Boots?

[TreeRhino]

OK, so I'm in the market for some new boots. I've always worn Redwings. Usually eight inch, with a steel toe and shank. But, not the logger style because I'm not sure how my terribly flat feet would fare in such a heel.

I've been looking at Carolina loggers as they are Gore-tex lined (waterproof is really important for me) and are far more affordable than redwings. Anyone have any experiences with Carolinas to share (Good or bad)?

I don't know about you guys but regardless of what kind of boots I get, I always seem to tear them up in a year and $200+ for Red Wings is kiling me.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[MasterBlaster]

Carolinas are cheap boots, IMO. Stick with Red Wings, or step up to Wescos or White.

I spent years wearing Wescos, but nowadays I wear the cheap Commando model WalMart sells for about $50. And yes they hold spurs securely. As long as they keep selling that boot, I'll never pay the big bucks for heavy, clunky, logger type boots.

[No_Bivy]

coffee mate and metamucil......that your morning beverage MB?:lol:

jus kiddin.............:D

[Cobleskill]

Butch,

I've learned my lesson on wallyworld shoes and my son has too. I liked one shoe they carried and he had a sneaker-shoe they had that worked good for roofing. They quit carrying both. Both of us have decided if we find a shoe we like we are going to buy 2 or 3 pairs!

[MasterBlaster]

Whatever. I usually get six months out of em.

[JonnyHart]

There's a store in the mall 5 miles away from me with redwing loggers for 50 bucks. Steel toe loggers for 60. Haven't been there in about a month, but I'll bet they still got em. They didn't have any gortex or insulated ones.
This weekend I'll try to find out if they got a way for you to order from them.

[Cobleskill]

I am really not a wallyworld fan but they do seem to have the best wearing shoe for the price out there. It sucks when they don't have the ones you like anymore though.

[Cobleskill]

JH

i am from the area. What store and mall.

[JonnyHart]

The Summit Park Mall, in the Town of Wheatfield, don't know the name of the store, but it's near the Bon-Ton.
Where you at man? Do I know you?

[Cobleskill]

JH

No you prolly don't. Wilson area. Did you know the tree guy that died in the trailer fire on River Road?

[JonnyHart]

Sure, Dave from ABC tree service, had the 16" high boots and always tucked his pants into them :). That was very sad, rest his soul.
The first tree service I ever worked for was in Wilson, Mohawk Tree Service.
I live in Wheatfield.

[Cobleskill]

Yeah, I know BB from Mohawk. Did you know Steve that worked for Mohawk that drowned in the river. He was a great guy.

[Paul B]

you two keep this up we're gonna see a man hug pic!

:P

[Cobleskill]

Nobody wants that! i have seen that picture.

[Bodean]

Wescos after they break in are like moccasins.

Plus great stomach workout for footlocking.

[lumberjack]

I like my Asolo's, just about worn the tread off the ball (of the foot) of sole.

[MasterBlaster]

Wescos after they break in are like moccasins.


I beg to differ! Mine are at least 8 years old and have been rebuilt once, and they are still as stiff and hard soled as the day I bought em.

[MasterBlaster]

Whites> Wescos> Red Wing> Carolina

[Greenhorn]

Hope everybody is using mink oil on their leather boots - last twice as long that way.

I'm in search of the do it all boot, currently its Columbia hiking for pruning and something with a big heal / stiff shank for gaffs. If I can find a hiking boot with a stiff shank I may have done it. Maybes MB's commandos are that way.

Perhaps thats why there is all the hype about Asolos?? Cause my columbias have way more aggresive tread than Asolos.

[MasterBlaster]

It doesn't have a shank but instead a super thick sole. It's more like a sneaker than a boot.

[lumberjack]

Asolo's have a increadibly stiff sole from the arch back. The toes can flex somewhat under normal loads.

Not sure if these pics will convey any meaning, but here they are.

The boot without any weight on it:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/10mmsheepdog/DSC04663.jpg

100lbs pushing straight down the length of the boot. The arch "rose" slightly under the weight.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/10mmsheepdog/DSC04664.jpg

20lbs would can move the toe area a decent amount, but after roughly 40lbs they have flexed back to the arch area and they don't move much more. Here's 40lbs of pressure trying to roll the toes back:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/10mmsheepdog/DSC04667.jpg

And here's the tread presently. I bought them in Atlanta with Gary before we went down to Andersonville, I'm guessing that was in April. I probably wear these more than my Birkenstocks and my sneakers/tennis shoes combined.

My size 13's (14 in most US measurements) weigh 2.2lbs a peice.

http://www.asolo.com/content.asp?L=3&idMen=429

[Greenhorn]

CArl, you where them with hooks much, not alot of heel there?

[lumberjack]

When I need to.

Never had a problem, the arch where the shank rests is about 1/2" higher then the heel.

[MasterBlaster]

I hate half boots like for treework. Once you slap on the hooks they seem to collect sawdust and crap.

[lumberjack]

Just checked, mine are sawdust free.

My pants fit over the boots.

[MasterBlaster]

Well I must be lying my ass off then.

[MasterBlaster]

For me it happens when climbing and bending my leg a lot. And like I said, when I wear hooks I pull my pants up some. But whaddoIknow, this is all new to me.


And lets try to stay on topic for once. I don't wanna delete any more unfriendly posts.

[lumberjack]

I buy and wear clothing that fits the task at hand.

[pantheraba]

I buy and wear clothing that fits the task at hand.

Haha, Carl..that reminds me of the line at the Rendezvous..."Don't be an .......?" :lol:

But, I agree, the right clothes for the job. Re: sawdust...I wear gaiters, keeps out everything, dust, dirt, water, skree, snow (not much of that here)

I have Asolo's too...it was NoBivy that got me to try them. I wear them everyday, office, workouts, hikes, trees when I do them...in trees mainly without spurs. When I wear spurs I take out my old Ted Williams boots from the 70's...good stiff shank for the spurs to rest on.

[lumberjack]

Haha, Carl..that reminds me of the line at the Rendezvous..."Don't be an .......?" :lol:...


Ha! Sometimes, from the outside lookin in, the apple looks red and delicious, but when you get on the other side it looks more like a shriveled dust covered prune not worthy of mastication.

[Cobleskill]

I saw a pro logger doing a 40 acre 500 plus trees this fall. He had tall logging boots with pants tucked in (chain saw pants) and he sealed them with a couple wraps of duct tape. Didn't look cool but I bet it works.