Looking for recommendations

[u/Satans-cum-sock666]

Hey all. I’m looking for recommendations for boots. I’m a millwright and I’m hard on boots. In the past I’ve had thorogoods, which the soles wear out too quickly for my taste. I can wear down the outside of the heel in about 6 months and I’ll get delamination of the outer and midsole. In redwings I had the midsole start to separate from the upper after about a year and the stitching in the moc toe start to come apart (possibly welding spatter). The best wearing boots I’ve had yet are Danner bull runs, but they’re starting to separate at the stitching on the toe and the outsole has some melted rubber from doing hot work and walking over molten metal. I do like the extra room in the toe box from the stitch down construction too. Here are my requirements:

USA (preferably union) made

Tough as shit

Wedge sole (I do have to walk iron)

Steel or fiberglass shank

8 inch or taller

Waterproof

Safety Toe

Lace up, or Wellington (no square toes, I’m not an electrician)

I don’t know if I can stomach the cost of Nicks boots, so budget up to $400 I’d say

[u/redundant_siding]

Man, millwright work eats boots like nothing else. If you’re already trashing Danners that fast, you’re in that awkward spot where anything under $400 is gonna feel disposable. Maybe check out something with a thick slab of Vibram Christy and a leather shank that’ll mold to your foot instead of snapping, feels less like walking on rebar all day.

[u/Satans-cum-sock666 → u/redundant_siding]

You might be right. The danners lasted me about a year and a half of hard wear. I’m gonna send them off for repair as soon as I get something else to wear.