I went to RedWing and got sized and was blown away. I normally wear a 13 in sneakers and boots. When Jason sized me up, it ended up being an 11 wide in the Iron Ranger. I thought he was bullshitting until he came out with the boot and they fit perfectly.

A red flag for me is when everyone is talking about a boot at the same time. You see it all the time on KZfaq, if everyone is talking about an item within a month or two, it is likely they are part of that companies new product push. I'd rather look into reviews of boots that have been on the market for years, the true classics.

I'm the guy with 4 pairs of iron rangers 😬

When I first started working in the automotive industry I went in with a pair of Dickies. I worked in a department with caustic oil and coolant on the floor. Within 2 weeks I was in trouble. The soles were swelling and beginning to liquefy, the strings were snapping. I broke down and followed the advice of the old timers. I bought a pair of Red Wings. I not only wore them at work, but during fishing and hunting. I bought them in 1985. I left the plant in 2006 (Buy Out). Those boots are still in my garage with the original strings. 😆

I bought a pair of Danner Bullruns on sale about 3 years ago. I didn't have the budget for Red Wings or Thorogoods, and they've been great. I think people get hung up on leather thickness and should look at overall fit for a pair of boots.

Discovered your channel while lookinh for reviews on Redbacks. You give very sound advice,I'm going to go for the Redback Great Barrier. The shoe cleaning/maintenance is also spot on! Another option is getting shoes made to measure if you have unusual feet( depending on where you live it could get really expensive).

Good advice. Especially about knowing your Brannock size.

Best video I have ever watched on boots. Congratulations to you at Boot Spy and the two cobblers. I am going to send my Vanguard Thursday Boots to them to be resolved exactly like you did your Captains.

This is a great video! Common sense is always the best option. But we’re probably all a little addicted to boots, so common sense can sometimes go out the window.

I wear multiple pairs of boots throughout the year based on my work environment. I have Carolinas, Red Wing, Vasque, Danners and Merrill. The advantage of this is being comfortable depending on the task at hand. If I'm working in a customers home doing my usual finish carpentry work, I'm often wearing a lightweight hiking boot. Outside work, digging in the dirt, walking on uneven ground, I'll wear one of the taller construction boots which give more support, protection and traction. The obvious advantage of owning multiple pairs is that my boots last many years this way. I know guys who will buy one pair of good work boots (250-300 range) and they're destroyed in a year. Theses are usually the Craig Von Leathercrack types imo! Great video.

I wish I had few enough issues in life that the style of my boots and how many outfits they work with was actually half this important to me lol

New Balance, Avia and Brooks sneakers are available in various widths.

I a first time watcher of your videos and found them to be very useful; Thanks a lot!

bought a pair of dark suede boots for this winter a month ago. was so impressed by the quality and comfort that started to watch videos how to properly clean/take care of boots. got so deep into the world of boots that bought 4 more pairs (each a different style but nothing ostentatious). bye bye sneakers and all other cheap crap. thanks for the great content!

Me, a boot noob, before basic research: "Boy, those Golden Fox boots look pretty cool" After a little research : "Those Thursday boots look like an even better value. I'll get a pair of those instead" Me while watching the video and taking exactly the wrong thing away: "I really need to look into Grant Stone boots!"

Yeah on my first pair of iron rangers and definitely started as an over conditioner. Can't wait to get another pair and start em in a different way

Redwing Iron Ranger for me. Did quite a lot of research and bit the bullet and purchased these. Great and relatively comfortable. Not really for cold weather, but do okay as long as it doesn't go below 35-40*. The patina has worn in wonderfully. Very happy with the purchase.

Oakley LT Assault 2s have been running me really good, crazy light and versatile. Might not recommend if you work construction or heavy lifting, but running around and daily training is its strongest suit.

I guess I'm somewhere between Craig and a You. This past weekend I had my Merrell's caked with mud. I kicked them off out front and blasted them off with the water hose, tipped them over to dump the water, then threw them in a doubled up grocery bag. Took them home and gave them a hand wash with a couple pumps of GoJo in the outside sink before setting them in front of a fan for the last couple of days. I'll have to dig my can of mink oil out of the closet tomorrow. Thanks for sharing these pointers BootSpy.

Just got my first pair of boots, 1907 Moc Toes. I feel like a completed noob but im so excited!

I have been using Nestof m37 low boots for a few years already. Now costs €150. I have 2 pairs, one for reenactment (dyed black) and one for daily use (natural brown). The one I use daily had few trips to the cobbler to resole, install hobnails and heel irons. Hobnails and heel irons worn down quickly if frequently used on rough concrete floors. After some trips to cobbler (and slides on smooth surfaces) I decided to put rubber soles on the one that I use daily. They are very versatile and goes with various clothing styles. They are firstly work boots, but still dressy and also casual. After years of use, both are still solid and with good care will last long.

Red Wings are always going to be my go to. Their work boots are expensive but so so so worth it

Your boot videos have been incredibly helpful. My first real casual boot purchase is going to be the Thursday Captain in Canyon, I’m excited for those to be an everyday go to. The Grant Stone Diesels are next on my list, I see those are more business casual boots that I can wear to the office. Please share if you have a Grant Stone affiliate link, happy to support your channel.

This was actually extremely useful. Thanks Bootspy!

Great video for future boot buys! Fantastic denim jacket too. Please let me know where to buy it?

Great job and good information much appreciated and thank you 😊

A nice video today, as always. Ordered a pair of White's boot today. Hopefully I get them before Febuary. My first over $600 dollar boot. I am hoping they are worth it..And, I think I do have to many of the same kind of boots. I own 5 different kinds of Chukka's and 4 different kinds of Moc Toe's..They are my favorite types of boots. I also own 2 pairs of Thursdays..A Captain and a President...I guess everyone has their favorites..

I went with Redwing 1907's for my first serious boots. I long wanted a moc toe boot, and the 1907's wider fit, thanks to being made on a different last compared with the more famous 875's, was a key factor for me. Being in the UK, I don't have access to all the US brands (e.g. can't find Nicks anywhere), but Redwing is widely available. I ended up just ordering them online from the London Redwing store. They fit me perfectly, and are incredibly comfortable after a month or so of breaking in. So, I agree that doing basic research, and knowing your foot size, is key. And, I also recognise the dangers of disappearing down the rabbit hole and obsessing over minor details. At least having a more limit choice in the UK stopped me overspending my budget of £300 UK!

Good video man! Where’s that denim jacket from?

I have an 8085 iron ranger, 1907 moc, another moc 8863 mule skinner, burgundy beckman, and a Chelsea weekender boot and two Chelsea Johnston and Murphy (only reason I have so many red wing is because I work there so I’m able to look presentable at the store the plus side is they’re good quality and last lol)

Im happy with my 3 pairs of boots. I got my thursday casa moto boot in matte black, my thursday captain stormking in matte grey and my red wing iron rangers in copper.

Got a pair of Red Wing 2240 King Toe in 13W a year ago. The roomy toe box is heaven for larger, older guys. Not made in USA, $220, but a nice boot.

nice info about a single category. How about harness boots or western "cowboy" boots. Exotic leathers, goodyear welts and all that jazz.

Just ordered a pair of Thursday Captains. Grew up wearing Justins around my property and then I was in the military so I'm familiar with wearing boots daily. Never bought a dressier boot so I'm having to learn more about leather care because I got them to wear around the office and want to keep them cleaned up. A little worried it's going to awaken something in me and I'll buy a couple more pairs in other colors

I don't make mistakes. I make happy accidents.

I’m Von leather crack. I split lanes for a living as a motorcycle courier in LA, 37yr now. I’ve paid 100s of dollars for mc boots and also got $7 boots at the army surplus. I’ve paid good money to get them resoled multiple times. But when my local cobbler retired I went out and bought all 2cd hand cobbler supplies for about 100 bucks. I mounted a belt sander upside down and went for it. Even picked up tire treads left by the side of the road and retread a pair with’em. I finally started to use neatsfoot oil on all my leather gear for rainy days in Calif!!!! Trust me it rains here Mr “it hasn’t rained in Ca. In decade’s”. I use my boots for work!!! But when I’m stepping out last thing I wanna wear are boots. I got custom 195Os style two tone shoes from England for that.

I'd recommend black as a starter colour. It goes with more stuff. You can get a nice black service boot, and it dresses up and down. Don't get a square toe, and something that takes a mid polish. Too shiny is too formal to be versatile. Brown is too informal to use in a more formal environment.

What's the "work style boot" he refers to/shows a few times, such as in the cut to 4 pairs when building your boot collection? Thanks!

This is all great but where did you get that jacket?

Nicks were my second nice boots, I bought iron rangers, then I found rose anvil and whoops I had nicks urban logger, and now I have the rose anvil drifters being made.

I've always used cheap work boots as I was a Mason for a long time. I am now a truck driver and want some boots I can use at work and just going out. I usually wear my cowboy boots but want something different. I was looking at the titan boots by Thursday boots, will the nubuck be damaged by snow and water? I live in Colorado, so we have the occasional snowstorm.

Best you can do is try the boots in person, my in Iron rangers are 7,my hoka bondy 9, geox 7.5, salomón 8.5, to boot new York 7.5 and all fit perfect

Great video honest and strait forward. Subscribed

I'm Craig VonLeatherCrack....great video...thank you for making me aware of my laziness...my wife for my bday just got my red wing iron rangers refurb'd (term check) cuz i went straight awol on them and missed them. they turned to stone due to my neglect...good video, i'll dive into more - especially on care/conditioning.

I have a one of a kind custom pair of shell cordovan “By appointment only”John Lobb boots….2.7k and worth every penny, they actually make the lasts to your feet and store them for future purchases, my second pair will be less expensive due to my custom last already being made.

I'm on a budget and I know they are not USA made...but what do you think about IRISH SETTER ASHBY? I need them for work mostly...thank you on advance

Well, at least I've only make half of these mistakes...went from Worx to Redwing, then Danner, then Thursday and have a set of Nick's on order. Staying away from zipper boots, since that seems to be the main failure point. I don't mind spending the money for quality and my Danners have been great for five years but they're not rebuildable.

I'm a boot noob and I bought my first pair of nice boots (Origin Coronado) recently. They seem to be good quality and made in the USA. I think they will last me a long while.

New to the boot game. I’ll looking at the Thursday captain whisky storm king ? Thoughts

Treat my boots like a good truck. As a GC we put our boots to work, but also maintain and respect them so they are there when we need them. I dont have a set time, but based on the conditions of a work site and general use, I clean them off, brush the stitching, and use various types of conditioner depending on the boot. If I were to guess I would say most boots get a light surface clean every 5 or 6 weeks, and a heavier clean and condition every few months.

I really love all kinds of boots so i am not the right person to suggest anyone anything. I like your videos.

Sweet video, but, where did you get that jacket?

My newest boots are definitely my favorite. This nice dark olive is a fantastic touch off of a brown, that it really does go with most everything I own. Unfortunately I did break the bank a little. Didn't pop the 1k tier yet, but I was a stone throw away.

I have 15 different boots from Nick's to Viberg to Thursday. Here is my opinion - the Nick's are heavy and bulky, it's hard to feel the pedal when driving. They are just a construction boot. Know what your buying. The Dr Martin's have no shank and hard to wear all day. The Beckett Siminon have a more narrow last, generally speaking, but they look nice. The Allen edmonds daltons are a pretty good boot for the price. The shell cordavon squeaks alittle. Oak street boots have a more rounded toe box and very comfortable. Thursday boots are the best bag for the buck and they ship fast because they stock. Vibergs use a very thick leather, not sure if they are worth $850. The lighter the leather, the more scuffs show up. The women hate men wearing brown boots with black pants. Believe me, they look. Wear black boots with black pants. Keep any leather boot dry. Water really causes problems.

Shoe for Crews new boot with nano composite toe . Might need a review. Got the raptor. $120 and so far worth the price.

I went and measured my feet a few days ago. I’m between a 12.5 and 13 D still at 45 years old. Been wearing 13’s my entire life. Went and tried on some Carolina logging boots and had to go down to an 11.5 2E for the correct fit. I also ordered a pair of their AMP 7011 Moc Toe boots. I was told their sizing runs true to sneaker size. Something told me to go with a 12D and they fit perfect. I find sizing and the difference between better brands to be the most daunting part of the online boot buying process. While I can find Carolina boots locally no store carries their USA made boots which is what I want. With a 20% off coupon and free shipping the AMP’s cost $194.00. They are extremely comfortable, appear to be well made, and can be re-soled easily. I’m retired but will be wearing them as a everyday boot 3 seasons a year.

I am a 15B on the Brannock, so I have to start by finding who makes something in that size range, rather than starting with a price range. Unfortunately, there's not much available in long, narrow widths. Allen Edmonds, yes, but for more rugged boots, not so much. I recently discovered PNW boot makers which is encouraging.

Do you have a recommendation/link for cedar shoe trees?

Love the new Filson denim jacket. Please review! Great channel.

William, great video ! You are playing your "A" game ! When will we see the boot polishing video ?

I find it fascinating what us guys can get into. We can get so obsessed with something so fast and do research on it for hours and hours literally looking at the manufacturing and being blown away that the boot has been around for the past 200 years, Watching KZfaq videos on how to keep them looking perfect. This boot and denim obsession I have kills me, but goddamn, I love it

What is the best product to condition after saddle soap that won’t darken your boots?

I’m a 12 in Nike’s. I assumed I was also in boots. Turns out I was wrong. Went to my local redwing store and measured at 11 in the iron ranger. The more ya know…

I had a pair of Doc Marten's that lasted me 6+ ...possibly 8 now that I think about it. Still in pretty good shape, if I can find where I stored them. Sadly, Doc seems to have gone a direction that no longer fits me, or my style. I went to RedWing and I was very pleased at the expertise, the measuring, and answers to questions. Plus they informed me they have a 30 day money back ( or exchange) and 1 year warranty. I tend to snowseal all my boots and I believe this is why they last so long. Would like feed back on that as I never pretend I know it all. I just got done snowsealing my new 3507 safety toe 6" boots. The snowseal didn't want to seem to soak in as it normaly does. has me a little confused. The Keens i am about to toss and likely never buy again I could not seal as they where synthetic with a spacy textrure, which failed along with its waterproofing. Leads me to ask this question: I asked about boots with a welt and was told the 3507s had something a bit different but on par or better. What is your take on the souling of these Redwing 3507s vs a goodyear welt?

I got a black boot first, then a burgundy boot, then a tan boot. I didn't get brown boots until my 4th pair and ironically, that is the pair that I wear the least. I haven't even pulled them out of storage yet for the season and it's November.

I'm a boot noob, and what I've surmised is that they really only need to be conditioned twice a year, right? Before I put them into storage, and after I take them out of storage?

i just picked up a pair of Truman Cattail Grizzlies. They're tremendous boots that were well worth the $400 price tag. I will be buying from Truman again.

I love the Filson jacket

Unfortunately, very few know how to use a brannock device. I have been sized for 9D all the time. Makes my feet ache. But a 9.5C or 9.5B are much better fits. Even the Alden last.

I wear Whites fire jumpers. I used to wear Corcoran Jump Boots. I miss my Corcorans. I should never had gotten rid of them. My whites are amazing but really heavy. I am gonna get another pair of Corcorans.

I personally find black boots more versatile. Black boots, along with black belts, gloves, hats, and coats, go with everything and always match each other. Ties together and gives a simple, clean, classic look to any outfit. I have one pair of 6" Thorogood moc-toes in brown that I wear only with blue jeans. Kinda the opposite of versatile. I wear jeans a lot, though, so they make sense for me. Otherwise, I strongly suggest a good black boot, like an Iron Ranger in black harness leather. It's a boots boot. Your boot buddies will be impressed. You'll love them. They look awesome and hold up well. It's only money...

Can you give a few tips on European brands, Apart from Thursday and RW I cant get a lot of these American brands in EU stores, around the Iron Ranger Price range.

Are you related to Derrick from More Plates More Dates? I kept staring like who does this guy remind me of?! Maybe not totally the looks but yall share the same mannerisms and cadence behind the camera. Funny observations and thanks for the awesome tips.

If you have a wider foot, Canada West make some of the absolute best value boots around. Unreal quality for the price.

I condition my boots once a month at minimum in winter and about everything 3-4 in summer. This video is great if you dont work for a living and just want boots to show of but if your buying boots for conditions where it wet and extremely harsh there is a reason why nicks and whites cost what they do.

I went to every shoe shop in my town and none of them had a Brannock device. I ended up with one of those digital scans at Athlete’s Foot. Was informative, but no idea how standardised their results are.

SUBSCRIBED! AWESOME VIDEO!!!!

Where’d you get that denim jacket?

bro, i need a casual everyday boot for walking around the city, rain or shine. thursday legends the right choice ?

I just bought a Thursday black matte president(basically a Captain with no toe cap) boot as my first real pair. I think a brown Iron Ranger is next. If my budget is $400 is this a good idea? My only style of dress is casual to business casual.

Bruh all the boots I own I first saw on rose anvil 3 pairs. Lowa zephyr, thursday captains I ordered in US size 7.5 thinking it was uk sizes, they weren't so small I couldn't get them on, but after wearing them for about a month I got a pair of us size 8 thursday loggers which are amazing but I've realised I've got a wide foot, so I'm gonna get a pair iron rangers, after I've got my foot properly sized lol So tempted to get a pair of nicks but I'm 23 and I don't know if I can justify them to my piers 😄

Nail seat red wings are the best boots I’ve ever worn I go through a pair of boots about once a year my red wings always last the longest and hold up the longest but my nail seat lasted me about 3-4 years

I just purchased RedWings for construction work that were $240 but actually $260 out the door. I probalby should have purchased the very similar Irish Setter version that was $214. Out the door, they would have fit within my budget.

I know you touched on it slightly but personal style REALLY matters. For example - I have an office job where I dress fairly formal (according to today’s standards at least). I bought Red Wing Smith many years ago and almost never wear them. Also not caring about last is another mistake. Different lasts can not only change the fit but also change the style and versatility completely. Thanks for the vid!

For some reason I have always purchased Frye boots. I was never part of a "boot community" . Then one day I started to get Viberg boot ads on my Facebook feed.... Now I own a pair of CXL #8 in the 2030 last and I'm never going back.

If you go for High-End, I would encourage to try a pair of English boots. My favorites are Crockett & Jones’ Islay boots. The concept of ‘dress boots’ is also pretty funny. Maybe with the exception of a pair of Chelsea boots, you would be hard pressed to pull off boots as ‘dressy’ (and, no, a layer of shoe shine doesn’t mean it’s dressy!).

What kind of jacket are you wearing? Looks awesome

Regarding #3, the Taft Jack Boot in Eden (floral) is one of my most worn boots, and I don't have a single pair of all brown boots. What's versatile for you isn't necessarily versatile for me! Get what you dig and will wear!

one problem with the brannock is if you have a high instep. this creates new challenges if tight on top of the foot which can be surprisingly painful and annoying. the 3D thing offered (volumental?) can be helpful in this regard. just my 6 cents, (adjusted for inflation.)

Does brushing your boot count as conditioning? I just damp my boots and brush them when they get dusty. Conditioner spraying kinda made em a little worse/bad, so I stopped doing that.

What cedar shoe trees do you recommend?

I bought my first pair of boots recently, Thursday Cavalier. It snows a lot where I live but I figured it’s a boot so it would be fine. It was not fine. Less than two weeks in, Now the sole of my boot has lost all its color, and is flaking off. If anyone knows how to restore that please let me know. Would have been cool if any of these boot channels mentioned that before I spent $200 on my now damaged boots. Figure they must not live in a place with a lot of snow…

I’m at the sticker shock phase. I’m looking at Origin boots that cost $400 after taxes and shipping, but just don’t want to spend $400. I can afford it, but I’m new to the boot game and the most I’ve spent on shoes is maybe $125 for some Asics. Maybe I’ll get some LL Bean boots to start with?

Im a believer that theres different brands and models of shoes for different people. Ive ran into the same situation with motorcycle helmets.. Like i fit a thorogood well but not a redwing heritage anything (i was very sad to find this out when i finally go to a redwing to buy the classic mocks). Also i Dont think the brannock is always right, some of us just have weird feet maybe😅 I think the middle scale is obviously right but when it comes to the ball and width i think the brannock can "go astray". For example i might have a moderately skinny foot but my big toe fans out a bit more then some peoples. So the brannock thinks i need a skinnier shoe based on the ball but infact that makes them scrunch my toes. Now after many years in my life I've came to realize there is no "perfect fit" we can just try many different brands and types of shoes till we get the best fit we can. After some time in any shoes we can always think of some areas that could be better.. Nothings perfect 😅

I have found out that width is important from my experience buying army surplus boots.

Got $150 timberland pro in beginning of 2014, and still wear them every day. Just replaced the laces and insoles last week. Still going strong, no major tears .

What’s the jacket you are wearing?

What denim jacket are you wearing, it’s really nice

Sensible advice for a better America.❤

Is the Red Wing foot scan machine? Unsure what it’s called…same as brannock device?!