My 1st pair of rocks I owned were the best boots I ever owned.
Well in sept. I bought another pair from cabela's different make the 800 core model. Well when I got them there was some extra material up in one of the toes that I knew would eventually drive me nuts. So I sent them back to cabela's for a full refund. I then went to a local store and found the same boots $20 cheaper than cabela's on sale so I had to try on two pair the first one I tried on had something jamming the side of my foot. Second pair felt good. So I wore them this fall and by Nov. I noticed o hole in the tounge along the stitching. Being it was getting cold I hunted the rest of the season with my warmer cabela's predator boots
Well, rockey has a one year warranty so I brought them back to the store. And had to explain how rockey wants you to bring them back to the dealer and for them to handle the procedure. After talking to two managers they eventually said I was good I could get another pair of boots or a full refund. So I'm happy with this I went to look to see what they had for early season boots. I grabbed (against my own better judgement) the same 800 core. I brought them up the counter to complete my exchange and the lady pulled my new ones out of the box to scan and inspect them. When I noticed some bad stitching on the heel. I went whoa! And showed my wife who's knows a,thing or two about sewing. She said I would not buy those. So I got my money back. Went to a,different store and bought a nice pair of bushnells. They did have a higher quality looking pair of Rockies but I said noway I'm all done,with Rocky.
I don't understand how they can sell such poor quality they use to be good. what Happened!
Thanks for listening to my rant.
Tim
I also use to use rocky boots, no more
Same thing happened to Irish Setter. Used to be terrific boots, then a few years ago I believe they changed everything over to China to try and stay competitive. I have a pair of Irish Setter boots that I have had for 5 years and they are still in great condition. My buddy bought the same model this year and they didnt last 2 months.
QuoteOriginally posted by attack:
Same thing happened to Irish Setter. Used to be terrific boots, then a few years ago I believe they changed everything over to China to try and stay competitive. I have a pair of Irish Setter boots that I have had for 5 years and they are still in great condition. My buddy bought the same model this year and they didnt last 2 months.
I actually looked at Irish setter too and they did not differ much from the Rockies they were a little more money wise so that's why I tried the Rockies again.
Seems like they are all made in China. I hope I have better luck with my bushnells. They looked of better quality but still china :mad:
Good to know, been using the same pair of rockies for the last ten years, love em, but they're getting pretty tired, planned on replacing them in the spring with a new pair.
Guess I'll be looking at other brands. LaCrosse still good?
Rocky boots are sold in Walmart if that tells you anything about them.
They were our go to boot when I was on the P.D.
That's too bad I have a pair that has been around a while and have been fine - still good to go. Good to know to look elsewhere when it's time to replace them
You take a good product, then cut back on the quality of materials, then send them to made by a kid in some 3rd world toilet and then charge 40% more for them.........that's what has happened to Rocky boots and a host of others. I truly believe it will get worse if that's possible.
When I was a little kid "Made in Japan" was another way of saying "Junk". Nowadays, you say "Made in China" to say "Junk".
I went through a pair of Rocky boots on a sheep hunt in Alaska. Took about two days. That was in 1985. Thank god I had another pair with me. Never again. :campfire:
I had a pair and the soles disintegrated on them. They were less than a year old. Tried to contact Rocky and they wouldn't even talk to me. I'll never buy anything Rocky again.
Love my danners...never had Rocky's that last
Next time you get in the boot buying mood, check out the Keen's for lighter weight hiking boots... I'm totally sold on the durability, and comfort with seriously dry feet ta boot...
Yup.... Rocky's went down hill a few years ago.
I've had great luck with my insulated Irish Setters, but i don't have a lot of serious milage on them yet.
Lacrosse bought Danner, then got bought by a Japanese outfit. Now both are made in China except for a few of the high dollar Danner models that are still US made.
Lowa, Schnee's, Miendl, Asolo, Kenetrek, ect.. is where the quality is.
My first pair of Rocky boots I bought about 15 years ago. It was my first pair of waterproof leather boots and I had my doubts.
Very first time I wore them a wounded deer ran across a 50 yard wide shallow creek and I had to walk across to get him and my feet stayed dry.
I wore those boots for everything for at leat five seasons and then one day after hunting I stopped for lunch and walking back to the truck my feet felt funny, the soles were coming off in chunks. I figured five years of hard use for $125 boots was not bad.
I bought another pair just like them and the soles fell off in one year.
All the boots sold at Academy,Walmart and other places are mostly made in China and the brand may be Rocky,Danner or whatever but they are made really sorry now.
I have heard of Rocky's leaking first time they were worn in wet grass.
Had a good pair of rocky's years ago. Bought a second pair and they didn't last anytime. Unfortunate that a lot of good hunting gear that once was trustworthy is now use at your own risk. Not gonna go into my opinions but we the consumer have been stripped of our choices. Unfortunate you went thru what you did. At least you got your money back.
I had a pair of Danners for 10 years, never leaked but got so they were not warm anymore. I have looked at new Danners and they are not the same or even close. I have a pair of Asolo hikers that I have had for more than 10 years and they just about wore out but still do not leak.
I had a pair of Rocky's when I was a kid and still have them. I wear Danner now. I don't think they are all made here Ron. The ones I bought are made here,but some models are made elsewhere.
QuoteOriginally posted by Doug_K:
Guess I'll be looking at other brands. LaCrosse still good?
Lacrosse have made in China for several years now, too. They might be better than some of the others, but not nearly as good as the old Burlys.
Rocky boots....newer Rocky boots....SUCK! Spend your hard earned money elsewhere.
I've been trying different boots. Mucks or BOGS are awesome for a rubber style boot.
I'm a logger and I buy logger boots for work. Georgia Boots loggers are the best made and toughest I have ever owned...period! They told me, at the boot store, that Rocky now makes Georgia boot loggers but I can't tell it from the quality. The last pair of Rocky boots I had came apart at the seams while the soles were literally crumbling to pieces...the boots were 6 months old.
I just bought a pair of Keen insulated boots for working outdoors this winter. I was pleasantly suprised. They are very solid and seem like they will last a good while. I sent back a pair of Chippewas that didnt agree with my feet.
I quit on Rocky boots a long time ago, maybe twenty years or so.
Miendl's for me. I have made four trips to Colorado for elk hunting and they will be on my feet next time as well.
I am sure there are other good ones also.
I had 2 pair of Rocky loosing their soles in 2 different mountain hunts,coming back was not only painful but dangerous as well.
I still have a pair that I only use in camp.
I prefere to use beeter boots now at the end they will be cheaper anyway.
I owned a pair of Rocky boots several years ago but the inside of the heal wore out and the sole was becoming detached within a month. So I returned them. I have a pair of Muck boots but don't wear them much after a controversy with them supporting anti-hunters. So I went back to L.L. Beans Maine Hunting Boot. Best move I ever done. My dad at the age of 74, has wore the same L.L. Bean boots since the early 70's. But he has returned them twice to get resoled though. Now, L.L. Bean Hunting Boots are backed ordered several months now. They have a half a million boots on backorder now.
1st NAFTA happened 2nd it was unemployment for all the people that made them so nice.
Growing up in Ohio I spent a lot of time hunting south eastern Ohio. We had to travel right through Nelsonville to get to where we were hunting and we always stopped at the Rocky Boot factory to buy boots in there bargain bin. It's a shame what happened to Rocky products. I now wear Asolo boots.
My first pair of Rockies I bought about twenty years ago. They were the best and longest lasting boots I have ever owned. Then a few years ago , the soles all of a sudden just started falling apart. Definitely got my money's worth. Haven't been impressed with the newer Rockies and Irish setters. I was looking into danners next, until I realized they are imported as well now. So , what are some good , American made, hunting boots, that aren't going to cost 300 dollars?
I still cling to my White's made in Spokane and Russell's.
Danners used to be good. Wore them in the military at the Mountain Warfare Training Center without any incident. Bought a pair of Pronghorns and they are OK, BUT when I went to get a backup pair, the quality fell in the intervening 10 years. Boots are just too important not to get them right---before you are in the bush
QuoteOriginally posted by Fletcher:
QuoteOriginally posted by Doug_K:
Guess I'll be looking at other brands. LaCrosse still good?
Lacrosse have made in China for several years now, too. They might be better than some of the others, but not nearly as good as the old Burlys. [/b]
Yep there really is a difference between the new Burly's(the last 10 or 12 years) that come from china and the ones that were originaly made in the USA.
I have a pair of 10 year old Rockies that I wear just for hunting season that have been resoled but are still waterproof and with new insoles yearly are still going strong. But understand the newer versions aren't worth anything-the soles are terrible and Rockie's warranty is a joke.
When they moved from Ohio to China they turned into junk.
QuoteOriginally posted by Wapiti Chaser:
When they moved from Ohio to China they turned into junk.
Absolutely true, though they weren't much of a boot when made here in Ohio. Rocky's headquarters and mfg facility was in Nelsonville, OH. The setting and facilities had long been a dependable employer in the area, and Rocky did have a decent reputation as an American boot maker back a few decades. When Rocky moved their mfg overseas, they basically pink-slipped their employees in Ohio and never looked back. I owned a couple pair of USA Rocky boots and they were hardly capable of putting up with heavy use for multiple years. I junked them as they collapsed around my feet.
I'm not anti-Asia and a lot of what I own comes across the ocean. I'm anti-Rocky because I honestly feel they abandoned the people who built the company...and because their boot quality today is about on par with Skechers at the mall, or maybe a pair of Bunny slippers. :rolleyes:
What Chesapeake said x2!!
I'm still wearing a 20 year old pair of Lacrosse boots with original insoles. They've been great. But I shutter at the thought of having to buy new boots, there's so much junk out there now.
It's hard to find a good pair of boots these days. If I were looking for new ones right now I wouldn't know where to start!
Hoffman boots in Idaho makes some nice boots, similar to Schnees.
I found a pair of rocky snow stalkers that I had in storage. They totally deseniagrated when I touched them. I'm using a pair of Irish setters and have been pretty happy with them. Mendles are hard to beat. They last forever. Bill
Now days, if you want a good long lasting boot you are going to have to put out some serious $$$. Not gonna find a boot that is going to hold up to hard use and abuse for $125-50 bucks anymore, use those for raking leafs and working in the garden.
I visited Cabela's last July and tried on everything they had in the store, foot wear wise, that appealed to me. I finally decided on a pair of the "Meindl Ultimate Hunters". This is a very comfortable boot that I would recommend to anyone, but it is not cheap($279.95). With that said, I did return my first pair, after 2 months of light use, because of a minor problem. Cabela's replaced the boots with a new pair without question. Of all the boots offered by Cabela's the Danner's were by far my biggest disappointment. As stated by others, quality outdoor footwear is hard to find. :campfire:
Made in China, it was junk when I was a kid (through the 50s & 60s) and it still is. It's nice to know some things don't change.
QuoteOriginally posted by attack:
Same thing happened to Irish Setter. Used to be terrific boots, then a few years ago I believe they changed everything over to China to try and stay competitive. I have a pair of Irish Setter boots that I have had for 5 years and they are still in great condition. My buddy bought the same model this year and they didnt last 2 months.
My Irish Setter work boots are already jacked up! Hole in the tongue from the laces within 4 months! However, working for "The Flying H" means I go thru even great boots about every 6 months.
I also recommend the Keen boots. I bought a pair for work and they are the most comfortable pair of boots I've owned in quite awhile.I don't know if they make "hunting" boots but I will be checking them out when the pair I have now wear out.
Bought my first pair of bear claw rockies alittle over 20yrs ago.I wore them everywhere and in any weather condition for about 6or 7 yrs until I wore holes out in the soles. Had to put peices of card board in them so I wouldn't wear out the insoles. Finally bought a new pair and 2nd pair lasted about 5yrs. 3rd pair lasted a season.Then I switched to rubber boots. They lasted a while. But the last 6 or 7 yrs I was going through a pair a year. They just dont hold like they use to. I usually hunt from season open to close and also rabbit seaon which is the worst on them tromping through briars and thuck brush. This fall I was deer hunting anx crossed a creek which was about 8" deep and booth boots filled up with water. They had cracked right across the ankle. I was hunting again the next morning so I had to gobuy a new pair of boots. Not buying another pair of rubber boots so I looked and every thing was junk except for so high dollar boots which I couldn't afford so I had to buy a pair of Rockies again. Hopefully they will get me through a couple of seasons.
I had an original pair of Rocky Boots that were made in The Good Ole U.S.A.! They lasted me at least 15 years! I only used them for around 2/3rds the hunting season then I switched to My Made in Canada Sorel's. The problem is everything is made in CHINA now! Pretty soon the labor costs will get to high in China then the manufacturers will start in Vietnam like some are doing already. Thank God LL Bean boots are still made here! I wear my Bean Boots early season and My La Crosse 1200 Burleys or my Muck Woody Sports mid to late season. We have Winter Bow in Jersey until the 2nd week in February. Hope I helped.
Wapiti Chaser hit the nail on the head! Great Answer!
Doesn't Cabela's give a 100% money back or credit guarantee? :readit:
Cabela's only gives a 100% refund between 30-90 days after purchase, pending on what was purchased. Anything after 30-90 days, the customer must go through the manufacture that can be a lengthy process. Been there, done that.
L.L. Bean is the best boot I ever wore. May be a little pricey but well worth it. They are severely backordered, (500k orders), though, but worth the wait.
If I caught one while fishing, I'd Throw it back.
First pair of Rockies lasted 10 years. second about 8 months.
I switched to Meindl and have been pleased. They are a little heavy but I will take the extreme comfort over light anyday. So far they have endured 4 years of steady abuse.
QuoteOriginally posted by bentpole:
I had an original pair of Rocky Boots that were made in The Good Ole U.S.A.! They lasted me at least 15 years! I only used them for around 2/3rds the hunting season then I switched to My Made in Canada Sorel's. The problem is everything is made in CHINA now! Pretty soon the labor costs will get to high in China then the manufacturers will start in Vietnam like some are doing already. Thank God LL Bean boots are still made here! I wear my Bean Boots early season and My La Crosse 1200 Burleys or my Muck Woody Sports mid to late season. We have Winter Bow in Jersey until the 2nd week in February. Hope I helped.
Sorrels are made in China too.
Had a pair of Rocky boots made in the early 90's. Had to resole them because I walked the soles off the bottom. Had a pair of Rockys from 2005-2007. Hunted one season and the bottoms became all soft and sticky and crumbled off. They also leaked like a sieve on a dewy morning.
China = Junk! Hope America gets it together again someday and we are able to buy quality goods made in the USA.
Irish setter I believe is now owned by RedWing, but the Setters are made in China. I have a pair, while they aren't bad they feel chinch.
I have a pair of Rocky's 1000grams of insulation, water proof, with the Sent lock and like bentpole, I only use them for part of the season, so they have held up well, but they are at least 10-12 years old.
I mostly use my Hanwags, though a back packing boot they are very comfortable and on sale were a steal.
I thought I was the only one pouting about made in china stuff. Kids in china can't make a product as good as American men and women.
I dont ever remember Rocky being good! Was always crap as far as I knew.......
I'll be boot shopping myself pretty soon now....gonna try LLBeans Maine Hunting boot, the tall ones. They bost that they are all hand sewn right there in Maine....made in USA. Next time Im up that way, Im gonna pop in to try them on so Im not buying blind. Been using Alpha Burlys for the past 6 to 8 years. They are good.....but not perfect.
I had a pair probably 20 years ago and while I don't really remember how good of a boot they were, I do remember that no matter what I did they ate my socks. Never could get them to stay up. Not a problem with any other boot.
I got my 2nd pair about 6-7 years ago. I only wore them hunting, mostly a couple weeks a year. 3rd year they fell apart. I couldn't have had a couple months use out of them. Swore I would never buy another pair.
I am no longer a Carhartt fan either . Those are junk as well .
When it comes to boots, clothing, and other such gear you tend to get what you pay for. I learned long ago that in the long run it is far cheaper to spend big dollars for high-quality gear than go with cheaper stuff that wears out of breaks down too quickly.
Good boots are hard to find...the old names mean nothing now because they are all made in China. I still have a pair of Rocky CornStalkers from 20 years ago. Don't use them much but they are far better than what Rocky makes now.
Rockys have been the most reliable weather report I have had for 20 years. I know 3 days in advance when it is going to rain.
Red Wing aint what they used to be, many of there boots are made in China, some still made here. I have a pair of the Chinese..yep..junk. Not impressed with the US made one either for what I paid for them.
Rocky was made on Ohio back in the 70s and early 80s but moved production over seas and have been JUNK ever since. I had a pair in the 90s where the soles fell off in chunks. Spend your money elsewhere.
I never liked them either, after tring 3 pairs and between not lasting and hurting my feet I gave my last pair away 10 years ago I guess. Hard to find a good pair of boot for less than $200. I mean a real good pair that will last and offer comfort and support.
I used to go through a pair of boots in 2 seasons - Rocky, Danner, Cabela's by Browning etc...then it finally dawned on me...how many pairs of 100-150 dollar boots does it take to add up to one quality pair?--so I bought my first Russell boots in 2004, around $350, have worn them literally thousands of miles in US, Canada, Australia, including several trips to the Rockies out west. I had them resoled a couple years ago ($60) and I expect to get another decade or so of use out of them. Cheapest boots I ever bought in the long run.
I like Maine hunting shoes for mucking around and some whitetail hunting, but for heavy work its the Russells.
R
First pair of Meindl's I bought in Germany - a set of hikers that I used to jog in every morning. They went through two sets of Vibram soles and after 14 years were ready for another re-sole. The stitching was starting to go (although they were still water proof) and I decided to give them a decent burial. Bought another set of Meindl hikers and a set of Meindl all-leather insulated high tops at Cabelas.
The soles were now molded on instead of stitched, but otherwise, the quality was still there. Both are 7 years old now and starting to show a bit of age. Couple of light cuts in the outer leather by the toe, but still waterproof and the insulated ones are still my first choice for winter boots unless I going to be just sitting all day. For maximum warmth, I put on an oversize set of packs with rubber foot and leather upper and a felt liner. Hate walking in them, though, so my vote still goes to the Meindls. No idea if they are still made in Germany, or if they are farming that out somewhere. If they are not made in Germany, the quality control still seems to reside there. Haven't had any experience with other brands, but see no reason to go searching for something different.
I've have my rockies for many years and they never seem to wear out.
Could also mean I don't get out enough to hunt, :knothead:
but I also don't wear them daily as some buddies do who wonder why they wear so quickly. Keep them off the asphalt, concrete pavement and construction sites and IMO they'll last a long time
My LAST pair of Rockies which were'nt that old,started to fall apart at the start of a week long hunt out west.I used alot of tape to make them last the week.These were pac type boots with removable liners.
Leland
Gorilla glue works wonders on them
I am constantly on a quest to find the best boot for the money. Got some Asolos last summer, and put quite a few tough miles on them. So far, they barely show any signs of wear. I also like Lowas; I have a pair that I use in the Arizona desert, which is really tough on boots, and they are on their third year with lots of miles still in them.
If it is made in China or Vietnam, I do my utmost to not buy whatever it is. Too bad that USA made stuff is so hard to find.
Meindls are always made in Germany.
http://youtu.be/RWsrGrMQRro
They are the same medium size family business as Lowa is as well.
http://youtu.be/1toJoCmdhGg
Then there is HAIX, which makes the German Army Light Mountain Boot. Also a medium size family run operation but with greater production capability.
Their Nebraska model is the light mountain duty boot in brown leather, while the duty boot is black smooth leather.
HAIX has their US headquarters in Lexington,KY and production facilities in Germany and Croatia. This outfit produces now 650,000 pair a year. These boots can also be resoled as long it is just the outside wearing sole.
Mr. Meindl said it correctly: You need top materials, top trained personel and state of the art machinery to produce top of the line boots.
"THOROGOOD" work boots. 8" Waterproof & insulated model 834-6731 Lightweight and comfortable. Quality USA made boots. Have used these for last 4 yrs, still in great shape.
Mr. Fingers, I have a pair of Canadian made Sorrel's close to 20 years old. My youngest Daughters where made in China. Big difference in the quality for sure. I'm surprised more Folks here don't where Rubber boots like LaCrosse even though they're made in China they hold up good. They have all insulation weights. You can't beat them for being waterpoof and for scent control. IMHO. I start wearing my 1200 around November here in Jersey. Pretty sure BUCKY has 2 pair one 800's and another 2000's .Covers all seasons. He's been wearing them for years. Actually got me to start. I like my 1200's.
My first pair was great but my last two pair I tried leaked like a sieve!
QuoteOriginally posted by Jon Stewart:
Rocky boots are sold in Walmart if that tells you anything about them.
They were our go to boot when I was on the P.D.
My first pair of boots for street duty that I purchased were Rocky boots. Rocky Eliminators. They were good. Then after they wore out I bought some 911s. They had a great feel, but had a squeak in them while walking. Not good while searching dark buildings.
That was my last pair of Rocky boots. That was in the mid 90s.
'Made In China' doesn't automatically mean 'not worthy' of consideration. A lot of very high quality stuff comes from there, but I'm careful to know whether the parent company is upholding higher standards. Lacrosse does a good job with rubber boots, as does Muck. To an extent you simply have to know about the company's devotion to maintaining a good product. Rocky tried to hold a competitive price edge and appeal to the masses, but their sneaker-quality boots just don't cut it for serious long-term use in tough settings. For quality and warranty in an American built boot...hard to beat LL Bean and their prices.
QuoteOriginally posted by bentpole:
Mr. Fingers, I have a pair of Canadian made Sorrel's close to 20 years old. My youngest Daughters where made in China. Big difference in the quality for sure. I'm surprised more Folks here don't where Rubber boots like LaCrosse even though they're made in China they hold up good. They have all insulation weights. You can't beat them for being waterpoof and for scent control. IMHO. I start wearing my 1200 around November here in Jersey. Pretty sure BUCKY has 2 pair one 800's and another 2000's .Covers all seasons. He's been wearing them for years. Actually got me to start. I like my 1200's.
I tried the rubber boot thing 2 yrs ago. Guess what kind!? Rocky mud sox 800 I liked the easy on and off of them made getting ready in the morning by the truck real nice. And I liked the total water proofness of them. That year was,really a wet one and I do have to cross some swamp and marshy ares to get to my stand so they were awesome for that.
The thing I did not like about them is they were heavier than my normal boots and they felt clunky and were not as stealthy for scouting and hiking. But what I did not like the most was they did not breath my feet were always damp from sweating and would freeze even if the temps,were not that cold. I would put them on a boot dryer every night. But by the time I got to my stand they would be damp from the hike in. I gave them to my son for duck hunting. He loves em.
I agree,when sorrels were made in Canada they were the best winter boot. I use to love sorrels. They would last and last all you needed every couple of yrs is buy some new liners. It sucks these company's establissh a great reputation and make a great product then get greedy and send production to China.
Tim.
:thumbsup: Mr. Fingers you wear wool socks?
QuoteOriginally posted by bentpole:
:thumbsup: Mr. Fingers you wear wool socks?
Heck yeah!! Northern Mn. The best I've tried a lot of differmt sock combos. I find a thin moisture wicking sock nylon type under a 100% wool is the best. Problem with the rubber boots is the nylon sock and the wool wick away the moisture from my feet but that moisture is trapped in the boot. It has now where go. You can put your hand in the boot after a hunt and they are damp.
"Made in China" is junk when it comes to boots BUT they do make quality clothing like Sitka Gear and KUIU, etc.. They've always made good clothing. It's alot if the other stuff they make that sucks