Work Boots Rule! (And So Does Pam Anderson...)

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Anybody who works outside the office and in the field knows the importance of quality footwear. When I first started my working career I immediately realized cheap work boots were uncomfortable, didn't hold up, and simply didn't cut it on the jobsite. I upped my game when I became a Registered Apprentice Plumber and that meant spending some moolah on the most popular work boots at the time (1985), 8" steel-toe Timberlands. 

I had good luck with my Timbs until I started installing a lot of baseboard heat and I was scooting around on plywood floors, knees 'n toes. That's when the toes on a new pair wore through in only a week. I took the boots back to the store and after some spirited discussion, they gave me a new pair. From there I immediately went to a local leathersmith and she glued some pigskin caps over the toes and stitched the ends nearest the laces. That worked very well. Now, manufacturers cover the toes on some of their boots to prevent them from wearing through as quickly as mine did.

With pigskin covering the toes of my 8" Timbs, even under heavy use, I normally got a year out of them before they would become my "boiler boots", which were boots I subjected to all kinds of debris and dirty water when I was replacing old hot water boilers. There was no need to ruin my new boots, I kept the old ones in the bullpen for when they were needed. My wife always wanted me to throw the old ones out, but she eventually understood the concept of "boiler boots" in the life of a plumber. I always cycled through my work boots; once I bought a new pair the older pair became boiler boots and the older boiler boots got tossed.

I continued buying Timberland steel toes for a couple of years, up until a new industrial shoe store opened up in Mansfield on the Norton line, ten minutes from my house. They carried Hytest work boots, which IMO, were comparable to Red Wings in quality and in price. They weren't cheap, but they were comfortable and durable and when I was a full-time plumber, they were well worth the investment. My leathersmith covered the toes in pigskin and I wore Hytest boots for several years.

When that shoe store closed I tried Dunham, Sears DieHard, Caterpillar, Chippewa, and I eventually settled on Carolina boots, which were readily available at BOB's Stores. I wore Carolina boots for seven years until the lace hooks on a new pair fell off after only a week of light-duty. I returned them for another pair and the fit on the new pair was totally different and the 10.5 2Es I always bought started hurting my feet… 

Meanwhile, I had bought some Wolverine Dublin work boots in an 11 EW (extra wide) and I used them exclusively for casual wear. My friend Rick, also a plumber, does the same thing. We laughed when we discovered we both had work boots for work and work boots for casual wear. My wife thinks I'm crazy, having dress work boots, but I know I'm not alone. 

Work boots and jeans (or jean shorts) are a great look, don't you think?

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The Wolverines eventually replaced my Carolinas and I began wearing them to work. Eventually, the rubber sole developed a cut on the front, but after six years of casual-duty and then a couple of work-duty, those boots owe me nothing.

I recently started shopping for new work boots. I never bought a pair of  Red Wings, considered by many to be the GOAT of work boots, because when I tried them on they just didn't fit my feet very well. Keens looked nice, but they're a little pricey like the Hytests ($200 & up). I do a very limited amount of plumbing work now but I get involved in a lot of  DIY projects around my house and I still push a lawnmower on my 1/4 acre lot, so I need a good pair of work boots in my arsenal. I'm just no longer willing to spend the farm on 'em… 

During my search for good, affordable work boots, I kept coming back to the Wolverines; the pair of Dublins I'd been wearing were very comfortable and they lasted. Wolverine boasts that they were "Born in Michigan" and have been building boots for over 135 years. Unfortunately, most of the work boots being produced today are manufactured outside the USA, in Asia, primarily China, Korea, Vietnam, and Cambodia. And, that's true for the majority of the boots being produced by the companies aforementioned…

I no longer need steel toes and I didn't see the need for any other type of safety toe, so I searched soft toe work boots only. I like having lace hooks at the top of the boot for easy on/off, I prefer a pull loop in the back for pulling them on and a less aggressive slip-resistant lug sole so I don't pick up a lot of dirt or snow and track it through the house. I've never worn boots with white soles, they look good in the store, but they get too dirty looking for me, so that was never a consideration. I went looking for 6" boots, I hadn't worn 8" boots in quite a while. When I was younger and roughing-in the plumbing and heating in new houses I liked the additional support 8" boots offer, but at 65, I don't see myself roughing-in any houses…

After I ditched the 10.5 EW Carolinas, I started buying size 11s. My current pair of Wolverines are 11EW and I always thought they were a bit wide, so I went with the "W", which is a wide or an E width. Wolverine considers an EW a 2E (double E). Everywhere I looked stock was low and some sizes weren't available…

I searched eBay, Amazon, and Zappos, hoping to get a brand new pair of size 11W with free returns. I could've used "try before you buy" on Amazon Prime, or got them for a better price on eBay (eBay returns can sometimes be difficult depending on the seller), but I decided to go to the manufacturer's website where I discovered they offered $10 off and free shipping. Wolverine also offers a 30-day comfort guarantee (with a sales receipt) and the literature on their website states: "On the job, comfortable boots are essential. So, take 30 days to make sure you’re satisfied. We guarantee your feet will be happy. If not, send ‘em back for a full refund." They provide a return label and only charge $5.00 for returns with no restocking fee. Always read the fine print, restocking fees suck!

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As much as I wanted lace hooks and a pull loop in the back, I ended up settling on a pair that has eyelets all the way up and just a pull tab. I've worn every shade of brown, black, and wheat/gold boots and I always liked the wheat/gold ones best. I bought the 6" Wolverine Trappeur Waterproof, Insulated boots with Durashock insoles for total comfort. I've always worn boots with Thinsulate year round because I believe they're more comfortable than un-insulated boots and they breathe well too. I've never had a problem with sweaty feet like some people. These boots come with 200g of Thinsulate, the perfect amount for year-round use, IMO.

My new Wolverines arrived yesterday (FedEx), 8 days from when I placed my order online, and I just slipped them on this morning. They fit great! The EWs would've been too roomy and a 10.5 would've been too short.  I really lucked out on the sizing, which can be hit or miss. 

I've only walked around the house, but they're light, comfortable, and the soles aren't too stiff (hate that). After I loosened the laces, which are plenty long and of good quality, the boots came right off with no hassle. I don't think I'll miss the lace hooks I was so fond of and the pull tabs work just fine…

Everybody has their favorite brand of work boot, usually one that fits well, lasts, and falls within their footwear budget. But, I caution, it's never wise to cheap out on work boots. I paid $140 with free shipping for my Wolverine Trappeurs. 

I liked them so much I just scored another pair for cheap on eBay ($83 shipped). I threw a low offer at the seller knowing it was his last pair, and he accepted. So, I'm back. One pair of Wolverines for work and one for play. The way it should be!

You may be wondering what kind of work boots Pam Anderson is wearing in the photos? Not sure, but they look eerily similar to my Wolverine Trappeurs… (scroll up if you must)                                                                                                              

And now for a little booty…

In the comments let me know what type of work boots you're wearing on the job and if you're anything like me and Rick, what type you're wearing 'out on the town'…