BIFL Farm Boots that I can beat the hell out of for years to come

Submitted by Lance2020x t3_zz5sx5 in BuyItForLife

I've been using a pair of Xtratuf boots and loved them, and after they got a hole in the first 6 months the company sent me a second pair for free ("one free replacement")

I loved my first pair, but the second is weirdly tight in places the first wasn't and make my feet hurt, and as I'm doing farm work (digging, tilling, building stone walls, pulling carts through mud) I'm realizing I just need something more substantial, as I find myself slipping more than I like.

My caveat is... I have a bad back and am constantly coming in and out of the house, so need something I can slip on and off without bending over to deal with laces, even if it decreases the water resistance (also I hate getting sticks/bristles caught on laces).

I did some searches here and it's a lot of "How do you feel about this brand" or "Here's a pair of army surplus boots I got" but would love some honest to god opinion on some work horse boots that will last me for years.

Would love to hear recommendations, thanks so much!

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rustyrhinohorn t1_j29m4lg wrote

Muck boots.

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Lance2020x OP t1_j29nty2 wrote

I looked into Muck Boots when I was looking at rubber before (and settled on xtratuf). They seemed to get really mixed reviews. Have you had good success with them?

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cim9518 t1_j29wxsf wrote

They are very comfortable and warm, but the glue is very poor quality. Mine seem to start coming apart within 3 months of daily use at the dairy farm.

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Lance2020x OP t1_j29ysn9 wrote

That's sad to hear! I would mostly be using mine in the summertime so perhaps they wouldn't be the right fit for me if warmth is a key feature

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cim9518 t1_j29z7wx wrote

I daily used mine at the dairy farm for at least 1.5 years until they were literally falling apart from all their seams. They were definitely very warm in the summer, but it was workable.

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rustyrhinohorn t1_j2e1zrv wrote

I have, but this was 15 years ago when I still lived on a farm.

I have a pair for hunting. The extra arctic or something. They rock. Super warm, just not flexible.

If I had to go out and buy another set of regular muddy season boots, it would be muck.

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vryhngryctrpllr t1_j29nqbr wrote

Hoggs of Fife

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Lance2020x OP t1_j29p58j wrote

I have never heard of this brand.... and they look AWESOME. Do you have/like your pair? How durable are they?

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vryhngryctrpllr t1_j29x5cu wrote

I have had their classic dealer boot for 3 years, I wear them every day now and only just wore out the factory insole. Can't go wrong for under $50. I feel like the sizing runs a little big, and they're chonky, not as slim/streamlined as they seem in the photos. But definitely easy to get on and super durable.

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Rand1fs t1_j29lomt wrote

I’m not sure this one exists, unless you’re an urban type who does not really put boots through their paces.

Ultimately most are rubber and rubber will get holes from forks/sharp things. I’ve had success gluing my holes in boots though, gets a bit more time out of them.

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Lance2020x OP t1_j29nl3j wrote

Same! I grew up on a farm using rubber boots (literally woke diapers and rubber boots around the farm) so when I got settled down on my own land I naturally went looking for good rubber (thus, xtratuf), but now that I'm farming regularly I realize I just need a good solid leather pair... I keep reading about Redback but wanted some more opinions.

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Now that I have my own kids, I think my parents just put me in rubber boots so they didn't have to drop tons of money on leather shoes every time we grew. But I have so many vivid memories of horses stepping on my toes, peeing in my boots, etc. rubber is not always the way to go :-D

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BagelEater420 t1_j29rudu wrote

Id recommend any of the pacific northwest brands. Ie, Nicks Handmade Boots, Whites, Franks. I can only speak for nicks customer service but as a nobody I was still EASILY able to get in contact with the owner of Nicks Boots on questions about there boots. I recommend nicks overall from my experience

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BagelEater420 t1_j29s1nn wrote

Didnt see the lace thing but i think nicks is/has came out with no lace elastic boots whatever that style is called

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crazllamafarmer t1_j29x22g wrote

I’m a farmer and my redbacks have treated me real well. Two years in them, still comfy and barely any wear. Cheaper than blundstones and a better work boot.

I do love my blundstones for town and daily use tho, they have a lightness and style that beats the redbacks

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Rand1fs t1_j2auf4o wrote

Redback was owned by blundstone, not sure if that’s still the case. I’ve had both, both are excellent.

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Quail-a-lot t1_j29rk5g wrote

For rubber boots, Baffin makes good industrial boots. We have quite a few of their various models for different things and they've all been good.

For leather boots, I just wear Blundstones. I like the winter model or the all-terrains since they have a better sole. They are not quite BIFL-rated but I do get a good three years out of them farming and logging. Better would be CanadaWest, made in Manitoba, but they don't make my size. (The men's sizes don't go small enough and the women's don't go wide enough - if you have dude sized feet you'll likely be fine)

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Dressupdown t1_j29ugd9 wrote

Could bean boots work if you leave the upper section of the laces undone and use them as slip ons? I don't have any experience with them but they have a relatively inexpensive resoleing service and seem to be made for country usage.

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cim9518 t1_j29xryy wrote

My suggestion is Bekina boots! I daily use my StepliteX SolidGrip S5 at the dairy farm for the past 3 months and have 0 complaints. They have all the features you might want such as slip resistance, a composite safety toe, electrical hazard resistance, and thermal insulation rated for -22 C. I was a bit skeptical of the insulation, but I used them this past week during the bad weather (I am in PA) and they kept my feet warm and dry.

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cim9518 t1_j29ydwz wrote

Oh and I also have a bad back and have had 3 major surgeries done in my knees and ankles and these are by far an excellent mix between protection and lightness. I haven’t had many flare ups in my legs or back since changing from my muck boots.

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botw_bitch t1_j2chynj wrote

Look into Dublin muck boots! There’s a few different styles, but they are easy to pull on and off and if you take care the leather they last. I have several pairs and even my first pair (around 5 years old) are still holding up great, just need a new coat of waterproofing.

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theconserver t1_j2dbbfx wrote

I don't think you'll find a BIFL rubber boot but Bogs are the best I've worn.

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