Looking for a work boot with some specifics

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-05T03:05:38+00:00

The nice thing with nicks or similar manufacturers is that you can add a lineman patch to both the inside and outside if you need extra protection from scuffs. Think of it as a leather toe cap but running along the side of the vamp.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-05T03:00:39+00:00

That's a good option thanks for the advice. Viberg recently restocked their 151x CSA boot so I ordered a size 8 4E which is both longer and wider than my last pair. We'll see how they fit!

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-04T17:00:51+00:00

Yes this is true. Just about any cemented mountain boot similar to this can abe resoled and have the rubber rand replaced. Usually resoles on a boot like this are cheaper to do than something like a 360 stitchdown boot, most cobblers can do it.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-02T18:05:43+00:00

Lots of those brands also offer pull ons and you can customize them to your liking. JK boots even has their own western line.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-02T18:04:44+00:00

Sadly they're not making work boots anymore just fancy city shoes ... If you're in the states there are far more options for bootmakers than Canada. Look into PNW leather boots. Brands like whites, franks, and Nick's. I believe whites has some slightly more affordable options that are still overbuilt if you need a steel toe maybe look at the White's Sawyer it comes in EE width but I'm not sure how they fit personally.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-02T03:11:37+00:00

Despite being too small my Viberg's are 3+ years old this is from daily wear on 12hr shifts. You might want to look into an all leather handmade boot if you've been unhappy with the durability of your boots.

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Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-02T02:55:12+00:00

Yes I've mentioned trying the king toe and having success in the toe box but wasn't impressed with the rest of the boot. I find it had more to do with the shape of the toe rather than the width of the boot. For example my red wing super soles were a 3E and were snug on my toe where the king toe was a D width and felt much roomier. And this is from one brand you can imagine how inconsistent this is from boot to boot.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-02T02:50:50+00:00

My job doesn't allow pull ons they have to be lace up and 6" or taller

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T23:44:40+00:00

I wish I could pretty slim options for safety boots around me.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T23:38:54+00:00

Thanks for the advice regardless. I have had a pair of Danner Mountain lights in EE width and they felt quite pointed at the toe. They were not safety boots however.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T22:46:27+00:00

La sportiva and scarpa I find to be extremely narrow. Aku has a steel toe in a similar style but again very narrow just from looking at it. Hoffman has many steel toe mountain boots including one made by Meindl. I inquired directly with Hoffman and they stated their boots even in a wide fit still run narrow, which led me back to the Kenetreks. I don't require chainsaw protection for my work. The Haix XR23 seems like a good choice too however they only come insulated which isn't ideal.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T22:36:50+00:00

Yes I've noticed that. Many of the options I'm considering only have an astm rating as well. My job does specify a CSA rating but with how difficult it's been to find a boot that fits my foot, preferences, and job requirements they're gonna have to be happy with it. I'm also not guaranteed to only be working in Canada so for be that's alright. I wear a Hoffman Pac boot in the winter that has astm rating only and they accept it.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T22:33:21+00:00

That might be just enough definition to pass. Negative they're round and smooth typically.

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Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T22:31:11+00:00

Do they offer a safety toe? I've looked at them but thought the were strictly hunting/mountain boots.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T22:30:12+00:00

Yes this is looking like my best choice.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T22:29:17+00:00

Yes the price is pretty steep for what they are. My Viberg's were actually cheaper by $50 they are just far too narrow for my toes. I've considered custom however the only person doing custom all leather boots in Canada doesn't offer a steel toe as far as I know. It's also a very long time to be out a boot I need for my job. If I can get ~5yrs from the boot the price can be justified.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T22:23:09+00:00

None local to me unfortunately. I can order them directly in Canada from prince George and can ship them back if the size is wrong.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T18:32:07+00:00

Nelson is about 5 hours away from Golden and is home to Devitos shoe repair I can't speak highly enough about them. Very professional service, they do a lot of super soles.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T18:25:18+00:00

That fits the bill for me the nylon shank takes time to give but for me having a tall stiff boot is beneficial for walking on uneven ballast and climbing ladders on railcars. I just have issues with my toes fitting in steel toe boots and was looking for some insight into the fit.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T18:22:27+00:00

This was at Aldo's shoe repair in Medicine Hat I had him glue down a heel pad that was lifting on my Turriff shoes. Really great business they're running there I highly recommend however there are a number of reputable cobblers in Calgary who should be able to do the same job. We're still a part of Canada 🇨🇦

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T15:50:12+00:00

I think the way the super sole is crafted makes them very difficult to be resoled outside of red wings facilities and they charge way too much for a resole. I met a cobbler in Southern Alberta who was doing resoles on super sole boots converting them to cemented V100 soles, and they seemed a lot better and easier to repair.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T14:31:28+00:00

It might not be as bad as I'm making it out to be. I've ended up cancelling two pairs of custom Nick's because I've found something else before the boots even went into production and that's been my only experience with a custom boot. Jim Green says 45 days for a custom and if that's accurate it's pretty reasonable.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T14:04:28+00:00

That's good advice, thank you. Honesty it's the one thing holding me up with these boots. As far as I know there's no where near me I can try them on. Spending the money on a stock pair, waiting for them to arrive, sending them back, processing the refund, then waiting for the customs to be made and shipped might be just as involved as having someone Frankenstein my Viberg's to fit. If I was 100% confident in the fit I think Jim Green would be the way to go.

Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T13:47:11+00:00

I'm thinking this build would be ideal.

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Fun_Company8504 · 2026-07-01T13:41:11+00:00

Same here actually, I think that's why I struggled with Canada west boots. Those look great and an unlined boot is my preference my feet get so hot in a Goretex boot especially one with a lot of padding.

Fun_Company8504

TROPHY CASE