$200 logger boot shootout

[mainer_in_ak]

Just bought 6 different pairs of logger boots. $200 price point seems to be the minimum price into a Vibram sole. Anything lower in price, just housebrand, jelly donut outsoles.

Danner didn't make the cut. Can't get into a pair of made in China Danner loggers for anything less than $260. Spent the last 3 years cutting in danners, so no thanks.

Will swap boots everyday. Will cut in these boots and report on them to October 15. By then, interior Alaska turns into a frigid sht hole with below zero temps and I switch to mukluks or pac boots.

No dog in the fight. I don't give a fk about any of these boots, only my feet.

Here's the lineup of loggers:

Timberland Evergreen ( made in Bangladesh)
Thoroughgood (made in USA)
Red Wing (made in USA)
Georgia Boots (made in Dominican Republic)
Carolina (made in China)
Chippewa (made in Vietnam)

 

[hacskaroly]

Red Wing

I like Red Wings, have had several different pairs over the years. I was issued a pair of Danners, did not like them at first and they sat for a few years. I tried them again with a pair of insoles and have about worn them out now, they finally got comfortable.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

I like Red Wings

Ewwwww. Raw dog redwings?

 

[full chizel]

Not a logger but have worn out a few pair of Danner Quarry and still buy/wear them.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Not a logger but have worn out a few pair of Danner Quarry and still buy/wear them.

Yep same here. I've gone through 2 pairs made in usa danner quarry boots. The latest quarry 2.0 is made in China and is a $300 boot nowadays. Still lotta made in usa quarry stock though.

*update:

Danner is in the shootout. Found a pair of super rainforest used for $165, $188 shipped. They ain't seen a days worth of work and aren't broken in.

Not really a fair comparison as it's a $400 boot. But will at least be interesting how they stack up against lesser priced boots:

 

[Mad Professor]

I found a NOS pair of Danner Smokejumpers for < $200 on ebay. Good boots.

My favorite loggers were old USA made Herman's all leather w/welt soled Vibrams

 

[Ryan Browne]

I just ordered a pair of boots from these guys. Not this particular model, but this seemed closest to a $200 logger style boot. https://jimgreenfootwear.com/store/african-ranger-8-inch-brown/

I haven't gotten my new pair yet, but I did try on a pair last year and from what I could tell the quality was really high for the money. Personally I'm tired of stiff boots with narrow toe boxes, so I won't be buying any more redwings. I ordered veg tanned barefoot ranger boots this time and I'm excited to have room for my toes to spread out.

 

[redline4]

Throrgood boots has a couple factories right near me in central Wisconsin. They recently started construction of another factory.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Throrgood boots has a couple factories right near me in central Wisconsin. They recently started construction of another factory.

One thoughtful thing from thorogood, is they give the MOST generous discounts to disabled veterans.
Danner doesn't even come close.

 

[davidwyby]

I’ll wager the Chips do at least decent, I’ve never managed to bust a pair in the desert.

 

[davidwyby]

I had a pair of Carolina engineer boots I beat on every day for a couple years a few years ago and they did well. Best deal I’ve found lately is their loggers for $144. Got some, seem promising.

I may never wear out another pair of boots though. I started buying Chips used on eBay when they quit making the ones I liked and now I have a bunch of them.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

2 of the 7 pair of loggers arrived: georgia and thorogood. Both pairs true to size

For the price, very impressed with the georgia boots. Out of the box, comfortable, everywhere. A more affordable alternative to the danner quarry.

Thorogoods will need break-in. Multiple points of discomfort.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Heel counter on the thorogood aren't round enough back of the heel. Lasted 5 hrs in the thorogoods and had to take em off before back of my heel blistered.

Most of these factory boots have a piece of thermo plastic sheet in the heel counter, to stiffen things up. On this thorogood boot, feels like the inner liner fabric is right against the plastic.

Back of the heel, I'll apply some danner boot dressing.

Neither the georgia or the thorogood has a leather welt, synthetic. The welt on thorogood is double stitched.

 

[Woodtroll]

I’ve never had a boot from Thorogood that I didn’t regret. Luckily all but one pair was issued to me (free). They never fit my feet right and the hot spots never broke in. Some folks may have better luck with them though. Everyone’s feet are different.

 

[Dub11]

I just ordered a pair of boots from these guys. Not this particular model, but this seemed closest to a $200 logger style boot. https://jimgreenfootwear.com/store/african-ranger-8-inch-brown/

I haven't gotten my new pair yet, but I did try on a pair last year and from what I could tell the quality was really high for the money. Personally I'm tired of stiff boots with narrow toe boxes, so I won't be buying any more redwings. I ordered veg tanned barefoot ranger boots this time and I'm excited to have room for my toes to spread out.

I've seen there YT channel on how there made they look pretty sturdy. I'll probably be getting a pair soon.

Heel counter on the thorogood aren't round enough back of the heel. Lasted 5 hrs in the thorogoods and had to take em off before back of my heel blistered.

Most of these factory boots have a piece of thermo plastic sheet in the heel counter, to stiffen things up. On this thorogood boot, feels like the inner liner fabric is right against the plastic.

Back of the heel, I'll apply some danner boot dressing.

Neither the georgia or the thorogood has a leather welt, synthetic. The welt on thorogood is double stitched.

That top stitch is just for looks, at least it is on the pair of moc toes that I got.

Will be intrested in seeing this results.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

An actual pair of danner logger made the shootout.
Finally got into a new-old-stock pair of overseas Danner loggers for a tin penny under $200 shipped. The current Danner logger boots are pretty much the same.

I can tell right off the bat, that rounded heel counter will be much more forgiving. Danner have always got that critical point right on the money.

*****Anyhow, i didnt want my frustration with Danner pricing to cause bias in this shootout. But I gotta be honest: Ive been wearing Danner Quarry for a few years. When they jacked the price to $300, my frustrations are the reason for this boot exploration.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Don't like anything that soften leather, ruins ankle support. I run nickwax on dah boots. Doesn't grease in.

Sidelined the thorogoods for a day. I will use the greasy sht sparingly on areas of a boot that could blister yer foot. Back of the thorogood heel dressed with the danner grease. Will continue breaking them in tomorrow.

Today:
4 hrs so far in the georgia boots. What a sweet fkn boot! Slightly roomier toe box. Hit 28 degrees last night after heavy rains. Room for a thick pair of wool socks. Muck and ice. Sure footed as a mountain goat in these Georgia boots!

Tougher eyelets on the georgia too. Big ole washer back side of the eyelet rivet. Unlike that single piece eyelet on the thorogoods: "smash the eye star" over the inside of the boot. That type of eyelet can damage laces or pulls out of the leather.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Raw-dog Redwings showed up. Ewwŵw: Theyre kinda red-colored .

Right off the bat: Vibram fire and ice sole(white diamond). Rubber compound much more forgiving on cold slick surfaces.

Redwings are Heavy fkers: 3lb 1 oz per boot.

Thorogood: 2lb 11 oz

Georgia: 2lb 4 oz

redwings gotta Leather welt.

 

[RCBS]

Have any of you had Danners rebuilt? I know they used to offer the service. I've never been able to cough up the treasure needed to buy any.

 

[hacskaroly]

Redwings are Heavy fkers: 3lb 1 oz per boot.

You are going to end up with some stout leg muscles!!!

Have any of you had Danners rebuilt? I know they used to offer the service. I've never been able to cough up the treasure needed to buy any.

I have not, the tread on mine are a bit slick on the bottom, ready for new ones, but yeah going to be a few $$.