Thanks for the info! I have emailed, requested catalogs, etc from each of the manufacturers mentioned by all so far. I'm sure there will be more and I'll get those catalogs also.
just a quick note; When reading this, if desired for effect, insert your favorite word that would be inappropriate around children whenever you see a [bracketed] word.
Last Summer when my wife started to "insist" (
read nag to the point where the patience of a saint would be tested - I'm not a saint therefore I'm immune) that I find new boots to replace my old Danner's. Thats when I put my foot down on the fact they WILL be "Made in the USA." No pun intended!
All of the boots I have run across so far in stores are from china or elsewhere in the world but NONE were labeled "USA." I've looked in stores from Maine to Charlotte NC and a bunch in-between as I've travelled. Of the styles I would be interested in, everything on the shelves of Cabelas, Gander Mtn, BassProShops and a lot of local sporting and footwear stores is foreign [junk]. Many but not all of the names mentioned in this thread were represented including Danner, Redwing and others. A clerk (aka "footwear specialist" according to a name tag) at one place got really annoyed when I insisted on a USA tag and wouldn't buy his imported [junk].
Here's my simple reasoning for insisting on "Made in the USA".
(A) The old Danner boots I'm looking to replace cost about $150 or so back in the mid 80's. I bought them from a place called Ramsay Outdoor Stores in Ramsay, New Jersey. Over the years, they have been resoled and repaired several times. Probably another $300. combined and I think that might be high. Every spring and fall (almost) they were treated with a product called SnoSeal and for the most part, my feet stayed dry. This added a few more dollars every few years .
$150. + $300. + $50. = $500. over their lifetime. approximately.
In the meantime I've been through a number of pair of [less expensive] boots, mostly sold as hiking boots that look more like sneakers that I used for work, yardwork, as well as fair weather hunting, hiking and fishing and worse. None of them lasted more than 2 or 3 years before they leaked, soles separated, or otherwise suffered rips and tears that leather boots would laugh at. Each of these "boots" cost anywhere from $80. for the cheeeeep ones to $150. for the [better] boots.
A pair of these [economical] boots every 3 to 4 years (3.5) at an average cost of $115
2011 - 1985 = 26 years.
26 years / 3.5 years = approximately 7.5 pair of [economical] boots.
7.5 pr. x $115 - $862.50
What I consider the better boot lasted longer and was less expensive to own over the same time period versus the [cheaper] throw-away boots. The classic economics argument of Cost vs. Price.
(B) Considering what we are going through economically, socially, politically, etc. I find it more appealing to spend my money on American products, made by Americans right here in the USA by and from people and companies with roots here in the USA because, hopefully, they will do the same thereby keeping our money here in the United States of America.
In my mind, money spent this way tends to stay in America whereas money spent on imported goods or with foreign owned manufacturers will leave the country and in all probability will never return.
Thanks fo letting me rant for a few minutes because my wife is starting to get to me about this and I had to write it out for her. She is trying to do the alternative math now.
Guess i'm not so immune after all. Gimme my rifle, there's a coyote out there callin me! Let me go drain his boiler. Then I'll feel better.
Thanks again to all for info.