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Morning all,
In the market for some new casual boots to replace a pair of Crazy Horse DMs and have seen a pair of Timberland Rugged 6inch which I quite like the look of.
Before I go hitting the big buy button, is there anything else around at a similar price/style that's worth a look?
TIA 🙂
I bought some Timberland boots for a similar price in a sale. They were perfectly comfy however they are not a top quality product.
You can tell they are mass produced in China or where ever and over time they just feel a bit cheap. Maybe they do still do a premium range but mine certainly were not (if they had been RRP)
At Christmas I bought some Lanx boots. Completely different ball game. Ooze build quality although I’m still bedding them in !
A British company, some ranges made in the UK. IMO worth the investment
Buy quality buy less often solovair for me. 3 years and still bang on.
I used to buy a pair of boots every year for work. Found a nice priced pair of Timberland boots and wished I'd bought 9 pairs to do me to retirement. 1 pair a year.
Bought solovair pair in a sale, they'll do at least another year and maybe need resoled. Then they will have earned their retirement with me in just under 4 years time.
Instead of 8 pairs I bought 1 pair which may need a resole.
- The Poor Person's Purchase: A person with limited funds buys a $10 pair of boots that fall apart in a few months, forcing them to buy new ones constantly. Over ten years, they may spend $100 and still have wet feet.
- The Rich Person's Purchase: A wealthier person buys a high-quality, durable pair of boots for $50 that lasts ten years. They spend less overall ($50 vs. $100) and have dry feet.
- The Conclusion: The inability to pay a higher upfront cost for durability leads to higher long-term expenses, trapping people in a cycle of poverty.
Not Timberlands. Today’s Timberlands are not like the 1980s made in the USA boots. Go to a store and handle some and you’ll likely feel the same. I was shocked by their cheap feel when I was considering some earlier this year. Reminded me of the Timberland knock-off boots in discount shoe shops of the 90s.
William Lennon make boots in Stoney Middleton. Not cheap. You have to wait a while to get them. But they’re well made and very repairable.
I’d go along with Solovairs. Lots of styles available. i won’t be buying their Derby boot again though. Mine had the problem of the crease near the toe box wearing through after a couple of years. Soles still had some tread left, unlike some Made in England Docs I had whose soles were bald and whose leather was cracked through after just over a year. They were very disappointing.
Lanx boots look good in their store in Manchester.
Goral if you’ve the cash to splash?
Unlike your dms the timberlands will be lined with whatever plastic shit they could find laying around.
Why companies take a perfectly good breathable leather boot and then line them I don’t know.
Vivobarefoot even boast the lining is made from recycled plastic bottles. Why not just buy a pair of wellies for that ultimate sweaty boot experience?
CAT boots? Always my go to when I used to wear them.
My default to this sort of question is Doc Martens, but having recently been in to a DM shop I'm not so sure anymore. The quality seems to have taken a bit of a dive whilst the prices have gone in the opposite direction quite significantly so I'm struggling with ideas for replacements myself.
That boots theory falls flat here. Redwing boots last six months before they need a new sole, which costs £125. Dr Martens I can get at least 12 months use out of before binning them for a new pair. Neither, however, are that impressive as tough boots.
I can highly recommend Panama jacks - made in Spain, nice quality and a touch cheaper than the likes of Lanx etc.
My current waterproof (leather) boots are on their way out; the waterproofing's kinda gone, despite redoing the dubbin etc; so I looked at Timberlands as an option. And like everyone else, I was surprised (but kinda not - see enshittification) how cheaply made they felt.
I kinda want a do it all boot though - hardwearing, waterproof, but also can wear them to the pub in winter. Will check out some of these suggestions above
I love my moto boots from HebtroCo
I have had a pair of Redwing Moc-Toes for 18 months and I'm probably a good 2 years away from needing a resole if not longer.
Usage being occasional trips to the office, going out for dinner, walking round cities on holidays/day trips and then walking the dog for an hour a day (circa 8000 steps) the cold/wet winter months on pavement.
If you're not wearing them all day every day sole wear is a non-issue and the rest of the boot will last for aaaaages.
But they aren't something I would be comfortable buying off the internet. The RW store in that there London Village are great though.
I’ve bought 3 sets of Timberlands in the past 6 months. Why 3? Because they’re bloody awesome! I’ve not had a set (or several) which have been oh so bloody comfy for a long time. Great comfort, great grip, awesome support and look excellent. Only downside now we’re in spring is they’re VERY warm. What will I do for the warmer months?
I was also going to suggest looking at Rose Anvil's site. He gives a good insight into many brands. I bought some RedWing Chelsea boots last year to replace some Blundstones, they've been brilliant. Well constructed and the leather uppers are thick leather. If you polish them well they don't half shine!! Got them from Legend Footwear, which were by far the cheapest I could find them.
I love my moto boots from HebtroCo
Manufactured by this lot who are worth a look https://williamlennon.co.uk/
The OP boots look very, very similar to a pair of Levi boots that I have. They are comfortable enough, and a bit of dubbin brings them up looking great, but the lighter thin layer with the fancy stitching around the base of the shoe that appears to hold the sole on – it's just decorative rubbish that keeps coming away.
I paid £40 for mine (TK Maxx special), so I'm not bothered, but I wouldn't be happy had I spent >£100 on them.
RW from their London store. Worn every day, had them just over two years, about to be on my fifth sole, so looking at over £600 wear and tear. Prob average 12,000 steps a day. Unimpressed with them. Oh and they let water in pretty much instantly, but to their credit dry equally as fast. If you don't wear them every day, they will last, but why wouldn't you wear a pair of expensive boots every day? Looking online, sole wear is an issue - wish I had known that before.
@stayhigh you've not said what's failed on your DMs. The leather and linings of a pair of leather boots really should last a good number of years. The sole on *some* DMs is replaceable.
I've just got back a pair of Blundstone's resoled by https://bootrepaircompany.co.uk/ and they seem to have done a good job. They're more comfortable and have a lot more character than a new pair.
Solovair are resoleable. Lanx are supposed to be as well (though their 'dealer' boot style looks a less 'workboot' than DM equivalent.