Good boots for work/hiking?

Hanwag for the win!

 

Going to say get a set of Redbacks again. Once broken in they're more comfortable to wear all day than my running shoes and durable to boot.....

 

These are USA made Keen boots. Much better quality and more comfortable than the standard boots. Highly recommend.

$150 KEEN Men's Durand 2 Mid Height Waterproof Hiking Boots, Cascade Brown/Gargoyle, 11

Amazon.com | KEEN Men's Durand 2 Mid Height Waterproof Hiking Boots, Cascade Brown/Gargoyle, 11.5 | Hiking Boots

 

Depends what “work” means and the boots you need to do a job. There is no 1 boot for every situation and boots that tend to do well in most things are not good in any one thing.

my “work” boots are these. I’ve even done the easy Whitney trail in a pair of Salomon XAs. I have a whole pallet of boots in this catagory. The ones on the left are Lowa Zephyrs task force. I’ve had USA made oakleys. Danners. The works.

I’ve learned through experience the mil issued salmons are not the same at all as the civilian ones. At least the quest. Even the waterproofing membrane is different.


My home on the ranch boots are these: these are shit kickers, welding repairs, roofing, just do all boots kind of stuff. Thorogoods are usually my favorite. I should have just used the redwing 1907s as a casual boot like your Thursdays. They are too expensive and the soles don’t last long. Those are on its second sole. The keens and ariats I don’t care what happens to them, boots. I would not really do any serious hiking with any of them..



Now, for mountain alpine boots, hunting and mild moutaineering, I like Crispi’s. I have a ton of those type of boots too that i don’t feel like digging out. There’s certain features that I look for in these type of boots. These features in example are like flex and ankle support+stability for siding mountains and handling weight… also, sweat management balanced with waterproofing.

 

Zamberlan....the Toyota of boots! A little more than u want to spend, but a super quality, comfortable boot. If you ever wear them out, which you won't, send them back to the factory and they will re-sole them for you.

 

Ive decided on Danners. Like them so far. With an easy to get replaced sole and me being able to send them in for repairs they should last me longer than my current ones did (like a year, fuck you columbia)

 

I'm going on 2 years in a pair of these, still going strong. Comfortable right out of the box. Plenty of life left on the soles. I really like the rubber toe cap, I kick stuff all the time and these boots are tough. I wear them everyday as a work boot. Trucker here. When they wear out ill buy them again.

 

What do yall think of these? I dig the black/white. They aren't offered yet... but maybe with enough interest they would make them

 

I have a bunch of Thorogoods. I prefer the wedge sole myself as well as the tobacco or crazy horse color. I use them as a casual/work boot, black would look beat up really fast, and absorb heat out in the sun, but I’m sure black would be cool as a casual boot or for shop settings.

 

Another vote for Salomons. I've got a pair of Quests that we take hiking every year multiple times a year since 2020 and they are light, have great support and seem to have great durability. IIRC, mine were a tad outside the $200 range but not a whole lot. Well worth the price, highly recommend.

 

My work boots are the crazy horse tan. These black n white would be awesome casual

 

the waterproof 1957 are next on my to buy list after my new American Heritage show up. Pretty dark like these if you need waterproof

 

For casual boots I’m keen to give some African Ranger boots a try. A barefoot pair for casual and hiking, and a standard pair for ladder and work around the house.