Posted: 6/3/2008 7:14:58 AM EDT
|
Sometimes I can get out from behind my tube when the powers that be turn me loose in the shops so I can do some man-work. I have been a huge Danner boot fan since my .mil days. However, it seems that Danner boots are no longer American-made as the last two pair of Danner Quarries that I have purchased were manufactured in China. The quality really seems to have gone to hell in a hand-basket as the last two pairs of boots I have owned were torturous to break in and the lace eyelets on the bottom fell apart within a few months the leather was thinner and nowhere near as supple and started cracking after only six months of part-time wear. Any of you guy who spend a lot of time on your feet Army/USMC/Civilian-types have any recommendations? I typically don't do Redwings as they usually run rather narrow form me. TIA... |
| I have a pair of White's boots. The best boot I have ever used! |
I'll 2nd that....NIck's Custom Boots in Spokane is a close front runner, but for off-the-shelf, I *hear* Oakley's (Yes, the sunglasses people) are an outstanding choice. |
|
Look at Danners website for the list of US made boots. I too tried the Channer quarries and found them to be shite. Just got a pair of American made Matterhorns with composite safety toe, goretex, nylon upper (think Danner Acadia) from LA Police Gear for under $200. Have to see how they hold up, but for the same price as import garbage... |
Pfft... My White's are 12 1/2 FF... Makes the redwing slippers look like baby shoes...  
|
|
I had a pair of the quarry's and they wore out pretty fast. I now have 2 pair of the Danner Rainforest and love them. Very comfortable and easy to break in, also, MADE IN AMERICA! hen For walking and hiking I will stay with the Danners. If I went back to hard core construction and a lot of dirt work and climbing I'd go with the West Coasts. |
|
+1 to the matterhorns. They've been good to me. I personally endorse the non insulated variety with gore-tex. This keeps my feet dry, but I can adjust insulation and warmth with my choice in socks as the weather gets colder in the winter, or lessen the sock insulation as weather warms up in the summer. |
|
I build commercial concrete forms for a living and trash boots in about 6 months. Im a huge fan of $40 USGI Intermediate cold weather goretex boots, made by Bates/Rocky, mostly because I can buy 2 pairs a year and be money ahead compared to anything else out there. I buy mine from Mama San and the Foxhole, new without tags. I stopped buying Danner Ft. Lewis's after I ruined my last pair in less then 9 months. I've been thinking of buying a pair of Nick's Custom boots this year but havent got around to it just yet. I was shopping White's and Nick's online this morning as a matter of fact. Botach has Matterhorns on sale currently if you're leaning that direction. |
You only save on the front end. IIRC, the outlet doesn't give a warranty on their 2nds. I've been wearing Danners for 22 years. Back then they had a 2 year warranty. At any rate, as a commercial carpenter they won't stay waterproof for 6 months because I live in them. That means I get to take advantage of the warranty, getting two for the price of one. The Super Rain Forrest has a double leather upper making them heavier and heavier duty. It's a quality boot so they don't give them away. Made in USA too. |
|
Correct...No warrany on the seconds. If you can actually use the warranty then 1st are definately worth the money especially if your hard on boots. Cosmetics and Overruns have past the leak test and typically are sold at a little over half of retail. The last Acadias I bought, now that I am mostly as inside guy, were only $100... ETA Commercial HVAC btw.... |