Lightweight, Waterproof and Breathable Boot Suggestions?

[rightisright]

I'm in the market for a new pair of boots.

Main use would be on jobsites and 3-season weekend camping (not a lot of hiking). Non-insulated, waterproof and 6-8" height.

I have a 3-4E foot, so that must be considered.

[Yogimus]

leather marauders properly waxed.

[Catbird]

Walk in to your local Red Wing shoe store and say this to the clerk:

I'm in the market for a new pair of boots.

Main use would be on jobsites and 3-season weekend camping (not a lot of hiking). Non-insulated, waterproof and 6-8" height.

I have a 3-4E foot, so that must be considered.

Be prepared to spend a lot of money. When I was working steel fabrication, I bought one of their better work boots which cost about $250, but it fit perfectly and was tough. I currently wear these at work, and most everywhere else. My problem is that I wear a 13 EE. Most shoe manufacturers make a 13 and a EE width, but not in the same shoe. Red Wing makes lots of them, and their sizing is consistent across all their models.

As far as waterproof goes, if you're going wading, get waders. Otherwise, get a quality full-grain leather boot with as few seams as possible, and keep it well treated with something like sno-seal. If lightweight is very important, I would recommend a mostly fabric boot with a gore-tex lining. Plan on replacing it every 1-2 seasons.

[Yogimus]

An all leather military style combat boot, PROPERLY SSHINED, or treated with some silicon spray (or both) is about the best value you will get. You HAVE to break them in, but once you do, it will be like wearing slippers. They are waterproof enough for wet grass and snow, as well as quick submersion. They are light, offer good ankle protection, and can take a critter bite.

[Aegis]

Danner Rainforest.

Insulated (the uninsulated version doesn't come in EEE, for some reason), and unfortunately not LIGHT by any stretch of the imagination, but if you're not doing much uphill slogging then I haven't noticed the weight to be much of an issue. Expensive as all getout, but well worth it.

[randy]

I picked up some Rocky Eliminator insulated/Gortex boots from Sportsman's guide a few years ago. Production over run, cost me $80.00. Love 'em for winter. I stood ankle deep in a puddle where I broke through the ice in to the water on the coldest day of the year pasting targets, and my feet were toasty warm and dry. Look for those for cold weather.



Around the same time picked up some UN-insulated Gortex boots from Rocky (Responders IIRC) on close out, they don't seem to carry them any more, But I love them just as much for warm weather.

Basically, point is I've had good luck with the Rocky brand. Lightweight is a matter of personal opinion to some extent, so don't know how their product line shapes up for you.

Recently picked up some Bates Gortex composite toe for work. With the safety toe, not exactly light weight, but if not a requirement, they have basically the same thing without it. Have only had them a few months, but have been happy with them.

[Netpackrat]

Danner Rainforest.

Insulated (the uninsulated version doesn't come in EEE, for some reason), and unfortunately not LIGHT by any stretch of the imagination, but if you're not doing much uphill slogging then I haven't noticed the weight to be much of an issue. Expensive as all getout, but well worth it.

Been wearing them for the better part of two decades. I prefer the "Super Rainforest" with the double thickness leather, but if I lived in a warmer clime I would probably opt for the standard unit again.

[rightisright]

I found a Redwing store relatively close. Heading out this week.

I'm hesitant to buy anything online because my feet are so damned wide it's a gamble finding a good fit.

[blackeagle603]

Danner Rainforest.

Wow, what I wouldn't have given for a pair of those when I was wearing my Danner Smokejumper's to work in a rain forest everyday.

I couldn't afford a proper boot drying tree. That meant everynight was a race to stuff them with newspaper and get them in front of the fire -- then doing a halfbaked job of treating with Mink Oil at 0-dark-thirty on the ride out the woods the next morning. Weekends were a catchup marathon Sno-Seal treatments at the hearth.

[DavidB]

Wolverines. Worn them for over
twenty years; I like insulated and
that's also in Arizona. Much more
comfortable (think of Bedu clothing
in the desert). Construction and
hiking. I need wide, too and they
fit very well. Extremely comfortable.
Good luck finding your boots.