Does anybody make really durable workboots?

[The Byre]

Does anyone make durable waterproof side zip 8" boots that last? I tried Bates (soles came off almost immediately) Magums (both soles came off one pair and the fake leather coating came off another pair within a few weeks). Being genuinely waterproof is a must, as much of our land is pretty boggy, especially at this time of year.

 

[AllUpHere]

I've searched for an answer to this question for years. Good hiking boots are too fragile, and good work boots are never waterproof for long. I now wear Haix, which are the best I've found. Not sure about a side zip though; have a look on their website.

 

[simon field]

All waterproof boots are let down by the bloody great hole in the top where your foot goes in!

 

[bodgitt&scarperLTD]

Meindl do a chainsaw boot which is very comfortable, hardwearing and has a steel toecap.
Only downside is the price, but it’s worth paying for comfort.

 

[AllUpHere]

Meindl do a chainsaw boot which is very comfortable, hardwearing and has a steel toecap.
Only downside is the price, but it’s worth paying for comfort.

I think boots are a very personal thing. I had a pair of airstreams and didn't like them much. I now have Haix protector ultra and much prefer them. I doubt the OP needs chainsaw protection though.

 

[The Byre]

Actually, I do use a chainsaw quite a bit. I was supposed to be cutting down four trees today and also cutting up some firewood with my trusty old Stihl, but it was pishing down so I passed on that gig! The workboots are for things like ploughing and forestry work and fieldwork like getting rid of gorse and brush. We have 20 acres to play with!

I used to worry about toecaps when we had horses, but the last one died this year of old age. I might get some more, but then I want to farm some of the land for our own fruit and veg.

We have been clearing and sorting out parts of the land and even discovered a stream I didn't know we had as it was hidden under years of bushes and small trees. I also found two badger sets and several roe deer 'nests' and put up about 300m of fencing and built about seven gates.

But at about £200, I do expect to get exactly what I want and really good quality.

Thanks for the suggestions so far - any more?

 

[AllUpHere]

I find a steel midsole more important than a steel toecap these days. I usually end up with toecaps though.

I find Gore Tex to be hit and miss. Sometimes completely waterproof for years and sometimes leaks like a sieve within months.

You also need to be careful with Vibram soles. Some are really grippy and some are as slippery as a fish on an oily frozen pond if the ground is at all damp.

One pleasant surprise I did have was a cheap pair of Stanley boots I bought in Wickes. Held together for over a year of daily wear, and stayed waterproof the whole time. I think they were about 40 quid.

 

[Craftymetal]

Currently waiting for some external toecap boots from William Lennon

Not tried them before but have heard really good reviews on them however the wait time for them to be made is quite long at present. They do a lot of traditional farming boots would have to keep them maintained to retain waterproofing

Always struggled with good quality boots most barely last me 6 months no matter how much I spend.

 

[intheTRADE]

Scruffs are the best work boots I've ever bought. Had them around 4 years and still going strong

 

[paulears]

I’m a recent convert to screw fix boots and compared to my old ones, they’re not too heavy and comfy leather.

 

[AllUpHere]

I’m a recent convert to screw fix boots and compared to my old ones, they’re not too heavy and comfy leather.

Which ones? Screwfix do loads of different boot brands.

 

[paulears]

These are the ones I bought. I'm not sure if horse leather is accurate or a description.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/site-mudguard-safety-dealer-boots-brown-size-10/9955d

 

[simon field]

These are the ones I bought. I'm not sure if horse leather is accurate or a description.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/site-mudguard-safety-dealer-boots-brown-size-10/9955d

But they’re not even water resistant, let alone waterproof!

 

[The Byre]

One of my problems is that I'm a big lad and my choice is limited by the fact that I need a size 13. That and the fact that the boots have to be moderately waterproof.

Large parts of the farming and building shoe and boot market seem to think that site workers and farmers are tiny people who spend their days in air-conditioned cabs and never have to unclog a mower in the pouring rain or use a shovel at the bottom of a muddy foundation trench.

There really is a gap in the market for decent hard-wearing comfortable boots that are water-resistant (and stay water-resistant!) and can be slipped on and off.

 

[AllUpHere]

I just remembered; aren't you ex-para? If so, get a decent pair of leather boots, get some dubbin and your polishing kit and don't come back until your boots are waterproof (and I can see my face in them).

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I can't speak for working boots but my go to brand is Skechers 'Relaxed Fit' who's sizing is more generous.
I'm a fraction over size 12 on one foot so buy US size 13, UK size 12 which Skechers list as size 47.5 Euro (Most say = 47Euro. UK size 13 is normally 48 Euro - Skechers list as 48.5)

Within their work boot range they have everything you want but finding a pair often means trawling every suppliers site not just their own.

Skechers Wascana Benen Waterproof Tactical Boot might be worth a look? (Non safety though)

 

[Deleted member 59730]

Why not try Sabots? https://www.sabot-breton.com/

I've seen them used by Breton farmers in manure filled yards.

 

[IanSuth]

I just remembered; aren't you ex-para? If so, get a decent pair of leather boots, get some dubbin and your polishing kit and don't come back until your boots are waterproof (and I can see my face in them).

I was about to say my wifes family used to get most farming boots as army surplus from Bogey Knights in Plymouth (they do mailorder) a decent amount of dubbin they are waterproof and at £35 a throw you can replace yearly if need be. Also if you actually go in sometimes they have the more rare boot styles, her father for years had a set of AltBerg boots from there, same kind of price but with better thermal protection and more waterproof - useful when your farm is on an offshoot of Dartmoor

 

[BustersDogs]

Only ever found leather boots to be fully waterproof (I don't do wellies), with regards walking through long wet grass for hours on end and shallow water lying on fields, also trekking through mud for months. And they need looking after properly, cleaned/ reproofed after every soaking. But any method of doing them up is going to be a weak point.

With regards 'lasting' this relies on cleaning/reproofing regularly, letting them dry out properly, which might include needing two pair and alternating them daily, and the understanding that footwear works on mileage, not time. So I can get through a pair of boot in 6 months with my job. I pushed this to 9 months per pair (ie 18 months) when I had two pairs of boots. Driving in them as well can ruin boots as they can start to crack in places not meant to be supple.

Hope that helps.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

One of my problems is that I'm a big lad and my choice is limited by the fact that I need a size 13. That and the fact that the boots have to be moderately waterproof.

Large parts of the farming and building shoe and boot market seem to think that site workers and farmers are tiny people who spend their days in air-conditioned cabs and never have to unclog a mower in the pouring rain or use a shovel at the bottom of a muddy foundation trench.

There really is a gap in the market for decent hard-wearing comfortable boots that are water-resistant (and stay water-resistant!) and can be slipped on and off.

How about these
https://charnwoodfootwear.co.uk/saf...s3-src-side-zip-safety-work-boots.html#140=87

You need to look at oil rig supply companies as its compulsory for them to wear lace + zip footwear in case they go overboard

Few more here
https://industrialworkwearandsupplies.co.uk/collections/safety-boots?page=1

 

[The Byre]

Only ever found leather boots to be fully waterproof (I don't do wellies), with regards walking through long wet grass for hours on end and shallow water lying on fields, also trekking through mud for months. And they need looking after properly, cleaned/ reproofed after every soaking. But any method of doing them up is going to be a weak point.

There was a time when one could get proper leather boots with sewn-in tongues - but now all the 'name' brands have farmed out their production to the Far East and hop from one dodgy OEM to the next. Even Dr. Martens are now cheap and nasty and last a few months. Those V12 boots - the side-zips fail now. But the Sievi boots look as if they might be OK and they are still made in Finnland.

 

[The Byre]

Few more here
https://industrialworkwearandsupplies.co.uk/collections/safety-boots?page=1

I've gone with a pair from Sievi from these people - fingers crossed that they'll last more than a few months!

Thanks again, everyone!

 

[The Byre]

My Sieve boots have arrived. £85 from Industrial Workwear and Supplies for real leather boots and it's thick and supple leather as well. Took them for a test drive in the rain and waded through a stream that runs across our front field and beasted through the wet grass.

So far, so good and really comfortable. Feet still dry.

 

[simon field]

My Sieve boots have arrived..

I see what you did there! Hopefully they don’t leak like one

 

[AllUpHere]

I see what you did there! Hopefully they don’t leak like one

Or autocorrect providing a Freudian slip.