The Cheapest Not-Terrible Boot? Golden Fox's $139 Boondocker Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ค. 2024
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✱ Full article + pics: stridewise.com/golden-fox-boo...
I always wanted to review Golden Fox's 6-inch Boondocker Service Boots but they always seemed, well, too cheap. Then I learned that my friend and Stridewise writer Tim Steiner, a.k.a. @HemingwayJones, has a pair - and this is a man who knows his way around quality footwear.
Golden Fox's 6-inch Boondocker Service Boots have an interesting reputation as the cheapest not terrible boot. What does that mean? Well, it's Goodyear welted, made of solid leather, and it's pretty darn comfortable. The downsides are they're hard to resole and they're not the sturdiest boot - as Tim puts it, they're service boots but they wouldn't survive an enlistment.
00:00 Who is this guy?
01:00 What's a Boondocker?
01:53 Golden Fox Boondocker overview
03:20 Golden Fox's Boondocker leather quality
04:08 Golden Fox Boondocker sole
04:42 Can you resole Golden Fox Boondockers?
05:17 Golden Fox Boondocker Sizing and Fit
05:54 The Problems with Golden Fox Boondocker
06:15 Golden Fox Boondocker Price and Value
06:37 Pros and Cons of Golden Fox Boondocker - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
I’ve had this boot for about 6 years and they are great for the money. Had zero issues. Got mine back when they were $100.
They’re $89 USD right now
Amazon USA has these for $119.90 at the moment. I have a pair of these and enjoy them immensely. Extremely comfortable.
I've been waiting for a review like this for a long time, thank you so much!
Glad you like it!
Nice review! I’ve never owned any but the suede options look really nice, especially at that price point. I’m not a fan of plastic welts, but the fact that there is a small but loud group of fans that refuse to give an inch on how good these boots are makes me feel confident these Boondockers have to be great for what they are.
Hello HJ. Or should I say, Tim. This was a very natural video and it was amazing how you transition from the sophistication of pens and journaling to the outdoor, flannel shirt wearing back woodsman. Nice job. You gave us a different side of who you are, (in a good way).
Glad you followed him here Richard
Thanks Richard! I appreciate the kind words.
I've had a pair for 4 years...still comfortable and leather was soft to break-in
Great guest reviewer!
Now you put those SM Wholesale Boondockers on my radar. Please do a review of them. 🙏
Thanks for content. .
These are my favorite boots I have owned . Not sure why .
Bought the greasy black leather GF service boot. Wanted something like a Thursday captain but didn’t wanna shell out the cash for that style of boot till I was sure I would like it. Now that I know I do and it fits with what I lime to wear I’ll run the foxes till I wear them out and I’ll either buy another pair or use the money I saved for the Thursday’s. For the money these things and this brand are hard to beat
the big turn-offs to heritage boots are price and comfort. there are plenty of good "cheap" boots that are lighter and waaaay more comfortable than say a heavy ass PNW boot
fantastic video Stridewise
I have two pairs of black and brown. I especially love the brown. I also have two pairs of Thursday boots, also black and brown, that I don't wear half as much. I really haven't had a chance to break in the Thursdays because they are a bit more dress up than everyday wear their's bit of a shine I wish could get rid of anyway the Golden Fox boots I absolutely love, I'm gonna get the suede boots next
Could probably replace DMs for an everyday wear sort of boot.
I like this!!! Really want to try it for daily beater!!! Looks cool!!
Go fer it!
I went a half size down and they fit just fine until months later when they were 100% broken in. Then they started feeling quite loose even with added insoles. It will probably hurt for a while but maybe go a full size down. Then again I bought mine in 2020 so I don't know if the construction has changed much since.
I have them, they're super comfortable.
Great review. Still, save up and get better sole from a Thursday Boots pair.
I'd like to add that 'boondockers' were a specifically Marine Corps slang. They had slightly different boots, rough outs with different soles vs the standard leather low quarter Army service boots of the time. Visually very similar though. My point is most Veterans ive heard refer to these boots as 'low quarters'. Ive also heard my Dad who is a Veteran call the more modern tall 10" Army boots 'leg boots' or 'full quarters' so the term must come from somewhere...
Last time I looked (and it wasnt that long ago!) these were $99 MSRP ...I guess buy them now because theyll only go up in price in short order.
I have the Overlord model, I would add that the leather although a bit on the thin side, has a great pull-up.
I would even say the leather is better that the one on my Thursday's...
I'm looking at possibly getting a pair of the "Overlords." If you don't mind me asking, how have they held up for you, in terms of durability, and are they truly goodyear welted, w/ a real leather welt as advertised??? I ask because I know that the "Boondocker" has a plastic welt. TY for your time.
@@tarasmathers7423 hi !!
They have held pretty well, after 7 months and about 200 km. Yes, they're truly Goodyear welted with a leather welt.
I still think they are a good product for the cost!
@@drluisrosalesleon5015 Thats exactly what I was hoping to hear. I was just out checking some of the local department store to see what they had available, and honestly, it's pretty slim pickings if you ask me. I hear that they run "true to size." Is that your experience w/ them?? Thanks for the update BTW. It's quite helpful
These look FAR better than any of the other expensive alternatives. The toe box looks mean as hell.
Just purchased their Overlords...they are equal or a little better in looks but they have a real leather welt!! Can't be beat for $120
really?? that's cool, thanks for letting me know Hugh
I was so close to buying these a few months ago. I haven’t and I’m still looking for a good budget boot for these north east winters. I only wear my boots in winter so it’s only like 4 full months of boots a year. So my cheap sketcher boots have lasted me 5 plus years before I start seeing problems. I would love a pair of iron rangers but $350 is just way to much for this single father of 2 who also helps take care of there mom.
I have the suede model ($99 in outlet) and I find them quite comfortable, the patina is great, very fuzzy.
It actually placed in the patina thunderdome 🤷🏻♂️ .. “a hundred and thir-TEE nine dollars”? What a deal 😏
They also made it to the patinathunderdome top 10 working boots.
hell yea, represent
I just found a pair at goodwill for $16
I have Golden Fox chukkas. Liked them very much, but they do not last long. The soles wear in record time. The tops are still worth wearing…but, heel worn. I wish the could be resoled.
I imagine at this price point there is very little reason to resolve these boots as a cost savings purpose, but, I would argue, that you might still consider doing so from an aesthetic point of view. After all, half the fun of getting a heritage style boot is for the patrons that eventually builds, and having a boot that is uniquely your own.
Good note! And this could get through one resole :D
And the black one is $99 right now! That's a pretty good deal.
I sound like corporate plug :)
They said there lower end but mine I've had for 8 years sole is still pretty good the leather in the back is now splitting but I can still wear them and wore these slot put slot of miles on them
yeah and even if they fall apart tomorrow, 8 years of wear for that price is tremendous value
I guess these look acceptable for the price if not wanting a more attractive leather finish and all that. Eddie Bauer flannel shirts are thicker than JC Penney but not as soft as LL Bean. Thursday Prez and Oliver Cabell cost a little bit more but don't quite fit me exactly as snugly as I would like, but I already have both of those so these can go on the backburner that maybe wish I would have heard of six months ago and save fifty bucks?
Still would likely want a resole, tho.
I still prefer eyelets to hooks. I guess just cut that tab off?
if you don't mind it's made in China, the LUOS JIET boots is like about $116, it's Goodyear welted and decent quality.
There are several Chinese brands making handmade boots around that price. No American middlemen jacking up the price, haha
The made up fly-by-night Chinese company names on Amazon give me a chuckle, its like their cat walked on their keyboard and they said "looks good to me!" *thumbs up
How about the Wolverine BLVDs? GYW for less than $100 on sale
Pretty much sold out now. I have 2 BLVDs (Chelsea+Wingtip)and they are great. Hopefully Wolverine gives them another run.
They've been discontinued, no more BLVD!
I been in the us army for last 13 years and i find it tacky to wear army boots (coyote or tan color) with civies not to mention its unauthorized to wear part of a uniform.
But if you dont care about looks and youre cheap, then basic training issued boots cant be beat for durabilty. At the px, i can get these boots (various brands: belleville, bates, altama, rocky) with vibram soles will last for $90. Very few soldiers buy it, they rather buy more expensive sneaker boots that cost 3 times more.
I never got why people would dog on the "basic" boots. Everyone threw theirs away after basic and I thought that was crazy considering the fact that you paid for all of the clothing issued to you, so they were basically throwing away their money. I've never had an issue with mines and just got soles replaced.
Nick, were you wearing LL Bean duck boots? I thought you didn’t like them.
They were mine! I thought he looked great in them! @stridewise
@@HemingwayJones I’m sure his feet stayed warm and dry!
bean video incoming!
@@Stridewise Your crowd is going to lose their minds. I love it.
So much better than Nick ! 😂
HEY
At this price point, I wouldn't feel bad just cutting the pull tab with a knife.
Yeah I can never bring myself to cut off pull tabs no matter how much they annoy me
Why would you roll up your pants, especially when you’re walking through snow??
mostly to show what the boots look like for the camera
@@Stridewise Fair enough
I don’t agree with you on saying made-in-China to be one of the downsides. On the contrary, I consider that a great upside. Nowadays, people are gradually accepting the fact that there are a lot of high quality boots coming out of China with much lower prices.
Fully agree, tried to make it clear that _some_ people consider it a downside because they want more of their money to stay in the US, that's all
I’m sorry they look nothing like a boondocker boot ?
they look SOMETHING like a boondocker boot
It's good year welted with plastic! You can't resole them
yeah you probably can once but no more than that. a cobbler can replace the welt if you want. i have a new 'best under 200' video out this week where i make this clearer
Nah man. Thursday is the way for cheaper boots.
For sure, these are just even cheaper. But much less good. But cheaper!
@@Stridewise Im not so sure on that, waxed flesh excluded, Thursday's boots have low quality leather, including the CXL.
With the savings buy a pair of jeans you don’t have to cuff 7 times and look like a bufoon
6 1/2 minutes to hear Made in China. 6 1/2 minutes waisted.