Keen are some of the best/comfortable boots/shoes made. Thats what i wear for work. And they have a 30 day no questions asked return policy. :up:
http://www.wolverine.com/US/en/1000Mile Pricier than what you want, but good looking. Justin Ropers for jeans all year long. These 'merican made Justin's look pretty good as well. http://www.justinoriginalworkboots.com/footwear/men_handcrafted-usa
Vasque are the most comfortable boot I have ever worn. I wore one pair in the barn for a year and then cleaned them up and are now I'm using them for everyday.
Another Red Wing fan here. I have had several pairs, both work and casual and they are great. A little pricey, but the service and warranty are great. Some of the boots are made overseas now though, so look closely...if that matters to you.
Nice Justins! (My Caterpillar steeltoes are made by Wolverine in fact.) My rigging partner bought Redwings one tour season and quickly went back to Justins. Not impressed and they don't make what I'm looking for anyway. PS:So far Vasque and Keen look like the business thanks everyone.
I've worn just about everything and destroyed all of them. Redwings is my choice every time. Wolverine is the next best and much less expensive. Day in day out, Redwings. Their customer service and warranty is top notch. You can also take them in and have them cleaned, oiled, and waterproofed for free, forever. Rocky, Justin, Carolina, Doc Martens, Chippewa, Timberland.......Meh
Merrill is the same company too. I keep getting Ventilators of some sort for non gymshoe summer wear.
I just bought a pair of Carolina's for work boots, love the looks but damn they're big n heavy. Those Vasque Talus look like a nice hiking boot.
I'm getting these. Just being girly about what color I want. Not sure if the red will clash with my eyes. Thanks again everyone for the suggestions.
Make sure you toggle through their thumbnails to see if they'll match the shade of jeans you prefer wearing.
Three colors too choose from: http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/12464M/0/Mens/Moab-Mid-GORE-TEX I have had about eight pair of the Moab's in both high and low since I discovered them in '08. Just bought a new pair of the low (Beluga color) last weekend for $109. Use them mainly for walking and they are great!
With my size, weight and EEE foot, and work, I tend to destroy a boot in about 3 to 4 months regardless of purchase price from $40 Walmart to $200 Timberland. I have used Rocky, Columbia, Danner, Wolverine, Timberland, Merriel, Vasque, and a ton of others as well as house brands from various vendors, like Red head, Bronco, etc. Waterproof is a MUST for me, and if you want true waterproof, you have to go with all leather and no mesh IMO. the mesh may work short term, but if you are in the muck all day, your feet get wet eventually. I have had good luck with durability with the Rockies and Columbia brand, but that even varies with particular shoes before I bust the seams with wide feet, even buying wide shoes. I will have to say the Merrells were the most comfortable right out of the box, but their waterproofing does not hold up. Water resistant is more appropriate. Currently I have Vasque, They are all leather and waterproof, but I had to throw in an insole for comfort.
http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Mobile/Product.mvc.aspx/30888M I bought a pair very similar to these for a hunting trip up in Alaska a few years ago ('12) and they performed very well for all of that.. stayed dry until water got over my ankles... and have been my fall-spring boots ever since!!! Very comfortable & bab held up very well... I think I paid right around $150 for them!!!
I had a pair of Rocky Cornstalkers several years back that were pretty comfortable... but the soles crumbled away... literally disintegrated!!! Called up customer service... as they were just barely over a year old... barely worn (for one hunting season... while hunting only)... and was told I was SOL!!! Will NEVER purchase their Chinese POS boots again!!! I have worn Danner Pronghorns, Irish Setters (RedWing's retail brand), Merrells, & other Danners ever since... very happy will all of them!!! My Pronghorns are my main goto hunting boot and were purchased in '04 & are still going strong!!! I use "snow seal" on all of them with great results!!!