I think instead of the flame test, you should have used sparks. Have an angle grinder blasting them with sparks for a minute or something. A pretty good replication of a real life work scenario.
Oh yeah....I can't tell you how many pant legs I've burned holes in, over the years, cutting re-bar with a chop-saw. You start out with the spark trail tailing between your legs. Then after a few cuts, or so, you forget, cause your back is getting sore from bending over holding this heavy ass saw, and shift your stance. If your lucky, you realize before it burns through the jeans, and makes it to your boot, or even worse, your bare leg...smh
I mean, I actually quite liked the flame test. When I was doing firewatch and grunt work as an ironworking apprentice, they'd give me a wheat burner after it snowed or rained on the deck and tell me to both melt the snow and make sure the water evaporated so it wasn't an ice rink. So I would actually be holding a wheat burner nary an inch or four from my boots for more than ten seconds at a time. That being said, I do understand that my experience isn't the most universal of the trades.
I've been wearing the $75 Herman Survivors for almost 2 years now, and they aren't wearing out. Just the heel area shows any real wear (rubbed through cloth), and they are surprisingly comfortable still. I was amazed how well a Walmart boot is.
Yeah I get a year out of the waterproof shit kickers doing construction and handyman work. Pleasantly surprised with the Herman survivors because I got them in a pinch and keep. Buying em
Herman Survivors was actually a pretty good brand back 30 or 40 years ago, but the brand was sold off and somehow ended up in Walmart’s hands, and they, predictably, ruined it.
My first run in with Herman Survivors was a pair that was given to me by a coworker. They were new old stock and seemed pretty good. What I didn't realize at the time was that they were over 25 years old until I took three steps in them and the rubber soles both cracked right off and stayed where I had just been standing 😂
When I was a kid in the 70s Herman Survivors were the boots you wanted. Unfortunately this is just one more example of how things get worse when it's only about low quality and making profit.
I got Brahma "fake timbs" for $50 from walmart, and I've been very impressed by them. For me, they were way more comfy than any of the boots I tried in the $100-150 range, and they're holding up well
I've had good experience with that brand as well. Walking through mine runoff caused the left one ( I think) to crack almost instantly. I once told my grandfather about that, and being a former ASARCO smelter employee, he was not surprised. But they did me well when I was working a summer job on base when I was a teen.
Yes sir. I work at a brickyard that gives us a $100 boot allowance a year. I get 2 pairs of the $50 boots a year. I only come out of pocket for more comfortable insoles
that's what i have on my feet right now. my first pair lasted three years with me walking 5-10 miles in the city a day. then he lug cracked and i couldn't use them in the rain anymore. i went right back and bought another pair just like them
I really like your no nonsense fact based reviews and advice. It's clear you're trying to tell us the truth as best you can. Thank You. Respect. Honor still matters, as does The Golden Rule.
I love seeing the cross over from the other channels. Project farm is great and he is quite talented at testing... just like this channel has some really good knowledge and expertise on leather. Great to see the good analysis practice spread on this platform. Great information!
So I've owned the "fake Timb's," for about 2 years, in which they have received pretty much daily use. You "hit the nail on the head," with your assessment. The lining of the heel was the first thing to go after about 3 or 4 months. They are still quite comfortable to this day. Although, the thin rubber out-sole, held up okay, until I started climbing roofs with them for a few months. In spite of those 2 defects, they really have been pretty damn good boots, for the price. It really depends on what you're going to do in them. For me, and what I do, they're just fine for a 2 year clip. Good job
There is something strangely fascinating about watching somebody cut a boot apart and tell us about what's in it! Highly educational and entertaining! New subscriber.
It’s easy to justify shitting on a walmart boot, but to be honest, ive seen much worse from brand names charging more for worse quality than this. At least you know what to expect from walmart. That said, its a $50 boot… if you need something to get you through your first month of work until you get your first full paycheck, these are a godsend to many people in their first labor job. It would cost you the same amount in gas money trying to thrift a used boot and some people just can’t afford the hunt.
Use a credit card, do your research online, up your price point. It's cheaper in the long run. Some people think the cheaper the boot, the more successful the purchase.
@@ORIGINALDaveB Which is why the term "walmart poor" is prevalent. Items this cheap are designed to keep people in a loop of buying and replacing cheap shit. Another one of the 10,000 ways having money/access to money helps you save more money.
I knew someone who worked in an Amazon warehouse, and as an employee got a $150 gift card (each year) to an online selection of "appropriate work shoes." The options went from walking sneaker to steel toe boot. Seems like a good investment in your workers to make sure they have quality footwear.
I'm guessing that with the bad worker protections in the US it isn't a thing, but here in the UK steel toe boots are considered personal protective equipment (PPE) and your employer is legally obligated to provide you with either a pair or the money for a pair. Although you might not get a very good pair (they just have to meet the appropriate safety standard).
I needed a pair of steel toed boots for a high school industrial skills event years ago. I went to Walmart the morning I was leaving and bought something exactly like those $24 boots. Killed by feet everyday I wore them. Tried to wear them after just to mow the lawn and lasting board was broken. Better than barefoot, I guess, but not by much.
I bought some black suede workbooks from Walmart probably about 10 years ago. One of the advertised features was a 'long-wearing sole'. The sole was actually made of a sort of foam material, like a flip-flop. The heels wore away to wedges in no time, and the middle of the foot wore through. They also absorbed water like a sponge. I used to walk about 30 minutes each way to and from work, and I got maybe a month out of them.
I actually own the $24 boots. I forgot my boots one day and needed an emergency pair so I got them. Yeah they suck but they survived that day. I’ve used them a handful of time since for odd jobs, the toes wore through to the steel toe in two or three days. Would not recommend them except as an emergency pair for one day if you forget yours 😂. They’re now just my junk boots for concrete work and the like.
Having an emergency pair of work boots in the truck is a really good idea in general. And I agree, those 24$ boots look like they would do for that. Although even for that little money some shopping around can get you much better quality than that Walmart offering, albeit still probably too uncomfortable to wear regularly.
*_I own a pair of the 100 dollar version of fake Timberlands because of same reason and was only place you can get boots 4 am in the morning. I tried many times to wear them but they squak like a duck and hurt my back like a pinch nerve. Wish he would cover that subject of noisy boots.._*
I work at a gold mine at their gyro and jaw rock crushers. And I ran those $100 work boots for a year. And I will 100% back them. They held up really well to daily digging and tough work. They also held up well to acids and caustic abuse when working around chemicals and flooded areas of our plant.
For the people that aren't able to find good condition work boots at a local thrift, I see either new or almost new steel toe red wings all the time on eBay and Poshmark, there's usually something lightly used for around that 100 mark.
We have five shoe stores in our little recreation town. Unfortunately, buying shoes online is the one item it's tough to pull off. Feet are so different and stated sizes always vary.
Been rocking a pair of the Fake Tims for over a year replaced a pair of Ridgecut 150 dollar pair that lasted 4 months, the Fake tims have lasted and held up exceptionally well in the heavy equipment service industry
I bought the Dozier boots two winters ago. I found them decently warm and comfortable. Stayed dry too. Survived two Cleveland winters and somehow still look great. The ONLY boots from Walmart I’ll ever even consider.
I'd love to see you cut open the dr martens ironbridge work boots! I don't know where they stack up but I personally love them. They're a bit heavy, I replaced the insoles with a similar dr martens insole because the insoles that come with them, although very cushy foam, don't have much arch support. I wear them in a kitchen so they may not see as much wear and tear as a work boot often does, but they've held up well walking through dishroom puddles, running them over with carts, and walking on slippery floors 40+ hrs a week. First failure I've had was the laces and insoles needing replacing so the boot itself seems durable. It only seems reasonable laces and insoles would need replacing after a year of being worn regularly for long hours. But I'm interested to see what you say about the construction.
As someone who's had the timb style boots as well as another herman model with a similar sole, I can confirm that they will not last anywhere but on a smooth even surface. If you are working on jagged broken concrete or even sharp gravel the soft, thin, rubber outsole will actually tear and expose the even softer injected foam filling. I used mine mostly to cut the grass, which was fine, but I also used them for some small concrete demo projects on my house. The broken concrete tore up the sole the first day. After that I used them on the lawn and that was it, until the foam fill completely deteriorated. The uppers were good though. I'm currently looking at the $100 boots, simply because I'm generally I use them for working around the house. Things like landscaping, pouring small concrete projects, the occasional welding (my jeans will cover the nylon portions of the uppers so sparks aren't an issue), and climbing and climbing trees. The added ankle support will be a welcome factor on some of the steep hills. You did forget to mention that of the boots tested, the $100 boots are the tallest in the ankle. Herman does offer another pair at the same price that looks identical, but has a shorter ankle and a patterned leather.
Thank you for finally doing these. I would chalk up most of my foot problems to 2 decades of Brahma boots starting when I got to adult shoe sizes. I’ve moved on to good boots from my local boot store, but have picked some Walmart boots up when they hit $11 on clearance for harsh chores.
The steel toe corcoran marauders are amazing. Very comfortable, american made, lasts for a very long time and most of the time you can find them on sale for around $100 - $150. Just sent my black pair in to get a resole after 5 years of daily use.
I got a pair of Brahma boots from Walmart for $11. Cheapest pair I could find, but it was just for a Halloween costume so I didn’t care. About a year later, I started a job that required work boots, and I decided to wear the Brahmas until I could better actual boots. 2 years of hard use later, they’re cracked and torn but have held up amazingly well. Very waterproof, even with the top layer of one torn in a few places, comfortable, soles are still in great condition, and fairly resistant to damage. I don’t think I’d ever really recommend them if you needed work boots, but I will say I got way more than $11 worth out of them.
Interesting review, per usual. The carrot smasher was… graphic. As someone who works as an engineering inspector in bridge construction, quality comfortable boots are a must. I did the cheap boot thing early in my career and learned the hard way. Spending the day on cheap footwear just hurts.
Ive had a pair of brahmas for going on 5 years now and they are pretty good for the price i paid. Around 40 if i remember correctly. Only just starting to wear the sole through leather held up well and their fairly comfortable. Cant complain for what i paid.
having worked there for 7 years and trying a bunch of them over that period I can day that the steel toes are surprisingly decent, but the boots themselves fall conpletely apart between 2 and 6 months of daily wear and offers no support, my Timberlands I bought last for 120 have lasted me 5x as long so far
I like the more work boot related content. I would also love to see women's work boots. Steel toe specifically to see if they mark things up and cut quality for us.
One thing that deserves a shoutout is Walmart’s line of shoes. They offer some remarkably solid deals on shoes when it comes to their price/quality ratio, especially their Treadsafe and Goodyear lines of slip resistant work shoes made for servers and similar workers.
Thank you for such a useful and entertaining video. I just got done watching your Duluth boot video and comparing the Walmart ones to the other brand I’d choose the 100$ Walmart boots. With that being said I appreciate what you’re doing to educate people and getting past the hype/jargon on the box; and helping people get the best value for their money.
I remember getting a pair of Herman's back in the 80´s, when I was a kid, and they held quite well for weekend hiking with my dad and like 2 hunting seasons , until they were too small for me... sad to see what happened to so many brands as years passed on.
reminds me of avia, another brand that walmart owns. if you look at vintage pairs of avia sneakers, the quality and construction is very high grade. however, if you look at them now, its just sad to see what it has become
What a cutie of a kitty! The boots were cool, too. Mid binge and I'm super appreciative of your style. My brain won't perk up for clickbait or faux complexity. Only quality information and an empathetic demeanor. Your channel is top of the pops in both. Seriously remarkable integrity. Those boots? Much less so.
Got a pair of pull on Brahma’s back in college when I was in a pinch. Left my normal boots at home by accident. I was rough on those for at least 15 years. Ranch work, handyman, landscaping, and carpentry. No clue how they lasted that long but they did. They finally gave up the ghost. Looked for a new pair of them and couldn’t find them anymore. Best pair of boots I ever owned. Even if they lasted a year with the abuse I put them through, I would buy a pair again.
Resoling shouldn't even be part of the conversation with boots under $100. You're just going to buy another pair. Guys that buy these just want to make it about a year before they need to replace the boot. And there's definitely a shank in that moc toe.
I bought Herman Survivors in 1984 for college in New England. Wore them for four years in the winters. Then in a closet for all of the 1990s until I bought a house. My yard work shoes and other chores. Lasted 10 years of weekend use in S.California. Replaced with a cheap pair of Sketchers boots, which the sole and boot are coming apart in a big way in less than 2 years.
Absolutely love your content. Your attention to detail is amazing. If I could make one small critique: The open flame test is flashy, but how about a 'Boot Sole Melting Test'? I, personally work in some areas where I run the risk of having to stand on some hot pipes or hot grating. Seeing some common failure points could be beneficial in helping others make better boot purchases in the future. Again, amazing content. Please keep up the great work!
I bought those $24 boots when I first started woodworking. They lasted me years, saved my feet more times than I can count, and were totally waterproof up to that tongue gap. They were exactly what I needed when I didn't have the money.
I use the fake timbs. I have for two years now. They are still some of my favorite boots to work in. Unless I am pressure washing... then they kinda suck. But for everything else from roof to ground, I love em.
Nice job. Thanks for looking into these. I always tried to tell my mom those cheap shoes were more expensive than buying me Nikes back in the 70s when I was a kid.
I used to wear walmart boots when I first started working labor jobs, totally worth spending and extra $100-$200 on a good pair of boots. But if you only can afford Walmart boots than that's fine, not everyone has money
@@cheesecurd100s Some people would rather walk though a open septic pond barefoot than wear shoes someone else worn and soaked with their sweat, dead skin flakes, and fungus.
@@OhPhuckYou yeah but the used ariats I found for $5, weren't smelly or nothing like that, just dirt all over them, buying used boots is just fine. Plus they are already broken in. You don't have to worry about them being to uncomfortable when you first start working
Even though I can't stand to watch or listen to any commercials, (and yes, I skipped over yours in the be- ginning and understand that you had to squeeze in the advertisement since nothing in life is for free, not even death since it cost's a life), I like to thank you very much for the nice infp-video and yes, I have used your # 2 & # 3 foot wear years ago and yes, they are nothing fancy but did the job for the price, sort of speak. Recently I did purchase three pairs of Eddy Bauer "Ridgeline" hiking boots at Sam's in El Paso since they only charged 30 bucks each. They wear nicer than the boot # 3 mentioned above, will hopefully last a bit longer than # 2 and I am pretty happy to have found them for Sam's pretty low 'clean-up-price'. Thanks again and take care!
I know I'm a year late, but I've been wearing some Survivor II boots that I got from Walmart for $40 five years ago. The soles are still solid and most of the tread is still intact (roughly 95%). I just had to replace the laces but the rest of the boots have held up quite impressively.
Had a cheap pair of black brahmas back in 2000 steel toe some kind of material with suade leather. Did city deliveries all day pushed a manual pallet jack with up to 250 to 3000 pounds throughout day . Lasted at least a year. In and out the truck going to customer probably did at least 3- 5miles a day.
Purchased a cheap pair of Timberland type boots labeled "Texas Steer" from Kmart about 25-years ago and still wearing them for work. Don't know why, or how they've held up this long. Their days are finally numbered, but they served me well.
Very thorough pertinent information for the working person delivered so a lay-person can understand. I can't think of any questions you might have left unanswered. Man you covered all the bases, excellent job on your part. 👍
I am in a situation that I am sure many of us find ourselves in. I am given a $180 a year work boot allowance. I'd love to have a pair of Nick's, White's, or Wesco's, but I find myself buying a new pair of boots in the $200 range every year. If I didn't have that allowance, I would buy a pair of better boots, but as for the way the reimbursement works, I think I'm better off doing it the way I'm doing it. I'll just buy a pair of nice boots for my personal life.
Is it not possible to pocket the money? You could use the entire allowance plus your personal money to get a good pair, then just keep what you're given every year after that or use it towards a resole if needed.
@@EssenceofPureFlavor can't pocket it. you have to turn in the receipt. HR for the state government is super strict on everything. I can always buy my own pair of good ones and use the annual allowance to get specialty boots. muck boots, winter boots, etc.
@@jonathanmarquise422 See if a custom boot maker will make you a pair and invoice you separately for the left and right boot, then turn in receipts in two different years? :D
I wear the Herman survivor boots to work in asphalt. I have found them to hold up better than wolverine durashock boots in the heat. Asphalt is 450 degrees, it will melt the soles off wolverines in a fiew weeks. I have wore the Jason 3 model survivors for up to three years before!
I have watched many Rose Anvil and other footwear vids. I am always amazed when people are walking in the footwear that the outside of it wrinkles and puckers. I have yet to try on any footwear, no matter the size, width that did that. Steel toes eat my wee toe after a few months, never mind the icicles in the winter my toes became and what joy went composite finally appeared.
i bought a pair of Herman Survivors in the Army back in the 80s. Best boot I've ever owned for work/military. I then found some on clearance at Walmart several years ago for $15. YES !!!!! fifteen dollars. I beat the shit out of those boots working at Home Depot in the Lumber/Concrete section and they lasted 5 years. I was So damned impressed, because I really assumed since Walmart had them, they would be trash. They were amazing. Just bought the Moc Toe for home use today.
I started working in a caterpillar factory out of high-school and bought the $24 shoes and made them last for a couple years by gluing an gluing them back together. I regret it so much. My feet always hurt, back hurt, etc etc etc. Send money on your shoes is a quick lesson I learned
we used to have problems with some guy's cheap boots having the sole melt walking across hot boilers in power plants or steam pipes when the pipes are around 300 or above have you tried putting them on a hotplate to see what temp the sole melts at? it seemed Vibram soles and such held up better then plastic
I just love how comprehensive this review was. We haven't got Walmart here in Norway, but it is interesting to see how it worked. I would absolutely like to see more videos like these...
Great demonstrations. If you stand in a propane torch flame for over .50 of a second you should probably look into something besides construction or welding employment.
I have been in the safety footwear business for 32 years in Canada. All safety boots and shoes sold here have to be tested and approved by the Canadian Standards Association. The points covered are the resistance of the safety toe, the puncture resistant plate and the electrical conductivity of the boot itself. Asian manufacturers make what you order, Timberlands are made there to american specs, Walmart orders degraded products made only for a price. There exist many good products on the world market, not all available in the US. Many from France and Italy, some from Canada also are manufactured with modern machinery with modern features. These products are starting to appear on the american market but have to overcome the conservative tendency of the american consumer. Goodyear welts represent a type of construction that is very robust and long lasting but expensive to make. I think that a polyurethane injected boot with a rubber outsole and a Goretex booty represents the summum in comfort, wearability and lightness. You can't repair them when the sole is worn but they last as long as a pair of welted boots plus two sole replacements while being much lighter. The american army is using this system now and for the past twenty years I think. The average Joe is still of the mind set of "what was good for my papy and my grand-papy is good for me" ;) That's my opinion.
I am an elderly lady who can't understand why I find these videos so goddam interesting. I just do. Keep them coming, I am just off to watch some more, love your cat by the way ❤🎉
I had the oakridge by herman survivors. Used them for Demolition work. Lasted 7 weeks before the soft soles wore off. Would probably be ok boots if you're using them in dirt
I used to work in a nasty amalgamation of livestock manure/urine/rain/dirt. It destroyed leather boots in no time. I soon quit buying hood work boots and bought the cheapest of whatever Walmart had. All the synthetic material and plastic coated leather lasted longer than my real leather Olathe and Tony lama cowboy boots. And cost a lot less too.
Got my first pair of Herman's almost 15 years ago. Cost about $50 and wore them everyday for about 5-6 years before they fell apart. Bought another pair and got about 2 years out of them, next pair after was about the same. Since then, I've been getting about a year or so per pair. Just bought a pair of the $100 "shoveler" Herman's yesterday. Hopefully I get a couple of years out of them. Not sure if I'm getting harder on my boots or if the quality is just gradually going down hill. If this $100 pair doesn't last more than a year, I'm switching to something else.
I got the Herman survivor boots almost 10 years ago and they lasted me for years . Never had any problems. Of course I put mink oil on them twice a year for the leather . Say what you want but I can't afford $300.00 boots that I would never use to work with after paying that much for them. Rule was in the 1980's when I was working in the construction field was a good pair of boots should last you at least one years . Any thing more is a bonus.
There's a much better suggestion than going to the thrift store or buying these so-called inexpensive Walmart boots. $100 is still very expensive for me. You might get lucky at one of your local thrift stores and find a boot that you really like in your size but if you need to get something within a week then you're probably out of luck just going to thrift stores. The best way to get a good pair of used boots is to get on eBay. I've bought $120 sneakers in great condition for $25 or less on multiple occasions.. Definitely buy it from a reputable seller and you could probably get a $200 to $250 boot for less than $100. You might be able to get it for less than 50 it all depends on what brand you're after and how many boots from the maker that you're trying to get and how many there in your size..
I've been a laborer for thirty years and my feet have been mangled for long periods by terrible work boots when times were tough. Those WalMart boots are a liability to anyone's ability to support his or her self and family.
@@FoxSolomon1 yeah, me too. Lifetime laborer. it's a risk/reward situation. I don't get calls at 2:30 on Saturday and my bills are paid. I get time with my kids and know what I need to do to get paid.
I have worn Herman Survivor's for years and they are the best longest lasting boots I've ever had. I worked for Central Arkansas Water for 14 years and the company would buy us new boot every year. They would let us choose any brand we wanted as long as the boot met company standards for safety. I've worn every boot you can think of and Herman Survivor's have been the best. The boots I wore weren't in your test but similar to the so called Fake Timbs. I put them through hell in water , mud and you name it. As a matter of fact I have been retired for 11 years and still have my last pair that don't leak water and are broken in and very comfortable. Hermans aren't Wal-Mart brand boots just because they sell them. You'll find Hermans at the finest boot stores everywhere , they've been advertised in Field and Stream and Outdoor Life magazines. You did more damage verbally to the boots than any of the tests you did. Do better research on the products before you criticize them.
Had a pair of Herman Survivors back around 1982. They were decent back then, got me through high school and my first job in a lumber plant. Barnyard juice finally killed the leather.
Had Brahm brand boots. Had them for under a year or so. I work at a golf course. I did A LOT of hand watering in them. I’d go home with my feet orange. from the boot dye with a soaking wet foot . Surprisingly they did the job. Just fell apart after heavy wear.
Great video! I still have a pair of Walmart leather steel toe work SHOES. Low cut regular looking leather shoes but steel toe. They are fairly comfortable, but are too expensive to wear because they wear holes in my socks in just one day. Really weird. I wear a pair of Ariat full leather work boots with composite toe. They frown on steel toes on the North Slope of Alaska because your toes can freeze more quickly. I have more work boots than I'll ever need. 2 pair were given to me by customers in Asia. Very good leather and they said they were the best boots they could get. And this was a fire safety supply company. I've worn out a pair of Red Wings. The sole is completely slick but they are still my favorite boots. I got another great pair of Red Wings at 70% off at a 'Going Out Of Business" sale. Oh, and all of the boots I picked out and bought, I got reimbursed for. I surely can't complain.
Herman Survivors and Craftsmen boots got me by when spenting $100 on boots was a big stretch and something I had to save months to be able to purchase. I'm better for them and happy these are still a decent option for working people to be able to buy off of
It’s interesting to see how cheap boots compare to more premium boots. Saving up a little more money will be beneficial in the longer run to get a better quality boot.
I believe this is a fact. And here's why. In the early 70's I purchased a pair of Texas Steer at Kmart ( their brand of footwear. I treated them with 3vcoats of Bear grease. Keep in mind. I paid 15.00 on those regular leather boots. Not waterproof. Not prevtreated. I wore those boots for over 10 years. I treated with a single coat of Bear grease every 2 hears. Wore them everyday. Including hunting and running a trapline twice a day every winter. My feet never got wet in over a decade not bad for 15.00 and regular care. Now im gonna watch this video. Thanks for the video Sir.
I have a lot of friends who bought the $75 boot to start a new job. I would have too if they made them small enough! Good to see they’re at least decent. They’ve been working so far!
I opted for used Red Wing DynaForce 415s. I paid like $45 and the Red Wing store cleaned them and put new laces on them for me. I have been using them for my autoshop classes and they've held up amazingly well. I liked them so much I went back to the Red Wing store that took care of me and got a pair of Iron Rangers.
Ive been wearing the basic tan steel toes for years. I immediately add a good dr scholls insole and they serve me very well. With the work I do I cannot stomach exposing a 200-300 dollar pair of boots to the conditions. A new pair every 6 months and I am good to go.
Years ago Walmart sold a workboot I dearly loved. It was perfect. Steel toe, looked good, grippy tread, had a toe protector, comfortable even at the end of 20 hr days & the price was right. THEN, one day, the boot I loved was not on the shelf. I asked & was told Walmart had bought the company & they had dropped all those boots that were Disheartedhad to chose another boot. And then by & by I started to feel some discomfort on the side of my big toes. I changed boots but it continued. I started to wear 2 pair of heavy socks & that helped.THEN one day I was looking at Walmart boots and realized they were all marked as W. Wide. I checked every box of every style boot this store had out - ALL were W. I went & checked a different store and found the same. Thats when I started wearing SEARS Craftsman boots. !
I'd like to see a pair of tactical boots (no side zipper) by Interceptor/black with steel toes go through a drop test with 10lbs, 20lbs, and 50lbs. Give different sinerios with the pounds. Awesome testing. Interceptor boots are sold at Walmart.
I bought a pair of cheap Herman Survivors at Walmart,what a rip didn't take long for the plastic to crack. Got a pair of Ozark Trails there for about the same price and was amazed, the fake leather stayed together they feel good look good and have lasted a while. Guess Walmart is a gamble as always
I get my boots at Bass Pro. I wore a pair of $100 Cabelas boots for nearly 3 years of daily use both at work and at my barn before they fell apart. All other brands that was supplied by my job didn't last 1 year.
Ever since I started watching your channel, I be inspecting EVERY shoe I got like “Oh, that’s good leather”, “Ahh, that leather ain’t that great”, to “Damn, this is some fake leather!”… lol…
Buy a pair of Redwings and take care of them. I used a pair for six years doing heavy warehouse and farm work. I just took care of them, having the soles and heel redone for cheaper than a new pair of cheap boots. I bought the same pair again three years ago but still have the old ones. I only bought new because the old pair finally lost water resistance. $240 pair of boots is worth it.
Had the 2 cheapest boots from the video the first ones were my first boots and took 3 years with about 8 months of constant use and occasional use after but for 20$ it’s hard to complain the second pair lasted good the toe box was small if kinda hurt but my toes are wide so not the fault of the boot I liked them but I gave them to my buddy he didn’t wear them and throw them away like a week later instead of giving them back kinda wish I still had them they were nice
I have the $100 boots. Bad, thr heavy. Good, I had to dig a big hole for plumbing problem. Water was over my boots for a very long time. Feet whr dry, boots did great. I bought a pair for my son & his wife. Iv asked other truckers how thy like them. Everyone said they whr good!
I hope this is just one more mail in the coffin for Chinese made junk from Wal-Mart. Buying junk like this has consequences personally, and globally. Thanks for the awesome video.
I used to buy walmart steel toes when they would clearance them to $8-17. 3 twisted ankles later I'm done with them and rather buy steel toe moc toes online for $100+. They dont care about the design soon as they wear the sole comes unglued or the top pivots on the sole base so you end up twisting your ankle just walking.
An old joke about steel toed boots is that the Navy has them so there is an even cut through the foot when a Tomcat rolls across them and makes it an easier and cleaner wound to sew up.
Ok, so I have some major problems with this video. First off, on the cut centered score for the third boot you rated it an 8.8 when it was clearly at least a 9! That kind of sloppy grading is just unacceptable. Secondly, that cat was on screen for at least five minutes and I didn't see you scritch it's chin even once! I am just shocked and appalled at this fast and loose video making of yours.
I log for a living and good boots are a must. I've had good luck with the Timberland Pro series and now wearing the Ariat Endeavor model which is a great work boot. Super comfortable
I wear beta welder boots. They are cheap ,waterproof, comfy and tough. Great for construction wet trades. They are not fancy just black plain boots with leather flap over the laces.
While I will never wear a $100 boot, this is very valuable for my children to learn how not to waste money. Well worth your trouble to produce, appreciated.
Brahma solid black boots, had to get a pair cuz mine got lost on pipeline, ended up wearing them for afew months, put some VANS skate shoe soles in them, honestly not bad. I still have them to this day for nostalgic reasons but i dont wear them.
Get a high quality wallet, belt or MORE in the Rose Anvil shop here - bit.ly/44jXLNu
Do you remember Herman’s the store they were sold at?
Your cat is sick. Please pay attention to it 😢
30yrs ago hermans sold at hermans were good
I think instead of the flame test, you should have used sparks. Have an angle grinder blasting them with sparks for a minute or something. A pretty good replication of a real life work scenario.
Oh yeah....I can't tell you how many pant legs I've burned holes in, over the years, cutting re-bar with a chop-saw. You start out with the spark trail tailing between your legs. Then after a few cuts, or so, you forget, cause your back is getting sore from bending over holding this heavy ass saw, and shift your stance. If your lucky, you realize before it burns through the jeans, and makes it to your boot, or even worse, your bare leg...smh
I agree with the first guys statement use a spark test instead flame
I think that’s pretty smart
I mean, I actually quite liked the flame test. When I was doing firewatch and grunt work as an ironworking apprentice, they'd give me a wheat burner after it snowed or rained on the deck and tell me to both melt the snow and make sure the water evaporated so it wasn't an ice rink. So I would actually be holding a wheat burner nary an inch or four from my boots for more than ten seconds at a time. That being said, I do understand that my experience isn't the most universal of the trades.
Agree with the spark test. I doubt any body is going to stand there while their foot catches fire, Unless you do a "spilt fuel and it ignited" test
I've been wearing the $75 Herman Survivors for almost 2 years now, and they aren't wearing out. Just the heel area shows any real wear (rubbed through cloth), and they are surprisingly comfortable still. I was amazed how well a Walmart boot is.
my last pair lasted for over 8 years.
yall dont work hard i bought a pair 6 yeaes ogo 3 monts
Yeah I get a year out of the waterproof shit kickers doing construction and handyman work. Pleasantly surprised with the Herman survivors because I got them in a pinch and keep. Buying em
They're my go to work boot. They last 2 years in the field for me, while even more expensive boots last a year tops.
Herman Survivors was actually a pretty good brand back 30 or 40 years ago, but the brand was sold off and somehow ended up in Walmart’s hands, and they, predictably, ruined it.
Similar situation with Schwinn
Yes, remember the commercials of Herman Survivors? Also, on WWF wrestling back in the day, the MoonDogs wore Herman Survivors in the ring.
My first run in with Herman Survivors was a pair that was given to me by a coworker. They were new old stock and seemed pretty good. What I didn't realize at the time was that they were over 25 years old until I took three steps in them and the rubber soles both cracked right off and stayed where I had just been standing 😂
When I was a kid in the 70s Herman Survivors were the boots you wanted. Unfortunately this is just one more example of how things get worse when it's only about low quality and making profit.
Walmart ruined America
I got Brahma "fake timbs" for $50 from walmart, and I've been very impressed by them. For me, they were way more comfy than any of the boots I tried in the $100-150 range, and they're holding up well
I've had good experience with that brand as well. Walking through mine runoff caused the left one ( I think) to crack almost instantly. I once told my grandfather about that, and being a former ASARCO smelter employee, he was not surprised. But they did me well when I was working a summer job on base when I was a teen.
Yes sir. I work at a brickyard that gives us a $100 boot allowance a year. I get 2 pairs of the $50 boots a year. I only come out of pocket for more comfortable insoles
Same!
that's what i have on my feet right now. my first pair lasted three years with me walking 5-10 miles in the city a day. then he lug cracked and i couldn't use them in the rain anymore. i went right back and bought another pair just like them
It's a good quality Colombian brand that's why.
I really like your no nonsense fact based reviews and advice. It's clear you're trying to tell us the truth as best you can. Thank You. Respect. Honor still matters, as does The Golden Rule.
I love seeing the cross over from the other channels. Project farm is great and he is quite talented at testing... just like this channel has some really good knowledge and expertise on leather. Great to see the good analysis practice spread on this platform. Great information!
So I've owned the "fake Timb's," for about 2 years, in which they have received pretty much daily use. You "hit the nail on the head," with your assessment. The lining of the heel was the first thing to go after about 3 or 4 months. They are still quite comfortable to this day. Although, the thin rubber out-sole, held up okay, until I started climbing roofs with them for a few months. In spite of those 2 defects, they really have been pretty damn good boots, for the price. It really depends on what you're going to do in them. For me, and what I do, they're just fine for a 2 year clip. Good job
When it comes down to it, they probably are worth more than what you paid. So good value.
@@standupstraight9691 Agreed👍
There is something strangely fascinating about watching somebody cut a boot apart and tell us about what's in it! Highly educational and entertaining! New subscriber.
It’s easy to justify shitting on a walmart boot, but to be honest, ive seen much worse from brand names charging more for worse quality than this. At least you know what to expect from walmart.
That said, its a $50 boot… if you need something to get you through your first month of work until you get your first full paycheck, these are a godsend to many people in their first labor job.
It would cost you the same amount in gas money trying to thrift a used boot and some people just can’t afford the hunt.
Use a credit card, do your research online, up your price point. It's cheaper in the long run. Some people think the cheaper the boot, the more successful the purchase.
Carhartt boots are horrible...
@@ORIGINALDaveB Which is why the term "walmart poor" is prevalent. Items this cheap are designed to keep people in a loop of buying and replacing cheap shit. Another one of the 10,000 ways having money/access to money helps you save more money.
@@Ryuujinv01 Agreed.
@@ORIGINALDaveB could I borrow your credit card? until payday
I knew someone who worked in an Amazon warehouse, and as an employee got a $150 gift card (each year) to an online selection of "appropriate work shoes." The options went from walking sneaker to steel toe boot. Seems like a good investment in your workers to make sure they have quality footwear.
I'm guessing that with the bad worker protections in the US it isn't a thing, but here in the UK steel toe boots are considered personal protective equipment (PPE) and your employer is legally obligated to provide you with either a pair or the money for a pair. Although you might not get a very good pair (they just have to meet the appropriate safety standard).
I needed a pair of steel toed boots for a high school industrial skills event years ago. I went to Walmart the morning I was leaving and bought something exactly like those $24 boots. Killed by feet everyday I wore them. Tried to wear them after just to mow the lawn and lasting board was broken. Better than barefoot, I guess, but not by much.
I bought some black suede workbooks from Walmart probably about 10 years ago. One of the advertised features was a 'long-wearing sole'. The sole was actually made of a sort of foam material, like a flip-flop. The heels wore away to wedges in no time, and the middle of the foot wore through. They also absorbed water like a sponge.
I used to walk about 30 minutes each way to and from work, and I got maybe a month out of them.
I actually own the $24 boots. I forgot my boots one day and needed an emergency pair so I got them. Yeah they suck but they survived that day. I’ve used them a handful of time since for odd jobs, the toes wore through to the steel toe in two or three days. Would not recommend them except as an emergency pair for one day if you forget yours 😂. They’re now just my junk boots for concrete work and the like.
Having an emergency pair of work boots in the truck is a really good idea in general. And I agree, those 24$ boots look like they would do for that.
Although even for that little money some shopping around can get you much better quality than that Walmart offering, albeit still probably too uncomfortable to wear regularly.
Hi. Cowboy boots work but its 14 inch high
2-3 days lmfao, what a deal!
*_I own a pair of the 100 dollar version of fake Timberlands because of same reason and was only place you can get boots 4 am in the morning. I tried many times to wear them but they squak like a duck and hurt my back like a pinch nerve. Wish he would cover that subject of noisy boots.._*
@@BL-yj2wp no doubt there are better options but the Walmart I went to had very little and I only needed them for one day ha
I work at a gold mine at their gyro and jaw rock crushers. And I ran those $100 work boots for a year.
And I will 100% back them.
They held up really well to daily digging and tough work. They also held up well to acids and caustic abuse when working around chemicals and flooded areas of our plant.
For the people that aren't able to find good condition work boots at a local thrift, I see either new or almost new steel toe red wings all the time on eBay and Poshmark, there's usually something lightly used for around that 100 mark.
We have five shoe stores in our little recreation town. Unfortunately, buying shoes online is the one item it's tough to pull off. Feet are so different and stated sizes always vary.
Been rocking a pair of the Fake Tims for over a year replaced a pair of Ridgecut 150 dollar pair that lasted 4 months, the Fake tims have lasted and held up exceptionally well in the heavy equipment service industry
I bought the Dozier boots two winters ago. I found them decently warm and comfortable. Stayed dry too. Survived two Cleveland winters and somehow still look great. The ONLY boots from Walmart I’ll ever even consider.
I'd love to see you cut open the dr martens ironbridge work boots! I don't know where they stack up but I personally love them. They're a bit heavy, I replaced the insoles with a similar dr martens insole because the insoles that come with them, although very cushy foam, don't have much arch support. I wear them in a kitchen so they may not see as much wear and tear as a work boot often does, but they've held up well walking through dishroom puddles, running them over with carts, and walking on slippery floors 40+ hrs a week. First failure I've had was the laces and insoles needing replacing so the boot itself seems durable. It only seems reasonable laces and insoles would need replacing after a year of being worn regularly for long hours. But I'm interested to see what you say about the construction.
As someone who's had the timb style boots as well as another herman model with a similar sole, I can confirm that they will not last anywhere but on a smooth even surface. If you are working on jagged broken concrete or even sharp gravel the soft, thin, rubber outsole will actually tear and expose the even softer injected foam filling. I used mine mostly to cut the grass, which was fine, but I also used them for some small concrete demo projects on my house. The broken concrete tore up the sole the first day. After that I used them on the lawn and that was it, until the foam fill completely deteriorated. The uppers were good though.
I'm currently looking at the $100 boots, simply because I'm generally I use them for working around the house. Things like landscaping, pouring small concrete projects, the occasional welding (my jeans will cover the nylon portions of the uppers so sparks aren't an issue), and climbing and climbing trees. The added ankle support will be a welcome factor on some of the steep hills. You did forget to mention that of the boots tested, the $100 boots are the tallest in the ankle. Herman does offer another pair at the same price that looks identical, but has a shorter ankle and a patterned leather.
Thank you for finally doing these. I would chalk up most of my foot problems to 2 decades of Brahma boots starting when I got to adult shoe sizes. I’ve moved on to good boots from my local boot store, but have picked some Walmart boots up when they hit $11 on clearance for harsh chores.
I really appreciate videos like this because there are a lot of guys out there who need boots for work and can't afford much.
The steel toe corcoran marauders are amazing. Very comfortable, american made, lasts for a very long time and most of the time you can find them on sale for around $100 - $150. Just sent my black pair in to get a resole after 5 years of daily use.
Preach. Best boots for my career field (AF). I don’t buy anything else.
@@jacobwitt2070 whats AF
@@joshtheflatearthjedi222 it means he's a pog.
@@thedude5449 What's a pog?
That's the brand?
Corcoran marauders?
I got a pair of Brahma boots from Walmart for $11. Cheapest pair I could find, but it was just for a Halloween costume so I didn’t care. About a year later, I started a job that required work boots, and I decided to wear the Brahmas until I could better actual boots. 2 years of hard use later, they’re cracked and torn but have held up amazingly well. Very waterproof, even with the top layer of one torn in a few places, comfortable, soles are still in great condition, and fairly resistant to damage. I don’t think I’d ever really recommend them if you needed work boots, but I will say I got way more than $11 worth out of them.
Interesting review, per usual. The carrot smasher was… graphic. As someone who works as an engineering inspector in bridge construction, quality comfortable boots are a must. I did the cheap boot thing early in my career and learned the hard way. Spending the day on cheap footwear just hurts.
Ive had a pair of brahmas for going on 5 years now and they are pretty good for the price i paid. Around 40 if i remember correctly. Only just starting to wear the sole through leather held up well and their fairly comfortable. Cant complain for what i paid.
Everything known about supply chains and manufacturing standards for Wal-mart already tells you everything.
Even if they were good boots I wouldn't support that POS company in any form.
Wal-Mart sucks and always have
No doubt I'll never buy shoes or clothes for them
I used to make product for Walmart cheaper process less materials they charge the same as Home Depot does for the product.
@@JAG214 where u get ur shiit then??
having worked there for 7 years and trying a bunch of them over that period I can day that the steel toes are surprisingly decent, but the boots themselves fall conpletely apart between 2 and 6 months of daily wear and offers no support, my Timberlands I bought last for 120 have lasted me 5x as long so far
I like the more work boot related content. I would also love to see women's work boots. Steel toe specifically to see if they mark things up and cut quality for us.
One thing that deserves a shoutout is Walmart’s line of shoes. They offer some remarkably solid deals on shoes when it comes to their price/quality ratio, especially their Treadsafe and Goodyear lines of slip resistant work shoes made for servers and similar workers.
Brahma work boots were my first boot. Got my first pair in middle school. Getting my dad to pay more then $20 on shoes took forever.
Is he Indian?
Thank you for such a useful and entertaining video. I just got done watching your Duluth boot video and comparing the Walmart ones to the other brand I’d choose the 100$ Walmart boots.
With that being said I appreciate what you’re doing to educate people and getting past the hype/jargon on the box; and helping people get the best value for their money.
I remember getting a pair of Herman's back in the 80´s, when I was a kid, and they held quite well for weekend hiking with my dad and like 2 hunting seasons , until they were too small for me... sad to see what happened to so many brands as years passed on.
reminds me of avia, another brand that walmart owns. if you look at vintage pairs of avia sneakers, the quality and construction is very high grade. however, if you look at them now, its just sad to see what it has become
@@mirrorhour365 I had a few pairs of white sneakers as part of the school's uniform...
Hermann Survivors used to be up there with Red Wings quality wise. Made in the USA, Vibram soles, thick leather, Goodyear welt, now they're shit.
@@jonathanmosher72 Agree!
What a cutie of a kitty! The boots were cool, too. Mid binge and I'm super appreciative of your style. My brain won't perk up for clickbait or faux complexity. Only quality information and an empathetic demeanor. Your channel is top of the pops in both. Seriously remarkable integrity. Those boots? Much less so.
Got a pair of pull on Brahma’s back in college when I was in a pinch. Left my normal boots at home by accident. I was rough on those for at least 15 years. Ranch work, handyman, landscaping, and carpentry. No clue how they lasted that long but they did. They finally gave up the ghost. Looked for a new pair of them and couldn’t find them anymore. Best pair of boots I ever owned. Even if they lasted a year with the abuse I put them through, I would buy a pair again.
Resoling shouldn't even be part of the conversation with boots under $100. You're just going to buy another pair. Guys that buy these just want to make it about a year before they need to replace the boot.
And there's definitely a shank in that moc toe.
I bought Herman Survivors in 1984 for college in New England. Wore them for four years in the winters. Then in a closet for all of the 1990s until I bought a house. My yard work shoes and other chores. Lasted 10 years of weekend use in S.California. Replaced with a cheap pair of Sketchers boots, which the sole and boot are coming apart in a big way in less than 2 years.
Absolutely love your content. Your attention to detail is amazing. If I could make one small critique: The open flame test is flashy, but how about a 'Boot Sole Melting Test'? I, personally work in some areas where I run the risk of having to stand on some hot pipes or hot grating. Seeing some common failure points could be beneficial in helping others make better boot purchases in the future.
Again, amazing content. Please keep up the great work!
I bought those $24 boots when I first started woodworking. They lasted me years, saved my feet more times than I can count, and were totally waterproof up to that tongue gap. They were exactly what I needed when I didn't have the money.
I use the fake timbs. I have for two years now. They are still some of my favorite boots to work in. Unless I am pressure washing... then they kinda suck. But for everything else from roof to ground, I love em.
Nice job. Thanks for looking into these. I always tried to tell my mom those cheap shoes were more expensive than buying me Nikes back in the 70s when I was a kid.
I wish I was smart enough to think of that. I hated getting those KMart crap shoes every August.
I used to wear walmart boots when I first started working labor jobs, totally worth spending and extra $100-$200 on a good pair of boots. But if you only can afford Walmart boots than that's fine, not everyone has money
Better off going to a thrift store and getting better used boots for the same price or much less
@@cheesecurd100s Some people would rather walk though a open septic pond barefoot than wear shoes someone else worn and soaked with their sweat, dead skin flakes, and fungus.
@@cheesecurd100s yeah totally true, i just never find shit in my size like that. Or they don't have a good work boot selection. But I agree with you
@@OhPhuckYou yeah but the used ariats I found for $5, weren't smelly or nothing like that, just dirt all over them, buying used boots is just fine. Plus they are already broken in. You don't have to worry about them being to uncomfortable when you first start working
Even though I can't stand to watch or listen to any commercials, (and yes, I skipped over yours in the be- ginning and understand that you had to squeeze in the advertisement
since nothing in life is for free, not even death since it cost's a life), I like to thank you very much for the nice infp-video and yes, I have used your # 2 & # 3 foot wear years ago and
yes, they are nothing fancy but did the job for the price, sort of speak.
Recently I did purchase three pairs of Eddy Bauer "Ridgeline" hiking boots at Sam's in El Paso since they only charged 30 bucks each.
They wear nicer than the boot # 3 mentioned above, will hopefully last a bit longer than
# 2 and I am pretty happy to have found them for Sam's pretty low 'clean-up-price'.
Thanks again and take care!
I know I'm a year late, but I've been wearing some Survivor II boots that I got from Walmart for $40 five years ago. The soles are still solid and most of the tread is still intact (roughly 95%). I just had to replace the laces but the rest of the boots have held up quite impressively.
Had a cheap pair of black brahmas back in 2000 steel toe some kind of material with suade leather. Did city deliveries all day pushed a manual pallet jack with up to 250 to 3000 pounds throughout day . Lasted at least a year. In and out the truck going to customer probably did at least 3- 5miles a day.
Purchased a cheap pair of Timberland type boots labeled "Texas Steer" from Kmart about 25-years ago and still wearing them for work. Don't know why, or how they've held up this long. Their days are finally numbered, but they served me well.
Very thorough pertinent information for the working person delivered so a lay-person can understand. I can't think of any questions you might have left unanswered. Man you covered all the bases, excellent job on your part. 👍
I am in a situation that I am sure many of us find ourselves in. I am given a $180 a year work boot allowance. I'd love to have a pair of Nick's, White's, or Wesco's, but I find myself buying a new pair of boots in the $200 range every year. If I didn't have that allowance, I would buy a pair of better boots, but as for the way the reimbursement works, I think I'm better off doing it the way I'm doing it. I'll just buy a pair of nice boots for my personal life.
Is it not possible to pocket the money? You could use the entire allowance plus your personal money to get a good pair, then just keep what you're given every year after that or use it towards a resole if needed.
@@EssenceofPureFlavor can't pocket it. you have to turn in the receipt. HR for the state government is super strict on everything. I can always buy my own pair of good ones and use the annual allowance to get specialty boots. muck boots, winter boots, etc.
@@jonathanmarquise422 See if a custom boot maker will make you a pair and invoice you separately for the left and right boot, then turn in receipts in two different years? :D
Jim Green Razorbacks maybe?
Stop being tight with money
I wear the Herman survivor boots to work in asphalt. I have found them to hold up better than wolverine durashock boots in the heat. Asphalt is 450 degrees, it will melt the soles off wolverines in a fiew weeks. I have wore the Jason 3 model survivors for up to three years before!
I have watched many Rose Anvil and other footwear vids. I am always amazed when people are walking in the footwear that the outside of it wrinkles and puckers. I have yet to try on any footwear, no matter the size, width that did that. Steel toes eat my wee toe after a few months, never mind the icicles in the winter my toes became and what joy went composite finally appeared.
i bought a pair of Herman Survivors in the Army back in the 80s. Best boot I've ever owned for work/military. I then found some on clearance at Walmart several years ago for $15. YES !!!!! fifteen dollars. I beat the shit out of those boots working at Home Depot in the Lumber/Concrete section and they lasted 5 years. I was So damned impressed, because I really assumed since Walmart had them, they would be trash. They were amazing. Just bought the Moc Toe for home use today.
I started working in a caterpillar factory out of high-school and bought the $24 shoes and made them last for a couple years by gluing an gluing them back together. I regret it so much. My feet always hurt, back hurt, etc etc etc.
Send money on your shoes is a quick lesson I learned
we used to have problems with some guy's cheap boots having the sole melt walking across hot boilers in power plants or steam pipes when the pipes are around 300 or above have you tried putting them on a hotplate to see what temp the sole melts at? it seemed Vibram soles and such held up better then plastic
I suffered with boots like that for years. I got some Carolina loggers. My feet have never been happier.
I just love how comprehensive this review was. We haven't got Walmart here in Norway, but it is interesting to see how it worked. I would absolutely like to see more videos like these...
Great demonstrations. If you stand in a propane torch flame for over .50 of a second you should probably look into something besides construction or welding employment.
I have been in the safety footwear business for 32 years in Canada. All safety boots and shoes sold here have to be tested and approved by the Canadian Standards Association. The points covered are the resistance of the safety toe, the puncture resistant plate and the electrical conductivity of the boot itself. Asian manufacturers make what you order, Timberlands are made there to american specs, Walmart orders degraded products made only for a price. There exist many good products on the world market, not all available in the US. Many from France and Italy, some from Canada also are manufactured with modern machinery with modern features. These products are starting to appear on the american market but have to overcome the conservative tendency of the american consumer. Goodyear welts represent a type of construction that is very robust and long lasting but expensive to make. I think that a polyurethane injected boot with a rubber outsole and a Goretex booty represents the summum in comfort, wearability and lightness. You can't repair them when the sole is worn but they last as long as a pair of welted boots plus two sole replacements while being much lighter. The american army is using this system now and for the past twenty years I think. The average Joe is still of the mind set of "what was good for my papy and my grand-papy is good for me" ;) That's my opinion.
I am an elderly lady who can't understand why I find these videos so goddam interesting. I just do. Keep them coming, I am just off to watch some more, love your cat by the way ❤🎉
I had the oakridge by herman survivors. Used them for Demolition work. Lasted 7 weeks before the soft soles wore off. Would probably be ok boots if you're using them in dirt
I used to work in a nasty amalgamation of livestock manure/urine/rain/dirt. It destroyed leather boots in no time. I soon quit buying hood work boots and bought the cheapest of whatever Walmart had. All the synthetic material and plastic coated leather lasted longer than my real leather Olathe and Tony lama cowboy boots. And cost a lot less too.
Got my first pair of Herman's almost 15 years ago. Cost about $50 and wore them everyday for about 5-6 years before they fell apart. Bought another pair and got about 2 years out of them, next pair after was about the same. Since then, I've been getting about a year or so per pair. Just bought a pair of the $100 "shoveler" Herman's yesterday. Hopefully I get a couple of years out of them. Not sure if I'm getting harder on my boots or if the quality is just gradually going down hill. If this $100 pair doesn't last more than a year, I'm switching to something else.
I got the Herman survivor boots almost 10 years ago and they lasted me for years . Never had any problems. Of course I put mink oil on them twice a year for the leather . Say what you want but I can't afford $300.00 boots that I would never use to work with after paying that much for them. Rule was in the 1980's when I was working in the construction field was a good pair of boots should last you at least one years . Any thing more is a bonus.
There's a much better suggestion than going to the thrift store or buying these so-called inexpensive Walmart boots. $100 is still very expensive for me. You might get lucky at one of your local thrift stores and find a boot that you really like in your size but if you need to get something within a week then you're probably out of luck just going to thrift stores. The best way to get a good pair of used boots is to get on eBay. I've bought $120 sneakers in great condition for $25 or less on multiple occasions.. Definitely buy it from a reputable seller and you could probably get a $200 to $250 boot for less than $100. You might be able to get it for less than 50 it all depends on what brand you're after and how many boots from the maker that you're trying to get and how many there in your size..
I've been a laborer for thirty years and my feet have been mangled for long periods by terrible work boots when times were tough. Those WalMart boots are a liability to anyone's ability to support his or her self and family.
Why would you want to be a laborer for 30 years? No offense just genuinely curious
@@FoxSolomon1 yeah, me too. Lifetime laborer. it's a risk/reward situation. I don't get calls at 2:30 on Saturday and my bills are paid. I get time with my kids and know what I need to do to get paid.
I have worn Herman Survivor's for years and they are the best longest lasting boots I've ever had. I worked for Central Arkansas Water for 14 years and the company would buy us new boot every year. They would let us choose any brand we wanted as long as the boot met company standards for safety. I've worn every boot you can think of and Herman Survivor's have been the best. The boots I wore weren't in your test but similar to the so called Fake Timbs. I put them through hell in water , mud and you name it. As a matter of fact I have been retired for 11 years and still have my last pair that don't leak water and are broken in and very comfortable. Hermans aren't Wal-Mart brand boots just because they sell them. You'll find Hermans at the finest boot stores everywhere , they've been advertised in Field and Stream and Outdoor Life magazines. You did more damage verbally to the boots than any of the tests you did. Do better research on the products before you criticize them.
yes i buy the interceptor steel toe non zipper and i have found them comfortable, durable , grippy and cheep for about $30 after tax
Had a pair of Herman Survivors back around 1982. They were decent back then, got me through high school and my first job in a lumber plant. Barnyard juice finally killed the leather.
Save me money, not getting any boots from walleworld.
Had Brahm brand boots. Had them for under a year or so. I work at a golf course. I did A LOT of hand watering in them. I’d go home with my feet orange. from the boot dye with a soaking wet foot . Surprisingly they did the job. Just fell apart after heavy wear.
Great video! I still have a pair of Walmart leather steel toe work SHOES. Low cut regular looking leather shoes but steel toe. They are fairly comfortable, but are too expensive to wear because they wear holes in my socks in just one day. Really weird.
I wear a pair of Ariat full leather work boots with composite toe. They frown on steel toes on the North Slope of Alaska because your toes can freeze more quickly. I have more work boots than I'll ever need. 2 pair were given to me by customers in Asia. Very good leather and they said they were the best boots they could get. And this was a fire safety supply company. I've worn out a pair of Red Wings. The sole is completely slick but they are still my favorite boots. I got another great pair of Red Wings at 70% off at a 'Going Out Of Business" sale. Oh, and all of the boots I picked out and bought, I got reimbursed for. I surely can't complain.
Herman Survivors and Craftsmen boots got me by when spenting $100 on boots was a big stretch and something I had to save months to be able to purchase. I'm better for them and happy these are still a decent option for working people to be able to buy off of
It’s interesting to see how cheap boots compare to more premium boots. Saving up a little more money will be beneficial in the longer run to get a better quality boot.
I believe this is a fact. And here's why.
In the early 70's I purchased a pair of Texas Steer at Kmart ( their brand of footwear.
I treated them with 3vcoats of Bear grease. Keep in mind. I paid 15.00 on those regular leather boots. Not waterproof. Not prevtreated.
I wore those boots for over 10 years. I treated with a single coat of Bear grease every 2 hears. Wore them everyday. Including hunting and running a trapline twice a day every winter. My feet never got wet in over a decade not bad for 15.00 and regular care.
Now im gonna watch this video. Thanks for the video Sir.
Great video. Massively beneficial for the countless workers whose income makes buying even a $150 boot seem challenging.
The longest I have ever made a pair Walmart boots last was two weeks before they fell apart. When I started buying quality I actually saved money.
You get my vote, billy goat. Your science is most appreciated. Thanks.
The steel in the boot. Is the shank. It's there so you don't break your arch using a shovel
I have a lot of friends who bought the $75 boot to start a new job. I would have too if they made them small enough! Good to see they’re at least decent. They’ve been working so far!
I opted for used Red Wing DynaForce 415s. I paid like $45 and the Red Wing store cleaned them and put new laces on them for me. I have been using them for my autoshop classes and they've held up amazingly well. I liked them so much I went back to the Red Wing store that took care of me and got a pair of Iron Rangers.
Ive been wearing the basic tan steel toes for years. I immediately add a good dr scholls insole and they serve me very well. With the work I do I cannot stomach exposing a 200-300 dollar pair of boots to the conditions. A new pair every 6 months and I am good to go.
Years ago Walmart sold a workboot I dearly loved. It was perfect.
Steel toe, looked good, grippy tread, had a toe protector, comfortable
even at the end of 20 hr days & the price was right. THEN, one day, the
boot I loved was not on the shelf. I asked & was told Walmart had
bought the company & they had dropped all those boots that were
Disheartedhad to chose another boot. And then by & by
I started to feel some discomfort on the side of my big toes. I changed
boots but it continued. I started to wear 2 pair of heavy socks & that
helped.THEN one day I was looking at Walmart boots and realized they
were all marked as W. Wide. I checked every box of every style
boot this store had out - ALL were W. I went & checked a different
store and found the same. Thats when I started wearing SEARS
Craftsman boots.
!
I'd like to see a pair of tactical boots (no side zipper) by Interceptor/black with steel toes go through a drop test with 10lbs, 20lbs, and 50lbs. Give different sinerios with the pounds. Awesome testing. Interceptor boots are sold at Walmart.
I bought a pair of cheap Herman Survivors at Walmart,what a rip didn't take long for the plastic to crack. Got a pair of Ozark Trails there for about the same price and was amazed, the fake leather stayed together they feel good look good and have lasted a while. Guess Walmart is a gamble as always
I get my boots at Bass Pro. I wore a pair of $100 Cabelas boots for nearly 3 years of daily use both at work and at my barn before they fell apart. All other brands that was supplied by my job didn't last 1 year.
I do commercial construction and I wear the "fake times". They last basically a single season so for $50, I'm not gonna complain.
Ever since I started watching your channel, I be inspecting EVERY shoe I got like “Oh, that’s good leather”, “Ahh, that leather ain’t that great”, to “Damn, this is some fake leather!”… lol…
Buy a pair of Redwings and take care of them. I used a pair for six years doing heavy warehouse and farm work. I just took care of them, having the soles and heel redone for cheaper than a new pair of cheap boots. I bought the same pair again three years ago but still have the old ones. I only bought new because the old pair finally lost water resistance. $240 pair of boots is worth it.
The plastic boot being torched brought a smile to my face
Had the 2 cheapest boots from the video the first ones were my first boots and took 3 years with about 8 months of constant use and occasional use after but for 20$ it’s hard to complain the second pair lasted good the toe box was small if kinda hurt but my toes are wide so not the fault of the boot I liked them but I gave them to my buddy he didn’t wear them and throw them away like a week later instead of giving them back kinda wish I still had them they were nice
I have the $100 boots. Bad, thr heavy. Good, I had to dig a big hole for plumbing problem. Water was over my boots for a very
long time. Feet whr dry, boots did great. I bought a pair for my son & his wife. Iv asked other truckers how thy like them. Everyone said they whr good!
I hope this is just one more mail in the coffin for Chinese made junk from Wal-Mart. Buying junk like this has consequences personally, and globally. Thanks for the awesome video.
If people can LEARN to fight inflation, buying quality is a great start.
I used to buy walmart steel toes when they would clearance them to $8-17. 3 twisted ankles later I'm done with them and rather buy steel toe moc toes online for $100+. They dont care about the design soon as they wear the sole comes unglued or the top pivots on the sole base so you end up twisting your ankle just walking.
An old joke about steel toed boots is that the Navy has them so there is an even cut through the foot when a Tomcat rolls across them and makes it an easier and cleaner wound to sew up.
If you're going to be cutting apart boots a lot, I suggest you try a hooked carpet knife.
Ok, so I have some major problems with this video. First off, on the cut centered score for the third boot you rated it an 8.8 when it was clearly at least a 9! That kind of sloppy grading is just unacceptable. Secondly, that cat was on screen for at least five minutes and I didn't see you scritch it's chin even once! I am just shocked and appalled at this fast and loose video making of yours.
I log for a living and good boots are a must. I've had good luck with the Timberland Pro series and now wearing the Ariat Endeavor model which is a great work boot. Super comfortable
I wear beta welder boots. They are cheap ,waterproof, comfy and tough.
Great for construction wet trades.
They are not fancy just black plain boots with leather flap over the laces.
I really appreciate you taking this time to give me a lesson on the boots now my options are Carolinas or Georgia boots
The 100 pair is cold weather, the mock toe for concrete, basically you need to buy your boots for the environment you'll be primarily working in
While I will never wear a $100 boot, this is very valuable for my children to learn how not to waste money. Well worth your trouble to produce, appreciated.
Brahma solid black boots, had to get a pair cuz mine got lost on pipeline, ended up wearing them for afew months, put some VANS skate shoe soles in them, honestly not bad. I still have them to this day for nostalgic reasons but i dont wear them.