New Boots

R.Boreal

Last couple of times I was working, I noticed after a few hours that my feet were really cold up there. I had enough layers on everywhere else, but my old Chippewa logger boots were not doing their part. And seeing as they were purchased in, maybe '03 or '04, and are showing serious wear, it was time.

Certainly wanted White's boots, but, uh, no. I wanted to try the Wesco Highliners too. But again, at $330 - too dear. So after looking around, I found these Chippewa Super Loggers for about $190. Zappo's wants $270!! Seems there's a big price differential.

So I just received these, and no doubt, the differences between these and my old Chippewas are many. These have a lot of insulation, around the tongue and inner lining, where the older ones have a simple, thin leather tongue. My old Chippewas loggers are not advertised as "Waterproof", while the Super Loggers are. Not that I plan to walk around in a stream, but it's a testament to how they're built. Much thicker everywhere, definitely warmer. And the insoles are advertised as "orthotic, removeable" which is cool. Cause my old Chips, I was gellin' with the gel insoles.

They of course have brass studs. I can't deal with eyelets all the way up. I just tie a slip knot in the laces to close the two into a single loop, and lace them up with the two laces as one.

The sizes seem to run small. These are a 9, E width, which I assume is a wide size, but there is no D width designation, so I'm not sure. But I juuuuuuust fit into these, and the boots I returned to get these, Timberland Pro (gift) were regular width, sized 8 1/2 and I was surprised my foot went in. So either the Timberlands run big, or the Chippewas run small. If you have doubts, go 1/2 size bigger.

The description as to "Steel toe", "non-steel toe" is confusing on the websites. I think there are some typos. It took me a few minutes of searching before I found a listing that I was sure was a regular, non-steel toe. I don't know what your feelings are about that whole thing, but for the warmth factor alone, I don't want steel next to my foot in 25* weather.

Since these are new, of course I will have to walk a bit and break them in, cause with all the insulation they are a bit stiff. But I ended up with a good pair of Chippewas, at a good price, free shipping, and considering the old ones lasted as long as they did, I can't fault Chippewa boots.

A few years ago my old Chippewas got a slice somehow, in the leather upper, right foot, near the toe. Maybe I gaffed it? I mixed together some 2-part epoxy and sealed it, and it's been a darn good fix. Held fast and sealed tight.

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I'm not smug, but I do feel elevated.

Eric Frei

Look like a good quality boot. How are they at the arch where the spikes fit, do they have a steel plate beneath etc?

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Jeff Darby

I like Steel Blues steel caps, there nice and comfortable from the box and I generally get around 2/3 years out of them...

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jim1nz

Chainsaw Boots - Treeworker.co.uk

My felling boots, look a bit gay but they are bloody good.

TrevMcRev

Ooohhhh, mmmmmm, they look faaabulous Jim.

sir_nick2

Spoil yourself and buy a pair of la sportivas bit pricey but worth every cent.

jim1nz

Yea Trev laugh it up haha

sir_nick2

Not a fan of the sportivas?

jim1nz

Yea for sure they are excellent thats why i made the to your comment. There are so many to choose from but ya cant go wrong with any of the sportivas really. Which ones have you got Nick?

sir_nick2

I have the lahotse gtx (La Sportiva N.A). A couple of blokes were wearing them so I wanted to see what the big deal was I jumped on eBay found a pair of worn twice size 12.5s and picked them up for 175 delivered lol bargain! The bloke said he bought them for hiking but were to hardcore for what he wanted It took a while to wear them in but now they are great spikes fit perfect and the toe hold for getting out on the tricky stuff is awesome. The only thing I don't like about them is having to pay full price for my next pair.