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,    

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.

 Mr. Fingers you wear wool socks?

QuoteOriginally posted by bentpole:
    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