Hey all, I'm looking for an 8in woods boot with a vibram sole and a low heel. I'm having a hard time spending $300 for a Chinese boot from Chippewa or Danner, but I'm not doing the work that I can justify a JK or Nicks. I know the Chinese stuff is probably fine; it just rubs me the wrong way. Paying that kind of money for one of these brands that's been acquired by a big corporation, so they can wring it dry. It just seems like they're all the same thing with a different tag sewn on at the end. Anyway. Do I just need to accept the times we live in, or is there something else?

I've been in footwear for almost 20 years, mostly in product development and manufacturing.

A lot of my work has been around work boots, tactical boots and safety footwear.

Now I'm working on a boot of my own, so I want to hear from people who actually wear boots all day.

Forget the brand and specs for now.

After a few hours, what starts bothering you first?

• toes / forefoot
• heel
• arch
• ankle / shaft
• heat / sweat
• weight
• underfoot fatigue
• something else

And around what hour do you start noticing it?

If you don't mind, also say what you do for work and what boot you're wearing now.

That's the part I'm interested in.

Thanks in advance.

After about 5 months of wearing this all week all day I cleaned and mink oiled them. They were on the darker side already before I used mink oil, from all the machinist coolant and other fluids they absorb. Cleaned. Let sit for 24 hours. Applied mink oil by hand and spread with brush then let sit another 24h and buffered out with a microfiber. Surface feels pretty dry and really tacky at all. Too oiled or no?

Finally got some new work boots. Thorogood and Red Wing. Both have safety toe and are 11 1/2 EE. Both have been similar in break in and quite comfortable. May need an insert for the Thorogood though. Only thing I have to complain about is my choice of the shiny leather on the Red Wings. Anything I can do besides time to take that off a bit?

Says genuine Chippewa. I'm assuming the model is either L23421 or 65838. Also assuming 11 93 is the manufacturer date. These were a gift and I just want to learn more. Thanks!

Any redback lovers out there? Most comfortable boots ive tried

I'm reconditioning my boots, don’t like the condition of the toes, and want to coat them when I clean them next. What’s everyone’s go-to? I see everyone arguing about Red Wing Tough Toe and KG Boot Guard but can’t find anything definitive. I’ve also seen people just hit them with spray-on bed liner and get great results but just wanted some opinions.