****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I needed boots for trail work in Arizona this spring, they needed to be in my humble price range, waterproof, relatively lightweight, all leather construction, safety toed, with an aggressive tread style. It was harder than expected to find something that fit the bill. I chose these boots because they met my criteria and I understood Chippewa to be a heritage brand, used by generations of ranchers and foresters.First of all, I was given the impression that these boots are made in the United States. This is false. THEY ARE MADE IN CHINA. This is a shame. It shows.The second time I cinched the laces down to secure the boot to my foot, the right hand speed-lace eyelet on the right boot broke, this should have been a major red flag. However, thinking it a fluke, I had it repaired at little monetary and environmental cost at a local repair shop.To break these boots in before taking them on the trail I have been wearing them to do medium duty industrial work (I am currently a scenic carpenter for a theater company); i.e. assembling wood and steel structures, loading and unloading trucks, climbing ladders, etc. Within just two weeks the toes of the boots were excessively shredded and gouged. I don't wantonly kick things to test my safety toe, nor do I consider the conditions of use so far to have been abusive. I even spent my first week wearing them extra careful; boot wearers-you know the 'fresh boots' tiptoeing you do. "Industrial Quality" boots should stand up better to what I would consider this medium duty use.The medium toned material between the sole and the upper is some kind of high density foam that appears to serve no purpose (as it does not extend under the rock hard footbed for padding, and simply rings the outside of the boot to make it look fast or something) and that has quickly gouged and already is separating from the leather upper at the bend of my toes, where I expect to have my first water leaks. (I haven't even tested their waterproofing yet)Initially I was impressed with the laces, appearing to be a waxed cotton weave of some kind, they held fast and were easy to tie, however within just weeks, the outer sheath was allowing the bright white synthetic core to divest itself hernia-style from the sides of the lace, resulting in not only unsightly and odd-laying laces, but difficult to tie and lace laces; not to mention the obvious compromise of strength. I have replaced these with some Kiwi laces off the shelf.This may not totally be a quality issue, but something to consider additionally, if you still need convincing to stay away from these crap boots; the removable insoles are awful. They are slippery and even tied as tight as I could get them, with good, thick Smartwool socks my feet slipped fore and aft and friction-burned all day (yes, the boots are the correct size). I have flat feet (sorry Uncle Sam) and the provided insoles do absolutely nothing for arch support. Thank the gods for Dr. Scholls.One last thing to hopefully convince you to avoid these things, the gussets (the sides of the tongue that are attached to the sides of the boot under the rows of eyelets) are extremely stiff and, I think, double layered leather, which meant a very painful break-in period of pressure and poking before that leather softened /my (already hobbit-like) feet toughened up.I do intend on taking these biscuits to Arizona to prove a point and to completely trash them and hopefully earn enough money to get a custom pair of American made Whites or Danners or Thorogoods that will last me more than a month.Don't buy these boots unless you love China and hate your feet.
