Worked the chippewas, the Carolinas and the timberlands. Last pair of this boot shootout arrived: Danner loggers just started breaking them in.
A few observations.
The chippewa loggers are one of only 2 pairs that has an abrasion resistant patch on the inside back of heel. Smart! As this is an area I always wear a hole into. Where my heel rubs the back of the boot.
Very bulvis, padded tounge. It's a pain to get the tongue in place when lacing up boots. Hopefully it settles down after the boot breaks in. No serious pain. Was able to work the chippewa a full 8 hrs, right out of the box. Lace tension was critical. A little roomy, required a thick sock.
The Carolina loggers rival the georgia low heel loggers for comfort. Probably the best orthodic insole of the bunch. Vibram compound is soft enough where I can walk on hard pack gravel and not get that sharp shock up yer spine with each step. Cadillac of logger boots.
Timberland loggers are very sophisticated. Probably the most advanced, most stoutly constructed of all the boots. Also the heaviest. Fire and ice vibram sole. Then the center tread sets 1/8" taller than the outer tread lugs. Center tread has a hollow cavity that cushions the tread lugs. They actually conform to whatever yer standing in. Fkn crazy! Collars has finger pockets on both sides, to aid in pulling on the boot. Quadruple stiching. The synthetic heel counter is VERY round and doesn't rub the back of my heel. If that wasn't enough, there's also an abrasion resistant material on the inside back of the heel. There's also a lip that will hold on climbing spike straps or aid in kicking off the boots. The arch of the vibram tread has ribs in front of the heal to aid in grip when standing on ladders rungs or roots.
As stated before, not true to size. HEAVY. The safety toe is really tall and overly roomy. Requires a thick sock.
No serious input yet on the overseas Danner loggers. Best shaped, rounded heel counter of the bunch. Lightweight. The danner Logger heel has the best hollow grind finish and contour. That matters alot in mud. Tied with carlolina for best orthotic insole. Not a $200 boot. They can do better on pricing.
*** I'm surprised how easy it was to tune each boot for an 8 hour day of work. Lace tension, sock thickness and selective application of boot grease to areas that painfully rub. 16 hours of break-in or less, and every dmn pair were comfortable enough to work all day.
*** A logger boot that hits the 3lb mark, I loose spring in my step. End of the day feels like I'm dragging my feet. 2.75 lbs or less and I can speed walk through the woods all day like a fkn caribou.
Low heel logger like the georgia g8010, its more versatile. The lightest of the boots I wear them most on days where its a mix of chores: building, milling, driving wood truck, scouting my timber sale, supplies runs, loading/unloading firewood.
Days where I'm doing nothing but cutting in shtty steep terrain: heavy high heel logger everytime!
Chippewa 2lb 10oz
Timberland 3lb 3oz
Carolina 2lb 11oz
Danner 2lb 10oz