Footwear recommendation for zone 6a

Hi folks.,

Looking for a comfortable, tough winter workboot that can handle tromping through the forest and tromping through the field. I’m fortunate to have hassle free feet, but I destroy footwear on a regular basis. It doesn’t get super cold where I’m at, usually a good pair of wool socks gets me through a cold day.

Specifically looking for make/model, not interested in what qualities make a good boot. Thanks!

Michael, welcome to permies!  

I am looking forward to all the great posts on this topic!

My favorite boots are Redwings. Maybe the model is "Irish Setters"?

These are some interesting threads about boots:

https://permies.com/t/47502/work-boots-vegetable-farming-drip#379278

https://permies.com/t/14303/Durable-repairable-shoes

We live in zone 6a and have the Redwing Irish Setters. We bought them 1.5 years ago and love them for walking through the forest and cutting trees and wood for our stove. They are not waterproof but we've treated ours to be resistant and they are very good along those lines.

They are showing some superficial wear and tear but much less than other footwear. The top is a really tough leather that is almost as good as a steel toe for protecting the feet from things dropping on them, which I do somewhat regularly.

The instep support is good and the area for the toes is roomy enough so that my toes aren't squished, which I hate with a passion that can only be understood by people who had to wear corrective footwear as a child. They are very comfortable for all day wear.

Overall, we rate them a 9 only because we want to leave room for any 10 boots that might exist somewhere in the universe.

I'm a big fan of what are now called "technical hiking boots" or even "lightweight mountaineering boots".  My feet really like LaSportiva boots such as https://www.lasportiva.com/en/txs-gtx-man-blue-24r618619.

And sorry, can't mention brand and models without giving some reasons, if only because "fashion" means that shoe makers rarely have models that persist beyond a few years.  So I like these because:

fit my feet

lightweight

GoreTex liner.  Very helpful on bright sunny days when the pasture is full of dew!

heavy enough shank to prevent nails from coming through

abrasion protection around the toe and heel

"technical" means they provide good control/balance

Of course, I'm hopping on logs (and rocks when I find them) and I generally find safety in agility. I'm not spending a lot of time stomping on a shovel.

I suspect these will not last as long as a pair of good leather boots, but I've yet to find a pair of "work boots" that I want to wear.

Michael,

I, too, am in the market for some similar boots.  I used to have some EXCELLENT boots I got through Cabela's.  They were an Italian made boot with a full Gortex liner.  They were not insulated and that was key.   If it was hot outside, I wore cotton socks, the Gortex let the water vapor through and my feet stayed mostly cool and dry.  If it was cold outside I wore wool socks, water stayed OUTSIDE and my feet stayed warm and dry.  Sadly, I can't find these boots anymore.  I hiked through two pairs of those boots--as in walked the soles right off and eventually undid the stitching beyond reasonable repair.  I got a LOT of use out of them or I would not have re-purchased them.  They were also nice and light--great when hunting pheasants in bitter cold.  I am trying to find something as close as possible to those boots and necessary requirements will have to be Gortex  and lightweight.

Good Luck

Eric

This is such an individual decision.  For me, my tastes change depending on need and my whims. So, I use a heavier hiking boot...Red Wing, a much lighter cross trainer, and Muck Boots.    Muck Boots cost more than I feel is justified.  I broke down and bought a pair due to their comfort level.

I am a big fan of Kamik. I've had the boots linked below for about 5 years, wore them hard for 3 years and they are still going strong. Great tread, water proof, comfortable and warm

https://us.kamik.com/collections/men-mens-footwear-winter-boots/products/bushman-v