Need some decent, inexpensive work boots. Suggestions?
Need more definition on use & such.
Also, define "inexpensive."
The least expensive
total cost of ownership work boots* I have owned are Redwings. They are comfy outta the box and last a long while. I paid a little north of $100 on sale, most are $150-ish.
My first pair was worn 4-5 days/week for ~ 5 years. That worked out to around $20/year. I then had them re-soled for ~$50. I bought an identical pair at that time, so the two ought to be good for ~10 more years until I get the newest pair resoled and finally retire the original pair. Or would be, if I had not bought a another pair of Redwing roper work boots to get my stylin' on, when I am so inclined.
Avoid their "Worx" sub-brand. They are common, "Made in China" boots. Real Redwings are made in the USA.
I take care of my foot gear, doing the cleaning & polishing when they need it. All of mine are black leather and steel toe & steel shank.
A buddy of mine used to buy a pair of cheap Wal-mart or some such made in China crappy work boots every year. He came to visit once and the glued-on sole was giving way in the back so that he would make a "flop!" sound every other step.
I told him I refused to go out in public with such a mess, loaned him a pair of my GI leg boots and drove him to the Redwing dealer in Plano, TX. He tried a pair on and said, "They don't hurt my feet. Usually, my boots hurt for a month until I wear them in."
Well, that was 9 years and 5 pairs of Redwing boots ago.
* I have owned & worn out other brands: Wolverine, Carolina, GI leg & jungle boots, Wal-mart trash boots, & some others. The MOST expensive TCO are the Wal-mart trash boots.
