The manufacturing of my new boots...

[Born2bwire]

Checked out the Red Wing boots. They didn't have my size but could order them. However, for the model that I was looking at it would cost around $325. I might as well spend around $50-$75 more and get a handmade boot like from White's for that price.

 

[Strk]

I bought a pair of Wolverines once. They were the most uncomfortable boost I've ever worn. I felt like someone was kicking me in the knees all day after wearing them.

 

[Jhhnn]

Is it possible that any let alone U.S. made boot with steel toes can be comfortable. I get $120 a year reimbursemt and am willing to kick in whatever it takes.

Try the Redwing 2245- very similar to the 606 model. They're what I used to wear at work. The steel toe cap is kinda oversize, making them easier to wear. I went to the 606 model because they're lighter, not because they're really more comfortable. To me, anyway.

 

[Balt]

Recently saw an article that New Balance is seriously considering moving their manufacturing overseas.

 

[shortylickens]

I love red wings. Got my first pair in Red Wing Minnesota.

 

[JSt0rm]

Recently saw an article that New Balance is seriously considering moving their manufacturing overseas.

I think they did a while ago.

 

[Triumph]

Recently saw an article that New Balance is seriously considering moving their manufacturing overseas.

New Balance, the only shoe brand my estranged hard core Vegan brother would wear. I wonder what he'll do now, knowing his shoes are going to be made by children working 15 hours a day in substandard conditions while putrid chemicals are dumped into the local watershed, just to make his shoes for $0.15 cheaper.

 

[JSt0rm]

New Balance, the only shoe brand my estranged hard core Vegan brother would wear. I wonder what he'll do now, knowing his shoes are going to be made by children working 15 hours a day in substandard conditions while putrid chemicals are dumped into the local watershed, just to make his shoes for $0.15 cheaper.

He can buy boots

 

[Balt]

I think they did a while ago.

Ah, seems your right. This must have been about a particular plant that is still over here. Oh well...

 

[Doppel]

Recently saw an article that New Balance is seriously considering moving their manufacturing overseas.

Think they did a while ago.

There is a lot of manufacturing in the US, but as automation increases labor becomes increasingly irrelevant. Meaning, if you're working on a machine creating $2M of product a year it doesn't matter that much if the three workers on the machine cost $30k/piece instead of $7k/piece somewhere else (plus whatever overhead managing the remote operation, at least until your managers move overseas as well).

But, low skilled jobs that are heavy on labor are ripe to move, and they do and will continue to.

 

[Triumph]

Think they did a while ago.

There is a lot of manufacturing in the US, but as automation increases labor becomes increasingly irrelevant. Meaning, if you're working on a machine creating $2M of product a year it doesn't matter that much if the three workers on the machine cost $30k/piece instead of $7k/piece somewhere else (plus whatever overhead managing the remote operation, at least until your managers move overseas as well).

But, low skilled jobs that are heavy on labor are ripe to move, and they do and will continue to.

This is true, which is why I'm completely flabbergasted when I see hundreds of products that don't require unskilled labor that is made in China. Things like injection molded plastic trinkets, whatever it is, maybe something like a 12" plastic ruler for example. That machine is probably capable of pumping out 5,000 of them a day, all the operator has to do is (basically) pour in some pellets and hit start. I don't understand how it is cheaper to make something like that and ship it seven thousand miles across the ocean, than to simply make it here.

 

[Born2bwire]

I ended up buying a pair of Danner's Hood Winter Light boots. Got an all leather upper with Gore-tex and 200 g of Thinsulate insulation for $250 shipped which was much cheaper than the similar Red Wings or White's boots. Had them for a week and they feel fantastic although I can see how a more customized product like a White's could fit a bit better. I really don't know why it took me this long to start wearing all leather shoes and boots.

 

[child of wonder]

Interesting.

The only way we can enjoy quality made goods is to pay 10x as much for them as our parents did.