Anyone have a favorite brand or recommendations? I’ve been rocking the Salomons and they worked out for a year and a half, but they’ve lost their waterproof-ness. I’m looking at some Double H waterproof work boots, but would love to hear what everyone else wears and why.
Boots!
I wear Keens just about everywhere. They're relatively inexpensive (especially with the Keen "Pro Deal"), they hold up well, and for me - they have a pretty wide toe-box. I have feet shaped like a duck's, and with Keens I don't have to buy wide widths.
I have Salomons X-Ultras and North Face GTX which are pretty compatible in size, weight and cost, I wear them them for every day wear.
Salomons are more comfortable out of the box but the North Face have held up better over the long haul but not a huge difference, the spot were the Notth Face shined was the Gortex waterproofing even after a lot of wear still maintained as the Salomons did not, innthe end I prefer the Salomons from the comfort side
I have to say, I really like the Salomons - I wore them the first year running around a frozen marsh in 7 degree weather during deer season. Fell through the ice a few times and they stayed dry. Definitely #1 for comfort, but lately I’ve been power washing for hours at a time and standing in ditches so the Salomons will be relegated to dry environments.
All the pairs I have owned havent held up waterproof wise, maybe they the North Face GTX, I have caught them on sale at Academy for under a $100.00 before with normal retail $129.00
On my fourth pair of Lowa Zephyr GTX Mids. The soles/support wear out before the waterproofness in my experence.
I second the Keens. I'm stepping away from Salomon and wearing Keens on a daily basis now.
2 reasons: 1). Most importantly, Keens have much wider toes box, what I needed most. 2). Keens are way more durable than Salomon. One of my Salomon's toes box fell apart in 12 months.
The trade off are Keens weights more, Salomon is feather light. I think for short term field usage, Salomon is best for mobility. For every day usage, I'd much prefers Keens for comfort.
Which Keen model are you finding are more durable than the Salomon Quest?
I don't know if my Keen Newport Trail Hiking shoe is more durable than the Quest beacause I don't own a Quest.
I'm attaching a link to my Dropbox for pics:
My Salomon I wore every day for work, toes box fell apart in a bout 12 months. The yellow cruds you see are industrial glue, had to glue the toes box twice:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qj5c7cfcnn5lvva/20191009_151818_HDR.jpg?dl=0
My Newport Trail Hiking:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zd13l7un7o2tbg3/20191009_151911.jpg?dl=0
Pic for comparison, see how wider the Keen toes box are:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/w0vsjln964h5hb1/20191009_151828.jpg?dl=0