The New Huntmastersbbs!: Work Boots

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Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on October 21, 2014, 04:27 PM:

Ok, I'm 50 now and I think the years are starting to take their toll. Lower back pain sometimes, when it's bad. It's bad. Starting to get sore in the back of my ankles and such now.

Currently cruising in a set of Justin Ropers. Thinking, It might be time to step up to something better.

Anyway anybody use White's ? Thinking well, USA made. Spokane Washington. I've heard that higher heel they use helps ?

Oh yeah usually spend @ least half the day on concrete.

[ October 21, 2014, 04:28 PM: Message edited by: Dave Allen ]

Posted by KaBloomR (Member # 4252) on October 21, 2014, 04:42 PM:

I don't know anything about the White brand, but if you're spending time on concrete or other hard surfaces, the Georgia Wellington "Wedge" model is one of the best I've worn.

Posted by DanS (Member # 316) on October 21, 2014, 04:52 PM:

I thought a lower heel was better for you

Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on October 21, 2014, 05:21 PM:

Dan, I don't know ?

A guy I work with, went to a foot doctor and he said the higher arch the White boot provides is better for your back and feet ? that's what, I think he told me anyway.

The guy, I'm talking about wound up having something built, can't remember right now what they're called, but, anyway you can transfer them from shoe to shoe. I think they cost about $300 bucks.

I'll look into you're suggestion K-bloomR

[ October 21, 2014, 05:25 PM: Message edited by: Dave Allen ]

Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on October 21, 2014, 05:43 PM:

BTW..

On a side note: I've been wearing wool mix socks for 12-13 years now. Kinda expensive, compared to white cotton socks, but can't say enough good things about them.

My feet sweat less even when it's hot ! hard to believe, I know. Trust me..

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 21, 2014, 06:32 PM:

When I was working, I wore orthotics in my boots. Haven't worn them since, but I'm not on my feet all day. They are professionally fitted by a Podiatrist. Mine were covered, at the time they were $500, but I have been retired for ten years.

They definitely help. At least for me, with fallen arches, there is actual foot soreness and the whole leg, (both) just aches after all day. What they do is correct your posture, get you supported properly.

As far as White Boots, some people swear by them, but I have never worn a pair? I do wear Orvis, and their Gokkie brand, (I'm not spelling it right?) can be custom made to a tracing of your foot, just like the White brand. I also wear Danner's and have had mine for (guessing) about fifteen years, one resole.

Anyway, good boots aren't cheap. For real support, I wouldn't wear anything but a lace up; Wellingtons don't suit me, at all.

That's another thing, socks! Damn! It's nothing to pay thirty dollars for top quality socks and a wool "blend", for durability, is a sound choice. Okay, maybe you can get serviceable socks for $20? Lots of variations out there for hiking and other specialized applications.

Seems everything is expensive, these days? I did gas in Kingman for $2.87 a gallon, but around here, it's more like $3.49. They always gouge The People's Republik. Ammo? Same thing.

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on October 21, 2014, 07:09 PM:

Good post Leonard.

What you described is what my buddy @ work, basically said.

It's weird. I've bought, good boots over the years, for hunting ect, and got years out of them. Like a cheap-dumbass never really invested in work boots.

I still have a pair of Filson's. I bought in the 90's. The side of one is finally getting torn out from too many scrapes with rocks. Bought a pair of leather Danners 4-5 years ago for hunting, and wear for work in the winter. Can't complain @ all about them.

Filson wool socks, were the bomb !! Maybe still are ? Our local dealer went down a few years ago.

Might have to order some on-line. Rockys are Ok, but..Not the same, though.

Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on October 21, 2014, 07:17 PM:

Oh yeah, gas ?

Were like $3.40 ish' a gallon also. My realitives in Oryegun are talking like $3.00 ish' a gallon over there.

Is it me ? Or whats with Kalifornia and Idaho ?

Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on October 21, 2014, 08:33 PM:

Dave,

I have worked on concrete for 25 plus years and many of those days were 10 or more hours long. For the first 20 years I could have gotten by wearing moccasins because my feet, back, and legs felt great and I didn't know what back or foot pain even was.

About 10 years ago, my back started bugging me and I thought it was due to a lifting something wrong which likely started the discomfort. What got me the worst though was after my back started acting up I came down with a bad case of plantar fasciitis(sp?) I was damn near ready to do something drastic due to the foot pain.

Anyway, I happened to talk with a buddy who had went through almost the same thing and had tried a pair of Nicks Boots which are virtually the same as Whites. He said within a few weeks his foot pain went away.

I went ahead and got sized for a pair, but in the meantime went to a foot doctor who sized me up for a set of custom orthotics. The Dr. also sent me to physical therapy to get a handle on the plantar fasciitis. It took a couple months for my feet to get better, but what I noticed is that after starting to wear the orthotics, within a couple weeks my back pain went away and has been gone for 10 plus years.

While I think good boots that support my feet on concrete are very important, the custom orthotics helped me even more.

The custom orthos were in the $400 range and my insurance didn't cover them, but I would pay 100 times that amount if it meant avoiding the foot pain I had without them.

Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on October 22, 2014, 04:22 AM:

Work detail aside, I can echo what Lonny said.

Blew my back out a few years ago & developed plantar faciitis as well. Got cortisone shots @ podiatrist to get thru an elk hunt, but it came back within a few months. Wound up doing my homework & buying a Strassburg sock online. Wore it every night to bed, and stretched like he!! every morning. After a few months, the PF just kinda faded away...

Anyhoo, as for work boots, I picked up a nice pair of Keen Pittsburghs on closeout. They've been a good boot for what I paid, and they have a steel toe.
Also, have been wearing a partially wrecked pair of Salomon 4D GTX boots @ work. I have a high arch, and the Salomons are the only boot I've worn that are more comfortable and forgiving than the Keens. They are more of a lightweight hiking boot, but do well here @ the shop. And with a good pair of socks, they are like Heaven in the colder months

Speaking of which, bite the bullet and get you some DARN TOUGH socks! They are a merino/synthetic blend sock and are OUTSTANDING!

Life is too short for factory rifles, shitty scopes, cheap cigars, and crappy footwear!

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 22, 2014, 07:50 AM:

...and Liberal women. Like Rachel Maddow. Fuck 'em!

edit: high arch? What's that? How about NO arch? You think you have problems?

[ October 22, 2014, 07:52 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]

Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on October 22, 2014, 09:42 AM:

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Guess what ? Yeah, I'm home today. Back is friggin' killing me. It's weird kinda like Lonny mentioned it's kinda getting down to my feet somedays.

A few weeks ago. I couldn't plant down on my left foot, hobbled around a few days and it went away.

I think it's time to go see a doctor this winter, when things slow down. Man, I hate going to the doctor !!

(edit) Maddows a bitch !!

[ October 22, 2014, 09:43 AM: Message edited by: Dave Allen ]

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 22, 2014, 10:02 AM:

Be careful. Sometimes, what you might think is foot problems can be a very painful condition known as GOUT. Ask me how I know. I always thought of gout as a joke or at least, not serious but if you come down with it, you will change your mind in a hurry. Just sayin'

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on October 22, 2014, 04:09 PM:

Dave, I hear ya on hating to go see a Dr. In my case it took me a year to go see a doc and things only got worse. I should have went way sooner like my wife told me to do. When I did finally go see a doc it led to seeing several docs before getting things figured out.

Leonard I also have very little arch and I think that over time and working on concrete this allowed my feet to flatten even more, which required me to go up in shoe size over the years. My dad wore orthotics when he was about my age, but he called them "devices." They fixed his back troubles too.

You would think at some point I would have connected the dots between a possible hereditary thing and flat feet, but oh no, I bumbled along thinking things would just get better on their own. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy.

I read something once that humans were more designed to chase animals over hill and dale and we only started standing on hard surfaces for hours on end over the last 150 years or so.

Posted by DanS (Member # 316) on October 22, 2014, 04:31 PM:

I went ahead and got sized for a pair of custom orthotics also. I have plantar fasciitis too.
While I think good boots that support my feet on concrete are very important, the custom orthotics helped me even more.

My custom orthos were expensive too, some of the best money I spent. Luckily my insurance covered part of it. Going to the Podiatrist tomorrow, I want a new pair, well a second to put in my hunting boots.

Posted by jimanaz (Member # 3689) on October 22, 2014, 05:20 PM:

$0.02...Justin Work Boots. Concrete, dirt, other uneven surfaces, up and down a ladder, etc. Doubt that I'll ever own a different brand of work boots.

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 22, 2014, 06:44 PM:

Yeah, I think that's what Vic wears? Come to think of it, that's ALL he wears, except for those flashy Mexican Wrestler Sneakers, of course.

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on October 23, 2014, 04:43 AM:

Merril sneakers, old running shoes and Ariat lace up chucka are about all I wear anymore. I work on concrete and have for 30+ years. Work boots just don't work for me anymore.

Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on October 23, 2014, 05:05 AM:

I know I'm running into this late, pun intended.... been busy.

Red Wings, Superfeet (Black) insoles and Thorlo socks.

Red Wings can be semi-custom ordered, made to fit your foot shape. I agree that "wedge" soles are the best, when working on concrete floors.

I started using the Superfeet insoles when I was climbing big walls, like in Yosemite, long days standing in the rope ladders used in that type of climbing are murder on your arches. I continued to use them for work, and to this day if I don't love a pair of shoes they get Superfeet (green) insoles.
*Green ones are pretty standard with a stiff "cup" that holds your heel and supports the arch. Black ones are a step up from those, with a stiffer cup and more padded liner.
While these aren't custom made orthotics, they can be had for somewhere around $50.00.

Socks... I stopped wearing cotton tube socks just after high-school, and never looked back.
I've worn every premium brand you can find.
Smartwool - too expensive, but they do last well.
Fox River - good stuff, can be found for better prices than the Smartwool, but, don't seem to last long enough (for me).
Thorlo - pricey, but they come in a myriad of blends, weights, and lengths. They last longer than any other premium brand I've tried (I got 14 years out of my first 4 pairs of Thorlos, hiking and working hard).

Costco - sells a Thorlo/Smartwool knock-off, for a great price, I'm wearing a pair as we speak. They tend to shrink so buy over-sized. I've only been buying them for a couple years so I can't speak to how long they last, yet.
Red Wing - has a white work sock very similar to the Thorlo running sock, a Cool-Max type of blend, that come out of the box very well (*but they lose their "loft" fairly quickly) and at around $15 a pair can be a good value and can be replaced more often because of this value pricing.

I know somebody will likely call me a "dirty hippie" now, but I'm gonna say this anyways.

Birkenstocks.

Yep, I said it! Get a pair for off days, they can and will do wonders for the fitness of your feet, especially if you're experiencing foot/back pain.

The lil woman is a nurse and spends tons of time on her feet on hard floors. I recently found her a pair of the white nurses Birks sierratradingpost... she put them on and said "oh my god! these are like a little leather hug for my feet!"
The raised portions of the insole are designed to spread the load out over your whole foot and to strengthen the arch and toes.
She's since bought two more pairs of Birks for daily use (*she thought they were just for hippies, too). [Wink]

Krusty

P.S. Red Wing makes an insole, similar to the Superfeet, but they are a pale comparison.

[ October 23, 2014, 08:25 AM: Message edited by: Krustyklimber ]

Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on October 23, 2014, 08:29 AM:

Krusty..........A Dirty Hippie ?????

[Eek!]

Not so..........he was recently bathed when I met him.

[Big Grin]

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 23, 2014, 10:34 AM:

Krusty voiced an opinion on boots that exactly agreed with an email from one who shall not be named; same sole, same brand.

Good hunting. El Bee

edit: and by the way, I had a brochure from White Boots a while ago and they have two different brands, one more suitable for lumberjacks and such. All of them are what I would consider on the high end, price wise. LB

[ October 23, 2014, 10:37 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]

Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on October 23, 2014, 05:22 PM:

I'm with ya Jim, when my back or feet don't hurt. I love my Justin's almost like wearing tennis shoes !!

Krusty, I'll check out the Superfeet insoles, for $50 bucks, what the hell ?

Birkenstocks ? Dude-Really ?.... [Big Grin]

Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on October 23, 2014, 06:27 PM:

Leonard,

Gawd! I hate it when that happens. [Smile]

Dave,

Under $50 if you shop well. [Wink]

Dude, yup, Birkenstocks.

They make a chukka/desert boot, the Dundee, that isn't bad looking.... and the low-top Maine is another acceptable style... these do have shoelaces.

Don't knock 'em 'til ya try 'em. [Cool]

Krusty

Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on October 23, 2014, 07:40 PM:

There's a boot for everyone, and everyone has a favorite, mine is the Justin work boot. I have worn them for work, climbing poles or long periods of ladder work, standing on concrete terminating protectors or splicing cable, hours on horseback, and countless hours stomping thru the desert coyote hunting. The absolute best boot Ive ever had on my feet.
Leonard is right, it's all I wear....but I always have two pair going, one for my "town boots", the other for work and hunting.

Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on October 24, 2014, 05:00 AM:

I'm all over the map on boots. Not for work though, so doesn't really apply here. I do, or at least up until about a month ago, used to, walk 1500 to 2000 miles a year - for pleasure. Still searching for my perfect foot wear.

But on the socks and the Superfeet I am in agreement. The orange Superfeet are in the two pair of boots I wear the most right now.

Socks... I mostly wear a Thorlo that is a blend, for light duty stuff like coyote hunting or light hiking. Really long miles, backpacking, steep stuff, whatever, I wear either Vermont Darn Tough or SmartWool PhD. Both are stupid expensive, but last an amazingly long time, given the abuse I put them through. And keep my feet happy when I've been away from a fresh pair for a couple days and many miles and am still a couple more days and many miles from a fresh pair.

- DAA

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 24, 2014, 07:44 AM:

quote:
Leonard is right, it's all I wear....but I always have two pair going, one for my "town boots", the other for work and hunting.

I knew that, too. [Smile]

Around here, there is a dearth of locations where you can walk in and actually eyeball socks, much less serviceable boots, for work or play. And, that's a problem. You know, if they don't carry it at Walmart...and when it comes to stuff I personally wear, Walmart /oops! yes, I have been known to wear some camo items, caps and tee shirts, but that's about it.

So, since Walmart has forced out all sporting goods stores along with everything else, it's mail order only so folks out in flyover country already know this, but I'm 25 years behind the times. It's a pain to buy stuff mail order, you want to buy at least two of everything and eat the return postage.

That brings me back to the only alternative, BassPro or Cabelas and I don't have a Cabelas within miles, Glendale, AZ or Las Vegas, NV. but there is a BassPro just down the street. In this urban area, I don't know where they come out of the woodwork, but they seem to do a healthy business? I say that because, if I were to consider a half square mile surrounding where I live, I am doubtful you would turn up another hunter of any sort? I should ask the mailman, sometime?

At the campout, I wore a new pair of boots that I bought over six months ago, intending to break them in before tromping around in the weeds, but didn't. Didn't have any problems except one of my pet peeves; the friggin' tongue kinda bunches up no matter how much effort I put into tucking the sides! I don't like wadded up tongue! I'm thinking I might have to cut it, but that begs more problems. Maybe some people aren't fussy about that, but I AM !

Anybody?

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on October 24, 2014, 08:20 AM:

http://www.backpacker.com/gear/footwear/hiking-boots/common-hiking-boot-lacing-techniques/

Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on October 24, 2014, 01:32 PM:

If you like the Thorlos, like I do you, or want to try a pair, you can get a freebie for the price of shipping ($5.00) Normally they run at least $15 in the store.

I took a few minutes a couple months back and received a pair in a 2-3 days with no strings attached.

https://www.thorlo.com/free-sock-offer/page_home

Posted by KaBloomR (Member # 4252) on October 24, 2014, 02:22 PM:

Thanks for the link, Lonny. Just ordered some hikers. Hell, I'll try a pair for $4.90

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 24, 2014, 03:01 PM:

I did it too. In eight weeks I will probably not remember ordering it, but where can you get a decent sock for $4.90 these days?

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by trapper2 (Member # 3651) on October 24, 2014, 03:03 PM:

well I have trouble with my back and feet also, lower back is fused together and above that I have two steel rods running up to my neck. I was having fits with my back and feet till a old lady showed my wife how to rub the muscle knots out of my back, hurts like fire when she does it but sure helps later. still couldn't find any foot wear that I could wear day after day till I got a pair of Russell moccasins, now I have 4 pair and wear them every day, hunt, walk, go to church, standing on concrete in the knife shop. I also went to wearing their heavy wool blend sock and I think that helped more then most people would think. boots and socks are both holding up real good and I am real hard on boots

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 24, 2014, 03:40 PM:

Yeah, I forgot about Russell, they make a good boot, but do their moccasins have a hard sole? Out here we need tough leather uppers and soles to combat cactus, not to mention Palo Verde and Mesquite trees which have thorns every bit as vicious as barrel cactus and cholla.

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by trapper2 (Member # 3651) on October 24, 2014, 04:28 PM:

yea the ones I have all have hard soles, you can get the soft leather sole too, but I have the harder type. I have two pair that have canvas tops and two pair with leather tops, so far they are the toughest boot I have had

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 24, 2014, 04:49 PM:

Well, that's another thing. I do not like a boot with ballistic nylon panels because cactus goes right through it.

To save weight, flying to South Dakota a couple years ago, I packed my military desert boots that have rough out tan suede uppers. Not only did that short hidden cactus go right through those boots but I had to put up with Huber calling them "Hush Puppies".

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by trapper2 (Member # 3651) on October 24, 2014, 05:28 PM:

yea two pair of mine wouldn't work in cactus, but the two pair with leather uppers are great in cactus, briers or anything else like that, those two pair are both triple vamp, which means they are three layers of leather, and the other thing is they are the only boots I have had that have stayed water proof

Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on October 24, 2014, 08:40 PM:

BearPaws; Moccasin uppers & a soft rubber traction sole.
Screw the cacti...........take the pain.

Posted by Prune Picker (Member # 4107) on October 25, 2014, 11:39 AM:

FYI, Midway has Danner Proghorns on sale for less than 100.00$ per pair. Nothing lager than 11 1/2 tho. Last pair I bought were close to 200.00$ by the time they arrived.

Posted by DanS (Member # 316) on October 26, 2014, 05:51 AM:

I just bought a pair of Pronghorns from Cabelas. They were marked $179. When I told the salesman they were marked down to $139 on their website, he said he would mark them down to $99 for me. Worked out real well for me because I had $93 in Cabelas club points.

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 26, 2014, 07:19 AM:

Man, you drive a hard bargain. I guess that was in a store, right?

You know, the last time I was in Cabelasa, I ran into Tim Behle, who was just about as far from where he lived as I was?

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by DanS (Member # 316) on October 26, 2014, 05:52 PM:

Yea, that was in store and he only had two pairs of those boots, luckily one pair was the size I wanted.

Decided not to buy a lottery ticket that day because I used up my luck at the store.

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 26, 2014, 08:17 PM:

Danner Pronghorns for that price seem like a very good deal but I wear 13's.

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 31, 2014, 10:11 PM:

UPDATE: Got my socks yesterday. I was surprised!

Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2

*October 24, 2014 03:01 PM
I did it too. In eight weeks I will probably not remember ordering it, but where can you get a decent sock for $4.90 these days?

Good hunting. El Bee

--------------------

And, by the way, speaking about spendy socks. I got a catalogue a couple days ago and noticed a pair of bison socks for $59. There was another choice for only $49 but I don't remember what made them special? Orvis cat.

[ October 31, 2014, 10:17 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]

Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on December 16, 2014, 05:04 PM:

Thought, I'd give an update. Wound up buying a set of SOFSOLE-FIT insoles @ Sportsmans Warehouse about a month ago. Cost $40 bucks.

Probably should look for Superfeet as suggested. Anyway in my mind these things are great !!

Slipped those into the ol' Justins..Back and feet are feeling better. Hopefully that continues.

Will definitely pay more attention to factory insoles when buying boots in the future, and or will be stepping up for decent insoles to add to whatever I'm wearing.

Thanks for the ideas guys..

[ December 16, 2014, 05:05 PM: Message edited by: Dave Allen ]

Posted by earthwalker (Member # 4177) on December 23, 2014, 03:50 AM:

Guess I'm a little late on this topic too.
I've got a bad back, knees and feet.
If working on a solid surface(cement) you NEED quality boots for the support of your skeleton frame.
Wore Whites for years and they work for standing and such. Got away from them, to heavy for the most part.
Got into Kennetrek boots.
They will give the support you are looking for Dave A. Spendy yes but the relief you will feel is worth it. I guess you get what you pay for.
Won't/can't wear Danners and other like boots.

Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on December 23, 2014, 03:00 PM:

Thanks are you thinking something like this ?
http://www.kenetrek.com/Kenetrek-Mountain-Boots/products/12/

[ December 23, 2014, 03:01 PM: Message edited by: Dave Allen ]

Posted by earthwalker (Member # 4177) on December 23, 2014, 05:20 PM:

I have a pair of 8" Extremes and a pair of Desert Guides I wear in the summer.
Going for a pair of Safari's next spring.
Sportsmans Warehouse carries them if you want to try some on at Merdian or Nampa.

[ December 23, 2014, 05:22 PM: Message edited by: earthwalker ]

Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on December 23, 2014, 05:35 PM:

Well, thanks !!

I actually work right down the road from Sportsman's in Nampa. Anyway when I bought the insoles. I was in Bend Oregon, didn't even think to look @ boots then ?

I'll check em' out sometime soon.

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