What are the best kind of boots?

I'm looking for boots that are rugged enough to stand up to rocks, nails and stomping on shovels, comfortable enough to wear all day every day, tall enough to keep water, snow, and mud off, tough enough to last forever, and good for walking fairly long distances in.

So far, I've found at best 1 of these qualities in a boot.

If you have a favorite, let me know!

I get what you're after but let me offer a different perspective.

As far as foot health goes, work boots are terrible for your feet.  They are stiff, usually have a heel, don't allow good foot mechanics, and are too narrow for a lot of feet.  And they don't breathe.   The muscles of our feet deteriorate, causing all sorts of ankle, knee, hip, and back issues, all thanks to bad footwear.  

One of the best things you can do during the day is change what shoes you are wearing so that your feet don't get used to one particular kind of support or limited by one shoe shape.

So, I would use work boots when you really need them for work, then find a lighter, more flexible shoe for everything else.

This is a woman's shoe, but it embodies almost everything I want in a work shoe: http://www.clarksusa.com/us/womens-technologies/womens-unstructured/Un-Loop-Brown-Leather/p/26085072



It doesn't have a heel. The leather conforms to my feet.   I can walk many, many miles a day in them comfortably.  I step on shovels with them all the time.  They've taken a full year of beating without showing any sign of deteriorating.  

So, it doesn't fully answer your question, but might add to things to think about on your search.

K Putnam has a lot of good point worth listening to.

Your asking for a lot and your not too likely to find anything to tick all those boxes. I have been a boot wearer most of my life, preferring them over shoes. But never have come across anything that has it all.

#1 thing you will find difficult to find is a boot that can protect like you want and still be comfortable all day or for long walks. Better protection equals less comfort for extended wear or for walking distance.

Oh and you will never find a boot to last forever. Just isn't realistic. The soles themselves might be able to be replaced, to keep a boot going, but eventually even with care the type of abuse your talking about will destroy a boot.

As for places to start looking for boots that you might be able to compromise on. Companies I would suggest who produce high quality boots. Though don't be shocked at quality boots also being a bit pricey.

Keen
Redwing
Georgia Boot
Carhartt

Me personally I am hoping at some point to go the opposite direction and get a pair of Sodhopper moccasins. http://www.sodhoppers.com/html/moccasins.html a boot that lets you feel the ground and is custom made to fit your feet as they make them from a mold of your feet.

Good suggestions. Myself, I like Danners, they've done me well for a long time.

Bill Erickson wrote:Good suggestions. Myself, I like Danners, they've done me well for a long time.

I knew someone would come along and suggest one I forgot. That was the boot company I was struggling to remember but couldn't for the life of me.

I agree with K putman - it's good to change your footwear and you'll not find ALL the things you want in one boot.

Just a thought, but have you thought about adding a pair of water proof gaiters to a short boot to make it a tall one?

Personally I swear by leather Caterpillars as they are wide enough to keep my feet comfortable for a days walking or working and so long as they are well polished, keep me dry as well.

L