The biggest issue I have with the Danners is the tongue. It uses the same oiled leather as the rest of the upper and if I lace them up too tight, I get lace bite: the front of my ankle gets irritated from the pressure because the tongue isn’t very padded or substantial. (I am planning on changing out the laces to help with that.) I have worn both boots in wet weather with no issues, although I have not had the boots submerged in water for extended periods of time. When comparing the two kinds of construction, stitchdown is considered more water resistant than a storm welt, but the difference isn’t very significant and neither boot is waterproof. The more important note is that the stitchdown is more flexible, but it’s a tad harder to find a cobbler to resole it and it can’t be resoled as many times. The Red Wing boot company started in Minnesota in 1905, and their heritage line (the Classic Moc included) is still made in Red Wing, Minnesota today. So while they’re less comfortable out of the box, I can vouch that they’re more comfortable about 6 months in.

The first thing that stands out is the shape—it’s made with a classic Moc Toe construction, which has a u-shaped piping detail running at the top of the toe box. What makes these boots stand out? Great question. The "U"-shaped stitching on the toe box provides added flexibility and increased comfort, and our models offer comp and steel toe protection options. Moc toe work boots are especially popular with go-getters who spend a lot of time on their feet. Common complaints are with the eyelet at the top of the boot above the speedhooks. I agree with that—it just doesn’t seem necessary.

Customer reviews

Unlike lugged boots ( with a heel) the wedge sole offers under-foot support throughout your entire foot. So if you have low arches (or even flat feet), you’re getting arch support throughout without needing a special orthotic. The Red Wing insole is made from natural materials—all leather and cork. What that means is that the insole will continue to get more comfortable over time and after a few months, you’ll have a boot that feels custom fitted to your foot. While there isn’t any grain to discern on my Slate Muleskinner leather, if you were to compare the Thorogood Tobacco Leather to the Red Wing Oro Legacy, you’d find that the grain is much tighter on the Red Wings. Unlike a lot of options on the market, Grant Stone makes this boot in three widths: D, E, and EEE. Making wide widths is basically a public service; it’s expensive to do and most boot brands don’t make a ton of cash on the huge investment for them to design and construct more than one width.

Nearly every review I could find for the Timberland Barstow Alloy Toe Work Boot mentioned the superb level of comfort, and many of those who reviewed these great boots couldn’t help but mention just how many hours a day they wore them. Overtime will be a breeze in the Timberland Men’s Barstow boots. What Makes a Good Boot for Ironworkers? In short, the Red Wing Moc Toe is constructed more robustly than the Thorogood Moc Toe, and the leather is higher quality, too. And in my opinion, it’s better looking, as well. Not just because the profile is a little more tailored, but because the leather from S.B. Foot Tanning Company is more interesting. To keep the price down, Grant Stone makes their boots in China, but not in a cheap sweatshop — they’ve worked with the same family owned factory on the tropical island of Xiamen for years, with some craftsmen working with decades of experience under their belts. Work boots either help you run the day, or allow the day to run you. Built for the rain or shine, we’ve crafted quality boots SINCE 1892. When long days arrive, or problems attempt to take the reins, you can trust that Thorogood boots are supporting you every step of the way.For starters, it’s an exceptionally versatile moc toe. You’ll notice that while it’s still roomy, the toe box is actually less square and more round, making this easier to dress up if you want to while retaining its casual-cool chic.