the GF got me Irish Setter Snow claw.

i like them so far, but only had them for about a month. http://www.irishsetterboots.com/irishsetter-shoe/3889-irish-setter/3889-irish-setter-mens-snow-claw-xt-brown-full-grain
Link Posted: 1/24/2011 9:57:51 PM EST
[#30]
Well I am fond of my GI Bellvilles. I also got a pair of GI Bates boots that I forgot I had. They are surprisingly comfortable for being a cheaper boot. Between the two of them I like the Bellvilles a little better.
Ebay has these boots at very good prices brand new.
Link Posted: 1/25/2011 5:05:28 AM EST
[#31]



Quoted:


the GF got me Irish Setter Snow claw.



i like them so far, but only had them for about a month. http://www.irishsetterboots.com/irishsetter-shoe/3889-irish-setter/3889-irish-setter-mens-snow-claw-xt-brown-full-grain


That's a good lookin boot...



 
Link Posted: 2/1/2011 3:41:04 AM EST
[#32]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I agree with the advice given about sticking to Made in USA products.

I have an OLD pair of Vasque Sundowner GTX (when they were made in Italy) that have been the best boots I have ever owned.  But, Vasque has their boots made in China now and I can't attest to those....


The Chicom Vasque Sundowner's are actually better than the old sundowners, but my god the colors are gay. I have a pair. They are the most contrasting nasty colors known to man, but one of the most comfortable boots I have ever worn. I'm old, so I don't give a Fuck what they look like really. Plus they used a harder compound rubber for the sole. The old Italy Vasque Sundowner soles wore out so fast it was pathetic.


Yes they did...  Damn nice boots when they were together, though.  
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