Best all around all leather boots?

[b23]

I've worn White's for well over 20 years.  Started wearing them at a time, before, I could really afford them but they, easily, proved their value in comfort and longevity.  I've had multiple different pair of White's in multiple styles, rebuilt by White's and never had an issue with any of them either.  I, personally, have never worn a pair of Nick's but I worked with guys that had both, White's and Nicks's, other than some having brand loyalty, they liked both about the same.

If someone had a problem with a rebuild falling apart after only one day, based on my experience with White's rebuilds, I'd say that was circumstantial and certainly not the norm.

[npaull]

Schnee's. I love mine.

[CAMPMEAT]

I am a firm believer in Nicks. Hunting, riding, or work. Awesome.

^This.

Whites are garbage.

Everbody I know wear Whites, if you can afford them.......

Wow. If you can afford them?

Custom made Whites are around $475. That's what I paid for mine.

[jackelope]

So they're about the same as a lot of high end boots.

[C-Money]

I have a pair of Whites I bought 15 years ago, still use them after a few rebuilds. They have been fine. I noticed the quality in leather and customer service was lacking the last time they were rebuilt. This pair is my "day shift only" or wildland fire boots and are lacers. I have a pair of basically the same boot from Whites with a zipper. They are 10 years old now, and have been rebuilt  twice. The first rebuild experience with this pair was poor service, and very crappy materials used in the rebuild. They just looked sub par from the leather you usually see in their new boots. This encouraged me go to Nicks to get my next new pair of boots with the zipper. A+ customer service, A+ boot. Back to the Whites, I just got my pair with the zipper rebuilt a month ago at Whites, and they came back very nice this time. Same quality you would see in a new pair. The reason I went back to Whites was cause Nicks was closed the day I was in Spokane to drop them off. Nicks said they would rebuild my Whites for me the last time I was in the store. I rotate each shift between the Whites and Nicks, Both serve me well. All 3 pair are 10" high. My next new pair will be from Nicks, based on their good product and excellent service and support after the purchase.  Nicks has always replaced the actual zipper for free if it breaks, and has put new insoles in for free. Whites charges for these things. Nicks even repaired these same things for free on my Whites when I was willing to pay them. These are the reasons I will give my business to Nicks.

[jackelope]

How much does it cost to have a pair of boots rebuilt?  I have about 100-120 or so hiking miles on my meindls this year and they're about 5-6 years old. They're still good to go and they're not $475.00 new. Just curious why they need to be rebuilt all the time. They're not hiking boots, right? I have no experience with them so this is truly a curiosity question.  What are you guys doing with these boots that they need to be rebuilt every few years?

[C-Money]

This last pair was $200 for the rebuild. This time, they came back from Whites as good as new. That was with the Firefighter discount. This is the boot I wear, my Nicks are basically the same. 10" Smoke jumper. They make them to accept a zipper upon request.

http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29868

[boneaddict]

Work boots I would go with Whites.  Used them fighting fire.  About the worst thing you can do to any boot, water and ash.   Eats boots alive.  Whites are the best you can get for that.  Wouldnt wear them hunting. (later in the year)  too dang cold

Kenetrek is what I have now have for hunting and have nothing bad to say about them.  I put them to the test.  I used Meindles for years.  Good boot, but didnt last more than about a year of hard labor.   No matter what oil or grease I tried I couldnt get the last two pairs I had to stop squeeking.

Whites pack boots for winter.    I think they must have 14-16 inch tops on them.   Best winter boots I have found.  I cant tell you how much I have used mine, only replacing the felts.   

[jasnt]

I am a firm believer in Nicks. Hunting, riding, or work. Awesome.

^This.

Whites are garbage.

 

I've had both. My nicks outlasted my whites by 2 years. Love my nicks for work! For hunting tho I wear asolo. Best hunting boot I've ever worn!  Like strapping armor on your feet. For winter the whites packs are awesome!

[CAMPMEAT]

New Balance tennis shoes all the way for me......$45   

[jackelope]

New Balance tennis shoes all the way for me......$45   

I wear Brooks Beast. Best support in a running shoe for full sized people. I only wear them to run in though. I find they last a lot longer that way. About $100 or so.

[Buckmark]

New Balance tennis shoes all the way for me......$45   

Orthopedic ones??

[Kazekurt]

+1 for Kenetreks!  I've administered a beating to my original pair over the last 4 years and they're still going strong!  I've walked in streams in Alaska, beat them up on steep ridges in MT, and all over the columbia basin.  I've had numerous hunting partners end up with blisters following hunts with me and my feet are always in good shape.  There are other good brands as well. IMHO high end boots are worth it!

[Skyvalhunter]

2nd the vote on Kennetrek. I put alot of miles on mine in a given year. They usually last me a couple years partially because I am in rocks alot which wears down the sole faster. Have only been able to resole one pair.

[fillthefreezer]

How much does it cost to have a pair of boots rebuilt?  I have about 100-120 or so hiking miles on my meindls this year and they're about 5-6 years old. They're still good to go and they're not $475.00 new. Just curious why they need to be rebuilt all the time. They're not hiking boots, right? I have no experience with them so this is truly a curiosity question.  What are you guys doing with these boots that they need to be rebuilt every few years?

it seems the going rate of a rebuild tends to stay about half or just under that of what a new pair would cost. keep in mind, these are all leather boots. my rebuilds are usually due to the soles being worn out and the lowers being all beat to hell. they pretty much take the boots apart and replace worn out parts. soles, footbed, lower, laces etc. seems my uppers are about 6? years old. i get about 2 years between rebuilds.
cheaper boots used to last a year (georgia, red wings, etc), maybe less.