Viberg

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Viberg

37 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 25, 2025

  Of course no shoes are going to last a lifetime but I’m trying to build a pretty good collection (are made in Japan converse worth it?)

  Next step up from Red Wing would be a PNW bootmaker like Viberg, Nicks, White's, or similar.

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• #2Nov 8, 2025

  Vagabond shoes are of horrible quality.

  A quick look at their website shows they are basically a mall brand discount shoe at a slight cost premium, definitely not anywhere near BIFL tier. Check out r/Goodyearwelt - you’ll find plenty of “investment” shoes such as Alden, Allen Edmonds, Vibergs, etc.

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• #3Nov 3, 2025

  Men's Penny loafers?

  Viberg has some but they are kinda expensive. I was gonna suggest Alden.

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• #4Oct 8, 2025

  Good quality boots that will last me a decade?

  White’s boots, Wesco, Viberg, Red Wings Heritage, Danner, Bean Boots.

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• #5Sep 1, 2025

  Clothing and footwear brands that hold up over time

  I'm 5 years into a pair of Nicks. I've worn them practically every day \~350 days a year and they are only just needing to be resoled. I do want a pair of Viberg or nicer White's to complement them so I dont look like a lumberjack when going into the city on the weekends.

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• #6Sep 1, 2025

  Clothing and footwear brands that hold up over time

  I swear by Viberg boots. They cost an arm and a leg (well over $1k new), but they will go for 20+ years and feel great the whole time.

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• #7Aug 6, 2025

  Men's Ankle Boots for PNW Wet Months

  Viberg Chelsea boots.

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• #8Aug 4, 2025

  Is there a leather all purpose shoe that lasts?

  Ah, good point. My mistake. I've owned my Vibergs much longer and personally tend to like that more refined style a bit more. Luckily because I did buy them earlier, I did it for a bit less. Don't get me wrong I like my Nicks Americans as well, but these are not work boots for me so either serve my purpose real well.

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• #9Aug 4, 2025

  Is there a leather all purpose shoe that lasts?

  Stitchdown Vibergs and Nick's are very comparable in terms of materials and construction. Vibergs are rebuildable, but they no longer rebuild boots in-house. Bang for buck, Nick's is better, in my opinion. I wore Vibergs yesterday, and I'm wearing Nick's today. I like both companies, but Viberg is getting a little too pricey.

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• #10Aug 4, 2025

  Is there a leather all purpose shoe that lasts?

  Viberg is more refined, but Nicks in the way they are made are more sturdy and are designed to be not only resoled but rebuilt which means if you are willing to pay for that option could last much longer.

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• #11Aug 2, 2025

  Docs vs. Solovair vs. AllSaints

  I'd say save up for one of these instead https://shop.whitesboots.com/legacy-boots/the-original-smokejumper/ https://nicksboots.com/tactical-boot-custom-configuration/ https://viberg.ca/products/sb310-kcxl more expensive but way better quality than Docs, Solovair, AllSaints

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• #12Aug 1, 2025

  Docs vs. Solovair vs. AllSaints

  Long lasting and those brands aren't synonymous. You want long lasting? Nicks, John lofgren, clinch, Sagaara, rolling dub trio, addicts, viberg, role club, attractions. These will last longer than just about every other boot on this earth.

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• #13Jul 5, 2025

  Tired of shoes lasting 6-12 months. What to get?

  Look at brands like Nick's, whites, franks, Wesco, viberg, John lofgren, Eastman. These boots will last you a few years before a resole is needed, and depending on how tough you are, maybe even 7-10 years before a rebuild is necessary. If it's light work, these boots are absolute tanks and will outlast any boot on the market. They make redwings look and feel like child play boots

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• #14Jun 13, 2025

  I have money to spend. Advise me.

  Trusco or Tone toolboxes Leatherman Nicks, White's, or Viberg boots Horween wallet Hamilton Murph watch Good tools. Knipex, Wiha, Wera, PB Swiss... Benchmade 940 Bark River fixed blade Rio Bravo GoRuck GR2 backpack

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• #15May 4, 2025

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

  Nick's, White's or Viberg (workboot.com)

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• #16Apr 10, 2025

  Best all day/everyday BIFL boots narrowed down between these two

  Definitely no where close to buy it for life. You'll be lucky to get more than a year out of them. There is no such thing as a buyer for life boot. The closest thing you'll ever find are going to be Pacific Northwest foods like Nick's whites Wesco JK, Frank's. Those are in the $4-800 range. Then there's the likes of viberg, John lofgren, and the Japanese that get in the 2k range

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• #17Apr 10, 2025

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

  Head over to r/PNWbootmakers or r/goodyearwelt. Short answer, off the top of my head — U.S. -> Wesco, White’s, Drew’s, JK’s, Truman’s, Nick’s, Carter’s Boots, Oak Street, etc. (Wolverine and Red Wing are the lowest tier I’d go, personally, if they’re made in the U.S.) Canada -> Dayton, Canada West, Viberg Japan -> rolling dub trio, wheel robe, countless options UK / EU -> Tricker’s, Grenson, Cheaney, Crockett and Jones, Vass, Solovair, Iron Boots Australia -> R.M Williams, Redbacks

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• #18Apr 9, 2025

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

  Has no one mentioned Viberg, and they’re made in BC. 

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• #19Apr 9, 2025

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

  Viberg

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• #20Apr 9, 2025

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

  Viberg is made in Victoria. Or go visit The Shop in Gastown. They carry Wesco.

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• #21Apr 9, 2025

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

  Viberg and oak Street boot makers are both good well known brands. Hmm osb (oak Street) Are made foreign I'm not sure where, but the 3 pair I have are super well made and I've had 2 for over a decade. Viberg is canadian Allen Edmond and wolverine make the boot, not sure where Alden also makes great boots similar in Massachusetts, I have a pair of their shell Cordovan that are fantastic

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• #22Apr 9, 2025

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

  Yeah, I wouldn't buy Thursday Boots if I could help it. You will get some people that don't regret their purchase but as with anything at the lowest price point they aren't going to make the best boot so you find a good number regretting their purchase. It's just too bad Grant Stone wont be an option because that's what most people would recommend in that general price range and by all accounts they are a significantly better boot than Thursdays Boots. From what I understand it's probably the best option in that price range but with 104% tariff it just will no longer be anywhere close to that price range. Grant Stone will probably cost so much you might as well get something from a PNW bootmaker like Nicks Boots or Viberg because they are probably going to now be as much as what you would pay for a Grant Stone with these extremely inflated tariffs. Allen Edmonds might be another option you now might want to look into. Not probably as good as Grant Stone but a bit better than Thursdays Boots.

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• #23Apr 9, 2025

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

  Vibergs are made in Victoria BC, Wohlford and Company is the renamed Dayton Boots company on E. Hastings (more of a biker boot vibe) and there's a boot maker called HD Russell on the corner of 1st ave and Nanaimo now. You will need to spend a pretty penny for these boots but that's the cost of having something made locally.

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• #24Apr 9, 2025

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

  Actually, better still, many folks have been able to get B-Stocks and returns from Viberg direct. Generally sounds like folks are getting half off which makes them sorta kinda reasonable

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• #25Apr 9, 2025

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

  If you want really high quality you can pick up some Viberg Service Boots made a ferry ride away in Victoria, but they're going to cost a lot more.

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• #26Apr 7, 2025

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

  Leather laces have a tendency to not stay tied well. Waxed cotton are better in most ways. I like Obenauf's and Viberg laces

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• #27Apr 7, 2025

  Sneakers or boots for daily wear.

  I walk 12+ miles per day (I have 3 dogs, 2 of which are huskies; and regularly walk them with a toddler on my shoulders). I buy boots for two reasons. The first is specific to me and does not apply to most, and that is a severely super-pronated ankle that requires extra support to keep it from rolling. The second is that I wear out soles so fast that being resoleable is a must. So, I recommend you look for the best quality resoleable boot or shoe that you can afford. My longest running ones are a pair of Limmer Lightweights (5 resole) and a pair of Viberg Service Boots (3rd resole). These are expensive, but your feet are worth it. I send my boots out to [Baker's Shoe](https://bakershoe.com/pages/boot-repair) when they need a resole, and have them do an "Overhaul" on them. They come back looking not new, but close to it, definitely not like boots that have hundreds or thousands of miles on them.

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• #28Apr 5, 2025

  What is a BIFL item/product you recommend?

  I have a Briggs & Riley soft briefcase from 1992, no lie, bought for my first "real" job. It's 1000 dernier ballistic cloth and it will NEVER wear out. It was super expensive at the time (maybe $200?), but damn if it isn't something I'm going to take to my grave. Aeron chair if you can afford to recondition somehow, IME the hydraulics give out. If you're gentle on it and don't futz with adjustment too much, maybe it's BIFL. Would add: Viberg boots. Buy once, cry once. I spent $750 10 years ago on a pair of service boots and only now are the soles starting to wear. The uppers are still bullet proof. Can say the same about Russell Moccasins. In general any "artisanal" men's workwear/heritage brand (so long as made in USA/Japan/UK) is worth the steep buy-in so long as your tastes don't change. Luckily I've been wearing the same style clothing since I was 12. Le Creuset Dutch oven. Got it as a wedding gift 23 years ago, have cooked with it 4x a week since. RevereWare, will co-sign that. Inherited a few from my mother easily 60 years old now. Also All-Clad. You can't wear these out; It's impossible. Most Patagonia gear: It has a lifetime warranty, and they're happy to repair it for you. Their fleeces are pretty indestructible and won't pill (they do stretch a bit at the seams but only after a decade or so. Tools: Basically any plug-in power tool made before, say, 1995 is good to go. Just look for heavy metal cases at garage sales Things like old drill presses and bench grinders also will last forever. Miele appliances: Expensive, but easily worth it. We paid something like 3000 for a w/d set in the late 1990s and they were still going strong in 2018 when we sold that home. Zero maintenance (and was a plus for resale value). In fact I think we more than broke even; since then we've had the usual brands (Samsung etc) and they crap out at about 8 years.

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• #29Apr 3, 2025

  Comfortable Repairable Boots?

  I'd shoot for viberg service boot. 2030 last. Also, nicks over lander, Americana.

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• #30Mar 2, 2025

  Suggestions for long last work boots

  I own both. Nicks are excellent work boots for those that are doing labor. You get Vibergs when you make your way up to being a foreman or project manager and are both in the office and in the field. Both are excellent quality, but the Vibergs are of a finer quality of leather and more graceful design that won't take the abuse that Nicks boots will thrive in.

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• #31Feb 7, 2025

  Help finding total foot comfort shoes or boots.

  I have a badly superpronated ankle that I also dropped a motorcycle on when I was in my early twenties. My footwear for when I will be walking on day is a pair of Viberg whole cut boots. Each boot is made of a single piece of leather and the only seams are where they come together in the back. It is amazing how much difference the whole cut is for me feet. I have it in EE width (I don't remember the last they used) and my padding is a thicker pair of socks. If you want more of a tennis shoe, Crown Northampton makes a whole cut shoe.

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• #32Feb 3, 2025

  Nice pair of good work/comfort boots

  But, for a more constructive comment: you can probably still snag something used that is well made. I recently picked up a pair of Viberg Service boots (which go for >$700 new) for $150 at an estate sale. They were barely worn, not even broken in. Keep your eyes open and something might come your way. Good quality used, but treated well is almost always worth looking at.

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• #33Feb 3, 2025

  Buyitforlife from Canada, what’s your favourite things made in Canada?

  I second Viberg boots. They are fantastic; pricey, but fantastic.

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• #34Feb 3, 2025

  Buyitforlife from Canada, what’s your favourite things made in Canada?

  Viberg boots though not cheap are regarded by most to be the gold standard at least in North America and the possibly the world for non bespoke

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• #35Feb 3, 2025

  Buyitforlife from Canada, what’s your favourite things made in Canada?

  Viberg Boots. Naked & Famous jeans.

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• #36Feb 2, 2025

  Best simple, not overly-engineered shoe for walking 12k steps/day?

  Whatever you get, if you want bifl longevity, get two or three pairs Footwear lasts longer if you let it recover after use True bifl footwear is a nice leather shoe or boot - think Allen Edmonds, Viberg, White's, etc that you re-sole every 2-5 years. Leather uppers can easily last decades I feel like you're asking more for sneakers, but people certainly do put high mileage on service boots (especially if you're doing your steps at work and want to look good!) I alternate two pairs of White's during the week, and then wear beat up sneakers or sandals on the weekends. In a year or two I'll save up and get another boot and just live in White's

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• #37Feb 9, 2015

  Reliable work boots

  Check out Viberg boots- old fashioned handmade logging style boots from the Northwest USA. They're expensive but they will literally last a lifetime of hard use. I used to destroy a pair of red wings in 6 months, but my Vibergs are going on 9 years now and still look almost new. The downside is that they took a long time to break in and become comfortable. People will say redwings and danners are good, but only in comparison to the cheapest chinese boots you can get at wal-mart. If you inspect a pair of Vibergs first you will see what I mean.

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