Chippewa

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Chippewa

23 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 31, 2025

  LL Bean Engineer boots (2013, top) vs 2025 "Bucksport" (bottom). Am I crazy or are these a drop in construction quality?

  Manufacturers changes aren’t always a decrease in quality, but they always matter. Manufacturers rarely have exactly the same machines. They may not even have the same patterns. And they definitely don’t have the same institutional knowledge of how to put the patterns together (patterns are rarely perfect and they can wear down over time, but experienced employees know how to keep the product consistent if the manufacturer is good enough to keep staff longterm). So it doesn’t surprise me that these boots look different on the inside, now that they’re made by someone else. I got some service boots directly from Chippewa a few years ago. They’re made the same way as your old bean boots. Probably working off the same master patterns. And if you look closely [at the stitch lines ones they show on their website today](https://www.chippewaboots.com/en/classic-2.0-6-inch-lace-up-21090.html?dwvar_21090_color=Chocolate%20Apache), it appears they’re still making them with the older pattern.

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• #2Dec 29, 2025

  The 21st Century Ruined Everything 😭

  Check out thrift stores too, sometimes you can score some old made-in-USA Red Wings or Chippewas that'll outlast anything new in that price range

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• #3Dec 28, 2025

  The 21st Century Ruined Everything 😭

  Carolina and Chippewa are the best budget boots made with a goodyear welt. 

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• #4Dec 26, 2025

  Work boots in the 150 USD range, with and without toe protection

  Red Wing boots are garbage compared to what they used to be. It used to be almost a no brainer that Red Wing was the gold standard. Now they are merely "standard". And the majority of their models these days are direct attach, which for anybody looking for something with actual quality is a no go because they are mostly all garbage regardless of brand and are unlikely to last more than a year regardless of what brand or model you buy. Especially Keen. I wouldn't take a pair of those if you gave them to me for free. I'd have recommended sticking to the higher end models by Georgia boot, Timberland Pro, Chippewa, and only stitched models, no direct attach, or if you want an ACTUAL very high quality boot, then look at White's boots which are hand made and a lot more of a BIFL boot than pretty much anything else out there.

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• #5Dec 23, 2025

  I’ve had these Timberland boots for over 10 grueling New England winters, still going strong

  Yeah, I ripped the sole off a pair within six months. Will never buy again, but doesn't matter because my Chippewas are going to last forever. 

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• #6Dec 6, 2025

  What’s a purchase that’s not fun, not flashy but now you swear by it?

  In the early ‘80s, my best friend and I drove to Medford Oregon, just to go look at what was on sale. At a Blackbird’s department store, I found a pair of Chippewa hiking boots that were marked down from $398, to $79. I tried them on, and they fit perfectly, except for a knot of leather above the top of my foot. I bought the boots, and took them home. I took an Xacto knife and cut the leather knot off flush, and the problem was gone. I have since, hiked hundreds of miles in the Trinity Alps, along the Pacific Crest Trail, and climbed Mount Shasta. I have resoled them twice, but the uppers appear to be good for another two resolings. Last year, I had my left foot amputated, so I have no doubt that this pair of boots were truly Buy It For Life.

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• #7Dec 2, 2025

  Nice looking men's boots that will work in an office, but stand up to Chicago winters

  Chippewa lace up with round toe. Had a Jcrew version in a cordovan color that I’d wear with a suit, chinos or jeans. Might be able to find those gently used on the resale market for just under $200. Great, versatile, weatherproof with vibram sole. Looks like they make their own version called Jcrew field boot now. And what I see on the Chippewa site now is slightly less officey than the old Jcrew ones I see, but still office appropriate. Thursday boot also looks solid, but I don’t have experience with them. Main things you want are good materials and well constructed. Get full grain leather, or rapello suede, Goodyear welt & rubber lug sole - like vibram. The lug sole won’t last as long as a leather bottom more dressy option, but it is what you need for your schlep, especially in the elements.

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• #8Oct 10, 2025

  Looking for a durable winter boots that will truly last

  Chippewa is the way to go.

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• #9Oct 9, 2025

  Looking for a durable winter boots that will truly last

  Danner, lined boots. Chippewa, The boot part is a non slip sole, the leather, the stitching. My advice always is get off reddit to learn more about quality goods-- Talk to a shoe repair business about which boots they recommend.

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• #10Aug 11, 2025

  Asolo is garbage and their customer service sucks donkey d!ck; what's my next boot brand?

  Probably Chippewa.

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• #11May 4, 2025

  Work is paying for me to get snakeproof/waterproof boots, what wont immediately fall apart?

  See if you can find a pair of the old style leather chippewa slip ons. They take a bit to break in, and you have to treat the leather to waterproof them, but they last forever and will absolutely take a shot from a 4' cottonmouth. Ask me how i know.

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• #12May 3, 2025

  Work is paying for me to get snakeproof/waterproof boots, what wont immediately fall apart?

  https://www.chippewaboots.com/en/brome-17-inch-waterproof-snake-boots-20941.html?dwvar_20941_color=Briar%20Pitstop

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• #13Apr 9, 2025

  Boots of this style that aren’t made in China ?

  Red Wing, Thorogood, Thursday, Wolverine, Whites, Chippewa. Just looo up Goodyear welt heritage boots. Definitely recommend Red Wings.

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• #14Apr 8, 2025

  Looking for the best Leather boot Laces that will stay tied?

  Chippewa waxed boot laces. I ave a pair of boots that are 25 years old and still have the original pair of laces.

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• #15Mar 12, 2025

  I wear through shoes way faster than anybody I’ve ever heard of.

  Danner or Chippewa last and last and last.

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• #16Mar 4, 2025

  Wolverine vs CAT work boots?!

  Everyone keeps hating on red wing and I’m on year 2 with my #2446’s showing zero signs of ever giving up. This is my first pair. I come from Chippewa boots. I have a pair of CAT dress boots believe it or not. They look like red wing iron rangers. Have lasted a decade with at least 3 dozen times worn. I don’t wear them very often; knew I wouldn’t. Hence the $50 boot.

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• #17Dec 6, 2015

  [BIFL Request] A work boot for ACTUALLY taking out on the field that doesn't look beauiful

  You are already looking at some great boots. One option for comfort and value: [Corcoran steel toe boots](http://www.amazon.com/Corcoran-10-Inch-Safety-Toe/dp/B00D2OBJ1A). Since these are based on the [Munson last](http://www.russellmoccasin.com/muson-last/), they will be comfortable, and the design has been made for so long that they are inexpensive. The leather won't be as good as on the Wescos or anything, but for $160 bucks it's hard to go wrong. Chippewa is a good value brand also. Their patrol/trooper style boots are also Munson last. Danner has a crazy logger/forestry firefighter boot with 8 oz leather (the thickest they've put on a boot). I saw a pair, and they are **serious** boots. For construction, I'd say a bit overkill actually. The USMC boots with steel toes would probably fit the bill okay, too. Or, just check out [KG Boot Guard](http://www.kgsbootguard.com). Imagine Rhino lining that you see in truck beds that you can brush onto your boots. As it wears out, just brush on some more to touch up. If the rest of your boot is not wearing out as quickly then I would suggest this choice, so you don't have to buy 8 lbs of boot just because one part wears fast.

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• #18Dec 4, 2015

  [BIFL request] Red wing boots alternative

  You can get Chippewa at LL Bean. They are very close to Red Wings and made in USA. LLBean gets you the lifetime warranty.

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• #19Dec 4, 2015

  [BIFL request] Red wing boots alternative

  I second Chippewa. have the 6 inch apache lacers with the lug sole...amazing look and quality for under $200 and made in America.

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• #20Dec 3, 2015

  [BIFL request] Red wing boots alternative

  Chippewa has a great value to quality ratio. If you buy the LL Bean engineer boot (made by Chippewa in the US) you get Bean's lifetime warranty as well.

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• #21Dec 3, 2015

  [BIFL Request] Boots similar to Red wings under $200

  Seconding the Chippewa. Can be found on sale for around $170. I'm not a boot expert but from what I understand the leather on their heritage line is pretty much on par with redwing and the soles are likely better.

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• #22Dec 2, 2015

  [BIFL Request] $100 work boots

  Stitching blow out here after 5 years. For the price a good pair of boots though. I have two pairs of Chippewas and a pair of Red Wings so I will not need boots for a while. After reading through the White's catalog I will be ordering from them. One problem I had with the Chippewas is that the lining is fabric and tore all up after a couple years. The lining on White's is about the same as the exterior leather of the other boots. The exterior on the White's is much thicker than the other brands. I think that the price difference is justified for around $350 or so for a substantially better build quality.

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• #23Dec 1, 2015

  [BIFL Request] Boots similar to Red wings under $200

  I'll also second the Chippewas. That's all my father wears now. We used to both wear Redwings until they started selling foreign made boots with foreign leather. My Father tried Chippewas and has had a few pair now over the past few years. (Don't let this dishearten you, his profession is hard on boots.) Once my current pair of Redwings wear out (Side note, if you get Redwings now, make sure you order US made Redwings with US sources materials) I will probably try a pair or Chippewas.

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