Tier 2: Better Work Boots: Red Wing, Thorogood, Whites, Danner

After owning a pair of thorogoods and Jim greens I feel like the greens can definitely be on the second tier when it comes to quality I work in a landfill and i honestly love both of my boots

Jim green Numzan probably reaches to the higher end of this tier.

Redwing an whites are the best boots iv ever worn the only issue is the wedge sole wears very fast

Ive owned every name brand youve mentioned. As electrician who spent 10-14 hours a day 5-7 days a week on job sites. Walking on concrete, packed gravel, loose gravel, rock, sand, dirt and mud. I can tell each of these boots will last about a year. The very best thing you can do is to find a cobbler. You'll probably find under shoe repair. Then ask around until you.fond a cobbler making custom work boots. It was the best investment i ever made. Yes the boots cost near $400 a pair at the time (1990‐2000s) and worth every penny. They fit properly they wore properly they lasted at least twice as long. I ended up with 4 pair.two for summer two for winter. Had them resoled multiple
If you're a tradesman youll find it so much better than anything bought of assembly line made boots. Yes mine even had wide toe Kevlar toe caps for non conductive toe protection

Can’t compare a Danner boot to a Redwing. No contest.

I rock with Thorogoods. Comfortable from the jump. Break in is not bad and only a week. Also being under $300 is a plus. I’m very bought 2 pair so far. Black and that orange. I love me some redwings, but they’re out of price range for us.

It makes all the sense to spend over 350 dollars on a pair of boots. A 250 dollar pair of boots ain't getting u much. From personal experience of someone who wears 4 to 550 dollar boots, the cheaper 200 dollar Chinese made boots don't hold a candle to the high end boots. I went threw idk how many pair of boots over the years until I got a pair of kenetreks for the winter and hoffmans for the summer. Idk what I was even doing all those years buying those cheaper boots

what about rockports, i used a pair for work scaffolding and they only lasted 3 months, they were classed as hiking boots not work boots, i paid like £160 for them, yet my £20 work boots have lasted well over 10yrs and they're still going strong

Redwing rules this tier.

My timb pros are decent, lasted last 2 years at a bodyshop.

This tier is the only
Tier. Avoid brunt’s at all costs! Don’t listen to the false advertisements from that brand. They are complete trash

I get about a year out of boots

Keen Cincinnati

Facts, just shared this with both of my kiddos lol

As a wildland firefighter for 20 years, I can objectively say that Red Wings and Danners are not in the same category as Nicks or Whites. I blew the soles off two pairs of RWs earlier in my career and can’t tell you how many firefighters I’ve seen on the line with duct tape holding their RWs together til they can get off the mountain, and Danners too.

Chippewa loggers are big, but after a few days of wearing them they really form and grip.

Thorogood, hands down.. when you first pick up the boot it smells of leather, easily broken in and has an oil resistant, slip resistant sole. Quality, reliability and comfort at the best price. I’m staying with Thorogood

I wear some redwing supersoles they’re great very rugged

8 months in on Thorogoods. Love the style and construction but definitely will need a resole. Leather holds up well and if you get a weatherproof model they will hold up well. Overall happy with them.

Dont buy the traction tred lol. What a hunk of junk

Ariat and Irish Setter(Red Wing) are the only two brands I've been able to get 1yr out of in the oilfield. Im actually a little over a year on my Irish Setter boots but they're about done.

Thorogoods are where it’s at!!!

I thought Whites would be a higher tier. Danner. I've heard many Work Boot Stores won't sell them as they are too expensive for a mass produced boot. Not up to the quality of Whites, Nicks, and the other PAC-NW Boots.

I just ordered some carolinas.... i hooe they hold up. Ive been wearing some of those good ol bramahs though 😂. Anything will be an improvement.

Where’s Wolverine 1000 mile at?

The only guys wearing those on the jobsite also has on a puffy vest and collared shirt while carrying around a tablet.

I just wish I could find a pair that last longer than 4 months

When I worked in the refineries I bought my first pair of Thorogoods. Those things lasted me several years. I liked them so much I bought a soft toe boot that’s lasted me 8 years now with some annual leather TLC.

Red Wings are the standard but Thorogoods are just as good.

Crispi mentioned🎉

I would add Origin to this list plus they are 100% sourced and made in the USA. Love the Red Wings and Thorogoods as well though as I have owned all of them.

Not RedWingShoes anymore quality has taken a direct hit on money ++++ but quality has slipped down the crapper.purchased a pair of 3311's which are defective, RedWingShoes wont honour warranty,replacement or refund they went silent.BUYER BEWARE of RedWingShoes.!

The problem with these boots which no one addresses is they become smelly if used in an actual work and not as a fashion statement. As a person who spends at least 12 hours a day standing on his feet, they are not breathable enough and they lack the ability to repel moisture and sweat from inside.

I prefer Wolverine square toe boots I work in a factory 10 hrs. They are usually around 100 - 130$ and last yrs if kept up and buying there 20$ work insoles changed the game for me they have plenty of support and cushion for long hrs standing on concrete floors. I’ve had this pair for two yrs sole tread only slightly worn and leather in good shape with use of leather conditioner once every couple of weeks.

I've had no good luck with Red Wing boots😮😮

Use dubbing to protect your boots lads

Thorogood dominates here in Texas. I run a machine shop, and Thorogood is the go-to for most welders, overhead door guys, fabricators, mechanics, etc, etc, etc. I'll see the occasional Red Wing, but not a lot. I've got boots by Red Wing, Jim Green, Grant Stone, Nicks, Timberland, and Whites. I think that's it. But I work in Thorogoods. Comfort and durability at a decent price. They really can't be beat as a work boot.

Try Cabelas work boot for $120, should get 2yrs, better than some $200 boots

The soles on redwings just look so budget

Jim green should be in here. Absolutely excellent boots.

In states you guys don’t need steel toe caps for your boots at trades work sites??

Idk if they all do but my redwing store offers free shoe refurbishing n stuff

As a welder/ fabricator I wear Carolina 508’s with the external Metguard. Those things take a real beating & are very comfortable even after 10/12 hrs on concrete. Redwings killed my feet & I blew through Danners in no time. Carolinas are it for me.

After wearing the red wings moc toe and thorogood a full year the red wings are done after 4-6 month thorogoods will last almost 8-10 months $100 more for the redwings not worth it. Also if you get the redwings resoled the leather at that point will smell like Assss nothing you can do about that your welcome

Got a pair of Redwing 875 Mocs and 8111 Iron Rangers, love them both but they're casual boots for me, not sure I'd want to wear either as work boots.

I get work boot vouchers of 200$ so I always buy red wings. My personal opinion Thorogood and danner just don’t feel right to me never have. Maybe because I’ve been wearing red wing boots for so long 🤷🏻‍♂️.

Danner sucks

Idk why Irish setters have always been more stylish to me. My Ely’s are going on 10 years. I am thinking about buying the same pair, but i dont need the steel toe for work anymore and would like something lighter. Wingshooters are calling my name, but the stitching has me nervous.

love the 875

Don’t mention Red Wing in the same sentence as White’s