Chippewa Men's Waterproof Logger Work Boot Steel Toe Tan 9 EEE Review

I had purchased these boots several months ago, before the winter weather had a chance to fully kick in. So before I wrote this, I wanted wait and give these a true field test out in the elements of a brutal Cleveland, Ohio winter to really put them to the test. This year was no exception!I work as a sign installer and we are one of the few construction trades that doesn't have an off season during the winter months. Outside of lightning and high winds, we are out in the field in rain, snow, sleet and sun. The work is labor intensive and the hours are long.So with that said, I have had the opportunity to really put these boots through the wringer and back in the time that I have had them. I will typically do some pretty extensive research on any purchases that I make: starting with a search on what the top brands are for the item that I am considering and then narrowing it down by particular specs that I am seeking in that product. From there I weigh the balance between reviews that I am able to dig up on the subject; some from magazines and review websites, but mostly from actual customer reviews like these. I do this, because they are typically based off of real world, actual use of the product, without bias or the fear of losing advertisers that may sway some publications in their perspective. Let me just say, that all of the research payed off in the end! These boots are not only the most comfortable boot that I have ever owned in my life, but just may be the most comfortable pair of footwear in general.The build on them is top notch. We are going into the second week of May and I have still yet to see one random stitch coming loose or fraying from anywhere on them. This is after enduring one of the more long and brutal winters that we have had in Ohio for many years; bashing them into solid steel countless times, enduring welding spark, hot slag from cutting torches, kicking solid ice chunks around and being knee deep in mud once the spring meltdown began. I have two gripes about the overall build of these boots, which, still would not outweigh the good, enough to sway me from owning another pair of these when the time came.My first issue came only 3 days into owning these and that was the laces. I am not sure what the part is called, but it's the posts that are notched where laces wrap around for ankle support after the last eyelet ends at the top of your foot. (If that makes sense?) Anyway by day 3 the notched edge had cut through my lace of my right boot and my left one wound up following suit about 2 months later. I could have easily replaced them, but Chippewa treats their laces with what feels like, some kind of wax coating, which makes them grip nicely and eliminates the constant hassle of having to retie your boots several times a day; as is common with the standard round laces that come with most work boots. So it was actually preferable for me to just double knot the broken laces once in the morning and forget about them. It was either that or, buy a new pair and deal with the hassle of retying and tripping over them all day.My only other issue with the build was where the inner lining of the heel is concerned. I only have an issue with it when I take them off, but the lining wants to slide upward with my heel, preventing me from being able to take it off of my foot without sticking my fingers inside of the boot to hold it in place. As previously stated, all of the stitching and original workmanship is still in tact inside and out. So I think that this is more of a product of the design than the quality of the work. Chippewa seems to be one of the few companies out there (selling any products for that matter) that actually puts integrity into their product and understands that a healthy bottom line, goes hand and hand with having a reputation for maintaining a standard of quality. So with that said, I think they could easily fix this in future versions with some consideration towards what needs to be done to make it right.As for the insulation and waterproof seal on these boots, I have been in every climate imaginable in these, during 12+ hour shifts and have never once had wet feet. We typically work outdoors, with only a crane truck to go to for warming up, when it all gets to be a bit too much to endure. I might also add, that they are poorly maintained crane trucks at that. So the heat isn't always all that it should be when we step into them. On the coldest days, without fail, every last one of my coworkers have complained at some point, about how their feet felt like they were standing on two ice cubes. Yet, never once, through this entire God awful winter have my feet been cold. Not once! And I am admittedly a freeze baby, so I would definitely be complaining if this wasn't a fact.So bottom line is, that these boots most definitely meet up with their claims. They are solid comfortable, warm and waterproof. They were a few dollars more than I was hoping to spend on something that I am essentially buying to destroy out in the field. But worth every penny after putting them through the motions. These are now the only brand I will buy because I know they do what I expect them to do- so why would I waste my time looking elsewhere?There used to be a way to post photos on here, but I am not seeing the option here in my app. Otherwise I would post a picture so you could see how they are still holding up after what they have been through so far. I read that people, on the average, got about 2 years of use out of these boots. I only plan to use them in the winter due to their thermal nature, so if I could get 4 seasons out of the cost, that will more than exceed my expectations.And just as a final footnote: I gave this 5 stars regardless of my 2 gripes because when you weigh in everything else that is good about these boots, it just about cancels them out.

Ahhhh, the smell of good boot leather, I had forgotten what that was like. :)These boots really surprised me, when I picked 'one' up after I unboxed them, it was so heavy I thought I had maybe made a mistake, I didn't want 'too heavy'. After I put them on it felt better, the quality just jumps out at you after you put them on, I have had a lot of boots in my life, but none were made as well as these appear to be. Even though I have not used them yet, (tomorrow I will, some) I have a good feeling about them, I am retired and I want to use them in my wildlife photography, my other crappy boots in the past never lasted very long. I started to wonder if anyone even made a quality boot anymore.I'm giving these 5 stars due to the way they're made and my initial impression of them, IF they don't work out, I will be back to tell my story. I always appreciate that others will leave good truthful reviews, so I will try and do the same to help others that are in need of good footwear.Like what has been said, these do make you feel very tall, this is about a 2" heel, but it's better than them making you feel shorter. :)I also want to say something about the seller, it took them only 5 working days to get the boots to my door, they used Fed-Ex to deliver, and all was well. I will say though that this morning I checked to see if the boots were on the way, they weren't, then at Noon I got an e-mail saying they were "Out for Delivery!", which seemed odd, but a good odd. :) Also, the Fed-Ex guy didn't ring the doorbell or anything, he just left them, I'm glad I was home, they may have been stolen, it is that time of year, you know...So, I am very happy so far, I feel as though these boots may need some breaking in, or, I do, whichever, but they do feel good on my feet, hopefully it stays that way too.UPDATE:*** (12-12-15)I wore them for the first time for about 3 hours, they were pretty comfortable, but I was standing mostly, I didn't walk much in them. One thing I feel I should've done is to order a size 9-1/2 D like I would've normally, but from what I read it was said that I might need to go up to an E in width to make sure the fit would be correct. Well, these are a little wide, now in the Winter this won't be a bad thing due to thicker socks, but I may have a problem in the Summers. I am not worried though, but these are definitely wider than I need.UPDATE:*** 12-20-15Yesterday I walked 1.5 miles over very soft and uneven ground, including gravel, I did this over the period of 5 hours, that may not sound like a lot of walking, but it was a lot of standing, and although my feet were very tired afterwards, I feel these contributed to them not REALLY hurting.ALL of my shoes and boots prior to this (in the last year or more) have really hurt my feet. I wore 2 pair of socks with them though, one thick wool type sock and a regular white sock, it was cool enough that day that I had no problem with sweating feet. The extra sock made it to where there wasn't a lot of 'toe wriggling room', which is really good. The average person won't know what I mean about the pain you can get from Plantars Fasciitus, but it can kill an otherwise normal day's routine. So, these boots are really helping me out in that department, their stability helps support my entire foot, standing, walking, sorry, I don't, and wouldn't run in these. :)Since I can't be the only one with foot pain I felt I should mention it, if you are on the fence on getting these, I'd go for it, the quality these have are something as a consumer I had almost forgotten about, quality counts when it comes to your comfort.These are not walking boots, I knew this going in, but, as time goes by I am learning day by day that they can be, your lower legs and feet evidently build strength after awhile so you can 'walk right' with them on, I am not going to lie, I felt kind'a clumsy at first. These boots are HEAVY! They weigh probably 4 pounds each, I have never had boots that weighed anywhere near this, so it is an adjustment, one that is worth the effort though.Usually walking over uneven and soft ground and/or gravel would kill my feet, so this is a step in the right direction, so to speak.I LOVE THEM!

This is the second pair I have owned. The last pair lasted over two years before they were worn out. I am exposed to oil and fuels daily so for them to last that long is impressive in my book. They stayed waterproof until the leather cracked right behind the steel toe and when that happened is when I ordered a new pair. Yes they are a little pricy but they hold up and are worth it. If the new pair last like the old ones did I will keep buying them.

These are my first expensive, American-made set of work boots I've ever purchased. Received on Sept. 11, worn approx 8-10 hours a day, 6 days a week, and the "Chip-a-Tex" waterproof bootie on the inside of the right boot detached on Oct. 16--3 days past my return window. This makes putting on/taking off difficult because the boot liner bunches up/pulls out.Other than that, these boots are phenomenal. Easily the most comfortable boot I've ever worn, and my break-in period was only 4 days. The boots are completely waterproof--I flush fire hydrants that output 1200 gallons per minute and need to stand next to them to shut them off.I have stood in puddles of water up to the third eyelet and past the hem of my pants, and my feet remained dry. My feet tend to sweat a lot, and there are no problems with sweating/moisture buildup, even during hard work in 85 degree weather. I wear Merino wool socks with these boots, and my feet have always been dry and comfortable. Good traction, the waxed laces seem like they will last forever, very durable over my 1 month of use--I really can't find enough good things to say about these boots and this would be a 5 star rating--were it not for the detached waterproof sock issue.