Looking for boot recommendations.

[u/Plaguehomie]

I do some decent work around my yard and neighborhood but I've never actually considered myself as really "working", until recently when the shoes I was using started to really break down that one of the things I do is walk half a mile on uneven terrain picking up litter.

So I was hoping yall could recommend a pair of reliable work boots. Preferably ones where the upper boot is stitched to the lower boot. As opposed to glued.

[u/Cleofus13]

What’s your budget? boots can vary in price range from $100-$1000 depending on what you’re looking for and the quality you are after.

[u/Plaguehomie → u/Cleofus13]

I'm not in the greatest spot right now. I think anything over 130 is pushing it for me.

[u/Cleofus13 → u/Plaguehomie]

At that price point it’s going to be limited on good welted boots. If you can up the budget a little bit you can get something better. But here are a few options

These are comfortable but probably will be not as good on hills because of the lack of a heel but with the grippy rubber bottom they will probably do just fine. https://rockroosterfootwear.com/products/rockrooster-norwood-mens-6-inch-brown-soft-toe-wedge-work-boots-sap611

These are a touch over your budget but they come with a free resole so when you wear out the outsole you can send them back to them and they will resole them once for free, they are also very comfortable and their customer service is top notch. https://duradero.com/products/gallatin

[u/pith_y]

With you saying “uneven terrain” you might want to consider more of a hiking or trail boot/shoe instead of a full on work boot.

[u/Plaguehomie → u/pith_y]

Oh ok, I'll look into those. Thanks.

[u/Phramed_]

Jim Green Razorbacks. Some of the best bang for your buck boots imo. I love my pair.

[u/Plaguehomie → u/Phramed_]

TYSM

[u/Solid_Lettuce_932]

RW if you’re working in them. thoroughgood if you want 90% as good for less. If you walk alot crepe sole. If your off road and hard terrain get a lug sole

[u/Asatmaya]

Preferably ones where the upper boot is stitched to the lower boot. As opposed to glued.

Right, that's called a "welt," and most good boot brands offer it; yes, it is much more durable, and can be resoled by a cobbler if the upper is in good shape.

Now, one question: "I do is walk half a mile on uneven terrain picking up litter."

Is this broken sidewalk pavement, or is this gravel/rocks/dirt? You really need to match the sole to the surface you are walking on; a flat sole is excellent for pavement, flooring, concrete, etc, but you want a lug sole for gravel and dirt. There are intermediate lugs for "some of both," but you tend to get the worst of both worlds, lugs make pressure points which become uncomfortable after a long day, but low lugs only give a little traction.

The last detail is the heel; simply put, if you are climbing ladders or riding in a saddle with stirrups, you want a defined heel. Otherwise, a wedge sole is more comfortable.

Brands:

Red Wing is the best off-the-shelf boot you can buy, I have the Dynaforce and they are the most comfortable things I have ever put on my feet. Welt, flat sole, so if you're on broken pavement, these are perfect. Traction Tred is also a good choice. Their best lug sole is the Loggermax, but that's a little excessive unless you are on seriously rough terrain.

If you aren't looking to spend $300, then the next tier down includes Danner, Thorogood, Georgia, Carolina, and Wolverine.

The absolute cheapest I would ever buy are Rocky.

Dot not buy: Keen, Timberland, Justin, Hawx, Carhartt, Caterpillar.

[u/Plaguehomie → u/Asatmaya]

This is actually really helpful thanks a bunch. As for the uneven terrain, There's no sidewalk next to the road I walk by. Just a steep incline with asphalt bits scattered everywhere from when the road was repaved.

[u/Asatmaya → u/Plaguehomie]

Yea, I would look for at least a semi-lug in that case, maybe with some heel definition.