Favorite PNW Work Boot Brand

[Corton93]

For context, I'm a lineman. Previously with the power company and currently with ATT. Lots of steep mountains and lots of pole climbing. So I wear mostly logger boot just because the heels lock in the gaffs better.

I've had Franks and Wesco Job Masters previously. Currently have Whites Smoke Jumpers, Whites Fire Hybrid, JK Superduty, and the Drews Loggers.

Both my Whites fit, bit are a little narrower than I prefer. The JK's fit perfectly stock. And the Drews I intentionally upsized so I could run some insoles in them.

Nicks are on the short list eventually. Just wanted some opinions on some other possible options that I might should check out, or what yall might reccomend. Thanks for any opinions.

 

[Horsewright]

Sounds like you are the expert on this style of boot and we should be asking you!!! Definitely an experienced hand with this type of boot!

In the cowboy world this style of boot are called packers. I have had several pair of Drews, and one pair of White's. I currently have a Drew style they call the Rancher. Lil shorter heel and shaft. Extremely comfortable standing at my grinders for hours at a time. Just dang heavy. I've heard great things about Nicks but have never had a pair.

Got my current pair of Drew's in a trade. They were slightly big for me but as you mentioned an insole fixed it. Getting ready to clean em up a lil and condition them:

Some folks ride in them but I think those folks are suicidal or maybe ride a quad. I did trade a custom pair of riding boots for them. $ wise I was way upside down on the trade as what I traded was very high end but that dang riding heel was killing my back! So literally of no use to me and wouldn't fit my son, a working cowboy. So I did get something in trade that I could and do use now after several years. Here's what I traded for my Drew's:

Count em, 10 rows of stitching. I've sewed up a few herds of leather but holy cow (sorry for the pun)!

My fault I ordered that high underslung "riding heel". 20-30 years ago I'd of been great in these guys but dang I'd get crippled up just walking hundred feet in these boots so I traded. An expensive lesson.

 

[Corton93]

Horsewright Yeah, Drews make a dang good boot. I've got some of their made in USA pairs as well as some of the made in Mexico ones and both are excellent quality, just heavy as hell as you mentioned.

Also got my fair share of Western boots, although mine aren't used in near the same capacity as yours, more going out to dinner with the wife than anything lol.

Got Tony Lama signatures, Blackjack, Rios, etc, but I also have some Lucchese handmade that, similar to yours, have an insane amount of stitching going on. Makes me wonder how much extra $$$ I paid for all those stitch lines .

 

[Murphy Slaw]

Man, that's a lot of lacing going on.

I've been breaking in these Double H boots for what seems like a year.

Almost there...

 

[eveled]

OP, we need you to try a pair of Nicks and report back. You’ve got more experience in that style boot than anyone I know of

I’m more of a RedWing Iron Ranger or Thoroughgood Roofer boot guy.

I used to wear Chipewa, Bate, Corcoran, but they’ve all gone oversea or cut corners.

But someday I’ll own a pair of Nicks.
Trouble is I doubt I’m man enough to break them in, let alone wear them out.

 

[Corton93]

OP, we need you to try a pair of Nicks and report back. You’ve got more experience in that style boot than anyone I know of

I’m more of a RedWing Iron Ranger or Thoroughgood Roofer boot guy.

I used to wear Chipewa, Bate, Corcoran, but they’ve all gone oversea or cut corners.

But someday I’ll own a pair of Nicks. View attachment 2805313
Trouble is I doubt I’m man enough to break them in, let alone wear them out.

Like I said, Nick's are on the list eventually lol. And don't get me wrong, I love my Iron Rangers as well, wore them most of the day today actually..

But the boot last you choose has more affect on break in than anything imo. Stuff on like Whites arch ease or MP last are pretty easy because the lasts are more like tennis shoes, but lasts like the 55 or 690 can be hell on your feet for the first month or two..

 

[Mack]

May ask a question? I have really high arches and none of the boots I've had over the years have enough arch support. Do you know if any of the companies you've mentioned have lasts that include high arch support?

 

[Horsewright]

May ask a question? I have really high arches and none of the boots I've had over the years have enough arch support. Do you know if any of the companies you've mentioned have lasts that include high arch support?

Howdy Mack my friend. This style of boot is known for that very thing. The unrivaled support is why I wear them standing on concrete in front of those grinders. Are you still up north? I would hazzard that many of the western stores there might have some you could try on. I bought my first pair 35-40 years ago from a western store in Bakersfield but they are no longer in business.

 

[Corton93]

May ask a question? I have really high arches and none of the boots I've had over the years have enough arch support. Do you know if any of the companies you've mentioned have lasts that include high arch support?

That's the main issue alot of people have with these style of boots IS how much arch support they have. I'd say try something on a 55 last. Its one of the most common/popular lasts. And most PNW boot makers make at least a couple boots on it, or at least their own version of of the 55 last

 

[Mack]

That's the main issue alot of people have with these style of boots IS how much arch support they have. I'd say try something on a 55 last. Its one of the most common/popular lasts. And most PNW boot makers make at least a couple boots on it, or at least their own version of of the 55 last

Thank you.
I may need to dig my Danner loggers out for a try. My back didn't hurt when I was working in them every day. I had forgotten them.

 

[DaveHS]

An expensive lesson.

Beautiful boots though! The extra tall uppers

 

[Horsewright]

Thank you.
I may need to dig my Danner loggers out for a try. My back didn't hurt when I was working in them every day. I had forgotten them.

They're probably pretty close sir!

Beautiful boots though! The extra tall uppers

Yeah the maker had missed my measurements the first go round. So he called me and said they're gonna be an extra couple weeks cause I'm gonna re do them. So he upped the upper stitching from the standard 6 rows to the high end 10 rows and included the shark leather heel counter too at no extra charge! They were great riding boots. I just couldn't get down and walk over to the ice chest without gimping up! Here they are at a branding and me crippling up being on the ground.

What they were designed for:

 

[beeinak]

For context, I'm a lineman. Previously with the power company and currently with ATT. Lots of steep mountains and lots of pole climbing. So I wear mostly logger boot just because the heels lock in the gaffs better.

I've had Franks and Wesco Job Masters previously. Currently have Whites Smoke Jumpers, Whites Fire Hybrid, JK Superduty, and the Drews Loggers.

Both my Whites fit, bit are a little narrower than I prefer. The JK's fit perfectly stock. And the Drews I intentionally upsized so I could run some insoles in them.

Nicks are on the short list eventually. Just wanted some opinions on some other possible options that I might should check out, or what yall might reccomend. Thanks for any opinions.

You might reach out to awesome member EMCEE who hangs out mostly on the CPK forums. He too is a lineman up in your area and has discussed boots.
Stay safe.

 

[Horsewright]

I was actually wearing my Drew's the last few days as I was working at the grinders pretty steady.

No matter the angle I'm still an old bowlegged rancher. What old guys ride in nowadays:

1.5" block heel. I call em tennis shoe boots: