$200 logger boot shootout

[Micah]

What makes a longer boot a longer boot?

Wow. Stupid Auto correct.

 

[Catbuster]

Wow. Stupid Auto correct.

It is what it is, don’t worry about it.



This is a logger boot… And it’s a overbuilt example at 10” tall with an inch thick sole. These are my main fire boots for doing engine/hand crew work.

But, in general, a logger boot is:

-Lace up
-Over 8” tall
-Has an aggressive lug sole
-A defined heel. Usually, it’s pretty tall. That heel does two things, dig into the ground while traveling downhill and balances your body going uphill.
-All leather upper construction

 

[Woodtroll]

It is what it is, don’t worry about it.

View attachment 469027

This is a logger boot… And it’s a overbuilt example at 10” tall with an inch thick sole. These are my main fire boots for doing engine/hand crew work.

But, in general, a logger boot is:

-Lace up
-Over 8” tall
-Has an aggressive lug sole
-A defined heel. Usually, it’s pretty tall. That heel does two things, dig into the ground while traveling downhill and balances your body going uphill.
-All leather upper construction

Nick's Hot Shots? I too prefer the 10" height. Used to wear White's but their quality control got really bad. Been very happy with the couple pair of Nick's I've owned - they are my daily wear. Not many folks left in our department wearing these any more, mostly us old guys. The young ones are wearing those "Fire Hiker" boots or whatever they call them, and then only when they're actually out on a wildland fire, but they're not for me.

I'm one of those who can't wear flat soles. After a while they kill my lower back, especially if I'm having to stand still a lot.

 

[Catbuster]

Nick's Hot Shots? I too prefer the 10" height. Used to wear White's but their quality control got really bad. Been very happy with the couple pair of Nick's I've owned - they are my daily wear. Not many folks left in our department wearing these any more, mostly us old guys. The young ones are wearing those "Fire Hiker" boots or whatever they call them, and then only when they're actually out on a wildland fire, but they're not for me.

I'm one of those who can't wear flat soles. After a while they kill my lower back, especially if I'm having to stand still a lot.

Frank’s Fire Commander. Nicks quality has kinda gone downhill under its current management. Frank Petrilli used to run Nicks boots and has his own shop now building boots the way Nicks did 10 years ago.

 

[Woodtroll]

Frank’s Fire Commander. Nicks quality has kinda gone downhill under its current management. Frank Petrilli used to run Nicks boots and has his own shop now building boots the way Nicks did 10 years ago.

I've heard Frank's were good but have never owned a pair.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Good posts fellas. Coupla more little weird observations on all these $200 boots:

When I'm hiking cable, chokers and my Lewis winch down into a gully, most of a logger heel is sunken into the foliage and muck.

Also, lace-to-toe boots actually do a little better hiking weight down steep terrain! You get that extra lace, cinching down right behind that big toe joint.

Whearas the boots like the Thorogood and Redwing loggers, laces start further up the foot and don't lock the foot in as well.

The Chippewa, Danner and The Carolina Loggers are lace to toe.

This has been quite the learning experience. I don't think October will be the end of my ramblings on all these boots.

 

[Micah]

It is what it is, don’t worry about it.

View attachment 469027

This is a logger boot… And it’s a overbuilt example at 10” tall with an inch thick sole. These are my main fire boots for doing engine/hand crew work.

But, in general, a logger boot is:

-Lace up
-Over 8” tall
-Has an aggressive lug sole
-A defined heel. Usually, it’s pretty tall. That heel does two things, dig into the ground while traveling downhill and balances your body going uphill.
-All leather upper construction

Thanks!!! Very helpful!

 

[IffykidMn]

It’s funny you say that, I’ve gone away from the high heel and arch support as the years go by. I think part of it comes from them being caught or rebar mats doing bridge work, another part being easier to run equipment in, and the last being that with an 8” boot the shaft not being stiff enough after break in to keep the ankle supported as much as I like, and the logger heel leaves a narrower platform than I want when I’m walking beams sometimes, let’s call it, way up there. In a 10” boot the heel’s fine, but frankly I’m too lazy to lace up that tall a boot if I really don’t have a need for that much boot. Kinda the same for sole thickness. I was big fan of the 1” sole stack from Frank’s Commander, now I go for something a little more flexible.

Still don’t like wedge soles. Probably never will. I like having a heel I can lock in.

I got away from the stacked or high heel years ago after severely sprained ankle, I liken them to a lesser degree to watching the ladies trying to walk in high heels but same concept.