Remember when nobody cared what brand your boots were?

I was thinking back to when I started out in this line of work maybe 15 years ago. Back then you just wore whatever boots fit your feet and got the job done. Nobody was taking pictures of your gear or posting reviews about how a certain brand was "problematic" because of some political donation or whatever. Now I see guys getting sideways looks for wearing stuff from companies that got cancelled over something the CEO said 10 years ago. It's wild how fast things flip. I'm not saying people shouldn't have standards but it feels like we lost something when every piece of equipment comes with a backstory you gotta check first. Anyone else tired of having to vet your own work gear like it's a political candidate? Has anyone actually stopped using a tool or boot brand because of this stuff?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_simon16h ago

A buddy of mine bought a pair of those newfangled "sustainable" work boots last year. He spent half his lunch breaks explaining to other guys why he switched from his old brand, like he had to justify his footwear to a bunch of strangers. After three months the soles started coming apart and he just went back to the cheap ones from the hardware store.

paul_taylor2116h ago

Ha! That's rough, man. Honestly, that reminds me of a buddy who swore by those pricey eco-brand work pants. He'd be on the job site going on about how they use recycled plastic or whatever. Then one day he bent down to grab a shovel and the whole crotch ripped out, right up the seam. He never mentioned them again and just went back to the cheap rugged ones from the gas station. @the_simon, your buddy's story sounds like the exact same deal, just with boots instead of pants.

robins838h ago

Ngl, I saw some article about how a lot of those "sustainable" boots are made with cheaper glues to be eco-friendly and they just don't hold up to real work. It's a shame because the idea is good, but these companies are cutting corners on durability to hit a price point. Honestly, your buddy probably saved himself a lot of hassle just going back to what actually works, even if it isn't as good for the planet.