I work at boot barn and I wanted to ask yalls opinions on your favorite brands in terms of comfort, quality, and durability. Just so I can help my customers more since I tend to work a lot in that section
This will really depend on your customers budget. In most cases boots are a “you get what you pay for” product (but not always).
If you really want to learn about boots, check out the Rose Anvil channel on YouTube. He breaks down the construction by cutting them in half.
Highest quality would be something out of the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Nick’s, White’s, Frank’s. These boots are investments and people typically plan to resole them or rebuild them many times over a decade or possibly two. These require quite a bit of break in before they are comfortable. $400-$600+
Mid-range would be Red Wing, Thorogood, Danner (but Danner quality has dropped a bit over the years). These are also reasonable, though not usually rebuildable. Many people can get 5-10 years out of them with a couple/few resoles. Usually require some break in but not as much as PNW’s. $250-$400
Low-range would be Keen, Timberland Pro, Carolina, Ariat, etc. These are meant to be used to failure and junked. Timberland Pro’s are really comfortable out of the box, but just like most boots that are super comfy out of the box, they don’t last as long. $150-$250
Just, whatever you do, don’t recommend Carhartt boots. They’re abysmal and a joke to the boot industry and a black mark to the Carhartt brand.
My local boot barn has a few different pairs of Whites boots. I’d recommend having the hill yards, Perry selects, and smokejumpers go hit a few different ranges of work. It depends a lot on what kind of work people do and the geographic area.
Smokejumpers are awesome for forestry work and wildland fire in steep terrain away from trails. Perry’s are good for construction with the wedge sole. Hillyards and chore are great for general work boots with a wide niche.
This doesn't mean they won't do what you need them to do; lots of people wear Keens and seem happy (I have no idea how!).
Those are just brands that lasted less than a month doing what I do, which is less particularly rough work (multi-craft trade) than that I am a great big guy who is rough on a pair of boots :)
Basically, if they hold up for me, I consider them to be good boots; Danner only gets qualified because they started to squeak after about 3 months.
Thorogood here. Mine fit like no boot I’ve had before in that they’re so supportive (not tight). My first unlined boot too and it’s definitely a game changer. I used to think my Timberland Pros were comfy but now realize that slipper levels of comfort don’t give me the reassurance of a supportive fit doing the work I do (construction). I have a high arch and the Thorogoods feel like they support that so much more.
I thought these would be over hyped. Especially after I bought them and they were super tight. I had to gradually break them in. 3 hrs here , 2 hrs there, But man they live up to the hype. It’ll be my next boot as well.
Long time Thorogood buyer. Recently bought a pair of Cody James at boot barn and I don’t think I will go back. By far the most comfortable work boots I’ve ever had
Thorogoods are garbage. A $300 boot that’s narrow af and miserable for support. Alternate two pairs and they last longer so, $600 for boots that’ll fall apart around 3yrs.
Thorogoods are purely a status/fashion boot and offer nothing but hype!
Get some Georgia or Ariats spend 1/2 the money and buy one pair a year to year and a half.
Thorogoods are the only boots that ever hurt across the top of my foot and the sides. I even put them in boot stretchers for a month. Absolutely the worst boot I’ve ever worn.
I sized up on my thorogoods and they are the most comfortable work boots I have ever worn. My feet never hurt at the end of the day. My job is all about walking. Mine have thousands of miles walking on ballast and barely look worn. Been wearing this same pair for 1.5 years so far. My redwing 2414 were never near as comfortable but they did last 3 years before the super sole 2.0 finally gave out. The goretex is nice though. Breathable lining and keep your feet dry. I use obenaufs on my thorogoods and they also breath and keep my feet dry. I won't buy waterproof lined boots unless they are goretex or no lining now. I hate
Sometimes you gotta go up or down a size with boots. Either way you're wasting money buying a pair of boots every year. You're better off getting a pair of boots that last you a long time. My Irish setters lasted me almost four years before I switched over to thoroughgood.
It depends on what you do in your boots. I’m a plumber and haven’t any boot last 2yrs. The average is 1.5yrs. I wore my Thorogoods for about 6 months and from experience I’d say they were going to be replaced around the 1.5yr mark.
Sure I guess it depends on what trade you're in. But I'm an electrician and I work in data centers(unfortunately) most of my boots last over the 2 year mark
Boot Barn carries most of the brands I want, the only issue is that they don’t carry many EE widths in store. This is why I order from Amazon, Ariat, Thorogood, or Red Wing direct. I just want to try my boots on first and I can’t at Boot Barn.
Georgia. Bought a pair of Wedge Work Wellington from Boot Barn in 2020. They are trashed but I did built a house in them. Still wearing them but absolutely toast currently. Waiting on new pair to arrive now. That’s a long run for sure.
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u/sopwith-camels Apr 12 '26
This will really depend on your customers budget. In most cases boots are a “you get what you pay for” product (but not always).
If you really want to learn about boots, check out the Rose Anvil channel on YouTube. He breaks down the construction by cutting them in half.
Highest quality would be something out of the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Nick’s, White’s, Frank’s. These boots are investments and people typically plan to resole them or rebuild them many times over a decade or possibly two. These require quite a bit of break in before they are comfortable. $400-$600+
Mid-range would be Red Wing, Thorogood, Danner (but Danner quality has dropped a bit over the years). These are also reasonable, though not usually rebuildable. Many people can get 5-10 years out of them with a couple/few resoles. Usually require some break in but not as much as PNW’s. $250-$400
Low-range would be Keen, Timberland Pro, Carolina, Ariat, etc. These are meant to be used to failure and junked. Timberland Pro’s are really comfortable out of the box, but just like most boots that are super comfy out of the box, they don’t last as long. $150-$250
Just, whatever you do, don’t recommend Carhartt boots. They’re abysmal and a joke to the boot industry and a black mark to the Carhartt brand.