I'm looking for a new pair of boots. The odd part is this, I'm actually looking more for work boots. I work in a cabinet shop and doing construction. I've been wearing rocky's for a few years, and I've really liked them over the cheaper boots I used to get. The issue is, I cant find a new design that fits well in the rocky's.

I went to the local outdoor store and found a pair of Vasque boots that I really like (the breeze gtx to be more specific). The question I have is how the sole on a boot like that would hold up on the bare wood floor in the shop. I know they're more designed to be outside in dirt and stuff that gives, so I'm sure how they would wear with a hard flat surface like that. They have vibram soles.

Also, on rei's site I saw alot of conflicting reviews about the upper holding up. Some reviews said they were great, other said they started falling apart in no time. If anyone has any experience with these boots, or atleast this brand, I would love to hear it. Thanks.

James,

I'd call Danner and ask what would work best. Belleville is also a popular name, but I consider them second to Danner. I think Belleville does have a design especially for the "motor pool" whch is the garage.

They are not cheap, but they will last a long time. If you get a pair that is "recraftable" they can be resoled for $100.

You might try a police uniform shop, but I wouldn't expect success there.

Danner has great boots for all different applications. You can get their police boots with steel shanks/toes if that's what you need. They fit great, and last forever.

Another great work boot company is Mason. They specialize in fitting odd sizes/shapes of feet, and also have a very durable product.

Another thing you may want to consider (but only if you don't mind a cowboy-style boot) are Justin Workboots. They're very comfortable and "cushy," but are also made to resist popular industrial chemicals.

I have worn Vasque boots for many years and I have found them to be excellent. I am confident they could stand up to the demands of shop work - the possible exception would be a situation with lots of solvents or grease. Vibram soles wear quite well, although I tried to wear mine out on the trail rather thanin the shop.

I do not have experience with that particular model, but I'll bet they are fine.

I had a pair of Vasque Breeze Low GTX that I enjoyed quite a lot...one of the guys at the local gear shop was wearing them for work and really liked them. They should last a few years...I wouldn't say the soles are made of really hard material but they are comfortable and hold water well right to the end.

I decided to go ahead and get the boots I looked at. Something unlikely happened though. I looked at and tried on the boots around 11 on Thursday. I checked a couple other stores and all I found that I could even stand on my feet was a pair of redwings, but they didn't fit nearly as well as the Vasque's did. I went back to work, then came home and got my research done on the boods and decided to get them.

Its a small shop, and they close about the same time we've been quitting work here lately, so I knew I wouldn't have many chances to get up there to get them. Friday night we quit a bit early to go out to eat with my grandma. I left a little before they did, told them what to order for me, and went to get my boots. Sometime between 11 thursday morning, and 4:30 friday night, during the 14 or 15 hours they were open, the little mom and pop shop (that most people around here probably dont even know exists), in our little hole in the wall town, sold the only pair of those boots in my size. The guy said he was surprised because they dont sell many boots. I said "What, maybe a pair a week?", and the way he said "something like that" led me to think it probably wasn't that many. So of all the boots for them to sell, it had to be the one pair in all of Cookeville that I liked. They're ordering me a pair now, so hopefully they'll be there in a couple weeks. About 95 percent of everything I try to order ends up backordered though, so I have my doubts :P While I was there I did pick up a MSR blizzard stake to replace my small shovel and saved about four ounces for about 6 bucks, so it wasn't a COMPLETELY wasted trip.

Glad you found something you liked. For future reference, the Belleville flight deck boot soles hold up really good in an industrial environement, and you can lengthen their life by putting a new heel on them.