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I'm in the middle of trying to come up with yet another pair of Red Wing 2226 work boots - mine have worn out the front sole and toe, and the steel toe is clacking on the ground again. This happens every year, almost to the day. I've been wearing this same model boot and size since I was 14 years old.I see posts here and elsewhere about people who have resoled a pair of work shoes they've had since the mid 1990's. How do they get the toes to stay intact? I have steel showing through the leather within a month of having new boots, and near the end there's almost no leather holding the toe in. If I let it go too long, I have to duck tape it in until I get a new pair of boots! Often the sole is still usable at this point.I used to think maybe my shoe choice was the problem, but I wore out a pair of Wolverines and a pair of Caterpillars in a few months each, so I dunno. Building fence and working on equipment means a lot of time spent on the knees and it's pretty hard on the front part of the boot. Knee pads are keeping my work pants going, and it would be nice to spend less money on boots also.I have thought about a pair of those boots with metatarsal guards, but I'm not sure if they've got much more meat over the toe, and they just don't look comfortable at all.Last edited by tbone550; 03-02-2012 at 09:57 PM.
Reply:I have often wondered the same thing. I get about 9 to 10 months out of my boots. I think I wear the same red wings, I have tried other brands over the years. Nothing lasts as long as the Red Wings. I have even tried the little rubber protectors Red Wing sells for them but they didn't last any time. Even if the toes don't wear down the inside of the boots are worn out. I had to wear metatarsal guards for awhile they just make the boots stiffer and do nothing to make them last longer.
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550I see posts here and elsewhere about people who have resoled a pair of work shoes they've had since the mid 1990's. How do they get the toes to stay intact?
Reply:Ive found boots with molded soles and toe guards to last longer.Get 12 months + out of them depending how hard i am on them/what im doing.Caterpillar boots ive worn in the past have been POS. Attached Images
Reply:for the toes, there's a product called "tuff toe" which is an epoxy you put over the toe. it works really well if you are on your knees a lot.as far as the inside breaking down, that's from sweat. i know a guy who buys 2 pairs of shoes and switches daily to let them dry completely. he says they last forever that way, but that's a lot of dough to throw down at once.i wear red wing 875's and they last at least two years if i protect the toe.
Reply:I buy a new pair of Danner Super Rainforest every 6 months or so. Its a real treat getting a new pair of boots. Gotta take care of your feet. They are some of the last Danners made in America they feel good from day one. I dont (wear them out) just like new boots.
Reply:I just bought a pair of Cat boots( which I like so far), really wanted the Timberland Steel Trax, but I didn't like the way they lase up. I don't know about resoling boots since mine are wooped, and buying a new pair is more efficient ...Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:Suprisingly, the OP hasn't gotton to MY Redwings, YET!!!Check out the toe coating Redwing offers. I've heard great feedback on it. It feels like it is strong enough to be considered a steel toe. But it's for just your application. And my local store will "tune-up" (oil & new laces) my boots as often as I like, at no charge. I have 3 pairs I rotate through."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:There is quite a difference in longevity even within the Red Wing name. And... know that many of the lower cost ($150 and under) Red Wing boots are made in China.Some lines have better quality. I currently am wearing the 2414 line of boots. I believe they are about the best Red Wings has for longevity in tough shipyard type work. I get 18 months to 2 years tops on a pair of boots. The oily environment really kills them, though. Other lines of Red Wings simply don't hold up. I have also found the black leather boots to have a thinner leather that is more prone to drying out and tearing. I wear the red leather boots now. The thicker the leather the longer the boot lasts. I also avoid anything like padding in boots because the padding fails and makes the boot uncomfortable. Straight leather boots are all I will buy. The 2414 boots have a Goretex liner and I only bought them because I like the logger top boots and normally wear the 2408 style of boot but that was no longer in stock. The Goretex liner has been awesome where I can stand in 6" deep water without getting wet and, even one year later, shows no signs of wearing through. It's a lot tougher than I expected.Last edited by 76GMC1500; 03-03-2012 at 01:57 AM.
Reply:I have a pair of Carolina boots right now, and the steel started showing through the toes after 3 months.Here soon Im going to buy a pair of Red Wings, Ive never owned a pair before (still kind of new to the industry), but when I was at their store the other day, I saw a really neat spray they put on the toes and the guarantee it to work and will touch up the spray in the future for free.Read my welding blog:http://weldeveryday.wordpress.com/
Reply:It doesn't matter what boots I have I havent found a pair that last much longer than a year. Red wings I had wore the leather out on the toes and ripped the side out, just burned the stitching out of the side of a pair of carolinas. My new pair is dr martins slip on wellington, got tired of replacing melted laces every other week,so I will try a wellington with no stitching on the side and see if they last.thermal arc mst400, va4000 feeder, lincoln 175 min, victor torches, miller s32p feeder, air arc k4000 for work.
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmThey supervise....
Reply:Originally Posted by 76GMC1500The 2414 boots have a Goretex liner and I only bought them because I like the logger top boots and normally wear the 2408 style of boot but that was no longer in stock. The Goretex liner has been awesome where I can stand in 6" deep water without getting wet and, even one year later, shows no signs of wearing through. It's a lot tougher than I expected.
Reply:Hi, had my local shoemaker resole my RED WINGS. This guy is 80 years old and from the OLD COUNTRY. Super guy working with leather. He patched my leather jacket too. Anyway , he did my boots and they were great for awhile. Cost half of what new boots were. Anyway they wore well. HOWEVER, they would not stop squeaking !!!!! I brought them back , he did something, good for about two weeks and same sh%t. They were ok for outside construction but when I walked into a occupied school , they were not happy.
Reply:The military issued two sets of boots. One to be worn on one day the other on the next. Thus, the boot dried out and would last longer. As a squad leader I made sure the boots were changed every day and inspected each soldier's feet. What a life!!!! Even had to inspect the toe nails for proper cut. When we took a break, one boot came off and the foot was dried and foot power was applied. One sock was changed as well. Buying two pair of boots costs a lot of money; I do not know if it would be worth it.
Reply:Originally Posted by woi2ld . . .Some genius guy invented goretex to be water proof yet still breathable , amazing ! I . . .
Reply:It's funny how some people will spend the money on boots, and some won't. I know guys who will buy $20.00 wal-mart china crap boots and suffer them, or take hand-me-downs, and suffer them till they wear them out. Screw that!.Ever since I got my first pair of USA redwings, I have not found anything better. I can wear them all day, and all night, and be better off with them on, than off.For me, it is worth the close to $300.00 price tag to be happy and comfortable, and I am a cheap bastard.Anyways, the way to make 'em last is beeswax. Sno-seal. Wash them with a stiff brush once a week, let them dry, and rub the beeswax on. A woodburner is a nice part of the process.
Reply:denrep, you likely are getting your money's worth. I suppose it depends on what you do. Years ago, I recall getting a pair of boots re-soled, and it being worth it, but I was doing alot more walking then. Now, I tend to wear the uppers out at the same rate as the soles, even with high dollar quality stuff.
Reply:Used to wear redwings myself. I have been wearing danner the last few years. Both brands are getting harder to find American made styles. My feet, back, and eyes are one area I just won't fudge on. I usually get 8-12 months out of a pair of boots.Miller Pro 30068 SA 20064 SAF 300305 G Lincoln gasserMiller 210
Reply:I just buy the cheapest hard toe boot and replace twice a year. By the time the topsides are worn and cut up the soles are cut and burned up. Nice quality leather boots are a waste inside a shop where you are walking over all shapes and sizes of steel then burning your boots.
Reply:I have a pair of Redwing;s Model 5686 with the metatarsal covers. Them babies are better on then off. The most comfortable boot i have ever had. As for the fronts wearing out. I see someone mentioned there is a covering that you cna put over them the help prolong the life. I also seen others put sprak on truck bed coating over the tips of there boots and that really helps also. But redwings are nery nice boots!Owner G&S Mobile Welding & Millwright Services, LLCSpencerville, Ohio Adult Ed. Instructor at Apollo Career Center Lima, Ohio
Reply:You can't beat a pair of Redwing 2406. I've been wearing them almost exclusively since 2000. Each pair has lasted me about 2yrs. And I usually end up replacing because the insole is disintegrated. I try to take care of them because they are investment, give them some oil once in a while, don't kick **** and when I'm on my knees I usually try to stay on my toes rather than let my steel toe rest on the ground. I've tried to find cheaper better boots (justin, cat, wolverine, brahama) they can't hold a candle to redwings.
Reply:Originally Posted by jrw159Or inspect. jrw159
Reply:Originally Posted by SomthingoriginalYou can't beat a pair of Redwing 2406. I've been wearing them almost exclusively since 2000. Each pair has lasted me about 2yrs. And I usually end up replacing because the insole is disintegrated. I try to take care of them because they are investment, give them some oil once in a while, don't kick **** and when I'm on my knees I usually try to stay on my toes rather than let my steel toe rest on the ground. I've tried to find cheaper better boots (justin, cat, wolverine, brahama) they can't hold a candle to redwings.
Reply:I wear Wolverines and ive had mine for a lil over a year everythings good except you can see the steel toe on one. Probably one of the best boots ever put on my feet.Good ol Texas pipe welderBeen in the oil patch since 1972. Redwings - laceups or pull on's every step I have made, on rigs, Frac. Pumps, snubbing units...etc.......Redwings own the oil patch....like wranglers own the PRCA.Sent from my SGH-T959Lincoln 305GUnion Carbide TorchDon't Worry About the Mule~Load the Wagon!
Reply:Speaking of oil. The anti-slip sole on the Red Wings are second to none. Try standing on oily valve covers on large diesel V engines (valve covers are at an angle on the V's). I have no problem. Everybody else has to hold on.
Reply:I have had 2 pairs of Whites Smokejumpers for 20 years, about every year or so I send one pair in for re-build and wear the other pair, works for me.6 Miller Big Blue 600 Air Paks2 Miller 400D6 Lincoln LN-25's4 Miller Xtreme 12VS2 Miller Dimension 812 4 Climax BW-3000Z bore welders Hypertherm 65 and 85Bug-O Track BugPair of Welpers
Reply:You must like your Whites. Aren't the pushin 5 bills now. Still made in Spokane? I had a pair before I got married an had kids. They were the best boots I ever had. That was like 92 and they were over 300
Reply:Originally Posted by boilermonkeyYou must like your Whites. Aren't the pushin 5 bills now. Still made in Spokane? I had a pair before I got married an had kids. They were the best boots I ever had. That was like 92 and they were over 300
Reply:I have narrow feet.It is hard to find boots that fit me thank god for Redwings.I use the glue on bumpers. The last job I had I spent 8 of the 10 hours at work on my Knees welding. Before I wore army boots because I could get them in narrow . They would last forever but they felt like they were made of steel.If I had to I would steal to have good boots. Like a drugey to get a fix. Good foot wear is very inportant to me.
Reply:I have never resoled a pair of boots yet and don't plan to,it's just not worth the hassle. The boot of my choice is Red Wing which usually last a year or so but I was recently talked into a pair of Georgia boots that really impressed the hell outta me for about half the price of Red Wings. On certain detail a composite toe is required so I have boots with and without it.I.B.E.W Electrician and Damn Proud of It !!!! .Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/
Reply:Thorogoods are all made in USA. One thing I learned as an apprentice, if you are doing hotwork, pay attention to wear your feet are! Dont let the sparks bathe your boots and destroy the stitching. Same with welding and cutting slag and sparks. There is a guy at work who's been wearing the same boots for YEARS, with an occasional resole by a local cobbler. But oh yeah, he doesnt really do much except stand around for the past few years. For the regular hands who do the work, I havent seen redwings last any longer than any other boot make or model. Thats just my experience though. Shout out to Cat220 for bringing up how the Army/military does it. I only have one pair of boots, but I dry them out every night over the vent, or with a fan in the summer. Oiled/waxed with good laces for proper fit. I also still change insoles and socks at lunch, and keep the toenails trimmed tight. The boot is only part of the system, you have to do the rest to make them comfy or at least tolerable. Just got a new pair of steel toe Thorogoods in the mail Friday. Im going to let the moccasin toe wear down a little, then coat it with the brush on boot protector. I get about a year of work out of my boots these days, the brush on protector Im expecting to add on a few months.Weldanpower 225 G7Ironworkers Local #24
Reply:See if you can find any boots for roofers, the toes on them are made for abrasive roof scuffing so they are very durable. I saw some in some catalog but couldn't put a hand on it right now. Pants for roofers also have double knees for longer wear.
Reply:Only trouble with roof boots is they have almost no lug on the bottom, they tend to be smooth and slippery on metal.I would look into the toe guard material, It paints on and ends up rock hard. Its very similar to bed liner material and you can keep reapplying it as it wears down. Ive even used it to recover a toe cap that has worn through the leather with great results.
Reply:These work great.http://www.zonkshop.com/red-wing-boot-bumper-p-70.htmljrw159
Reply:Thanks everyone for the replies. Thanks especially to those who recommended the Red Wing Boot Bumper. I just ordered 2 sets on sale at $9.35/ea w/ free shipping from Rogan's Shoes. Here is the link:http://www.rogansshoes.com/56830/641...ot-Bumper.htmlIf this link goes dead in the future, just do a Google search for Red Wing part number RW95182 - it's available in black or brown and one size fits all. If it doesn't work out like I hope, I'll try the paint-on stuff.From my local Farmer's Co-Op, I also ordered a set of 4206 boots which are made in the USA, 6" steel toes with a mini-lug tread and an electrical hazard rating. I paid $155 for the pair - about $30 more than another set of 2226's would have cost, but they aren't made from imported products.
Reply:I wear red wing 2233's, great boot. I usually get a bit over half a year out of them (7 days a week, and a lot of movement at work), then get them resoled once or twice by a fairly local place. They have two different types of re-caps to choose from. The pair I'm wearing now I used the aforementioned tuff-toe on, and it's holding up unbelievably well. The ones on my feet now I must have gotten back in June, and I should have another month or two on them. The leather is outstanding as well. Originally Posted by tenpinsJust got a new pair of steel toe Thorogoods in the mail Friday. Im going to let the moccasin toe wear down a little, then coat it with the brush on boot protector. I get about a year of work out of my boots these days, the brush on protector Im expecting to add on a few months.
Reply:Toe guards.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boot-Saver-T...item95032f74b3I don't need them as I rarely have to get on my knee's but every welder that I have met in the yard that has them swears by them. If your wearing the soles out after a year you might want to look at how your walking and if your shuffling your feet as you walk which could either be a learned habit, laziness, or a sign of something medical that needs attention. I wear a pair of timberlands that are 13 months old and the sole is still top notch and the insides are about an A- despite having a synthetic wool liner. The sole is rated to about 1,000 degree's which helps with hot slag and hot metal drops.Welding Supervisor Department of Corrections. |
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发表于 2021-8-31 23:56:51