I thrift all of mine 🤷🏻‍♀️. U can get them glazed again. I save a lot and colour doesn’t matter.

Cement dust and other motar is a bitch. Steel toe shoes that will last a year

I have some military issue gloves....I think they were $12 new on ebay a couple years ago. Lambskin--equal or better quality than $75 department store gloves.

The Thorogoods look so nice! But they were just a little outside of my budget this year.

After getting so many helpful and thoughtful replies to this post to guide my search, I ordered a pair of Wolverine 10 inch pull on boots (because that’s the style he likes). I plan to keep an eye on the wear and tear on the new boots after winter break once he starts his second semester.

With any luck, by next Christmas I may be able to save enough for a pair of Thorogoods. I really like that they’re a domestic product with what seems to be a great reputation and a solid following of skilled tradesmen and professionals that stand by the product.

That’s exactly what I was looking for when I posted here. I came for the recommend and got so much more—invaluable knowledge in work boots that are worth a damn to actual workers.

A lot, maybe all, of their enameled steel is made is China and is not really a bifl product. The made in France enameled cast iron is though.

Calf or lamb skin. Looks like lambskin.

Yeah if you buy a companies “cheaper brand” made anywhere you’re gonna get crap to make you buy their expensive one. Made in China, made in Indonesia, made in India, doesn’t really matter.

2nd for Thorogoods - most comfortable boot I've ever owned. And actually made in the USA.

I'd second Staub, and also recommend Chasseur, less known here but actually one of the most common brands in France.

Redwings

Good to know, i was really considering buying one of these but this definitely gives me second thoughts

What kind of leather I wonder?

Go to ACE and get the white BOSS shrimper boots there. For concrete work those will last much longer than any sort of leather boot. 30 bucks

Thorogoods are what I wear too. Outlasted the Wings.

For me definitely.

I wear Thorogoods. They last for life. Union made in the US and when the sole wears out send them in for a refurb. I wore out a pair of redwings and wolverines a year. I'm on year 3 with these.

Look for Wolverine boots and try to grab 2 pairs on sale. Wearing them every other day will allow the inside to dry and vastly extend the life of the boots. A good coat of waterproofing and sealer as well as regularly cleaning the boots is the best bet for longevity.

Working in masonry a cheaper boot and a very nice insole is probably the better way to go. Some jobs do t allow for things to last…

I love Jack Wolfskin. I found them by chance while in Stuttgart, Germany over 10 years ago. Learned I was woefully unprepared for the winter. Still have some of the articles to this day. Sadly my jacket....well it's a little snug these days now. But I'm sure it would still be going strong.

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Engineers bickering lol, whats new. But yeah youre right. The company chose not to spec the proper material and the maufacturer used it to the detriment of the product. The company i work for buys bulk metal products from china all the time and they have their issues but we do it knowing it is that way vs paying 3x for a 1.5x better product. Youre right that they could give the manufacturer the same spec and it would be the same product. China is just as capable as france, but i dont think they do. They make it cheaper and hope the product gets by on the brand name alone. If you want the better pot buy the one from france cause they actually do have the proper specs and qc.

I bought a la trattoria dutch oven like 3 years ago when I was in search of a Le cruset for my wife and to be honest they have great craftsmanship that pot hasn't lost it's integrity after many uses

I work on oil rigs and my red wings do just fine.

You should give Ferragamos cologne a whiff. It will get you some attention.

Red wings hands down.