Thread: Shoe soles ain't wot they used to be...

Originally Posted by Tombie

Try workout footwear...

Average life 3 months @ $350 a pop...

Really?

I have had a pair for about 15 years, and they are still as good as new

I stock / sell boots at work, and we have a preferred supplier who has a decent track record.
Fact of the matter is some people are really hard on boots, others will get 10+ years like Mr Numpty.
It also pays to check out the manufacture date on the boots- the TPU moulds which the sole is poured into should have a date stamp on it. Something like this:


The shelf life for boots is 2yrs. I write off boots which have exceeded this date as they will not last 'out in the wild' and will just come back as a warranty claim later.
The soles are manufactured from either TPU (thermo polyurethane) or Nitrile rubber. Each has different shock resistant / abrasion resistant qualities- Nitrile rubber is good for up to 300 degrees temp- I've heard of guys at Bluescope who sweep the flux off the I beams after sub-arc welding wearing these kinds of boots with acceptable lifespans (acceptable for industry).

My advice (just call me Ted Bundy):
- Choose boots with as new a manufacture date as possible. Rubber / plastics and leather deteriorate. When you buy New old stock, you are buying the 4 years of deterioration that comes with it.
- Choose a set of boots that fit what you do- Butchers working with fats / alcohol based sanitizers and chlorinated cleaners will wear thru the boot leather in a few months. Sometimes function must go before form (wear gumboots).
- If you want quality, sometimes you need to pay. A $90 pair of Blundstones, a $120 pair of Olivers, or a $150 pair of steel blue boots, compared to the $50 pair of ( non Aus standards rated) Rivers 'safety' boots are oftentimes a better call form a longevity (and safety) point of view.

I wear Steel Blue boots which I get thru work. I got 18 months out of a pair wearing them 8-10 hrs a day, 5.5 days a week. I found that acceptable.
For leisure, I have a set of Italian Zamberlan leather hiking boots, pricey, but the most comfortable things I've ever put on my feet.
If I've got hard / dirty work to do, I've got a pair of big, heavy over-engineered Oliver AT65's.

If I was wearing boots all day every day, I'd love to get a set of customs. There is a video I watched for a US manufacturer called 'Nicks Boots' who make custom firefighting / lumberjack boots. Rock solid.
Youtube platlist- factory tour. Gives a good idea of how qualitiy boots are made. You'd sure pay for the pleasure though.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yozIoVtjN_w&list=PLu9l40IymKw_qwLONpl1T-JvRl8pjKar2[/ame]

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

I stock / sell boots at work, and we have a preferred supplier who has a decent track record.

So.... mates rates for a fellow Landy lover??

Originally Posted by Basil135

Really?



I have had a pair for about 15 years, and they are still as good as new

Don't wear out sitting down

Originally Posted by Basil135

So.... mates rates for a fellow Landy lover??

How many multiples of 10 do you want to buy?

I have a fabulous facility for discounted boots..
Known as S.A.P.

And then a pair of Oliver, Blue Steels or Blunnies just appear on my desk

Excellent price!

Originally Posted by Tombie

Don't wear out sitting down

That's when they seem to die fastest.

Originally Posted by Tombie

I have a fabulous facility for discounted boots..
Known as S.A.P.

And then a pair of Oliver, Blue Steels or Blunnies just appear on my desk

Excellent price!

I know exactly what you mean.
I think it stands for either "Slow And Painful" or "Stop All Production".
MIGO ALL the stock.