Carolina 6 Inch Waterproof Composite Toe Work Boots for Men - Cigar Brown Safety Shoes for Construction, Hiking & Outdoor Work

My Irish Setters (Red Wing) boots were almost 3 years old and looking a little rough and starting to show signs of cracking and separation but I really didn’t want to buy another pair because the soles on all the uninsulated ones that I liked are awful. I bought the Irish Setter 83601 and loved the boot but with the slightest bit of ice or snow they became waxed skis and I actually fell and hurt myself pretty bad the first year I owned them. After just one year the sole was cracked all the way through so I replaced them with a much better sole and they were good for the next two years. However, I paid around $180 for them and they weren’t steel toed mainly because I didn’t want to spend even more to get the 83600 version. Plus the resoling cost me $80 and the replacement soles lasted better than the original.Of course time will tell but judging by the looks and feel of these boots I think they will last much better and provide not only good grip in the winter but also better wear and all for less than $150! One thing I want to mention is the size. I was a 10D in the Irish Setters so the first pair I ordered was 10D but those were way too tight so I returned them (free of charge thanks to Shoebuy!) and now have the 10.5D and they fit great. I have Timberland oxfords and several other brands of leather shoes all 10D but it seems Carolina fits a little snug, or at least the steel toe did. Before I retired from the military I wore steel toed Belleville and other brands of boots that were all 10D so for me the Carolina’s run a little small.**Update***1 year after purchase, boots still fit and look great! The soles are holding up much better than the Irish Setters and are showing little to no wear so far; in fact nothing seems to be wearing on them yet and I wear these boots 4-5 days a week. I have no doubt this will be my new go-to boot going forward. Excellent value and quality all around!Update year 3The soles are now worn down pretty bad but the uppers are still great and they are so comfortable I just can't stop wearing them. I did buy a second pair that I wear on icy days and for special events but the original pair is still my everyday boot!I'm about to buy my 3rd pair, 3 yrs for 2 pairs of boots is pretty good, I'm an HVAC technician who ha been in the trade for over 15 yrs. I've tried allot of boots. The timberland pro's lasted 6 months for me, Everyone was talking about how comfortable they are, and they are... so I tried a second pair, and they lasted 6 months. Back in the day I always worn the logger boot because of the thick sole and how long they would last ( 3yrs for me) but now they are to heavy on my feet, especially on a black roof in the middle of summer. The Carolina's are the middle of the road, They hurt you feet for about a week, but once they are broken in they are great boot, Light and have all of the footwear requirements of Industrial mills to new construction sites.They fit great. Definitely waterproof. They keep out water just like it says. I would definitely recommend this to others in need of a great outdoor construction working type boot. My husband loves them!Huge fan of these boots. By far they are of the best quality and have been the best for longterm durability out of any other brand of boot on the market. I work off shore on boats and we put work boots through the ringer and then some. Not only for the soles but also the leather and steel toes being around heavey equioment and chemicals and water. I've had a pair for jus ivert a year now and they're still ready for duty where as other brands will crap out in 4 to 8 months including Redwing! Hands down an excellent investment for your feet!I work behind a metal detector and have to go through it about 6 times per day. Looking for a pair of Composite toe, EH rated 14 4E shoes is hard enough, but finding a pair that fits perfectly only to find that it sets off the metal detector that required the Composite Toe in the first place is disheartening. If you don't mind a steel shank, these shoes would be perfect. I wore them all weekend to a Boy Scout campout to break them in. Now I don't feel like I could return them, and I'm out $150+ until next year's shoe allotment.I have narrow feet so the boots fit is wider than I would like. Also the boots have quite a bit of padding that make the boot look bigger on your feet. Plus the boots are heavier than I expected for being composite toe. The boots are not made in the USA.A little be too heavy, the leather on the ankle might be a little too hard and need to adopt for few days.I like it lot.The insoles are terrible , already had to get new ones , the tongues in both shoes rub my ankles , and they are kinda heavy , but I do like them !