Inexpensive rigger boots

[Onoff]

Thought I recognised the green box - my Apache Riggers arrived in one today just like it

Can I ask what ones?

I've seen some all leather ones for circa £65. They look good. I've also seen this type with the "rubber heel":

I will never buy another rigger boot made like that. Looks too much like the appalling DeWalt rubbish where there is no leather under the rubber heel, theres an inch gap by design! Get a split in the leather and it's game over for the boot:

I'm tempted by these though:

 

[Onoff]

Received today,to replace my 10 month use(6-7days a week),previous pair,these were 40odd pounds,after about 5 pairs of cheapies,these have lasted the longest,first to wear out is the leather toe cap,allowing water ingress,well pleased.View attachment 419448

Stitched sole, nice to see that! I'm not heavy on the toes on boots. Wary though of slip ons, never had a pair.

 

[Beanwood]

Can I ask what ones?

I've seen some all leather ones for circa £65. They look good. I've also seen this type with the "rubber heel":

View attachment 419462

I will never buy another rigger boot made like that. Looks too much like the appalling DeWalt rubbish where there is no leather under the rubber heel, theres an inch gap by design! Get a split in the leather and it's game over for the boot:

View attachment 419463

I'm tempted by these though:

View attachment 419464

Yep - it’s the ones you don’t like

Heel is still pristine- no sign of wear or splitting.
I’m swapping to a new pair as I wore out the soles

 

[Onoff]

Went for a pair of these today:

Rock Fall RF70 Texas Safety Rigger Boot S3 SRC | Safetec Direct

Buy Rock Fall RF70 Texas Brown Composite Waterproof Rigger Safety Boot S3 SRC at Safetec Direct. Get the best deals, fast delivery and lowest prices. Order now!

www.safetecdirect.co.uk

This after some research. I really rate my non safety, Rockfall , Spar safety boots so wrote to them. Included pics of the "other maker's" problem boots with the crap rear heel detail. I specifically asked about whether the heel was continuous leather under the heel. They wrote back:

"Sorry to hear about the problems you have had with the ****** boots external heel counter. I am really pleased to hear you have had much more joy with the Spar boot, as you mention though this has been discontinued a while now.

Our boot has an external heel counter, but is different in the following way,

We use Bonded Nylon thread which is far stronger than what ****** use, they use Polyester.
Our external heel counters, are actually made from TPU material which is far higher quality than what ****** use, they use PVC.
You can purchase a pair of our RF70 Texas boots from....

If you have any problems at all, please email us directly – although I think you will be happy with your purchase".

As the Rockfall chap hadn't answered my exact question I wrote again. He replied pretty much by return:

"Sorry I was meant to answer this question in my email! No, we don’t use leather underneath the TPU. From a footwear manufacturing perspective it isn’t the norm to do this, as it would make the area double the thickness and then it wouldn’t fit the mould machine. I don’t think any brands would use leather under this part, although I can’t say for certain.

The main thing is good quality material and sewing thread to prevent any problems.

If you give ours a try and have problems then reach back out and I will ensure you are reimbursed.

Kind Regards"

 

[Smouser]

Received today,to replace my 10 month use(6-7days a week),previous pair,these were 40odd pounds,after about 5 pairs of cheapies,these have lasted the longest,first to wear out is the leather toe cap,allowing water ingress,well pleased.View attachment 419448

I had a pair of the Apache boots. Bought them for £25 at Shoezone in 2022.

Thought they were a bargain at that price and I really liked the boots.

When it came to replace them a couple of weeks ago, I could not find them anywhere for cheaper than £42 and size 9 boots were mostly out of stock everywhere.

I placed an order from an eBay seller but it got cancelled after three days saying out of stock

Saw a boot on Screwfix that looked suspiciously similar and took a punt.

The Site Mudguard boots is exactly the same as the Apache boots just with different branding. Got them for £42.99 with the 10% off on app orders.