Any of their recraftable boots will be better. I don't like molded soles for longevity. Quite a few guys have 10-15 years out of the Acadia's...with numerous resoles.I normally wear wolverine. I tried Danner Corvalis this time and won't get 8 months out of them. I'm really disappointed. They felt a lot more comfortable than their American made ones. That was an expensive lesson. I WILL go back to Wolverine next time.
I've had a lot of luck with the Timberland Pro Series. Also if made in USA is of any importance I've also had luck with HH work boots.
Just saw this thread.
I took some shrapnel in my left ankle back in 2007. That there left me with a DD214 and a serious need for GOOD boots. I do seriously heavy, dirty, hard work for 10-16 hours EVERY day. Redwings last me four months. The best thing I ever did for my feet is invest in TWO pairs of Wesco boots.
http://www.wescoboots.com/wesco/home.asp
Yes, they are expensive. DAMN expensive. However, I've been wearing them for five years. (I alternate the pairs every other day. Gotta let the just worn pair sit on the dryer.) Five years of nonstop abuse. They're starting to get pretty ragged now, but for about 50% the cost of new Wesco will rebuild them. The money for the custome fit pair was definitely worth it.
Let's do the math:
Redwings = $200, 4 month lifespan (for me) = 15 pairs in five years. $3k for five years of Redwings, $6k for ten years.
Wesco = $700, two pair (I ordered two pair at once to alternate) $1400. +50% for rebuild and another 5 years of usage = $700. $2100 for ten years.
YMMV, but this is the ONLY option that makes sense to me.
About 15 years ago, the place I worked for bought me a pair of Georgia steel toes because my tech job occasionally had me go out on the factory floor. When that job ended, the boots just went in the closet. I tried them on a couple of years ago and they still fit great, but the soles just disintegrated wherever I walked. Is the only way to get a solid pair of work boots like that resoled to take them to a dedicated cobbler shop?
Right now, whenever I'm heading to school (IVY Tech) and the machine shop, I have a pair of cheap, Chinese-made "Dexter" brand boots. They fit better than any pair of boots I've ever worn, but I fully expect them to disintegrate any month.
I just broke down last night and bought my first good apir of work boots. Went with the Wolverines..... First day in them today (dont need them for work, but wanted them for other various reasons)... Whats the average break-in time for a good pair of boots? Never owned a nice pair before, so I am in uncharted waters.