The boots on my feet are 15 years old. Been re-crafted twice I think. Vibram soles are still in great shape, but I can tell the support is gone.

If I were to buy a new pair to replace these, I need:

Extra wide
All black
Leather
Breathable but water resistant


What boots will last me the last 15 years of my career? Or should I just be sending these back in? They aren’t anything fancy, just well made Bates leather jump boots with side zip. Certainly got my money’s worth. But willing to drop coin for a better pair as a long term investment.

Not sure what kind of work you do. Take a look and Thorogood.

Another high quality boot is White and another although not sure they make what you need is Schnee. Excellent boat.

Oh, do check out Hoffman in Northern Idaho. They custom make some great boots and very reasonable prices. A great shop.

Patrol sergeant. Often on my feet for hours at a time, the infrequent foot chase still.

Never been a fan of cheaply made, glued, rubber/plastic throw away boots.

I’ve got a pair of Nike jungle boots, Bates goretex boots, and Corcoran Marauder boots, but F Nike, and the others are too narrow for extended wear.

Danners are too narrow as well.

You probably know about Thorogood. They are a well respected police boot maker.

I would not discount Hoffman. Their boot makers are A+imho

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
Patrol sergeant. Often on my feet for hours at a time, the infrequent foot chase still.

Never been a fan of cheaply made, glued, rubber/plastic throw away boots.

I’ve got a pair of Nike jungle boots, Bates goretex boots, and Corcoran Marauder boots, but F Nike, and the others are too narrow for extended wear.

Danners are too narrow as well.

Have you looked into insole supports? For a while, I thought my feet were getting wider, but really, it was my arch falling and causing my feet to over pronate and flatten out. The side effect is that I needed wider shoes. I then started putting in insoles with aggressive arch support (Superfeet) and I now fit back into my narrower shoes and my feet feel better in general.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
Patrol sergeant. Often on my feet for hours at a time, the infrequent foot chase still.

Never been a fan of cheaply made, glued, rubber/plastic throw away boots.

I’ve got a pair of Nike jungle boots, Bates goretex boots, and Corcoran Marauder boots, but F Nike, and the others are too narrow for extended wear.

Danners are too narrow as well.

Have you looked into insole supports? For a while, I thought my feet were getting wider, but really, it was my arch falling and causing my feet to over pronate and flatten out. The side effect is that I needed wider shoes. I then started putting in insoles with aggressive arch support (Superfeet) and I now fit back into my narrower shoes and my feet feel better in general.

Though good advice, I inherited my feet from my mother, who could bare-foot ski with ease. Probably not very lady-like

Anything less than EE, my toes feel like they have been bound.

Danner. If they dont have your size on the shelf they will make it. Hands down the very best quality.

https://www.danner.com/productfamily/tachyon/

Will also recommend the Danner Acadia. Heavy, well built, Gore-Tex, recraftable, Vibram outsoles. Be forewarned, they wear like true heavy use boots, not the lightweight tennis shoe style boots that a lot of cops like to wear.

I've been wearing Danner's as a cop for years and they have always served me well. Worth dropping the coin.

15 yrs of constant everyday use... now that's quality.

You can't buy better boots. White, out of Spokane, WA.

Whites Boots

Nicks Boots

Franks Boots

All very sturdy and you can check out the offerings on line. I've dealt with Nicks a few times. Amazing boots and fine customer service.

Another wide foot fan of thorogood here.
Made in US and they lots to choose from.
The only brand I bother looking at any more.
EEE wide and 4E available.

Here’s the company link to uniform boots..

https://www.thorogoodusa.com/p...ct-category/uniform/

I wore Danner Acadias for about 11 years and had them resoled once. They are now my yard boots. I switched to Lowa Uplander GTX and could not be happier. I have had them for 3 years and are no where needing recrafted.
It appears they do not make them anymore or have been replaced with the 6 GTX TF.
https://www.lowaboots.com/mens...cal/r-6-gtx-tf-black

This model has a few tweaks including a touch more of a heel and more aggressive tread and look. They are also about $110 cheaper than what I paid for the Uplanders. It also appears these are not resolable like the Uplanders that use a Vibram sole. Likely the reason for the lower price.
I am not big on polish and these have never had polish on them. I use mink oil and it gives them a nice low luster shine. We are hot in the middle of mulch fire stomping season so it has been a few weeks since I have cleaned them up. This is my left boot which hits under the dashboard of the cruiser hence the light toe scuffs but with a mink oil treatment they are gone.
I’ll clean them up later tonight and post a better pic. It is community helpers week at one of the schools tomorrow so I’ll be hanging with the kiddos for part of the day. So I clean up a bit extra for them.


I have another set of Lowa Zephyrs for hunting, hiking, and the outdoor needs. I have had them for about 5 years now (granted not daily wear) but they have been beat on something solid.
I got the sage colored suede and blood stains don’t come out.

Another vote for Thorogood.

I've had very good luck with Danner. My work environment is very harsh on boots and Danner boots have lasted longer than any others.

 
My wife wore only Danners when she was working either patrol or K-9. When she was horse mounted or motor, it was knee high black boots, not Danner. I have two pair of Danners, had them for years. When they switch manufacturing of some of their boots to China, I tried a pair and they didn't last a year. I will only buy the USA made Danners, the stitchdown variety that can be rebuilt. Neither pair of mine has needed that, but I don't wear mine on a daily basis.
 
If you buy your Danners directly from them, they come with a no hassle return/exchange, and the return is on their dime. The only stipulation is you don't wear them outside before returning. You can buy them other places, slightly cheaper, but Danner's return policy makes it easy to check the fit before you commit to a style/size.
 
I've never tried them, but have heard high praise also for White boots

I'm a fan of Danner Strikers and have 2 pairs, a 4" and 6" and they are comfortable out of the box and wear like iron. Whites from my neck of the woods (Spokane) have a great reputation and they customize their books to fit your feet.

I wasn't aware that Danner will customize a pair of boots as HayesGreener mentioned. That being the case I would go with them, hands down.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Bassamatic:
You can't buy better boots. White, out of Spokane, WA.

This

Custom built for your foot

Even smokejumpers can’t break them

Danner Fort Lewis boot, available in EE Width. About $390. Wore mine for many years without any issues.

quote:

Originally posted by snwghst:

quote:

Originally posted by Bassamatic:
You can't buy better boots. White, out of Spokane, WA.

This

Custom built for your foot

Even smokejumpers can’t break them

I love White’s and have 3 pairs, their lace-up Packer, a pair of buffalo hide brogues, and a pair of western boots under their Hathorn label. Unfortunately, the line of field boots like my brogues that are just above the ankle do not appear to be available in black—and my assumption is that you probably want/need that color. Too bad, they would be great boot for a police officer. The Smokejumper would be much too heavy. You might talk to them though, and see what they say about a black boot suitable for wear with a uniform.