Irish Setter Ashby Versus Wingshooter ST Work Boots (Learn All The Differences)

Have you ever found yourself looking at a brand’s website trying to figure out which one of their boots will work best for you? If so, you’re in luck!

Here at BestForMyFeet.com we have spent countless hours testing and wearing boots in actual real-world work conditions to help you make the best decision possible in your work boot hunt.

Today we’ll be looking at Irish Setter by Red Wing and comparing their two most popular work boots, the Ashby versus the Wingshooter ST. Both boots are the safety toe versions.

The work environment I’ve been wearing these boots in is a sheet metal fabrication and welding shop. Yes, I do actual work in my work boots! I’m not just a reviewer, I also fabricate and weld by day. Ok, that’s enough about me. Let’s get into this comparison!

Who’s working on this page

Adam Rich
Author & Researcher

Victor Adrian
Researcher & Editor

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By the way, if you want to learn more about each one of the boots individually, we have very in-depth reviews of both boots and you can find them here:

• Reviewing the Irish Setter Ashby work boots
• Reviewing the Irish Setter Wingshooter ST work boots

Ashby vs Wingshooter: Safety features

The Ashby and Wingshooter ST both share similar safety features that are standard for work boots and required on many a job sites.

1. Safety toe box

As I said in the intro, both work boots come with a safety toe cap. But there is a difference when it comes to what type of material the safety toe cap is made from.

The Ashby has an aluminum alloy safety toe that is ASTM F2413-18, M/I/C, EH compliant.

Whereas the Wingshooter ST features a composite safety toe that is also ASTM F2413-18, M/I/C, EH compliant.

Both must be able to maintain 0.5 inches of clearance when subjected to an impact with the force of 75lbs and 2500lbs of compression. Both meet this requirement.

2. Slip resistant

Both the Ashby and Wingshooter ST are “ASTM F3445-21, SR” compliant for slip resistance.

I could not tell if there was any difference between the two in terms of how much they grip the floor. They seem pretty much the same.

Both work boots were quite good for my environment, which again, I’m working mostly indoors, on hard, smooth concrete floors.

3. Electric hazard

Both the Ashby and the WingShooter are ASTM F2413-18, M/I/C, EH compliant for electrical hazards.

Meaning both boots must be made with non-conductive outsoles capable of withstanding 18,000 volts at 60hz for one minute with no current flow in dry conditions.

Both work boots can be a great boot option for an electrician.

Especially the Wingshooter since not only comes with a wedge sole but also there’s a heel option available. Much better for those of you that need to stand on ladders.

Ashby vs Wingshooter: Leather

If we were creating a winner and loser in this comparison, the Ashby work boot would hands down win this category.

The Irish Setter Ashby features Trout Brook leather, which is named after the brook that flows behind the tannery.

This just isn’t any tannery either! It’s the S.B. Foot Company tannery that makes the leather for the Red Wing heritage line.

The Ashby definitely has some nice leather. But with that nice soft leather, it seems to be more prone to scratches and gouges.

The Irish Setter WingShooter ST doesn’t have as nice of leather. It almost feels plastic-like feel to me but rest assured it is full-grain leather.

Let’s be real though, we shouldn’t be basing our work boot decisions solely on the leather alone.

I will tell you that the Wingshooter ST leather definitely seems like it is more scratch resistant than the Ashby leather. I have slits and gouges on the Ashby’s toe that I don’t have on the Wingshooter toe.

Wingshooter vs Ashby: Outsole

Both the Wingshooter ST and the Ashby work boots feature the exact same outsole. It’s a rubber EVA traction tread outsole.

This means that glued to the midsole is an EVA outsole that has a thin rubber traction tread glued to it.

This type of outsole combines the best of both worlds.

It gives you the resilience of a rubber outsole while also the soft cushion of an EVA outsole. The outsole is also stitched to the welt around the toes for added durability.

The outsole is also heat resistant up to 475°F, and as we previously mentioned both are slip-resistant work boots (again, in MY environment).

Ashby vs Wingshooter: Boot Construction

Both boots feature a Goodyear welted construction. Meaning they can be easily resoled by a cobbler.

The Ashby features a Storm Welt that is made of a PVC material. The downside to a synthetic welt is that they are prone to cracking meaning that a resole will be more expensive if the boot needs to be re-welted.

The Wingshooter ST however has a leather Goodyear welt. Leather welts are superior to synthetic, as the leather will last longer and the odds of a leather welt being too damaged to resole are slim.

Another thing that stands out on the Wingshooter work boot is the extra stitching on each side of the safety toe cap. The Ashby work boot does not have this.

I don’t know if they did this in order to increase durability in that area or what but it seems to me that it might actually be a weakness. So far so good though. The stitches are holding up very well.

Wingshooter vs Asbhy: Comfort

Let’s check out some of the most important features of these work boots when it comes to comfortability.

1. Footbed/Insole

Both the Ashby and the Wingshooter ST work boots feature a removable polyurethane footbed.

They are very similar and both are comfortable. Though I do think the Wingshooter ST is a little squishier.

2. Arch and ankle support

The Ashby has very good arch support built into the boot. It’s perfect for people like me with higher arches.

However, those with a low arch or flat feet may not like it. Ankle support on the Ashby is very average, not bad but not anything special either.

The Wingshooter on the other hand has a very flat arch by comparison. Great work boots for flat-footed people but if you have a higher arch you may need to replace the removable insole with an over-the-counter insole with arch support.

The ankle support on the Wingshooter is very good.

This is because of the padding around the top of the boot combined with the waterproof liner, which, acts almost like a thick padded sleeve around your ankle.

Additionally, if you have weak ankles or if you simply like even better ankle support, the Wingshooter comes in an 8in version too.

3. Boot weight

Both, the Winghsooter and the Ashby are extremely lightweight for a work boot. We all know the feeling of stomping around a job site all day or walking and standing all day in a pair of heavy boots.

The Ashby and the Wingshooter ST are both light enough to wear all day.

• The Ashby comes in at 1lbs 13oz per boot.
• The Wingshooter comes in at 1lbs 15oz per boot.

Please note that the sizes worn for the review are both 11.5D. So it’s possible for them to go up or down in weight depending on the size you buy.

4. Boot width and wiggle room

Both the Ashby and Wingshooter come in D(medium) and EE(wide) widths. Both should accommodate wide feet.

For example, I ordered a D width for both, but the Red Wing store has my feet as an E width, and they fit just right. Both are roomy in the toe box for a normal-width boot.

5. Boot tongue

The Ashby comes with a tongue that is not gusseted. It’s a lot like the tongue in an athletic shoe.

It makes it very easy to slide on compared to a boot with a tongue that has a high gusset like my Red Wing 877s.

The Wingshooter ST does have a gusseted tongue but it’s not so high that you have trouble sliding your foot into the boot. The gusset is also part of the waterproofing system in the WingShooter work boot.

Editor Note

Both, Adam and I prefer a gusseted tongue in a work boot, but for different reasons. He likes the gusseted because it can prevent water from coming into the boot even if the boot is not completely waterproof.

And I like the gusseted tongue because it stops it from moving around as a non-gusseted would and also stop debris from coming into my work boots.

Waterproofing

The Ashby is not waterproof by any means. When I did the waterproofing test my socks got soaked as soon as I placed the boots in the water pan.

The lack of a gusseted tongue offers very little water resistance. If you step into a deep puddle you’ll have a wet sock.

However, The WingShooter ST is waterproof and will keep your feet dry.

Which one gets hotter? The Ashby or the Wingshooter?

Personally, my feet are always sweaty in boots. I think the Ashby and Wingshooter ST work boots feel about the same.

I know on paper the Wingshooter ST should be the warmer boot because of the waterproof liner but I’m not feeling it. And despite having sweaty feet, my feet never feel hot in either boot.

Break in period

The Irish Setter Ashby definitely has a break-in period. I experienced heel slip for a few days until the leather broke in around my heel and ankle. I was able to minimize heel slip by using a heel lock lacing method.

The Irish Setter Wingshooter ST on the other hand didn’t really have a break-in period.

I think the waterproof liner helped prevent my heels from slipping too much. So I won’t say there was a break-in period but they did get more comfortable over the course of about five days, though, they never were uncomfortable.

Ashby vs Wingshotoer: Where are they made?

There is no difference between them here since both models are made overseas, more specifically in Vietnam.

Price: Asbhy vs Wingshooter ST

The Wingshooter ST is the more expensive work boot but both are reasonably priced. You can get the WingshooterST for as low as $189.99 on Amazon and the Ashby for as low as $147 on Amazon.

The Wingshooter definitely earns the $40 price difference with its leather welt and waterproofing system.

As we all know, prices do change so maybe the prices I’ve shared with you above might not be exactly the same depending on when you’re reading this comparison.

The best thing to do is to check the latest price on the different stores listed below that carry these work boots.

Irish Setter Ashby

Check The Latest Price

Amazon

Irish Setter

Zappos

Irish Setter Wingshooter ST

Check The Latest Price

Amazon

Irish Setter

Zappos

Pros & Cons of both work boots

In the tables below I’ll quickly summarize what I believe to be the pros and cons of each one of these work boots.

Good and bad of the Wingshooter ST boot

PROS	CONS
Lightweight	Very flat arch. May need to sink another $50+ into them for insoles with arch support. Not a con if you’re a flat-footed person though.
Leather welt	The waterproof liner may cause some people’s feet to sweat excessively
Waterproof
Has speed hooks
Roomy toe box
Gusseted tongue

Good and bad of the Ashby boot

PROS	CONS
Lightweight	Little to no water resistance
Really nice US made leather upper	Heel slippage during break in period
Moisture wicking lining around the forefoot	Synthetic weltNo speed hooks for lacing
Roomy toe box
Great arch support out of the box
Gusseted tongue

Ashby vs Wingshooter models available

These are the Irish Setter Ashby work boots models you’ll find on the market:

Ashby 83606 (most popular model) – Safety Toe – Brown – Lace up	See In-Store
Ashby 83652 – Safety Toe – Black – Lace up	See in-Store
Ashby 83605 – Soft Toe – Brown – Lace up	See In-Store
Asby 83908 – Safety Toe – Pull On	See In-Store

And these are the Irish Setter Wingshooter boots model available in different online and local stores. I’ll abbreviate the word Wingshooter to WS because there’s not enough space in the table below.

WS-83632 (most popular model) – Safety Toe – Brown – 6″ Lace up – Wedge sole – Moc Toe	See In-Store
WS-83620 – Comp Toe – Brown – 6″ Lace up – Heeled sole – Moc Toe	See In-Store
WS-838: Soft Toe – Brown – 7″ Lace up- Heeled sole – Moc Toe	See in-Store
WS-845: Soft Toe – Black – 7″ Lace up – Heeled sole – Moc Toe	See In-Store
WS-807: Soft Toe – Brown – 7″ Lace up- Heeled black sole – Moc toe	See In-Store
WS-83802: Comp Toe – Brown – 8″ Lace up – Heeled sole – Round Toe	See In-Store
WS-83832: Comp Toe – Brown – 8″ Lace up – Wedge sole – Moc Toe	See In-Store

To my surprise, there are a few extra models on Amazon that you can’t find on Irish Setter’s official website, but I choose not to link them in this post.

That’s because there’s a lot of confusion in regard to which models those are, what features they have, etc. Some Amazon sellers suck at their job.

Who do I recommend these boots to?

I recommend the Ashby and the Wingshooter ST to anyone looking for a high-quality boot at an affordable and reasonable price. Both boots have a lot of bang for your buck and the Ashby has the best leather of any boot under $200 hands down.

Since both work boots have a wedge sole I’d recommend both boots for those of you working on hard, flat concrete floors.

So they can be a great choice for people in the trades, commercial and residential.

These types of soles are perfect if you have to go in and out of people’s homes or offices all day since the outsoles don’t drag mud and dirt.

Also, these are great boots if you’re a warehouse operative, Many people ask in the work boots sub for a good work boot for warehouse workers, and well these are perfect candidates.

Other jobs and industries that come to mind:

• Great choice for most people in the trades
• Water plant operators
• Mechanics
• Construction site managers
• Factory workers
• and more…

My final thoughts on this Ashby vs Wingshooter work boots comparison

It is this reviewer’s opinion that both boots are solid choices but which one is best for you is going to be dependent on your work environment.

If you spend a lot of time working outdoors in the elements, on new construction sites, muddy, snowy, wet conditions and such, the Wingshooter ST will serve you well whereas the Ashby might have you hating life.

However, if you work in primarily dry conditions, such as in a shop environment, warehouse, mechanic, drywall, residential service tech, or any other trade that have you primarily inside then you may want to choose the Ashby.

Both boots will serve you well but I will say the Wingshooter can serve all the above-mentioned environments well.

I hope this comparison between the Irish Setter Ashby and the Wingshooter work boots has helped you and provided some insight into your decision.

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Team Members Working On This Page

Adam Rich – Boots Tester & Reviewer

Hey, I’m Adam. I’m a welder and metal fabricator. Primarily doing aluminum tig and sheet metal fabrication. Spend most of the day on my feet on concrete floors in the shop with the occasional job site visit.

Victor Adrian – Editor And Webmaster

Construction Professional, driver, crane operator, cleaner, head chef … these are just some of the jobs I did in the past. Working in all these different environments taught me that having good footwear to protect your feet from different dangers at work IS PARAMOUNT for any worker! On this website, I aim to share all my knowledge and personal experience in dealing with different footwear and foot care issues, and hopefully, you can get something out of it. Enjoy!

source https://bestformyfeet.com/irish-setter-ashby-vs-wingshooter-work-boots/

Where Work Boots Are Made? (31 Brands Checked: Find Yours Here)

Where are your boots made? It’s an important question to ask because you want to ensure that the quality and safety of your footwear are maintained. This blog post will discuss where work boots are manufactured and some tips on finding the best work boots deal possible!

Are your work boots made in the USA? It’s not a question to ask just any company! There are many overseas manufacturers who produce footwear for American companies.

You’ll want to look at where they’re manufactured, what materials and processes go into the manufacturing process, and how much of their production is exported before you make your purchase.

We’ll look at over thirty different work boot brands and ask if they manufacture their work boots in the USA or elsewhere, and the extent to which they do make USA boots.

1. Ariat

While Ariat has design facilities in the United States, their primary locations for manufacturing are in Italy, China and Mexico. 

According to reviews of the Ariat Workhog, these work boots are made in China and even though it seems to be a good work boot, there is disappointment among their customers that such products aren’t made in the USA given the premium price-point of the boot.  

2. Avenger

Their motto is ‘When the going gets tough, the tough wear Avenger.’ They’re marketing themselves as the all-American, tough-man’s brand. But where are Avenger work boots made? 

It’s disappointing that companies are often not more upfront with this information since it is very important for consumers to know which country’s economy they are supporting.

After an extensive amount of research, we found a Pinterest pin that indicates that at least one of the products in their women’s line, is made in China. 

Editor Note

I end up buying a pair of Avenger work boots for myself and the label on my Avenger work boots confirms what we knew already. That the Avenger work boots are made in China.

If you want to learn more about the work boots Adrian reviewed you can find his full review of the Avenger A7505 work boot here.

3. Brunt

While an American company that sells directly to American consumers, it is not entirely clear from their website or other sources where the boots are actually made. 

Brunt is a relatively new player in the space, only being founded in 2019 by Eric Girouard, and their specialism is comfortable boots that are long-lasting. 

With this in mind, Brunt workwear claimed in a recent social media post that their boots are manufactured in Jinjiang, China because the technology the boot uses ‘isn’t here in the US and can’t sacrifice comfort.

Their offices and warehouses are based in Maine, USA. 

That said, Brunt says once they become big enough they hope to open a factory in either New Hampshire or Maine. 

Editor Note

Update: Now that I have a pair of Brunt Marin work boots myself I can tell you that the label on my Brunt work boots states the boots are made in China.

4. Bata

Bata Industrials is a Dutch company and so a large number of Bata work boots are produced in Brabant, a province of the Netherlands. 

Some of their other gumboots are made in New Zealand, this is according to the New Zealand version of their website. 

5. Blacksmith

Blacksmith work boots are a division of Red Wing. Models such as the Men’s Six-Inch Boot in Copper Rough and Tough Leather are part of their Heritage Line which means they are manufactured exclusively in the United States of America. 

Customers who bought this product loved the fact it was made in the USA, as well as the excellent support it provides to aging and well-worn feet. 

6. Blundstone

Blundstone is an Australian company that predominantly manufactures its products in Vietnam, India, China, and Mexico. However, their gumboots are made in Hobart, Australia. 

Adrian had a pair of Blundstone work boots and according to the label on his boots, his Blundstones were made in Vietnam.

If you want to learn more about this work boot you can either read the:

• Blundstone BL990 style works boot review
• Or learn what’s inside this boot: Blundstone BL990 cut in half

7. Caterpillar

One model of Caterpillar work boots, the Liberty ST – Brown, is made in the USA. However, a recent Footwear Distributor and Retailers of America (FDRA) announcement implies this is their first all-American invention, implying that they do not manufacture their other products in the USA. 

However, they are committed to supplying chain transparency and corporate responsibility in their manufacturing protocols. 

One of the Caterpillar boots we had the chance to test and review is the Caterpillar Outline. According to the tiny letter on the label of this boot, the Outline model is made in Bangladesh.

If you want to learn more about this work boot you can either read the:

• full review of the Caterpillar Outline works boots
• Or learn what’s inside this boot: Caterpillar Outline cut in half

8. Carolina

While Carolina does not make all of their work boots in the United States, there are 33 different styles, that are specifically “Made in America,” at their Martinsburg Pennsylvania Factory.

Why is there such demand for made in USA work boots from Carolina?

They incorporate only the best globally sourced materials and components available, and in buying these boots you are supporting American jobs. 

They are also an approved vendor for the government of the United States of America. 

9. Cody James

Cody James work boots are made in China.

This should be obvious from the low price-point they offer their work boots at, as well as the cheap leather and construction materials they use. Check out this selection of the best cheap work boots if you’re looking for similar boots.

10. Carhartt

Much of Carhartt’s manufacturing takes place in Mexico however they have an extensive Made in the USA range, not just of work boots but also coats and other apparel. 

Carhartt has four factories in the United States of America, including one in Kentucky and one in Tennessee.

No brand in the world makes more rugged footwear in the United States than Carhartt. 

Looking for more from this brand? Check out this Carhartt work boots reviews article we’ve put together where we looked more in-depth at over 20 models and picked only the best ones.

11. Dewalt

As well as manufacturing high-quality power tools, including drills and laser levels, Dewalt has recently expanded into the work boots market. 

As with many of their other products, Dewalt work boots are predominantly made in China. They justify this by claiming it passes savings onto consumers.

Even though they’re made in China, boots like the DeWalt Newark are very comfortable.

If you want to learn more about this work boot you can either read the:

• full review of the DeWalt Newark safety boots
• Or learn what’s inside this boot: DeWalt boots cut in half

12. Double H

Double H work boots are made in Pennsylvania, USA from global components. 

Double H are a work boot brand footwear with state-of-the-art technology, safety, and comfort features. They think it is important to be consistently innovating in the space to ensure that workers are getting the best value. 

And this can be best done by manufacturing close to their corporate headquarters in Pennsylvania. 

13. Danner

A large number of Danner work boots are made in their Portland Oregon facility, though not all of them are. 

Though some of their manufacturing has moved overseas, Danner is still committed to using the highest quality craftsmanship in their products. 

14. Georgia

Nearly all of the manufacturing for Georgia work boots is based in Atlanta, Georgia, where it has been based since 1937. 

15. Irish setter

Another division of Red Wing, Irish Setter work boots are manufactured overseas, mostly in Vietnam at the time of writing this article and some others in Cambodia or China.

Irish Setter work boots are focused on ensuring you can keep going all day. When you’re working 12-14 hour shifts, all day on your feet, comfortability is key in a work boot.

Based on our tests and consumer reviews, the Irish Setter work boots might not be as durable as the Red Wing boots made in the US but the comfort is second to none.

And the best thing is, they’re cheaper than the Red Wings.

We’ve done reviews on some of the Irish Setter work boots and you can find them here if you want to learn more about them:

• Irish Setter Wingshooter ST review
• Irish Setter Ashby safety toe boots review

16. Iron age

According to customer reviews of the Iron Age Men’s GroundBreaker work boot, this particular brand is made in China, which the users see as a drawback, albeit the only drawback for the owners of an otherwise excellently constructed work boot. 

17. Justin

Between 75-80% of Justin’s work boots are crafted overseas, with even their Cowboy work boots being manufactured in China. 

18. Kodiak

Part of Kodiak’s manufacturing operations have recently been relocated to Canada, a homecoming for the company, having ceased all operations in the country in 2000 before returning in 2006. 

Kodak was founded in Canada in 1910, and kept manufacturing in Berlin, Ontario throughout the Great Depression and WW2. 

Though the opening of a new plant in 2006 was huge news for the region, it should be noted much of their manufacturing currently still takes place overseas. 

19. Oliver

Oliver is one of those manufacturers of work boots based in Victoria, Australia. 

While they kept manufacturing in Australia for as long as possible, in 2018 it was announced they would be moving much of their manufacturing to East Asia to ‘drive greater efficiencies. 

20. Red Wing

All Heritage Red Wing Boots are manufactured in the USA by hand. These include makes such as the Moc Toe and the Chelsea Rancher. 

Other work boot lines such as the Irish Setter Boots, Vasque, and Worx are made overseas. 

Additionally, even some of the materials in the USA-made ‘Heritage line’ are sourced from Cambodia; so even there it is not an entirely ‘American made’ boot.  

21. Rocky

Rocky work boots are made in China, where the working conditions have been criticized by labor rights activists.

22. Rockrooster

Rockrooster work boots are also made in China. We can discern this from customer reviews on Amazon, one of the largest e-commerce websites in the world.

A few owners of ROCKROOSTER work boots (including our boots tested, Kobe) indicate that their boots are made in China (that’s what it says on the boot’s label).

23. Rossi

Rossi is an Australian company which has been manufacturing work boots in Australia since 1910. They now have a modern, well-equipped factory in Adelaide, South Australia where they combine tried and true blue craftsmanship with state of the art technology. 

They make Ripple Sole Desert and Mulga Boots in Australia, all other work boots are manufactured overseas. 

24. Redback

Another Australian based company, Redback work boots have been based in Australia since the early 1900s. All work boots are hand-made in Australia. 

So of the Australian companies in this roundup, if a commitment to domestic manufacturing is important to you, this is the company to go for. 

25. Reebok

While some Reebok work boots are manufactured overseas, they have an extensive range of work boots that are made in the USA. 

26. Skechers

Skechers are the third largest athletic footwear brand in the United States, however, and this they are less known for, they also make work boots. 

You can view their extensive range here. 

Skechers, for both their athletic footwear and work boots, utilizes, by their own admission, ‘many factories and suppliers in Asia’. 

The company remains committed to enforcing a supplier code of conduct to ensure the highest ethical standards in their foreign-sourced products. 

27. Steel blue

Steel Blue work boots are manufactured in Australia, though they also have manufacturing facilities in Indonesia. 

28. Terra

Though historically based in Canada, Terra work boots maintain an extensive overseas network of manufacturing.

That said, they are one of the few Canadian companies to still manufacture boots in the province.

29. Thorogood

Thorogood has an extensive range of USA-made, union made work boots including boots in the American Heritage, 1957 Series, and Logger lines, that are ideal for the working professional seeking to express solidarity with their fellow tradesmen. 

As with a lot of brands, this does not necessarily mean they are all made in the USA. 

Find out more about some of their best-rated model in this Thorogood work boots reviews article.

30. Timberland

Timberland boots are manufactured in three countries, the USA, China, and the Dominican Republic. 

You can find their extensive range of USA-made products here. 

However most of their products are made outside of the USA. 

31. Wolverine

Wolverine is another excellent brand for producing American-made work boots for the working professional. 

Their boots are produced right out of their plant in Michigan USA, as well as others around the continental United States.  Do you want to know more? Find out here if Wolverine work boots are any good.

What are the pros and cons of buying work boots in the US?

The most obvious pro is supporting American manufacturing and American workers, giving them more money to in turn buy goods and services from other American businesses.

Keeping American manufacturing domestic also boosts a sense of patriotism and community cohesion. 

It reduces carbon emissions by avoiding the emissions produced by international shipping. 

And it can result in a quicker turnaround if the delivery is just from an American factory to your door. 

The downside to buying work boots made in the USA is that you get less of a variety of materials, since companies who emphasise American manufacturing will source materials local to the Americas. 

And paying American manufacturers western wages does boost costs, sometimes, though not always, resulting in American-made work boots costing more. 

Which work boots last longer? (US-made or overseas?)

American-made work boots tend to last longer over time. American-made boots typically have higher quality, and they are usually patterned with more attention to detail.

They also tend to be built of better materials such as leathers from domestic cattle, tanned hides, and rubber soles. 

In general, they will last longer because less effort is made in potential damage due to lower-cost materials such as petroleum products for synthetic timber or low-quality tree bark for leather tanning. 

However, these advantages can also come at a higher price which might explain why some people prefer the cheaper price, which may suit those who purchase work boots that do not need to last for as long a time period. 

Conclusion

This blog has given you a quick overview of where some of the most popular work boots brands are made. 

Some companies are not as forthcoming with this information and so we had to do a bit of digging and work by inference. 

Some also split their manufacturing base across different countries, with some specific products of some brands being made in the USA and some not. 

In fact, very few brands are entirely made in the USA, but the ones which make more of an effort are Red Wing and Blacksmith. 

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Team Members Working On This Page

Jessica Flynn – Writer And Researcher

Love technology, going to the beach, take care of my body, and writing (amongst other things). You’ll see my face around here a little bit since I’m responsible for part of the research and writing of some of the articles you’re reading on BestForMyFeet.com. I hope you’ll find our content helpful and enjoyable! See you around, thanks for reading!

Adrian – Editor / Construction Professional

Construction Professional, driver, crane operator, cleaner, head chef … these are just some of the jobs I did in the past. Working in all these different environments taught me that having good footwear to protect your feet from different dangers at work IS PARAMOUNT for any worker! On this website, I aim to share all my knowledge and personal experience in dealing with different footwear and foot care issues, and hopefully, you can get something out of it. Enjoy!

Theo Cox / Researcher, Writer

I’m an MA student currently working on a research project for King’s College London Museum of Life Sciences alongside my MA dissertation. I have been published in my student newspaper, The Spectator, and the Adam Smith Institute. I’m doing part of the research and writing of the content you’ll read on BestForMyFeet.com Enjoy!

source https://bestformyfeet.com/where-work-boots-are-made/

How Many Pairs Of Work Boots Should You Have? (And Why?)

1 Pair? 3 pairs? 10 pairs of work boots? People often wonder how many work boots they should own. Well, experts such as my colleague Adrian and others advise that you should own more than one pair of work boots.

Why?

Because you can rotate between your work boots!

The amount of pairs is purely up to the individual. But it depends on your occupation, seasons, and boot moisture, among other things.

So the short answer to the question of how many pairs of work boots you should own is at least a couple of pairs. This is called Boot Rotation. In this article you’ll learn the reasons why owning more than one pair of boots for work is a good idea.

Let’s get into it…

Who’s working on this page

Jimmy Webb
Author & Researcher

Victor Adrian
Researcher & Editor

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8 Reasons to rotate your work boots

As I said in the introduction, owning more than one pair of work boots is important because you can swap your work boots regularly. And that is extremely important. Here is why!

1. Break in new work boots (pain-free)

Breaking in a new pair of work boots can be torturous. Some boots can be extremely stiff from new and can take a long time to break in.

Logger-style wildland firefighting boots for example. Because of the nature of the work, these boots are built like tanks, so at the bare minimum it can take 300 hours of pain to break them in properly.

But once broken in, they fit like gloves!

This torture can be eased by alternating between the new ones and already broken-in boots. The shock to the feet isn’t so abrupt. It should lessen the number of sores and blisters.

The lobster analogy springs to mind. “A lobster thrown straight into a boiled pan will scream and jump out and hold its testicles high up. But a lobster boiled very slowly won’t realize it’s being cooked alive. It’ll chill out in the pan until it’s cooked and ready to eat.“

2. Drying time

Although water is a must for things like cleaning, and more importantly, survival, it also has degenerative aspects if left in specific areas for too long.

If you think of those nasty potholes in the road, they’re caused by pooled water eroding the surface. If moisture does that to hard road surfaces, it will certainly eat away at boots.

Water in the boots can come from external or internal. Rainwater getting in, or sweat accumulating from the feet. Feet have more sweat glands than anywhere in the body.

Not only can this moisture erode the boots after a while, but it can also cause blisters, discomfort, smelly feet and boots, and even conditions like athlete’s foot.

One thing water does is carry bacteria. If left stagnant, the bacteria multiplies.

Alternating the boots every day or two allows them time to dry out naturally or through gentle heat. I say this because force drying can sometimes lead to the cracking of the leather.

Adrian is using a boot dryer (PEET Original boot dryer) to dry his work boots. It’s safe for your boots and also it’s convenient.

This drying process reduces bacteria growth.

3. Climate

Boots come with or without insulation. The insulation is in different thicknesses depending on activity and climate. It’s measured in grams.

Extreme winter conditions will require heavy insulation, whereas warmer climates require little to no insulation.

The differences in season temperatures in some parts of the world can be quite vast, which means the necessary level of insulation in the footwear will be different.

You might also travel to many areas for work. In these places, the temperatures might vary.

Some jobs are even seasonal. You might need at least two pairs of boots to rotate during that specific work season, then maybe at least another two when doing other work while waiting for that season to start.

4. Longer life span

Let’s face it, our work boots can take a beating. The number of miles we walk, the knocks, scuffs, scratches, and exposure to the elements. After a while, all these things begin to take their toll.

Owning more than one pair of boots can lessen the wear and tear, at the same time, give them a rest.

Constant compression of the midsoles might not give them a chance to recover and reform to the natural shape. Resting them from time to time allows the spongy material to retain its elasticity, which gives you the optimum support and comfort.

If the boots do break down and eventually need repairing or replacing, having a spare pair means you aren’t caught short. You’re still able to wear some while your others are being worked on.

5. Body health

Our bodies become accustomed to what we wear on our feet. If we only wear only one pair of boots, there’s no variation, so the muscles, tendons, and ligaments get used to the one specific posture created by wearing that pair of boots.

This is even worse if the boots are not particularly good for our posture.

It overloads certain components of our legs while strengthening others, which causes an imbalance. This may create problems that gradually get worse.

Interchanging the footwear makes those parts of our body adjust to different postures, which in turn makes them more fit, subtle, and well-balanced overall in terms of strength.

Also, a longer shift or more vigorous work that you’re used to can cause fatigue or soreness in the feet or legs. Boots with more cushioning or lighter weight can add some relief.

6. The correct boots for the job

Your job might include multiple aspects of work. You might even move from one area of work to another.

These different tasks might require different types of boots. For instance, on a construction site, you might want some lightweight boots for general tasks, then need to put rubber boots on to pour concrete.

The same can be said for ranches, where you might need rubber boots for wading through boggy fields, but cowboy boots for riding, or heeled boots with extra grip for climbing on and off machinery.

The heels help with things like resting on ladder rungs or horse stirrups.

The shape of the toe can also determine what you want to wear to ride. Round or pointy-toe boots are easier to get into the stirrups.

Heavy-duty boots might be too cumbersome to wear all day, so people might choose to throw them on only when doing rigorous tasks.

This doesn’t mean you should go and buy multiple pairs of boots straight away. Sometimes you just have to work with what you’ve got.

7. Boot conditioning and/or polishing

Maintaining our boots is important for longevity. Applying conditioner softens the leather and brings back the natural colors.

This and polishing also help with water resistance. They create a thin protective barrier.

But when doing these tasks, the key is to allow proper drying/resting time, which lets the treatment fully soak into the leather.

This might not be possible if we’re using the boots constantly. Especially when limited for time. You know what it’s like with family and commitments. Sometimes we don’t get time to fart, let alone anything else.

This is why rotating boots gives you a chance to set aside the boots that need treating until they’re done. Or even when they have been treated and need time to settle in.

8. Trying out different brands

You might be used to using the same brand all the time. But sometimes it’s good to check out different brands.

Alternating between two different brands gives you a chance to compare the two. And if you don’t like one, you can just stick to the one you’re familiar with.

Last notes

I’m afraid I can’t answer the specific question in the title of this article. How many boots we should have is anybody’s guess. It really does depend on a wide range of things.

Hopefully, those things have been covered to help you come to your own conclusions. Because, at the end of the day, it’s up to the individual.

But I think we’ve established that having two or more pairs of boots is beneficial. And we’ve covered why.

With that being said, it might not be affordable to go out and buy two or more pairs of brand new boots right off the bat. Don’t worry, you don’t have to. Once one pair have been used for a while, then you can think about getting more.

You could even get a pair of cheaper work boots to rotate while you’re doing whatever you need to do with your regular ones. But I wouldn’t stress about it. As long as you’ve got something on your feet to keep you going to earn your crust.

That’s all from us. As always, please do contact us if you have any questions, or would like to share your own experiences. Feedback from consumers is always useful.

Take care.

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Team Members Working On This Page

Jimmy Webb – Writer And Researcher

Hey, Jimmy here. I’m one of the researchers and writers here at BestForMyFeet.com.  I’ve been wearing work boots all my life working as a forklift driver, landscaper, groundworker, and now as a tower crane operator so I know a few things about footwear and footcare in general. I’m also working on my first novel. So writing IS my passion. When I’m not writing I love to spend time with my wife, two children, and furball.

Victor Adrian – Editor And Webmaster

Construction Professional, driver, crane operator, cleaner, head chef … these are just some of the jobs I did in the past. Working in all these different environments taught me that having good footwear to protect your feet from different dangers at work IS PARAMOUNT for any worker! On this website, I aim to share all my knowledge and personal experience in dealing with different footwear and foot care issues, and hopefully, you can get something out of it. Enjoy!

source https://bestformyfeet.com/how-many-pairs-of-work-boots-should-you-have/