How long have your boots lasted?

[Snuffy]

- Dr Martin's sole cracked at 1.5 years.
- Sorels sole cracked at two years.
- Clarks desert boots four years still goin'
- Ugly-ass John Fluevog over 13 years. Possibly more cause they were hand-me-downs. The ilets are rusty.

I'm really surprised at how shitty the Dr. Martins and Sorels are. Not sure what to do with them as they look ok... just won't be all that good in the rain or slush.

 

[RumRogerz]

I have a pair of these awesome Italian ankle boots I wear during the winter. Cap toes, decent heel, excellent leather. These were not cheap though. I think I spent nearly $700, but they have been worth it.

I take them in to a cobbler once a year to get them cleaned and fixed if they need it. They are about 7 years old and still wear great. Cobblers are a godsend.

 

[el presidente Highsteppa]

When Dr. Martin's changed their place of manufacture back in the early to mid 90's I remembering a steep drop in quality.

Nowadays I wear Nike boots - got three different pairs - two with Shox soles and the other a ACG. All have lasted me at least 5 winters with the proper care.

 

[kuba]

this is the second season of my camper boot. gore-tex, ultra comfortable. not the best winter boot but good enough. for the crazy snow days I wear big winter boots, but these are good for 95% of the non-dog-walking times. soles still in tact, I just need to get them professionally cleaned and voila.

camper shoes/boots have always lasted me a long time they're pretty much the only shoe I wear.

 

[Snuffy]

I feel betrayed. I've already started looking for replacements to my Sorels, but I've found nothing with a removable liner so far. That was key to those things lasting for years.

Sigh.

I could probably squeeze one more year out of the Sorels if I avoid puddles. Or maybe I should forget it and move on to spring.

 

[peko]

I have a pair of these awesome Italian ankle boots I wear during the winter. Cap toes, decent heel, excellent leather. These were not cheap though. I think I spent nearly $700, but they have been worth it.

I take them in to a cobbler once a year to get them cleaned and fixed if they need it. They are about 7 years old and still wear great. Cobblers are a godsend.

Very smart. Who's your guy? Any recommendations?

I love boots. Nice picture Snuffy.

Roots and Earthkeepers last a long time. Tretorn rain boots and the insulated Sorel type Tretorn boot both lasted about 5-7 years - not bad for cheap rain boots but not able to handle the artic vortex weather.

 

[peko]

Move onto spring!

 

[RumRogerz]

Very smart. Who's your guy? Any recommendations?

I love boots. Nice picture Snuffy.

Roots and Earthkeepers last a long time. Tretorn rain boots and the insulated Sorel type Tretorn boot both lasted about 5-7 years - not bad for cheap rain boots but not able to handle the artic vortex weather.

I go to two places.

Either the guy in the parking lot at the Metro on College Street or Sole Survivor in Kensington.

They do excellent work

 

[derek]

blundstones are my go to fall, winter, spring boot. there's a removable sheepskin insole for colder days. i just get them resoled every few years. great for hikes with the dog. the leather is in great condition (i'm a bit a of nazi for for shoe care though, so all my shoes are polished regularly.

i have a pair of dack's chelsea boots i still can wear from 20 years ago.

 

[Bernnie Federko]

Blundstone Chisel toe fan here.

 

[kyfe]

Sorels for the real winter and Bjorn Borgs for the nights out

 

[Sal De Ban]

i got very heavy duty sorels. they lasted one winter (read: 3 months) before the rubber over the top of the foot cracked.

 

[Bernnie Federko]

Bought Sorels in 97 while away in Montreal for school. Sealed and treated with NiKWax, no issues thus far.

 

[kyfe]

i got very heavy duty sorels. they lasted one winter (read: 3 months) before the rubber over the top of the foot cracked.

return them

 

[orchid]

I feel betrayed. I've already started looking for replacements to my Sorels, but I've found nothing with a removable liner so far. That was key to those things lasting for years.

Sigh.

I could probably squeeze one more year out of the Sorels if I avoid puddles. Or maybe I should forget it and move on to spring.

Baffin boots are AWESOME. And they have a removable liner on many (at least mine do). I've trudged around all winter with my dog in all kinds of snow, and now the muddy spring, and they are holding up incredibly. Solid, solid footwear. Sorels are pieces of crap, by all accounts.

 

[I_bRAD]

Sorels and Baffins were good when they were made in Canada, but they are not any longer on either account.

For hunting/real winter I have a pair of kamiks which are made in Canada and are essentially oversize rubber boots with felt liners and gaiters. they work very well, are waterproof and are holding up well after 2 years.

For everyday I have Terra workboots, also made in Canada. They last about 2 years of continuous use.

For hiking/backpacking/times when I want boots, but not workboots I have a set of Zamberlan backpacking boots that were made in Italy. Those are due for replacement this year- they were expensive but I bought them in '98 or so, so I got nearly 20 years out of them and they've been through lots. I will be replacing them with another set of Zamberlans when I can afford $600 for a set of damn boots.

I have a couple pairs of Fluevogs too which also tend to hold up well, but don't see much use since I moved out of the city so I expect they'll last some time yet.

 

[Tahoe]

I've had my Timberland Pro's for over two years using them on and off in a construction environment and they're still kicking

 

[kennyboy]

Found that the soles in all my blundstone's cracked after a few years so going to move up to RM Williams for a nice pair of dress boots.

Sorel winter boots still going strong after 4 years as are my Patagonia hiking boots.

 

[Snuffy]

For hunting/real winter I have a pair of kamiks which are made in Canada and are essentially oversize rubber boots with felt liners and gaiters. they work very well, are waterproof and are holding up well after 2 years.

I think I'll chuck the Sorels and give those a try next season.

As for the Dr Martens, for fun I went into their store today with my broken sole. The manager informed me that the cold weather will cause the sole to snap because it's rubber. I don't think I'll be buying a another pair.

 

[I_bRAD]

The manager informed me that the cold weather will cause the sole to snap because it's rubber.

You should have smashed the window on the way out. I hear glass can do that.

 

[randyval]

I got these in 1996 used, i think the company who made them is out of buisness. I've got alot of use out of these, still ware them to this day, and they are in pretty good shape. no cracks or rips.
Probably the best quality made boots i ever owned.

 

[derek]

Sorels and Baffins were good when they were made in Canada, but they are not any longer on either account.

For hunting/real winter I have a pair of kamiks which are made in Canada and are essentially oversize rubber boots with felt liners and gaiters. they work very well, are waterproof and are holding up well after 2 years.

For everyday I have Terra workboots, also made in Canada. They last about 2 years of continuous use.

For hiking/backpacking/times when I want boots, but not workboots I have a set of Zamberlan backpacking boots that were made in Italy. Those are due for replacement this year- they were expensive but I bought them in '98 or so, so I got nearly 20 years out of them and they've been through lots. I will be replacing them with another set of Zamberlans when I can afford $600 for a set of damn boots.

I have a couple pairs of Fluevogs too which also tend to hold up well, but don't see much use since I moved out of the city so I expect they'll last some time yet.

try a pair of lowa baffins if you want a good, sturdy backpacking boot for rugged terrain / heavy loads (35lbs plus) for comparison.. the zamberlans wear really well and are great quality though for sure.

 

[Psyrel]

My Timberland Earthkeepers are 6 years old. They've held up really well considering I wear these non-stop Oct-April.

Got the soles replaced once at Novelty Shoe Rebuilders (Vibram soles and excellent service).
I use Obenaufs LP to protect the leather, so it should last a few more years easily.

 

[veteze]

my sorels cracked this year after 5 winters. not sure what to get next year.

 

[Techdruid]

found some pseudo-raving boots at Dixie Value Mall for 20 bucks that lasted me 8 years. that place is just golden for boots.