new boots..

Thanks for sharing. I personnally can't wear timberlands for the woods, feet and back won't stand for it. Through all the years I've spent in the woods I've found Redwings to be the best, most comfortable(after thorough break in ;-) it can take a while), and longest lasting with THE BEST warranty.

Currently I'm wearing these and my feet thank me for it:

I'll second the vote on the Red Wings. I have to wear boots at work, usually on concrete. I was having a lot of problems with my sciatic nerve acting up until I switched to a Red Wing. I have had RW in the past and always thought they were overpriced, but cost be damned if you can't get out of bed in the morning. They also seem to last longer than other boots I've owned.

I wear a 6667 Oxford that kinda looks like a running shoe, but has a steel toe. It looks good enough to not worry if I get called on the carpet. Construction superintendents stop me a lot, but it's a real boot. I can also vouch for their electrical protection as I have grabbed a 277v line once and didn't feel it. I also can wade through several inches of water with zero leakage, but I wouldn't do it carrying a 277 volt line... ;-)

Chris

Redox said:

I'll second the vote on the Red Wings. I have to wear boots at work, usually on concrete. I was having a lot of problems with my sciatic nerve acting up until I switched to a Red Wing. I have had RW in the past and always thought they were overpriced, but cost be damned if you can't get out of bed in the morning. They also seem to last longer than other boots I've owned.

I wear a 6667 Oxford that kinda looks like a running shoe, but has a steel toe. It looks good enough to not worry if I get called on the carpet. Construction superintendents stop me a lot, but it's a real boot. I can also vouch for their electrical protection as I have grabbed a 277v line once and didn't feel it. I also can wade through several inches of water with zero leakage, but I wouldn't do it carrying a 277 volt line... ;-)

Chris

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Dislocated my hip 4 years ago and have had nerve and back problems since. Tried many different work shoes with no luck till I tried Wolverine Durashocks. Man are they like HEAVEN. Never tried Red Wing. I agree 100% "price be damned"

When my back statrs acting up I get in the shower in the morning and let scalding hot water run down my back for 10 minutes , then goop on the icy hot. Works well.

I will give a plug to the 10" Matterhorn protective chainsaw boot. It is UL listed and has 7 layers of kevlar for saw protection. It also comes in a low heel Vibram sole, which is a must of you need to be in them all day. Pricey, but they are a great quality boot that meet insurance requirements if you work with a saw professionally.

Sealcove has it right... I have a pair of the Matterhorns, and they are the most comfortable boots I've ever owned, including Red Wings, Carolinas, Rockys and a few other brands...

While I don't use a saw proffessionally, it's worth noting that the Timberlands and Red Wings are NOT "OSHA approved" chainsaw boots, and are at least officially NOT legal for use with a chainsaw on the job.

I won't claim that a steel toe can't stop a chainsaw, according to the OSHA and related stats on chainsaw injuries, a high percentage happen to the top and side of the foot, an area not covered by the steel toe - this is WHY a plain steel toe won't pass OSHA specs, you need to have the kevlar in the rest of the foot to protect all of it.

When I decided to move into a pair of chainsaw boots, I did some serious shopping, and IMHO the Matterhorn boots were clearly better than the competition... More layers of kevlar, plus a Gore-tex liner, in addition to the steel toe, and "spike proof" sole, and they are 2" taller for more ankle / shin protection. As far as I could tell, there were lots of boots that had the ANSI rating that OSHA requires as a minimum, but only the Matterhorns also had the UL label to go with it...

IMHO safety gear is one place where I DON'T cheap out...

Gooserider

Many years ago my Mum an Dad were in the USA and brought me home a pair of Red Wing boots, well they were the greatest thing I've ever worn. I wore them every day for at least 8 years, I still have them somewhere

I never managed to get another pair, but I will

Cheers

;-)

Currently I'm wearing these and my feet thank me for it:

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Bought a set of those late last winter...very nice boot. Best part is that pair I bought were made in the USA. Sadly, that is very hard to get boots/shoes made here. From what I learned after scouring to replace my favorite pair of Rocky's is that all insulated and many non insulated boots are no longer made here and that pisses me off so I don't buy their stuff. Even Redwing boots/shoes. The pair pictured above, though, was made here so I dropped my hard earned cabbage on em' and I love them.

Stevebass4 said:

wow those Matterhorns are expensive

$300.00 a pair

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Well, if they last as long as my Rocky's (and I think they will) that comes out to $38 per year...howz that for glass half full? ;-P

I know it's a lot of money but i've learned to not skimp on tools and footwear (two crushed discs in the ole' backside mandate it actually).

For whatever it's worth, the Matterhorns ARE still made in the US - West Virgina IIRC. Also shop around for them - Google by model # - I found considerable variation in price. I got my pair from a police supply place in TX, but the last time I checked their website I got a 404 error.

Gooserider

Gooserider said:

For whatever it's worth, the Matterhorns ARE still made in the US - West Virgina IIRC.

Gooserider

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Yep, and according to the gal I got mine from those are the ONLY insulated Redwings still made here.

Backroads said:

Thanks for sharing. I personnally can't wear timberlands for the woods, feet and back won't stand for it. Through all the years I've spent in the woods I've found Redwings to be the best, most comfortable(after thorough break in ;-) it can take a while), and longest lasting with THE BEST warranty.

Currently I'm wearing these and my feet thank me for it:

Click to expand...

i have the same pair!