I’ve been rotating two pair doing commercial electrical. Plus a pair of insulated ones I put on when I’m outside and it’s cold. Going on a couple years in them. Where Danners ends and red wings lasted 6 months at best before I got holes in the toe and seams ripping on the back, I’m not even close to ripping through the leather in over a year in all of them + they’re still comfortable from the full leather construction vs needing insoles after a couple months.
Honestly despite working as a classroom teacher, where my shoes/boots really weren't taking a beating, just being on my feet all day helping kids causes the cheap boots I get to wear out within 3-4 months. I got myself a pair of 'mid range' boots and they lasted about a year before the insoles had to be changed, and they're still just not as comfortable. I got myself a pair of Nicks which seem amazing, and now I'm waiting on my JK's in order to have something to rotate with. I can say from the Nicks I have already, and hoping JK will be around the same, my feet just feel a lot better at the end of the day and its been a huge quality of life improvement even if I'm just teaching in them.
Guys that drag their feet wear out sole of their boots, I usually wear out the heal cap before the sole. The Vibram soles and heal caps you guys use seem to be a longer wearing rubber compared to the ones Viberg used on their 151X boots. The Superduty's I have I've had them nearly a year maybe over a year the sole is wearing just fine the heal cap is wearing per uge. This is my first stitch down boot I've worn I'm not overly sure I would be able to get a resole the as I've smashed/worn the midsole up pretty good. The nail down boots I'm used to don't have that issue. This is my fist pair of boots that have rough out leather that makes a huge and I mean huge difference in wear/cut resistance I don't think I would have smooth out leather for a work boot ever again. I wouldn't say I'm abusive to my boots they do see rough service I work in excavating we are in blast rock which is razor sharp. I grease my boots with obenaufs when they need it, more so in the wet season, the liquid version you sent with my boots it works slick as sh*t far less messy than the LP and takes less time to apply its not so much of rigamarole using the liquid.
A year or two from outsoles is about standard for construction, any longer than that is pretty good. Same as tires, they just wear out. The boots themselves ought to last five years or two resoles, if I get that much, I'm happy as a lark. Most guys will get a year or two from $250 pairs of boots, they just aren't worth the cost of resoling them when the rest of the boot is falling apart. Before getting my Franks and JKs, I was wearing $120 Bates 8" Cobras and 6" Shock FX. No break in, lightweight, flexible, and extremely comfortable, but I was lucky to get 6 months out of them before they'd begin falling apart. Never got more than 8 months before I had to get replacements, since they were letting rocks in and under my feet. And they couldn't be had with comp or steel toe.
The guy that sold me mine I was thinking of getting a wedge in my boot, because I walk on the outside of my boots. And instead of doing that he did something with my heel on moving it too clicks and putting a super soft soul that wears quickly on my boot and then after 6 months or so sending it back to you guys for a result to see if that works or you guys have to put a wedge in.
I’ve been wearing 200-250 dollar boots for years. I currently get about 6 months out of them before the soles are destroyed, at which point a new boot is just a little more expensive. I have my first pair of JK’s (OT pros) on order right now. If I can year out of them before a resole I’ll be happy. Also the half sizes matter a lot, typically a 13 in a Redwing is a little tight, uncomfortable but not painful. And a 14 is a little big, just feel like clown shoes. Hopefully that will be resolved as well
When I was doing fighter maintenance, I typically got 6-9 months out of a pair of boots. At this point, the sole would be ground off or falling off/attached with fuel tank epoxy and the toe cap detached or worn through to the steel, usually stitched together with .032” safety wire and patched with more epoxy. While we were often supposed to be issued new boots, more often than not the funding wasn’t there or the issue periods were farther apart than the lifespan of the boots, besides which the squadron funded boots were the cheapest available. I usually ended up purchasing boots out of pocket. It’s a real shame there are so few high end, rebuildable boots that meet the uniform standards for a combat boot. I know I could’ve saved myself money and ingrown toenails if I’d had a set rather than burning through $400-500/year on multiple sets of low-end disposable boots from big name brands.
I worked in a junk yard for fifteen years. I went through a lot of boots. I have yet to find soles that last a year. And most cases the leather is trashed as well. I also realized that you need a few pair for rotation. Unfortunately for most of my working life I could never afford multiple pairs. My best pair of boots were a pair of Israeli army boots. They cost me fifty dollars and lasted a year. I would definitely consider buying jk boots for a rotation. Really cool video.
What is the toughest most abrasion resistant soles you carry ? When I say tough and abrasion resistant I mean like hide of a rhino… Would it be the Vibram red soles? I burn thru my outer back quarter like a rock grinder. I am on concrete sidewalks and asphalt roads 90% 10 percent soil. I have plans on that Super Duty or Firelander LTT
I went to a cobbler today to diagnose an issue on some new shoes. I was wearing my jk 300s and he immediately spotted them as excellent boots without even knowing the brand or heritage. Just could see the quality of materials and attention to detail in the build. So you guys might have gotten a fan out of a 24 years of experience cobbler.
I've worked in the mines for nearly 20 years and had boots last anywhere from 5 months to as much as 6 years that's 12+ hrs a day. Surprisingly I've had soles last 5 years in the mines with hard use it really depends on the sole material I prefer a super hard sole they last way longer then those crappy white soft soles. I've never owned a pair of jk's but it'd on my list hopefully by the end of the year
If you’re using machinery, they’re not handmade. Something handmade would be more along the lines of the shoes made by Siroeno Yosui. Unless we’re talking about concrete boots that are molded into one piece, even the cheapest boots are sewn together using a machine and the soles are glued on. Some boots just have better leather and the soles are glued as well as sewn.
Have you seen how they're made? Yeah, they're sewn on a sewing machine rather than painstakingly done by hand with needle and thread, but they're done by an individual, not on an automated assembly line. And from there, they're hand lasted by a cobbler, and if that doesn't qualify as handmade, then nothing does. What you're referring to are the "bespoke" types of shoes made by a single artisan, not work boots.
@@Rb889 look at Korean hiking and workboots. Just regular boots. Even those are stitched by hand and they’re not bespoke. Don’t get me wrong, the boots are really nice and made using premium leather. I’m just arguing over the vocabulary he chose to use.
@@averyj.steele1074 there’s a difference between tools and mechanized equipment. If it has a motor, it’s a machine. Machine-made and handmade are not the same thing. I never said they are shitty boots. But when you take what he said for face value, handmade is incorrect. You’re not going to win this argument. Any which way you look at it, once a machine is used to construct something, it can no longer be considered handmade.
@@SergioPena20 Did you write a book on the subject? Of what authority are you? Seems like you are just nit picking to be contrarian. They are nail bottomed and hand lasted. But because they use sewing machines, you get to say they aren't handmade? Sorry, but no.
I’ve been rotating two pair doing commercial electrical. Plus a pair of insulated ones I put on when I’m outside and it’s cold. Going on a couple years in them. Where Danners ends and red wings lasted 6 months at best before I got holes in the toe and seams ripping on the back, I’m not even close to ripping through the leather in over a year in all of them + they’re still comfortable from the full leather construction vs needing insoles after a couple months.
20 years working, using mid quality boots paying $180-340 on boots and I only get 9 months. Looking forward to getting a set of your in the future.
Great video! Lots of very pertinent info on how long these PNW crafted boots should last :)
Thanks!!!!🎉🎉🎉
Honestly despite working as a classroom teacher, where my shoes/boots really weren't taking a beating, just being on my feet all day helping kids causes the cheap boots I get to wear out within 3-4 months. I got myself a pair of 'mid range' boots and they lasted about a year before the insoles had to be changed, and they're still just not as comfortable. I got myself a pair of Nicks which seem amazing, and now I'm waiting on my JK's in order to have something to rotate with. I can say from the Nicks I have already, and hoping JK will be around the same, my feet just feel a lot better at the end of the day and its been a huge quality of life improvement even if I'm just teaching in them.
My Danner Fort Lewis work boots are about 25 years old, & still in good condition. 1 re-sole so far. Clean & polish once a year.
Guys that drag their feet wear out sole of their boots, I usually wear out the heal cap before the sole. The Vibram soles and heal caps you guys use seem to be a longer wearing rubber compared to the ones Viberg used on their 151X boots. The Superduty's I have I've had them nearly a year maybe over a year the sole is wearing just fine the heal cap is wearing per uge. This is my first stitch down boot I've worn I'm not overly sure I would be able to get a resole the as I've smashed/worn the midsole up pretty good. The nail down boots I'm used to don't have that issue. This is my fist pair of boots that have rough out leather that makes a huge and I mean huge difference in wear/cut resistance I don't think I would have smooth out leather for a work boot ever again. I wouldn't say I'm abusive to my boots they do see rough service I work in excavating we are in blast rock which is razor sharp. I grease my boots with obenaufs when they need it, more so in the wet season, the liquid version you sent with my boots it works slick as sh*t far less messy than the LP and takes less time to apply its not so much of rigamarole using the liquid.
A year or two from outsoles is about standard for construction, any longer than that is pretty good. Same as tires, they just wear out. The boots themselves ought to last five years or two resoles, if I get that much, I'm happy as a lark.
Most guys will get a year or two from $250 pairs of boots, they just aren't worth the cost of resoling them when the rest of the boot is falling apart.
Before getting my Franks and JKs, I was wearing $120 Bates 8" Cobras and 6" Shock FX. No break in, lightweight, flexible, and extremely comfortable, but I was lucky to get 6 months out of them before they'd begin falling apart. Never got more than 8 months before I had to get replacements, since they were letting rocks in and under my feet. And they couldn't be had with comp or steel toe.
The guy that sold me mine I was thinking of getting a wedge in my boot, because I walk on the outside of my boots. And instead of doing that he did something with my heel on moving it too clicks and putting a super soft soul that wears quickly on my boot and then after 6 months or so sending it back to you guys for a result to see if that works or you guys have to put a wedge in.
I’ve been wearing 200-250 dollar boots for years. I currently get about 6 months out of them before the soles are destroyed, at which point a new boot is just a little more expensive.
I have my first pair of JK’s (OT pros) on order right now. If I can year out of them before a resole I’ll be happy.
Also the half sizes matter a lot, typically a 13 in a Redwing is a little tight, uncomfortable but not painful. And a 14 is a little big, just feel like clown shoes. Hopefully that will be resolved as well
When I was doing fighter maintenance, I typically got 6-9 months out of a pair of boots. At this point, the sole would be ground off or falling off/attached with fuel tank epoxy and the toe cap detached or worn through to the steel, usually stitched together with .032” safety wire and patched with more epoxy. While we were often supposed to be issued new boots, more often than not the funding wasn’t there or the issue periods were farther apart than the lifespan of the boots, besides which the squadron funded boots were the cheapest available. I usually ended up purchasing boots out of pocket.
It’s a real shame there are so few high end, rebuildable boots that meet the uniform standards for a combat boot. I know I could’ve saved myself money and ingrown toenails if I’d had a set rather than burning through $400-500/year on multiple sets of low-end disposable boots from big name brands.
I worked in a junk yard for fifteen years. I went through a lot of boots. I have yet to find soles that last a year. And most cases the leather is trashed as well. I also realized that you need a few pair for rotation. Unfortunately for most of my working life I could never afford multiple pairs. My best pair of boots were a pair of Israeli army boots. They cost me fifty dollars and lasted a year. I would definitely consider buying jk boots for a rotation. Really cool video.
What is the toughest most abrasion resistant soles you carry ? When I say tough and abrasion resistant I mean like hide of a rhino… Would it be the Vibram red soles? I burn thru my outer back quarter like a rock grinder. I am on concrete sidewalks and asphalt roads 90% 10 percent soil. I have plans on that Super Duty or Firelander LTT
The best boots you can buy I have two pair plus a pair from a competitor. My JK’s are on my feet the other is an emergency
I went to a cobbler today to diagnose an issue on some new shoes. I was wearing my jk 300s and he immediately spotted them as excellent boots without even knowing the brand or heritage. Just could see the quality of materials and attention to detail in the build.
So you guys might have gotten a fan out of a 24 years of experience cobbler.
I'd love to buy some raw leather from you guys... any chance in selling those on your site?
Cheers!
Cant wait for mine to show up!
I've worked in the mines for nearly 20 years and had boots last anywhere from 5 months to as much as 6 years that's 12+ hrs a day. Surprisingly I've had soles last 5 years in the mines with hard use it really depends on the sole material I prefer a super hard sole they last way longer then those crappy white soft soles. I've never owned a pair of jk's but it'd on my list hopefully by the end of the year
I wish they made a black or darker color version of their wegde soles lol
We do offer black Vibram Cristy soles as a custom option!
Sir i watch your videos cool nice i like your shoes JK product.tnx
I have caveman cantaloupe calves so cant wear a boot more than 6-8" without feeling very annoyed by it.
I can wear out a cowboy heel in 3 months
Just got my o.t s and forefronts....2024
Ya sorry, but rebuilding a boot a bunch of times isnt a "boot lasting a lifetime"
If you’re using machinery, they’re not handmade. Something handmade would be more along the lines of the shoes made by Siroeno Yosui. Unless we’re talking about concrete boots that are molded into one piece, even the cheapest boots are sewn together using a machine and the soles are glued on. Some boots just have better leather and the soles are glued as well as sewn.
Have you seen how they're made? Yeah, they're sewn on a sewing machine rather than painstakingly done by hand with needle and thread, but they're done by an individual, not on an automated assembly line. And from there, they're hand lasted by a cobbler, and if that doesn't qualify as handmade, then nothing does.
What you're referring to are the "bespoke" types of shoes made by a single artisan, not work boots.
@@Rb889 look at Korean hiking and workboots. Just regular boots. Even those are stitched by hand and they’re not bespoke. Don’t get me wrong, the boots are really nice and made using premium leather. I’m just arguing over the vocabulary he chose to use.
No, sorry. Handmade. You have no place to quibble simply because they use tools at certain points.
@@averyj.steele1074 there’s a difference between tools and mechanized equipment. If it has a motor, it’s a machine. Machine-made and handmade are not the same thing. I never said they are shitty boots. But when you take what he said for face value, handmade is incorrect. You’re not going to win this argument. Any which way you look at it, once a machine is used to construct something, it can no longer be considered handmade.
@@SergioPena20 Did you write a book on the subject? Of what authority are you? Seems like you are just nit picking to be contrarian. They are nail bottomed and hand lasted. But because they use sewing machines, you get to say they aren't handmade? Sorry, but no.