I think instead of the flame test, you should have used sparks. Have an angle grinder blasting them with sparks for a minute or something. A pretty good replication of a real life work scenario.
Oh yeah....I can't tell you how many pant legs I've burned holes in, over the years, cutting re-bar with a chop-saw. You start out with the spark trail tailing between your legs. Then after a few cuts, or so, you forget, cause your back is getting sore from bending over holding this heavy ass saw, and shift your stance. If your lucky, you realize before it burns through the jeans, and makes it to your boot, or even worse, your bare leg...smh
I mean, I actually quite liked the flame test. When I was doing firewatch and grunt work as an ironworking apprentice, they'd give me a wheat burner after it snowed or rained on the deck and tell me to both melt the snow and make sure the water evaporated so it wasn't an ice rink. So I would actually be holding a wheat burner nary an inch or four from my boots for more than ten seconds at a time. That being said, I do understand that my experience isn't the most universal of the trades.
I've been wearing the $75 Herman Survivors for almost 2 years now, and they aren't wearing out. Just the heel area shows any real wear (rubbed through cloth), and they are surprisingly comfortable still. I was amazed how well a Walmart boot is.
Yeah I get a year out of the waterproof shit kickers doing construction and handyman work. Pleasantly surprised with the Herman survivors because I got them in a pinch and keep. Buying em
As someone who works in construction (commercial electrician), I love videos like these. I started my career wearing cheap work boots and progressed to Keen's, then Danners, and now I wear Wesco's. It seems to me that most guys who rely on their boots every day don't actually know what goes into quality footwear. These videos are great references to help people understand what you pay for in a high end work boot and why it's worth it.
@@BeersAndBeatsPDX I've been working in a concrete plant for 4 years now but been using work boots since I was 16 and I've gone through almost every work boot except redwings; my boots don't last longer than 4 months I'm currently using Ariat square toe 210$ boots and they already cracked
@@FernandoGonzalez-fe9os From my understanding working in concrete trashes boots right? Even with really high-quality ones, theres a good chance you wont be able to resole a pair of boots because the lye in concrete chemically wrecks organic matter like leather. Lye is a base and dissolves proteins (its been a while since I took a chemistry class so I might be fuzzy on this) Which explains your expensive pair cracking in 4 months.... Im a big proponent of quality over quantity and Terry Pratchett's view on boots, but yours is the rare case where I might actually consider the cheaper boots if I were you.
I used the Brahma a lot when I was younger. They worked pretty well for the money. Lasted me about 1 year before they were trash. Granted I wasn’t doing heavy construction, I also wasn’t exactly easy on them either. Normal shoes only lasted about 6 months by comparison doing the same work. $24/yr was pretty cheap and got the job done for me reliably. Luckily my current job pays for my boots nowadays and I can get thoroughgood at no cost to myself and I love them.
Yeah everybody I knew when I was younger that did heavy duty construction and roofing we would just buy the $25 Brahma jobs from Walmart... Like you said you could stretch them over a year if you baby them but even if you absolutely abuse them worst case scenario you have to buy two pairs a year which is a whopping $50... Lol.
bought mine for 37$ at walmart, I work in junk removal, first month into using them and I can feel the steel toe got bent due to a filing cabinet getting slammed on my foot, other than that theyre lookin strong and feel pretty good(which is nice since I got grape squashin feet haha)
I actually own the $24 boots. I forgot my boots one day and needed an emergency pair so I got them. Yeah they suck but they survived that day. I’ve used them a handful of time since for odd jobs, the toes wore through to the steel toe in two or three days. Would not recommend them except as an emergency pair for one day if you forget yours 😂. They’re now just my junk boots for concrete work and the like.
Having an emergency pair of work boots in the truck is a really good idea in general. And I agree, those 24$ boots look like they would do for that. Although even for that little money some shopping around can get you much better quality than that Walmart offering, albeit still probably too uncomfortable to wear regularly.
*_I own a pair of the 100 dollar version of fake Timberlands because of same reason and was only place you can get boots 4 am in the morning. I tried many times to wear them but they squak like a duck and hurt my back like a pinch nerve. Wish he would cover that subject of noisy boots.._*
I'm not even into boots but I loved this video. Great to see an expert in his field explain what goes into making a decent boot. As someone who has only ever bought high street shoes these budget shoe videos are actually really interesting to me, to see what the difference is between an affordable high street boot/shoe and a more expensive 'real' boot or shoe.
Herman Survivors was actually a pretty good brand back 30 or 40 years ago, but the brand was sold off and somehow ended up in Walmart’s hands, and they, predictably, ruined it.
My first run in with Herman Survivors was a pair that was given to me by a coworker. They were new old stock and seemed pretty good. What I didn't realize at the time was that they were over 25 years old until I took three steps in them and the rubber soles both cracked right off and stayed where I had just been standing 😂
When I was a kid in the 70s Herman Survivors were the boots you wanted. Unfortunately this is just one more example of how things get worse when it's only about low quality and making profit.
I got Brahma "fake timbs" for $50 from walmart, and I've been very impressed by them. For me, they were way more comfy than any of the boots I tried in the $100-150 range, and they're holding up well
I've had good experience with that brand as well. Walking through mine runoff caused the left one ( I think) to crack almost instantly. I once told my grandfather about that, and being a former ASARCO smelter employee, he was not surprised. But they did me well when I was working a summer job on base when I was a teen.
Yes sir. I work at a brickyard that gives us a $100 boot allowance a year. I get 2 pairs of the $50 boots a year. I only come out of pocket for more comfortable insoles
that's what i have on my feet right now. my first pair lasted three years with me walking 5-10 miles in the city a day. then he lug cracked and i couldn't use them in the rain anymore. i went right back and bought another pair just like them
I really liked this video because it gives advice for people who have a limited amount of money. So many good boots are aimed at people who can afford high prices and maybe don’t even need the quality (hipsters, for example) while many hard construction workers have limited budgets and should have a decent boot. I have no idea if what I wrote makes sense…I am a bit tired, but anyway thanks for the video. You speak to all incomes and that is appreciated!
You did.. sad thing many would invest in a quality hear wearing lasting item and pay upfront s bit more.. BUT price sadly does not mean that quality anymore :( anyhow finding get the job done in a price one can afford. All we can ask for is stuff is not just it can at least actually function not just "look" the part
Agreed. There are lots of options for cheap(er) boots. Videos like this demystify some of the common options and help people on a tighter budget make informed choices.
I bought the moc-toes based on this review. I got the oil tanned version $49, which presumably dodges the flame test issue. So for my $49 I get genuine leather, a Very comfortable sole, steel toes, and for what it's worth, a goodyear welt. And I got to try them on in the store. That's a lot of boxes checked for not much money. I'm a light duty user and I'm very pleased. For rough terrain they're not that great, but for just standing on your feet like behind a cash register these could easily be best for the money and might be best period.
I took a job at a factory and didn't have a lot of money. I went to Walmart and purchased some brahma steel toe safety boots. Well, I got lucky! They weren't that hard on my feet and I was able to get the boots at an affordable price point, so I could work. Anyway, about a year later the boot truck came by and work gave me a coupon. They were my first $200.00 boots. That was years ago. I still have the brahma boots as a reminder. Thank you for hitting more affordable boots.
Those $25 dollar Walmart boots were my first pair of steel toes. I had to have them by the next day and they were cheap. They lasted maybe 4 months when the heel delaminated.
@@koldhearted1 thanks for the (late) answer! Here in France, and I assume in the most part of Europe, your employer has to give you all the protective gear you might need, hence my surprise...
I am literally a high school history teacher who hates manual labor and will probably never require a work boot, but I did just watch this video for the third time. This is my favorite style of video that you do! Your other video about Teva helped me pick out some new shoes yesterday, too!
@@Eddi3xBac0n What the fuck are you even trying to say bruh? A) Youre the only weirdo that made this a gender political thing. If that was a male in the profile pic you wouldnt have said a damn thing! B) The actual saying is "equal pay ...FOR EQUAL WORK" so the question you should ask is she making the same amount as the male teachers at her school? Since it would be a Federal crime not to im gonna guess yes...
I really like your no nonsense fact based reviews and advice. It's clear you're trying to tell us the truth as best you can. Thank You. Respect. Honor still matters, as does The Golden Rule.
I had a pair of Brhamas years ago that I gave like $30 for from Wally World and they were actually a pretty decent pair of boots for the money. I wore them for about a year before the soles wore out. They seemed to be made of real leather, albiet cheap leather, and were decently comfortable. I was always curious about the construction of these cheaper boots. Thanks for breaking it down. I've watched a few of your videos now and you got my sub. Good quality and informative videos on a subject that's pertinant to me and my activities. You may have changed my opinion of my go to brand for the past few years and definately confirmed it on another brand I despise. Good work and thanks for the quality vids
It’s easy to justify shitting on a walmart boot, but to be honest, ive seen much worse from brand names charging more for worse quality than this. At least you know what to expect from walmart. That said, its a $50 boot… if you need something to get you through your first month of work until you get your first full paycheck, these are a godsend to many people in their first labor job. It would cost you the same amount in gas money trying to thrift a used boot and some people just can’t afford the hunt.
Use a credit card, do your research online, up your price point. It's cheaper in the long run. Some people think the cheaper the boot, the more successful the purchase.
@@ORIGINALDaveB Which is why the term "walmart poor" is prevalent. Items this cheap are designed to keep people in a loop of buying and replacing cheap shit. Another one of the 10,000 ways having money/access to money helps you save more money.
I love seeing the cross over from the other channels. Project farm is great and he is quite talented at testing... just like this channel has some really good knowledge and expertise on leather. Great to see the good analysis practice spread on this platform. Great information!
I owned the $24 boots for about three weeks. That's how long they lasted before the 'leather' wore away from the steel toe and the sole completely separated on one of them. I've since upgraded to Thorogoods and haven't looked back.
I bought the exact same ones as a stand in boot while I was looking for something better. I worked in a Walmart garden center at the time. They literally lasted me maybe one hour my first day wearing them, I bumped a pallet with the toe and it cut about a one inch crescent right down to the steel toe. I returned them that night and never have bought boots at Walmart again. Currently alternating between some Italian Cofra and a pair of Avengers I recently got in my warehouse job. The Cofra boots were around $130 but have lasted me through over two years of intense abuse and are still somewhat water proof even after stepping on three large furniture tacks and constantly being used to kick pallets into place. Glue is holding great. Leather has zero holes. The avengers were maybe $115 and aren't as comfortable but they're an all Kevlar upper and I think it's still breaking in after a few weeks. Those also have puncture plates and are showing zero wear from the abuse I've given them so far. I used to be a cheapskate with boots. But I've found it's definitely worthwhile to invest in them, not sure why more jobs don't give out vouchers for good boots and require at least anti slip shoes, they'd save on injury claims. Sorry for the rant.
Had a cheap pair of black brahmas back in 2000 steel toe some kind of material with suade leather. Did city deliveries all day pushed a manual pallet jack with up to 250 to 3000 pounds throughout day . Lasted at least a year. In and out the truck going to customer probably did at least 3- 5miles a day.
I needed a pair of steel toed boots for a high school industrial skills event years ago. I went to Walmart the morning I was leaving and bought something exactly like those $24 boots. Killed by feet everyday I wore them. Tried to wear them after just to mow the lawn and lasting board was broken. Better than barefoot, I guess, but not by much.
Really impressed by how much work you put in to this video! I’m a woman and I’ll probably never buy a men’s work boot but I do leatherwork and your channel showed up in my feed. I was extremely interested in the outcome and entertained the entire time! Great work!
So I've owned the "fake Timb's," for about 2 years, in which they have received pretty much daily use. You "hit the nail on the head," with your assessment. The lining of the heel was the first thing to go after about 3 or 4 months. They are still quite comfortable to this day. Although, the thin rubber out-sole, held up okay, until I started climbing roofs with them for a few months. In spite of those 2 defects, they really have been pretty damn good boots, for the price. It really depends on what you're going to do in them. For me, and what I do, they're just fine for a 2 year clip. Good job
I just have to say there's no way your job pays you enough to climb on rooves if it's two years out and you're still wearing the same pair of 30 dollar Walmart boots. Also can't imagine how heinous they must smell.
I'd love to see you cut open the dr martens ironbridge work boots! I don't know where they stack up but I personally love them. They're a bit heavy, I replaced the insoles with a similar dr martens insole because the insoles that come with them, although very cushy foam, don't have much arch support. I wear them in a kitchen so they may not see as much wear and tear as a work boot often does, but they've held up well walking through dishroom puddles, running them over with carts, and walking on slippery floors 40+ hrs a week. First failure I've had was the laces and insoles needing replacing so the boot itself seems durable. It only seems reasonable laces and insoles would need replacing after a year of being worn regularly for long hours. But I'm interested to see what you say about the construction.
When I was a "kid" I got a construction job. I was told I needed to have a pair of steel toes to start work. Being poor I bought a pair of "Bramas" from Walmart. The very first day, I needed to kneel on the ground for a few hours. After focusing on work for a few hours I stood up and noticed the "leather" was completely worn away from the steel toe. The entire "toe box" was an exposed silver metal cap with no leather left at all. I thought that was odd but had zero experience with wearing steel toe boots and thought maybe it was me. After wearing them for 2 more weeks, I noticed the bottoms were completely smooth. The tread just wore away instantly. The tread wasn't rubber, it was foam. It was unbelievable that a store would sell such a shitty product. Within 2 weeks these boots looked like I wore them for a decade. I remember needing to buy boots with my second ever paycheck. This time I bought a pair of "Chippewa" boots, they lasted like 3-4 years. Never ever EVER buy boots from Walmart. Spend a little more, and you'll get a product that lasts like 100x longer. It's so crazy the quality difference when you don't opt for the cheapest one.
Been rocking a pair of the Fake Tims for over a year replaced a pair of Ridgecut 150 dollar pair that lasted 4 months, the Fake tims have lasted and held up exceptionally well in the heavy equipment service industry
Thank you for finally doing these. I would chalk up most of my foot problems to 2 decades of Brahma boots starting when I got to adult shoe sizes. I’ve moved on to good boots from my local boot store, but have picked some Walmart boots up when they hit $11 on clearance for harsh chores.
I think one detail worth adding to videos like these is repair viability. among all these boots I'm pretty sure only the most expensive of them would even be possible to do a heel replacement on after the rubber wears out. Shoe repair shops aren't really able to bond the soft foam rubber materials the way factories can, so with shoes with a lot of low density foam bottoms they may have to resort to doing an entire re-sole to repair the shoes. Also the bit about getting boots at a thrift store is a good tip, but for proper steel toed boots you'd have to get pretty lucky. But if having a steel toe isn't important for what you'd need the boots for then I'd recommend picking up a pair of old Altama combat boots because they're comfortable enough and plenty sturdy, and usually only around $15-30 as long as you get to them before some uppity kid with a depop account does so he can try to sell them as "rare vintage authentic military combat boots $150"
The steel toe corcoran marauders are amazing. Very comfortable, american made, lasts for a very long time and most of the time you can find them on sale for around $100 - $150. Just sent my black pair in to get a resole after 5 years of daily use.
Really enjoy your videos. I’ve worn loads of different work boots over 30 years, from $29 Kmart boots in the early 90s to Wolverine to my current Red Wing and others along the way. Money spent on quality work boots is well spent IMO. Thanks for breaking the boots down and sharing your insights.
I bought the fake timb a few years ago cause I was low on cash. They're fine for the price. If your low on money or just looking for something to do yard work in i'd recommend them
Thanks Weston for the detailed tests, showing the internal construction, as well as pointing out poor quality design/construction. I wanted to add my 2 cents, since I bought the Fake Timb from Walmart 10 years ago. The construction appears the same as it was then, with exception to the reflective insert above the heel. I only used these boots in the snow for a total of 10 hours wear time. The rest of the time, they sat in the bedroom closet. Last year, I decided to pull them out and wear them to clean up some broken glass. Within a few minutes after putting them on, the sole separated from the upper. With the sole off, I could see why; the sole is actually a tub to hold the adhesive, which provides the only means of attaching the sole to the upper. The mystery adhesive broke down in a normal home temperature and humidity, allowing the split to take place through the midst of the adhesive "pool". I say pool because the adhesive thickness is 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick. I have been wanting to replace these with some good quality boots but, it seems everything is made in China these days so, long term quality is very questionable.
There is something strangely fascinating about watching somebody cut a boot apart and tell us about what's in it! Highly educational and entertaining! New subscriber.
For the people that aren't able to find good condition work boots at a local thrift, I see either new or almost new steel toe red wings all the time on eBay and Poshmark, there's usually something lightly used for around that 100 mark.
We have five shoe stores in our little recreation town. Unfortunately, buying shoes online is the one item it's tough to pull off. Feet are so different and stated sizes always vary.
About what I expected...I think my old Redwings have already lasted three times as long as these would, so the price was worth it, and I just bought a pair of barely used Red Wing 1411 boots for under $30, so used is a definite option as well. Thanks for the teardown!
I really love these work boot durability tests because I could have absolutely seen myself buying any of these boots when I first started out. The only advice I give to my younger helpers getting into the trades is to buy a set of safety toe boots that fit properly.
I remember getting a pair of Herman's back in the 80´s, when I was a kid, and they held quite well for weekend hiking with my dad and like 2 hunting seasons , until they were too small for me... sad to see what happened to so many brands as years passed on.
reminds me of avia, another brand that walmart owns. if you look at vintage pairs of avia sneakers, the quality and construction is very high grade. however, if you look at them now, its just sad to see what it has become
I bought some black suede workbooks from Walmart probably about 10 years ago. One of the advertised features was a 'long-wearing sole'. The sole was actually made of a sort of foam material, like a flip-flop. The heels wore away to wedges in no time, and the middle of the foot wore through. They also absorbed water like a sponge. I used to walk about 30 minutes each way to and from work, and I got maybe a month out of them.
In Germany safety boots are actually required on construction sites. They are classified according to DIN EN 12568. Some popular European brands are Elten, Atlas, Haix, Lemaitre and so on.
I know I'm a year late, but I've been wearing some Survivor II boots that I got from Walmart for $40 five years ago. The soles are still solid and most of the tread is still intact (roughly 95%). I just had to replace the laces but the rest of the boots have held up quite impressively.
Before they were bought by Walmart, Hermann Survivors used to be up there with Red Wings quality wise very good boots made in the USA. Of course, they costed about $90 to $170 in the early 1980s.
Please do a review on Patron boots, found some on ebay for 80 bucks and I couldn't be happier with them. They're made in Mexico and are full grain leather.
I bought the Dozier boots two winters ago. I found them decently warm and comfortable. Stayed dry too. Survived two Cleveland winters and somehow still look great. The ONLY boots from Walmart I’ll ever even consider.
These really are so informative for real. I think of how many Walmart boots my husband has had to toss so quickly and understand exactly why. Thank you for all the great and helpful videos.
I'm genuinely surprised that any of these was an acceptable boot. I've worn cheap work boots for occasional general labor jobs, and I regretted it big time. Took only a few hours for my feet to ache BAD.
Btw, I know you mostly focus on work boots, but I'd love an episode on women's fashion boots. It's ridiculous sometimes how cheaply they are made for the price.
@@SoulforSaleyou sound ignorant and lost, it's ok though Jesus still loves you. You might be surprised. Dig a little deeper have a little hope/faith, you too might experience eternal love, peace and happiness.
Its crazy that the 24$ boots price point hasn’t changed in the 5 years since I bought a pair. I was 18 years old and bought that exact same boot from Walmart as I didn’t know much about boots and needed a pair. A coworker saw me wearing them and told me they’d last me 3 months then the sole would come off. I didn’t think much of it as I was a bit arrogant as a teenager. Sure enough right around the 3 month mark my sole pops right off in the middle of the work day, he’d called it perfectly. Went and got a decent pair with the money I’d saved up in that time the same day. Save yourself the absolute headache and buy a good pair of work boots, you’ll spend LESS in the long run.
I have had zero problems with my 50$ Walmart boot and I'm a conductor for the railroad. I walk on railroad ballast and timbers 12hours a day 276 hours a month. Idk what your doing in that factory but something is up
You mentioned Ariat boots. I wear a pair of high legged Ariats for eight hours a day in a warehouse. Paid about £90 (uk) They've lasted really well, and are super comfortable, I'm impressed with their overall quality as well. Definitely better, I think, than any of those four boots you've just destroyed.
What a cutie of a kitty! The boots were cool, too. Mid binge and I'm super appreciative of your style. My brain won't perk up for clickbait or faux complexity. Only quality information and an empathetic demeanor. Your channel is top of the pops in both. Seriously remarkable integrity. Those boots? Much less so.
I think the timberland copies were pretty good and looked great. Good job on Walmart for making a pair of boots that I'd likely want to wear for light applications.
Thank you for such a useful and entertaining video. I just got done watching your Duluth boot video and comparing the Walmart ones to the other brand I’d choose the 100$ Walmart boots. With that being said I appreciate what you’re doing to educate people and getting past the hype/jargon on the box; and helping people get the best value for their money.
Interesting review, per usual. The carrot smasher was… graphic. As someone who works as an engineering inspector in bridge construction, quality comfortable boots are a must. I did the cheap boot thing early in my career and learned the hard way. Spending the day on cheap footwear just hurts.
Got my first pair of Herman's almost 15 years ago. Cost about $50 and wore them everyday for about 5-6 years before they fell apart. Bought another pair and got about 2 years out of them, next pair after was about the same. Since then, I've been getting about a year or so per pair. Just bought a pair of the $100 "shoveler" Herman's yesterday. Hopefully I get a couple of years out of them. Not sure if I'm getting harder on my boots or if the quality is just gradually going down hill. If this $100 pair doesn't last more than a year, I'm switching to something else.
Thank you! Very well done and very informative, this is exactly what we need to know so we can avoid poor quality boots while on a budget. The carrot crusher rig (yes I saw it at the other place) is excellent because we don't have the ability to test the toes when we are at the store. Thanks again for the excellent job!
having worked there for 7 years and trying a bunch of them over that period I can day that the steel toes are surprisingly decent, but the boots themselves fall conpletely apart between 2 and 6 months of daily wear and offers no support, my Timberlands I bought last for 120 have lasted me 5x as long so far
I’ve had my Herman survivor boulders and they are still amazing after 2 years. They are comfortable and I’ve noticed that my Frye harness boot was comparable to them in comfort!
I actually liked the fake timbs. They were super lightweight, and add a foam insert and they were comfortable…but every pair would start squeaking within 2-4 weeks, lol. Kept taking em back and getting new ones (5x), before I gave up. Would recommend them except for the insane squeak
I used a version of the fake Tim’s for a year of hard use on roofs, ladders, and job sites then occasional use in the yard or workshop. The old version’s outsole hardened and became brittle over time, so chunks would split off occasionally until it finally delaminated in the summer heat. They were worth it for me for the price at the time with a very small budget, especially due to the lack of any break in period. If I had worked on any serious construction worksite, on concrete all day, or in gravel though, they would’ve ground down to nothing in little time. Great content!
I like the more work boot related content. I would also love to see women's work boots. Steel toe specifically to see if they mark things up and cut quality for us.
I love my Herman Survivors Drill. They are very comfortable, water proof and stylish. I have owned 3 pairs in the past 4 years. I work in a tire factory as a mechanic.
Back in the late 90s Brahma boots were awesome real leather boots. They honestly sucked to wear for about a week until you broke them in but after they were very comfy. In the early to mid 00s they started to go down hill very quickly. When I was a welder I would go with them every time but as of about twenty years ago you could not pay me to use them.
Unfortunately, it seems like nothing is made the way it used to be. I've had $150-$180 boots that have worn out in about the same time frame as the cheap ones.
As a former truck driver I found wearing Texas Steer boots sold at Kmart wear one of the most comfortable boots I ever wore and I wore a lot. To bad Kmart went out of business because I would have drove an hour one way to get a pair of those Texas Steers. Thanks for the video.
Absolutely love your content. Your attention to detail is amazing. If I could make one small critique: The open flame test is flashy, but how about a 'Boot Sole Melting Test'? I, personally work in some areas where I run the risk of having to stand on some hot pipes or hot grating. Seeing some common failure points could be beneficial in helping others make better boot purchases in the future. Again, amazing content. Please keep up the great work!
Very thorough pertinent information for the working person delivered so a lay-person can understand. I can't think of any questions you might have left unanswered. Man you covered all the bases, excellent job on your part. 👍
24$ steel toes are actually a great bang for your buck if you’re Broke. I’ve had a pair for 2 years and I’ve used and abused them and they’re still holding up strong. drawbacks are that they’re not very water proof but they do keep you warm. Great for mechanic and working construction or outdoors
Lugz and sketchers are a far superior cheap boot than the Walmart boots. I've gotten lugz at end of season sales for $20 off amazon and will last about a year. Sketchers last even longer
He’s right on with the 100 boot! It’s a very hot shoe indeed. Wouldn’t recommend for heavy duty work outside on a continuous basis! The shoe will fall apart in no time. I only gotten a second pair because the Walmart I live by was closing and it came up to 60 dollars to get them. Spend the extra few dollars and get a higher brand. There’s after pay and may other pay installments now days. When it comes to your feet don’t be cheap! 100 dollar boot is okay but eventually it’ll get worse by time walking in them.
In 2006, I bought my first Brahma steel toe shoe. It was good, lasted 2-3 years. Then, the last 3rd and 4th pair were shit. I mean, after 6 months of wearing it, you can see the rubber sole. Brahma was cheap, but quality got shittier. And so, I bought Sketcher working shoe with steel toe, it was good w/ memory foam. So Weston, can you cut open a sketcher working shoes or boots?
I wore Wolverine work boots for at least a years to 18 months until they cheapend them to last 6-8 months. Started wearing Timberland and was much happier until the prices kept climbing, prompting me too search for a cheaper, yet still decent alternative. Like you, I found a Sketchers boot that has worked out well this far but I wouldn't expect a cross section to reveal anything extraordinary. Time will tell the tale of long term durability and comfort.
I just bought a pair of fake timbs, the drillers just like these. I was looking around to see what the internet thought of them, so thank you for the video!
I grew up in the town in Massachusetts where REAL Herman Survivors were made before the company was sold, ruined, and the brand name eventually wound up in the hands of Walmart. I bought a pair of Survivors out the back door of the factory (they were seconds) in the early '70s and happily wore them for 30 years. Seeing the Herman Survivor name on this current Walmart garbage turns my stomach. Thank you for destroying the boots in the video. They deserved it.
@@jed-henrywitkowski6470 It's been quite a while. I think the company was sold/merged somewhere in the late 1970s or very early '80s. I know that Stride-Rite was one company that owned the name after they sold it. Then Walmart later on.
Nice job. Thanks for looking into these. I always tried to tell my mom those cheap shoes were more expensive than buying me Nikes back in the 70s when I was a kid.
These are the starter boots you buy when you start a new job and are saving up for better ones. I made the mistake of being cheap and never upgrading. I needed brand new feet after I finally threw these Walmart boots in the trash
Excellent info.....i bought my son a few work boots from walmart and wondered why the boots would malform and crack allover! Now I know. But i did spend 250. and he spent over 300. and they have been lasting for years with only needing new insoles and a little scrub inside! Now i know! thank u!
Very useful information. My personal takeaway is that quality is expensive up front, but cheaper in the long run, and Walmart sells a disposable boot that must be horrible for the environment and wallet.
I wear the Herman survivor boots to work in asphalt. I have found them to hold up better than wolverine durashock boots in the heat. Asphalt is 450 degrees, it will melt the soles off wolverines in a fiew weeks. I have wore the Jason 3 model survivors for up to three years before!
The $20 pair are decent to an extent. Use to get them since I had to work a job where it would get very dirty and needed slip resistance. Didn't see a reason to spend more UNTIL I wore them in after a week and I stood on top of a wet floor, the soles would absorb the moisture and my socks would get soaked. I thought my feet were just sweaty, lol nope. Literally a wet floor made my feet wet, and I don't mean sitting water. Like, a mopped floor was enough.
This vid is very helpful. Down the road in next year or so, I hope to be doing some work flipping homes. I now know to look at the $100 boot as I am a heavy set guy. I don't see my self being around open flames working in homes so I should be safe there.. The real selling point for me was the stepping on the nail test.
I knew someone who worked in an Amazon warehouse, and as an employee got a $150 gift card (each year) to an online selection of "appropriate work shoes." The options went from walking sneaker to steel toe boot. Seems like a good investment in your workers to make sure they have quality footwear.
I'm guessing that with the bad worker protections in the US it isn't a thing, but here in the UK steel toe boots are considered personal protective equipment (PPE) and your employer is legally obligated to provide you with either a pair or the money for a pair. Although you might not get a very good pair (they just have to meet the appropriate safety standard).
Ive had a pair of brahmas for going on 5 years now and they are pretty good for the price i paid. Around 40 if i remember correctly. Only just starting to wear the sole through leather held up well and their fairly comfortable. Cant complain for what i paid.
Resoling shouldn't even be part of the conversation with boots under $100. You're just going to buy another pair. Guys that buy these just want to make it about a year before they need to replace the boot. And there's definitely a shank in that moc toe.
A comparison of technologies and value for varying products made for a fascinating watch, as per usual. The cat just adds so much to the entertainment value of the video.
I'm a born and raised tree trimmer and have used every work boot available just about and i personally prefer the $40-$50 Walmart boots i get about a year out of a pair when i ordered the$270 some dollar boots from Davey tree service they lasted about a year n a half same with other high dollar boots so i believe the Walmart boots are a better buy because they are comfortable look good and last a year for $40-$50 instead of hundreds in my almost 30years of working i recommend the Walmart boots of $40 or more the$25 ones are junk tho
Even though I can't stand to watch or listen to any commercials, (and yes, I skipped over yours in the be- ginning and understand that you had to squeeze in the advertisement since nothing in life is for free, not even death since it cost's a life), I like to thank you very much for the nice infp-video and yes, I have used your # 2 & # 3 foot wear years ago and yes, they are nothing fancy but did the job for the price, sort of speak. Recently I did purchase three pairs of Eddy Bauer "Ridgeline" hiking boots at Sam's in El Paso since they only charged 30 bucks each. They wear nicer than the boot # 3 mentioned above, will hopefully last a bit longer than # 2 and I am pretty happy to have found them for Sam's pretty low 'clean-up-price'. Thanks again and take care!
Brahma has a different boot that's $40 and is a roughout leather, I bought them from a Walmart not far from you and i've been using them as a mechanic for 3 years. I originally bought them for the cheap steel toe, but they turned out to last really nicely.
Over the years I've found that there's a big difference between different styles of brahma boots. Some are absolutely horrible, others are surprisingly decent, at least when compared to the price.
Hah! I definitely was thinking “huh this sounds like project farm” when you started talking about your testing methods. Then you went and pointed it out yourself lol
I've used steel toe Brahmas from Walmart for every hard labor job I've ever had and for the super low price they're asking they're great. I had to have put about 4 different pairs through hell over the years and they took the beatings like champs unloading trucks, moving heavy machinery, and even saved my digits on a couple of occasions.
Hi! I would love to see you do a review of rubber boots. I went through pair after pair of boots for being out tromping through wetlands and after under a year each one leaked. Finally I stopped trying to buy them in hunting and camping stores and went with a brand that specializes online and was suggested by other people for the field. I adore them! They’re the first pair I don’t need wool socks for when walking in ice water too! The rubber is completely different than anything I’ve worn before. But I would love to see a side-by-side of rubber boots for the field on this channel! (Ps. The ones I love are the Gumleaf boots from GumleafUSA.)
I had the oakridge by herman survivors. Used them for Demolition work. Lasted 7 weeks before the soft soles wore off. Would probably be ok boots if you're using them in dirt
I walk a lot and I am hard on boots. I averaged 3-4 months out of the survivor drillers before the sole/heal wore through. I went through 3 pairs in a year. The upper wasn’t remotely wore, but the shoe was junk unfortunately. I switched to thorogood moc toes and get a solid year out of them before they are wore out. It’s actually cheaper for me to buy the thorogoods lol.
I used to wear walmart boots when I first started working labor jobs, totally worth spending and extra $100-$200 on a good pair of boots. But if you only can afford Walmart boots than that's fine, not everyone has money
@@cheesecurd100s Some people would rather walk though a open septic pond barefoot than wear shoes someone else worn and soaked with their sweat, dead skin flakes, and fungus.
@@OhPhuckYou yeah but the used ariats I found for $5, weren't smelly or nothing like that, just dirt all over them, buying used boots is just fine. Plus they are already broken in. You don't have to worry about them being to uncomfortable when you first start working
I use the fake timbs. I have for two years now. They are still some of my favorite boots to work in. Unless I am pressure washing... then they kinda suck. But for everything else from roof to ground, I love em.
0:10 "I have four different boots in front of me". Sir, you have five, and one of them is not like the others. (The white one). I know such boots, mine too sometimes like the company of my shoes.
I am in a situation that I am sure many of us find ourselves in. I am given a $180 a year work boot allowance. I'd love to have a pair of Nick's, White's, or Wesco's, but I find myself buying a new pair of boots in the $200 range every year. If I didn't have that allowance, I would buy a pair of better boots, but as for the way the reimbursement works, I think I'm better off doing it the way I'm doing it. I'll just buy a pair of nice boots for my personal life.
Is it not possible to pocket the money? You could use the entire allowance plus your personal money to get a good pair, then just keep what you're given every year after that or use it towards a resole if needed.
@@EssenceofPureFlavor can't pocket it. you have to turn in the receipt. HR for the state government is super strict on everything. I can always buy my own pair of good ones and use the annual allowance to get specialty boots. muck boots, winter boots, etc.
@@jonathanmarquise422 See if a custom boot maker will make you a pair and invoice you separately for the left and right boot, then turn in receipts in two different years? :D
Get a high quality wallet, belt or MORE in the Rose Anvil shop here - bit.ly/44jXLNu
Do you remember Herman’s the store they were sold at?
Your cat is sick. Please pay attention to it 😢
30yrs ago hermans sold at hermans were good
I think instead of the flame test, you should have used sparks. Have an angle grinder blasting them with sparks for a minute or something. A pretty good replication of a real life work scenario.
Oh yeah....I can't tell you how many pant legs I've burned holes in, over the years, cutting re-bar with a chop-saw. You start out with the spark trail tailing between your legs. Then after a few cuts, or so, you forget, cause your back is getting sore from bending over holding this heavy ass saw, and shift your stance. If your lucky, you realize before it burns through the jeans, and makes it to your boot, or even worse, your bare leg...smh
I agree with the first guys statement use a spark test instead flame
I think that’s pretty smart
I mean, I actually quite liked the flame test. When I was doing firewatch and grunt work as an ironworking apprentice, they'd give me a wheat burner after it snowed or rained on the deck and tell me to both melt the snow and make sure the water evaporated so it wasn't an ice rink. So I would actually be holding a wheat burner nary an inch or four from my boots for more than ten seconds at a time. That being said, I do understand that my experience isn't the most universal of the trades.
Agree with the spark test. I doubt any body is going to stand there while their foot catches fire, Unless you do a "spilt fuel and it ignited" test
I've been wearing the $75 Herman Survivors for almost 2 years now, and they aren't wearing out. Just the heel area shows any real wear (rubbed through cloth), and they are surprisingly comfortable still. I was amazed how well a Walmart boot is.
my last pair lasted for over 8 years.
yall dont work hard i bought a pair 6 yeaes ogo 3 monts
Yeah I get a year out of the waterproof shit kickers doing construction and handyman work. Pleasantly surprised with the Herman survivors because I got them in a pinch and keep. Buying em
They're my go to work boot. They last 2 years in the field for me, while even more expensive boots last a year tops.
I've been using Hermans for three seaons now and I'm HARD on boots. They're a damn good deal for 100 bucks. Comfey and warm in Michigan winters.
As someone who works in construction (commercial electrician), I love videos like these. I started my career wearing cheap work boots and progressed to Keen's, then Danners, and now I wear Wesco's. It seems to me that most guys who rely on their boots every day don't actually know what goes into quality footwear. These videos are great references to help people understand what you pay for in a high end work boot and why it's worth it.
And is it worth you broken ankle, slipped disc, or life to go cheap?? No.
@@thedwightguy It's more than worth it for buying only 1 pair of more expensive boots a decade than a pair or 2 of cheapo boots every year.
@@BeersAndBeatsPDX I've been working in a concrete plant for 4 years now but been using work boots since I was 16 and I've gone through almost every work boot except redwings; my boots don't last longer than 4 months I'm currently using Ariat square toe 210$ boots and they already cracked
5 months of me owning then what boots do you guys recommend for concrete powder
@@FernandoGonzalez-fe9os From my understanding working in concrete trashes boots right? Even with really high-quality ones, theres a good chance you wont be able to resole a pair of boots because the lye in concrete chemically wrecks organic matter like leather. Lye is a base and dissolves proteins (its been a while since I took a chemistry class so I might be fuzzy on this) Which explains your expensive pair cracking in 4 months....
Im a big proponent of quality over quantity and Terry Pratchett's view on boots, but yours is the rare case where I might actually consider the cheaper boots if I were you.
I used the Brahma a lot when I was younger. They worked pretty well for the money. Lasted me about 1 year before they were trash. Granted I wasn’t doing heavy construction, I also wasn’t exactly easy on them either. Normal shoes only lasted about 6 months by comparison doing the same work. $24/yr was pretty cheap and got the job done for me reliably. Luckily my current job pays for my boots nowadays and I can get thoroughgood at no cost to myself and I love them.
Yeah everybody I knew when I was younger that did heavy duty construction and roofing we would just buy the $25 Brahma jobs from Walmart... Like you said you could stretch them over a year if you baby them but even if you absolutely abuse them worst case scenario you have to buy two pairs a year which is a whopping $50... Lol.
Depends how much walking you have to do, I walk many miles a day and I’m lucky to get 6 months out of an expensive pair.
ive had my justins 5 years i drive a yard dog truck 340 bucks
bought mine for 37$ at walmart, I work in junk removal, first month into using them and I can feel the steel toe got bent due to a filing cabinet getting slammed on my foot, other than that theyre lookin strong and feel pretty good(which is nice since I got grape squashin feet haha)
They are better than nothing if that is all a person can afford. I'm not an elitist. People gotta work their way up to the boots they want.
I actually own the $24 boots. I forgot my boots one day and needed an emergency pair so I got them. Yeah they suck but they survived that day. I’ve used them a handful of time since for odd jobs, the toes wore through to the steel toe in two or three days. Would not recommend them except as an emergency pair for one day if you forget yours 😂. They’re now just my junk boots for concrete work and the like.
Having an emergency pair of work boots in the truck is a really good idea in general. And I agree, those 24$ boots look like they would do for that.
Although even for that little money some shopping around can get you much better quality than that Walmart offering, albeit still probably too uncomfortable to wear regularly.
Hi. Cowboy boots work but its 14 inch high
2-3 days lmfao, what a deal!
*_I own a pair of the 100 dollar version of fake Timberlands because of same reason and was only place you can get boots 4 am in the morning. I tried many times to wear them but they squak like a duck and hurt my back like a pinch nerve. Wish he would cover that subject of noisy boots.._*
@@BL-yj2wp no doubt there are better options but the Walmart I went to had very little and I only needed them for one day ha
I'm not even into boots but I loved this video. Great to see an expert in his field explain what goes into making a decent boot. As someone who has only ever bought high street shoes these budget shoe videos are actually really interesting to me, to see what the difference is between an affordable high street boot/shoe and a more expensive 'real' boot or shoe.
Herman Survivors was actually a pretty good brand back 30 or 40 years ago, but the brand was sold off and somehow ended up in Walmart’s hands, and they, predictably, ruined it.
Similar situation with Schwinn
Yes, remember the commercials of Herman Survivors? Also, on WWF wrestling back in the day, the MoonDogs wore Herman Survivors in the ring.
My first run in with Herman Survivors was a pair that was given to me by a coworker. They were new old stock and seemed pretty good. What I didn't realize at the time was that they were over 25 years old until I took three steps in them and the rubber soles both cracked right off and stayed where I had just been standing 😂
When I was a kid in the 70s Herman Survivors were the boots you wanted. Unfortunately this is just one more example of how things get worse when it's only about low quality and making profit.
Walmart ruined America
I got Brahma "fake timbs" for $50 from walmart, and I've been very impressed by them. For me, they were way more comfy than any of the boots I tried in the $100-150 range, and they're holding up well
I've had good experience with that brand as well. Walking through mine runoff caused the left one ( I think) to crack almost instantly. I once told my grandfather about that, and being a former ASARCO smelter employee, he was not surprised. But they did me well when I was working a summer job on base when I was a teen.
Yes sir. I work at a brickyard that gives us a $100 boot allowance a year. I get 2 pairs of the $50 boots a year. I only come out of pocket for more comfortable insoles
Same!
that's what i have on my feet right now. my first pair lasted three years with me walking 5-10 miles in the city a day. then he lug cracked and i couldn't use them in the rain anymore. i went right back and bought another pair just like them
It's a good quality Colombian brand that's why.
I really liked this video because it gives advice for people who have a limited amount of money. So many good boots are aimed at people who can afford high prices and maybe don’t even need the quality (hipsters, for example) while many hard construction workers have limited budgets and should have a decent boot. I have no idea if what I wrote makes sense…I am a bit tired, but anyway thanks for the video. You speak to all incomes and that is appreciated!
You did.. sad thing many would invest in a quality hear wearing lasting item and pay upfront s bit more.. BUT price sadly does not mean that quality anymore :( anyhow finding get the job done in a price one can afford. All we can ask for is stuff is not just it can at least actually function not just "look" the part
Agreed. There are lots of options for cheap(er) boots. Videos like this demystify some of the common options and help people on a tighter budget make informed choices.
0++
100% bud, for sure.
Nothing sadder than someone who always works and never has money
I bought the moc-toes based on this review. I got the oil tanned version $49, which presumably dodges the flame test issue. So for my $49 I get genuine leather, a Very comfortable sole, steel toes, and for what it's worth, a goodyear welt. And I got to try them on in the store. That's a lot of boxes checked for not much money. I'm a light duty user and I'm very pleased. For rough terrain they're not that great, but for just standing on your feet like behind a cash register these could easily be best for the money and might be best period.
I took a job at a factory and didn't have a lot of money. I went to Walmart and purchased some brahma steel toe safety boots. Well, I got lucky! They weren't that hard on my feet and I was able to get the boots at an affordable price point, so I could work.
Anyway, about a year later the boot truck came by and work gave me a coupon.
They were my first $200.00 boots. That was years ago.
I still have the brahma boots as a reminder.
Thank you for hitting more affordable boots.
Just got a paor of hermans on walmart website for $29 shipped to my door like i didnt even need them but for $29 send em
Those $25 dollar Walmart boots were my first pair of steel toes. I had to have them by the next day and they were cheap. They lasted maybe 4 months when the heel delaminated.
are you telling me that in the US employees have to pay for their own safety gear ? that's crazy...
@@Col_MustardDepending on the company yes
@@koldhearted1 thanks for the (late) answer! Here in France, and I assume in the most part of Europe, your employer has to give you all the protective gear you might need, hence my surprise...
I am literally a high school history teacher who hates manual labor and will probably never require a work boot, but I did just watch this video for the third time. This is my favorite style of video that you do! Your other video about Teva helped me pick out some new shoes yesterday, too!
a good work boot will last a few years
You’re on the front lines ma’am. Thanks for teaching.
The history of boots and shoes would be a fun class... Id go ;)
but you want equal pay. thats why you make cheap money. get yah bread up. a good days labor is good for the soul
@@Eddi3xBac0n What the fuck are you even trying to say bruh? A) Youre the only weirdo that made this a gender political thing. If that was a male in the profile pic you wouldnt have said a damn thing! B) The actual saying is "equal pay ...FOR EQUAL WORK" so the question you should ask is she making the same amount as the male teachers at her school? Since it would be a Federal crime not to im gonna guess yes...
I really like your no nonsense fact based reviews and advice. It's clear you're trying to tell us the truth as best you can. Thank You. Respect. Honor still matters, as does The Golden Rule.
I had a pair of Brhamas years ago that I gave like $30 for from Wally World and they were actually a pretty decent pair of boots for the money. I wore them for about a year before the soles wore out. They seemed to be made of real leather, albiet cheap leather, and were decently comfortable. I was always curious about the construction of these cheaper boots. Thanks for breaking it down. I've watched a few of your videos now and you got my sub. Good quality and informative videos on a subject that's pertinant to me and my activities. You may have changed my opinion of my go to brand for the past few years and definately confirmed it on another brand I despise. Good work and thanks for the quality vids
It’s easy to justify shitting on a walmart boot, but to be honest, ive seen much worse from brand names charging more for worse quality than this. At least you know what to expect from walmart.
That said, its a $50 boot… if you need something to get you through your first month of work until you get your first full paycheck, these are a godsend to many people in their first labor job.
It would cost you the same amount in gas money trying to thrift a used boot and some people just can’t afford the hunt.
Use a credit card, do your research online, up your price point. It's cheaper in the long run. Some people think the cheaper the boot, the more successful the purchase.
Carhartt boots are horrible...
@@ORIGINALDaveB Which is why the term "walmart poor" is prevalent. Items this cheap are designed to keep people in a loop of buying and replacing cheap shit. Another one of the 10,000 ways having money/access to money helps you save more money.
@@Ryuujinv01 Agreed.
@@ORIGINALDaveB could I borrow your credit card? until payday
I love seeing the cross over from the other channels. Project farm is great and he is quite talented at testing... just like this channel has some really good knowledge and expertise on leather. Great to see the good analysis practice spread on this platform. Great information!
I owned the $24 boots for about three weeks. That's how long they lasted before the 'leather' wore away from the steel toe and the sole completely separated on one of them. I've since upgraded to Thorogoods and haven't looked back.
I bought the exact same ones as a stand in boot while I was looking for something better. I worked in a Walmart garden center at the time. They literally lasted me maybe one hour my first day wearing them, I bumped a pallet with the toe and it cut about a one inch crescent right down to the steel toe. I returned them that night and never have bought boots at Walmart again. Currently alternating between some Italian Cofra and a pair of Avengers I recently got in my warehouse job.
The Cofra boots were around $130 but have lasted me through over two years of intense abuse and are still somewhat water proof even after stepping on three large furniture tacks and constantly being used to kick pallets into place. Glue is holding great. Leather has zero holes.
The avengers were maybe $115 and aren't as comfortable but they're an all Kevlar upper and I think it's still breaking in after a few weeks. Those also have puncture plates and are showing zero wear from the abuse I've given them so far. I used to be a cheapskate with boots. But I've found it's definitely worthwhile to invest in them, not sure why more jobs don't give out vouchers for good boots and require at least anti slip shoes, they'd save on injury claims. Sorry for the rant.
Had a cheap pair of black brahmas back in 2000 steel toe some kind of material with suade leather. Did city deliveries all day pushed a manual pallet jack with up to 250 to 3000 pounds throughout day . Lasted at least a year. In and out the truck going to customer probably did at least 3- 5miles a day.
I needed a pair of steel toed boots for a high school industrial skills event years ago. I went to Walmart the morning I was leaving and bought something exactly like those $24 boots. Killed by feet everyday I wore them. Tried to wear them after just to mow the lawn and lasting board was broken. Better than barefoot, I guess, but not by much.
Really impressed by how much work you put in to this video! I’m a woman and I’ll probably never buy a men’s work boot but I do leatherwork and your channel showed up in my feed. I was extremely interested in the outcome and entertained the entire time! Great work!
So I've owned the "fake Timb's," for about 2 years, in which they have received pretty much daily use. You "hit the nail on the head," with your assessment. The lining of the heel was the first thing to go after about 3 or 4 months. They are still quite comfortable to this day. Although, the thin rubber out-sole, held up okay, until I started climbing roofs with them for a few months. In spite of those 2 defects, they really have been pretty damn good boots, for the price. It really depends on what you're going to do in them. For me, and what I do, they're just fine for a 2 year clip. Good job
When it comes down to it, they probably are worth more than what you paid. So good value.
@@standupstraight9691 Agreed👍
I just have to say there's no way your job pays you enough to climb on rooves if it's two years out and you're still wearing the same pair of 30 dollar Walmart boots. Also can't imagine how heinous they must smell.
I'd love to see you cut open the dr martens ironbridge work boots! I don't know where they stack up but I personally love them. They're a bit heavy, I replaced the insoles with a similar dr martens insole because the insoles that come with them, although very cushy foam, don't have much arch support. I wear them in a kitchen so they may not see as much wear and tear as a work boot often does, but they've held up well walking through dishroom puddles, running them over with carts, and walking on slippery floors 40+ hrs a week. First failure I've had was the laces and insoles needing replacing so the boot itself seems durable. It only seems reasonable laces and insoles would need replacing after a year of being worn regularly for long hours. But I'm interested to see what you say about the construction.
When I was a "kid" I got a construction job. I was told I needed to have a pair of steel toes to start work. Being poor I bought a pair of "Bramas" from Walmart. The very first day, I needed to kneel on the ground for a few hours. After focusing on work for a few hours I stood up and noticed the "leather" was completely worn away from the steel toe. The entire "toe box" was an exposed silver metal cap with no leather left at all. I thought that was odd but had zero experience with wearing steel toe boots and thought maybe it was me. After wearing them for 2 more weeks, I noticed the bottoms were completely smooth. The tread just wore away instantly. The tread wasn't rubber, it was foam. It was unbelievable that a store would sell such a shitty product. Within 2 weeks these boots looked like I wore them for a decade. I remember needing to buy boots with my second ever paycheck. This time I bought a pair of "Chippewa" boots, they lasted like 3-4 years. Never ever EVER buy boots from Walmart. Spend a little more, and you'll get a product that lasts like 100x longer. It's so crazy the quality difference when you don't opt for the cheapest one.
BS
@@markjohnson8824 ? LoL
Pick your God damn feet up son
a rubber toe and heal are necessary for a long lasting boot
Been rocking a pair of the Fake Tims for over a year replaced a pair of Ridgecut 150 dollar pair that lasted 4 months, the Fake tims have lasted and held up exceptionally well in the heavy equipment service industry
Thank you for finally doing these. I would chalk up most of my foot problems to 2 decades of Brahma boots starting when I got to adult shoe sizes. I’ve moved on to good boots from my local boot store, but have picked some Walmart boots up when they hit $11 on clearance for harsh chores.
I think one detail worth adding to videos like these is repair viability. among all these boots I'm pretty sure only the most expensive of them would even be possible to do a heel replacement on after the rubber wears out. Shoe repair shops aren't really able to bond the soft foam rubber materials the way factories can, so with shoes with a lot of low density foam bottoms they may have to resort to doing an entire re-sole to repair the shoes.
Also the bit about getting boots at a thrift store is a good tip, but for proper steel toed boots you'd have to get pretty lucky. But if having a steel toe isn't important for what you'd need the boots for then I'd recommend picking up a pair of old Altama combat boots because they're comfortable enough and plenty sturdy, and usually only around $15-30 as long as you get to them before some uppity kid with a depop account does so he can try to sell them as "rare vintage authentic military combat boots $150"
The steel toe corcoran marauders are amazing. Very comfortable, american made, lasts for a very long time and most of the time you can find them on sale for around $100 - $150. Just sent my black pair in to get a resole after 5 years of daily use.
Preach. Best boots for my career field (AF). I don’t buy anything else.
@@jacobwitt2070 whats AF
@@Joshthetruthseeker it means he's a pog.
@@thedude5449 What's a pog?
That's the brand?
Corcoran marauders?
Really enjoy your videos. I’ve worn loads of different work boots over 30 years, from $29 Kmart boots in the early 90s to Wolverine to my current Red Wing and others along the way. Money spent on quality work boots is well spent IMO. Thanks for breaking the boots down and sharing your insights.
Im rocking a pair of Carolina, only had them a few months, if they last 2yrs, im happy
I bought the fake timb a few years ago cause I was low on cash. They're fine for the price. If your low on money or just looking for something to do yard work in i'd recommend them
I bought the Walmart steel toed work shoes and they were $24 and actually really comfortable. Lasted for 6 months at a factory job.
Thanks Weston for the detailed tests, showing the internal construction, as well as pointing out poor quality design/construction.
I wanted to add my 2 cents, since I bought the Fake Timb from Walmart 10 years ago. The construction appears the same as it was then, with exception to the reflective insert above the heel. I only used these boots in the snow for a total of 10 hours wear time. The rest of the time, they sat in the bedroom closet. Last year, I decided to pull them out and wear them to clean up some broken glass. Within a few minutes after putting them on, the sole separated from the upper. With the sole off, I could see why; the sole is actually a tub to hold the adhesive, which provides the only means of attaching the sole to the upper. The mystery adhesive broke down in a normal home temperature and humidity, allowing the split to take place through the midst of the adhesive "pool". I say pool because the adhesive thickness is 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick. I have been wanting to replace these with some good quality boots but, it seems everything is made in China these days so, long term quality is very questionable.
Have a pair of clearance herman survivors that did the same thing. No adhesive will stick to them either the midsole is such crap.
There is something strangely fascinating about watching somebody cut a boot apart and tell us about what's in it! Highly educational and entertaining! New subscriber.
For the people that aren't able to find good condition work boots at a local thrift, I see either new or almost new steel toe red wings all the time on eBay and Poshmark, there's usually something lightly used for around that 100 mark.
We have five shoe stores in our little recreation town. Unfortunately, buying shoes online is the one item it's tough to pull off. Feet are so different and stated sizes always vary.
About what I expected...I think my old Redwings have already lasted three times as long as these would, so the price was worth it, and I just bought a pair of barely used Red Wing 1411 boots for under $30, so used is a definite option as well. Thanks for the teardown!
I really love these work boot durability tests because I could have absolutely seen myself buying any of these boots when I first started out. The only advice I give to my younger helpers getting into the trades is to buy a set of safety toe boots that fit properly.
You never fail to educate me. I Love watching you take a boot apart and explain why its good or why its bad and not worth the money.
I remember getting a pair of Herman's back in the 80´s, when I was a kid, and they held quite well for weekend hiking with my dad and like 2 hunting seasons , until they were too small for me... sad to see what happened to so many brands as years passed on.
reminds me of avia, another brand that walmart owns. if you look at vintage pairs of avia sneakers, the quality and construction is very high grade. however, if you look at them now, its just sad to see what it has become
@@mirrorhour365 I had a few pairs of white sneakers as part of the school's uniform...
Hermann Survivors used to be up there with Red Wings quality wise. Made in the USA, Vibram soles, thick leather, Goodyear welt, now they're shit.
@@jonathanmosher72 Agree!
I bought some black suede workbooks from Walmart probably about 10 years ago. One of the advertised features was a 'long-wearing sole'. The sole was actually made of a sort of foam material, like a flip-flop. The heels wore away to wedges in no time, and the middle of the foot wore through. They also absorbed water like a sponge.
I used to walk about 30 minutes each way to and from work, and I got maybe a month out of them.
In Germany safety boots are actually required on construction sites. They are classified according to DIN EN 12568. Some popular European brands are Elten, Atlas, Haix, Lemaitre and so on.
Germany and their rules . Walking robots .
Most large companies in USA they are too . On smaller construction jobs you could wear flip flops depending on the boss lol.
I know I'm a year late, but I've been wearing some Survivor II boots that I got from Walmart for $40 five years ago. The soles are still solid and most of the tread is still intact (roughly 95%). I just had to replace the laces but the rest of the boots have held up quite impressively.
Before they were bought by Walmart, Hermann Survivors used to be up there with Red Wings quality wise very good boots made in the USA. Of course, they costed about $90 to $170 in the early 1980s.
Please do a review on Patron boots, found some on ebay for 80 bucks and I couldn't be happier with them. They're made in Mexico and are full grain leather.
I bought the Dozier boots two winters ago. I found them decently warm and comfortable. Stayed dry too. Survived two Cleveland winters and somehow still look great. The ONLY boots from Walmart I’ll ever even consider.
These really are so informative for real. I think of how many Walmart boots my husband has had to toss so quickly and understand exactly why. Thank you for all the great and helpful videos.
I'm genuinely surprised that any of these was an acceptable boot. I've worn cheap work boots for occasional general labor jobs, and I regretted it big time. Took only a few hours for my feet to ache BAD.
Btw, I know you mostly focus on work boots, but I'd love an episode on women's fashion boots. It's ridiculous sometimes how cheaply they are made for the price.
I have Danner and they hurt my feet more
Not sure why he didn't grab a pair of Wolverines. Those are great.
@@SoulforSale repent
@@SoulforSaleyou sound ignorant and lost, it's ok though Jesus still loves you. You might be surprised. Dig a little deeper have a little hope/faith, you too might experience eternal love, peace and happiness.
Its crazy that the 24$ boots price point hasn’t changed in the 5 years since I bought a pair. I was 18 years old and bought that exact same boot from Walmart as I didn’t know much about boots and needed a pair. A coworker saw me wearing them and told me they’d last me 3 months then the sole would come off. I didn’t think much of it as I was a bit arrogant as a teenager. Sure enough right around the 3 month mark my sole pops right off in the middle of the work day, he’d called it perfectly. Went and got a decent pair with the money I’d saved up in that time the same day. Save yourself the absolute headache and buy a good pair of work boots, you’ll spend LESS in the long run.
They are made a lot better now
@@laakiinn b6ve
If your broke as shit and need something until you can get your first few paychecks, I can see how a pair of cheap ass boots from Walmart can work.
I have had zero problems with my 50$ Walmart boot and I'm a conductor for the railroad. I walk on railroad ballast and timbers 12hours a day 276 hours a month. Idk what your doing in that factory but something is up
You mentioned Ariat boots. I wear a pair of high legged Ariats for eight hours a day in a warehouse. Paid about £90 (uk) They've lasted really well, and are super comfortable, I'm impressed with their overall quality as well. Definitely better, I think, than any of those four boots you've just destroyed.
What a cutie of a kitty! The boots were cool, too. Mid binge and I'm super appreciative of your style. My brain won't perk up for clickbait or faux complexity. Only quality information and an empathetic demeanor. Your channel is top of the pops in both. Seriously remarkable integrity. Those boots? Much less so.
I think the timberland copies were pretty good and looked great. Good job on Walmart for making a pair of boots that I'd likely want to wear for light applications.
Thank you for such a useful and entertaining video. I just got done watching your Duluth boot video and comparing the Walmart ones to the other brand I’d choose the 100$ Walmart boots.
With that being said I appreciate what you’re doing to educate people and getting past the hype/jargon on the box; and helping people get the best value for their money.
Interesting review, per usual. The carrot smasher was… graphic. As someone who works as an engineering inspector in bridge construction, quality comfortable boots are a must. I did the cheap boot thing early in my career and learned the hard way. Spending the day on cheap footwear just hurts.
Got my first pair of Herman's almost 15 years ago. Cost about $50 and wore them everyday for about 5-6 years before they fell apart. Bought another pair and got about 2 years out of them, next pair after was about the same. Since then, I've been getting about a year or so per pair. Just bought a pair of the $100 "shoveler" Herman's yesterday. Hopefully I get a couple of years out of them. Not sure if I'm getting harder on my boots or if the quality is just gradually going down hill. If this $100 pair doesn't last more than a year, I'm switching to something else.
Thank you! Very well done and very informative, this is exactly what we need to know so we can avoid poor quality boots while on a budget. The carrot crusher rig (yes I saw it at the other place) is excellent because we don't have the ability to test the toes when we are at the store. Thanks again for the excellent job!
I really appreciate videos like this because there are a lot of guys out there who need boots for work and can't afford much.
having worked there for 7 years and trying a bunch of them over that period I can day that the steel toes are surprisingly decent, but the boots themselves fall conpletely apart between 2 and 6 months of daily wear and offers no support, my Timberlands I bought last for 120 have lasted me 5x as long so far
I’ve had my Herman survivor boulders and they are still amazing after 2 years. They are comfortable and I’ve noticed that my Frye harness boot was comparable to them in comfort!
Everything known about supply chains and manufacturing standards for Wal-mart already tells you everything.
Even if they were good boots I wouldn't support that POS company in any form.
Wal-Mart sucks and always have
No doubt I'll never buy shoes or clothes for them
I used to make product for Walmart cheaper process less materials they charge the same as Home Depot does for the product.
@@JAG214 where u get ur shiit then??
I had H.S. stl toes for 15 yrs, they finally broke down 2yrs ago. Loved those boots.. cA
I actually liked the fake timbs. They were super lightweight, and add a foam insert and they were comfortable…but every pair would start squeaking within 2-4 weeks, lol. Kept taking em back and getting new ones (5x), before I gave up. Would recommend them except for the insane squeak
I used a version of the fake Tim’s for a year of hard use on roofs, ladders, and job sites then occasional use in the yard or workshop. The old version’s outsole hardened and became brittle over time, so chunks would split off occasionally until it finally delaminated in the summer heat. They were worth it for me for the price at the time with a very small budget, especially due to the lack of any break in period. If I had worked on any serious construction worksite, on concrete all day, or in gravel though, they would’ve ground down to nothing in little time. Great content!
I like the more work boot related content. I would also love to see women's work boots. Steel toe specifically to see if they mark things up and cut quality for us.
I love my Herman Survivors Drill. They are very comfortable, water proof and stylish. I have owned 3 pairs in the past 4 years. I work in a tire factory as a mechanic.
Back in the late 90s Brahma boots were awesome real leather boots. They honestly sucked to wear for about a week until you broke them in but after they were very comfy. In the early to mid 00s they started to go down hill very quickly. When I was a welder I would go with them every time but as of about twenty years ago you could not pay me to use them.
Unfortunately, it seems like nothing is made the way it used to be.
I've had $150-$180 boots that have worn out in about the same time frame as the cheap ones.
As a former truck driver I found wearing Texas Steer boots sold at Kmart wear one of the most comfortable boots I ever wore and I wore a lot. To bad Kmart went out of business because I would have drove an hour one way to get a pair of those Texas Steers. Thanks for the video.
Absolutely love your content. Your attention to detail is amazing. If I could make one small critique: The open flame test is flashy, but how about a 'Boot Sole Melting Test'? I, personally work in some areas where I run the risk of having to stand on some hot pipes or hot grating. Seeing some common failure points could be beneficial in helping others make better boot purchases in the future.
Again, amazing content. Please keep up the great work!
Men make a video about the wolverine boots those are awesome,saludos desde La Luz Michoacán México. Awesome video
Brahma work boots were my first boot. Got my first pair in middle school. Getting my dad to pay more then $20 on shoes took forever.
Is he Indian?
Very thorough pertinent information for the working person delivered so a lay-person can understand. I can't think of any questions you might have left unanswered. Man you covered all the bases, excellent job on your part. 👍
24$ steel toes are actually a great bang for your buck if you’re Broke. I’ve had a pair for 2 years and I’ve used and abused them and they’re still holding up strong. drawbacks are that they’re not very water proof but they do keep you warm. Great for mechanic and working construction or outdoors
Lugz and sketchers are a far superior cheap boot than the Walmart boots. I've gotten lugz at end of season sales for $20 off amazon and will last about a year. Sketchers last even longer
He’s right on with the 100 boot! It’s a very hot shoe indeed. Wouldn’t recommend for heavy duty work outside on a continuous basis! The shoe will fall apart in no time. I only gotten a second pair because the Walmart I live by was closing and it came up to 60 dollars to get them. Spend the extra few dollars and get a higher brand. There’s after pay and may other pay installments now days. When it comes to your feet don’t be cheap! 100 dollar boot is okay but eventually it’ll get worse by time walking in them.
In 2006, I bought my first Brahma steel toe shoe. It was good, lasted 2-3 years. Then, the last 3rd and 4th pair were shit. I mean, after 6 months of wearing it, you can see the rubber sole. Brahma was cheap, but quality got shittier. And so, I bought Sketcher working shoe with steel toe, it was good w/ memory foam. So Weston, can you cut open a sketcher working shoes or boots?
I wore Wolverine work boots for at least a years to 18 months until they cheapend them to last 6-8 months. Started wearing Timberland and was much happier until the prices kept climbing, prompting me too search for a cheaper, yet still decent alternative. Like you, I found a Sketchers boot that has worked out well this far but I wouldn't expect a cross section to reveal anything extraordinary. Time will tell the tale of long term durability and comfort.
I just bought a pair of fake timbs, the drillers just like these. I was looking around to see what the internet thought of them, so thank you for the video!
I grew up in the town in Massachusetts where REAL Herman Survivors were made before the company was sold, ruined, and the brand name eventually wound up in the hands of Walmart. I bought a pair of Survivors out the back door of the factory (they were seconds) in the early '70s and happily wore them for 30 years. Seeing the Herman Survivor name on this current Walmart garbage turns my stomach.
Thank you for destroying the boots in the video. They deserved it.
When did the sell and close shop?
@@jed-henrywitkowski6470
It's been quite a while. I think the company was sold/merged somewhere in the late 1970s or very early '80s. I know that Stride-Rite was one company that owned the name after they sold it. Then Walmart later on.
Nice job. Thanks for looking into these. I always tried to tell my mom those cheap shoes were more expensive than buying me Nikes back in the 70s when I was a kid.
I wish I was smart enough to think of that. I hated getting those KMart crap shoes every August.
These are the starter boots you buy when you start a new job and are saving up for better ones. I made the mistake of being cheap and never upgrading. I needed brand new feet after I finally threw these Walmart boots in the trash
Yeah my jobs requires steel toe boots and I don’t wanna pay $200 for premium boots rn
Excellent info.....i bought my son a few work boots from walmart and wondered why the boots would malform and crack allover! Now I know. But i did spend 250. and he spent over 300. and they have been lasting for years with only needing new insoles and a little scrub inside! Now i know! thank u!
Very useful information. My personal takeaway is that quality is expensive up front, but cheaper in the long run, and Walmart sells a disposable boot that must be horrible for the environment and wallet.
I wear the Herman survivor boots to work in asphalt. I have found them to hold up better than wolverine durashock boots in the heat. Asphalt is 450 degrees, it will melt the soles off wolverines in a fiew weeks. I have wore the Jason 3 model survivors for up to three years before!
The $20 pair are decent to an extent. Use to get them since I had to work a job where it would get very dirty and needed slip resistance. Didn't see a reason to spend more UNTIL I wore them in after a week and I stood on top of a wet floor, the soles would absorb the moisture and my socks would get soaked. I thought my feet were just sweaty, lol nope. Literally a wet floor made my feet wet, and I don't mean sitting water. Like, a mopped floor was enough.
They're good till the first paycheck 😅
This vid is very helpful. Down the road in next year or so, I hope to be doing some work flipping homes. I now know to look at the $100 boot as I am a heavy set guy. I don't see my self being around open flames working in homes so I should be safe there.. The real selling point for me was the stepping on the nail test.
I knew someone who worked in an Amazon warehouse, and as an employee got a $150 gift card (each year) to an online selection of "appropriate work shoes." The options went from walking sneaker to steel toe boot. Seems like a good investment in your workers to make sure they have quality footwear.
I'm guessing that with the bad worker protections in the US it isn't a thing, but here in the UK steel toe boots are considered personal protective equipment (PPE) and your employer is legally obligated to provide you with either a pair or the money for a pair. Although you might not get a very good pair (they just have to meet the appropriate safety standard).
Ive had a pair of brahmas for going on 5 years now and they are pretty good for the price i paid. Around 40 if i remember correctly. Only just starting to wear the sole through leather held up well and their fairly comfortable. Cant complain for what i paid.
Resoling shouldn't even be part of the conversation with boots under $100. You're just going to buy another pair. Guys that buy these just want to make it about a year before they need to replace the boot.
And there's definitely a shank in that moc toe.
A comparison of technologies and value for varying products made for a fascinating watch, as per usual. The cat just adds so much to the entertainment value of the video.
I'm a born and raised tree trimmer and have used every work boot available just about and i personally prefer the $40-$50 Walmart boots i get about a year out of a pair when i ordered the$270 some dollar boots from Davey tree service they lasted about a year n a half same with other high dollar boots so i believe the Walmart boots are a better buy because they are comfortable look good and last a year for $40-$50 instead of hundreds in my almost 30years of working i recommend the Walmart boots of $40 or more the$25 ones are junk tho
Agree.
Even though I can't stand to watch or listen to any commercials, (and yes, I skipped over yours in the be- ginning and understand that you had to squeeze in the advertisement
since nothing in life is for free, not even death since it cost's a life), I like to thank you very much for the nice infp-video and yes, I have used your # 2 & # 3 foot wear years ago and
yes, they are nothing fancy but did the job for the price, sort of speak.
Recently I did purchase three pairs of Eddy Bauer "Ridgeline" hiking boots at Sam's in El Paso since they only charged 30 bucks each.
They wear nicer than the boot # 3 mentioned above, will hopefully last a bit longer than
# 2 and I am pretty happy to have found them for Sam's pretty low 'clean-up-price'.
Thanks again and take care!
Brahma has a different boot that's $40 and is a roughout leather, I bought them from a Walmart not far from you and i've been using them as a mechanic for 3 years. I originally bought them for the cheap steel toe, but they turned out to last really nicely.
Over the years I've found that there's a big difference between different styles of brahma boots. Some are absolutely horrible, others are surprisingly decent, at least when compared to the price.
Thanks for the work. I went through jump school in army issue boots and they were awful. Back then we ran in them.
Hah! I definitely was thinking “huh this sounds like project farm” when you started talking about your testing methods. Then you went and pointed it out yourself lol
I've used steel toe Brahmas from Walmart for every hard labor job I've ever had and for the super low price they're asking they're great. I had to have put about 4 different pairs through hell over the years and they took the beatings like champs unloading trucks, moving heavy machinery, and even saved my digits on a couple of occasions.
Hi! I would love to see you do a review of rubber boots. I went through pair after pair of boots for being out tromping through wetlands and after under a year each one leaked. Finally I stopped trying to buy them in hunting and camping stores and went with a brand that specializes online and was suggested by other people for the field. I adore them! They’re the first pair I don’t need wool socks for when walking in ice water too! The rubber is completely different than anything I’ve worn before.
But I would love to see a side-by-side of rubber boots for the field on this channel!
(Ps. The ones I love are the Gumleaf boots from GumleafUSA.)
I had the oakridge by herman survivors. Used them for Demolition work. Lasted 7 weeks before the soft soles wore off. Would probably be ok boots if you're using them in dirt
I bought a pair of Walmart boots one time when I needed a steel toe the very next day.. I will never make that mistake again 😂
I walk a lot and I am hard on boots. I averaged 3-4 months out of the survivor drillers before the sole/heal wore through. I went through 3 pairs in a year. The upper wasn’t remotely wore, but the shoe was junk unfortunately. I switched to thorogood moc toes and get a solid year out of them before they are wore out. It’s actually cheaper for me to buy the thorogoods lol.
I used to wear walmart boots when I first started working labor jobs, totally worth spending and extra $100-$200 on a good pair of boots. But if you only can afford Walmart boots than that's fine, not everyone has money
Better off going to a thrift store and getting better used boots for the same price or much less
@@cheesecurd100s Some people would rather walk though a open septic pond barefoot than wear shoes someone else worn and soaked with their sweat, dead skin flakes, and fungus.
@@cheesecurd100s yeah totally true, i just never find shit in my size like that. Or they don't have a good work boot selection. But I agree with you
@@OhPhuckYou yeah but the used ariats I found for $5, weren't smelly or nothing like that, just dirt all over them, buying used boots is just fine. Plus they are already broken in. You don't have to worry about them being to uncomfortable when you first start working
I use the fake timbs. I have for two years now. They are still some of my favorite boots to work in. Unless I am pressure washing... then they kinda suck. But for everything else from roof to ground, I love em.
0:10 "I have four different boots in front of me". Sir, you have five, and one of them is not like the others. (The white one). I know such boots, mine too sometimes like the company of my shoes.
I have black and red ones 😅
Great video!… I’d like to see you test some of the well-known brands of boots and see how they compare. You did a good job!
I am in a situation that I am sure many of us find ourselves in. I am given a $180 a year work boot allowance. I'd love to have a pair of Nick's, White's, or Wesco's, but I find myself buying a new pair of boots in the $200 range every year. If I didn't have that allowance, I would buy a pair of better boots, but as for the way the reimbursement works, I think I'm better off doing it the way I'm doing it. I'll just buy a pair of nice boots for my personal life.
Is it not possible to pocket the money? You could use the entire allowance plus your personal money to get a good pair, then just keep what you're given every year after that or use it towards a resole if needed.
@@EssenceofPureFlavor can't pocket it. you have to turn in the receipt. HR for the state government is super strict on everything. I can always buy my own pair of good ones and use the annual allowance to get specialty boots. muck boots, winter boots, etc.
@@jonathanmarquise422 See if a custom boot maker will make you a pair and invoice you separately for the left and right boot, then turn in receipts in two different years? :D
Jim Green Razorbacks maybe?
Stop being tight with money