I used to wear Ariat exclusively. Then after watching all these videos from people on Nick's, JK, and White's, I finally bit the bullet and bought a pair of White's. The difference is tremendous, and until a guy bites the bullet and buys a quality made boot, he'll never quite understand the difference. Good luck Jack.
@@wranglerstare already tentatively decided I’m going with franks for my next pair of boots (he ran nicks for a few different owners including his brother) but I’m definitely going with bison leather it’s thicker and more flexible than the regular leather (franks is one of the most customizable boots out of the 4 brands that spawned from the original whites)
@@Coors1974I didn’t wear the supers, just the regular Rainforests. I had them in brown. They were really beautiful; I thought the craftsmanship was great for a mass produced boot. The leather was fairly tough, but pretty supple and not hard to break in. But, I was not a fan of the Airthotic “insoles” at all. It felt like there was always rubbing between my foot and the footbed and the Airthotic heel cup only made it worse by tilting my foot forward. The thickness/type of sock I wore didn’t matter. The lacing didn’t matter. I liked the fit because my feet are a bit narrower, but the foot bed just drove me nuts, like it never broke in. Also, one of the heel cups broke one day and was pinching the back end of my arch. So I had to order new heel cups. Same issue with the Danner Light IIs. I love Danner. But if I see Airthotic, I avoid the product.
Bless ya Jack for your chosen profession. We sure need you in the PNW, and I think you have a pretty good idea of what you're getting yourself into with a great mentor. Stay safe out there and enjoy your boots.
The enthusiasm and pride you have when you looked at Jack towards the end of the video just comes across so strong. I’m 26 and have a 16 month old son and I never understood why my parents cared for the little things but now I get it. You can’t help but smile when they take interest in the things you do or did. It really does bring you back and gives you that same feeling. To be honest I haven’t seen you this happy since you got to share your dual alternators with us😄.
On my first fire with my JKs. I’m on my cot under the stars as I type. These have practically no break in time, fit like a glove. I have not had Nicks. However, compared to my whites these are night and day as far as break in. I can only give my 15 -20 mile review right now. Good looking, fit great, possibly my new go to.
I’m a boot guy. I own boots for every occasion. Motorcycle riding, work, hiking, walking, winter, and Marine Corps issue. Semper Fi my fellow Warriors.
My Nick’s were by far the most brutal pair of boots for the first 3 days but quickly became the most comfortable and supportive pair of footwear I’ve ever owned. I even bought an 8 inch smooth soled pair for finish carpentry.
I don't have kids of my own, however I do know I'd be very proud to pass on my trade to one of my nephews. I have no doubt Jack will carry on the trade with skill and passion.
Watching this video was so crazy, my name is Zack and I just turned 18. I remember when I started working when I was 14 and I bought my first pair of boots after saving money for weeks. Jack is truly blessed to have a father as august and diligent as you are, for you’ve had a bigger positive impact on me than my father ever will. God bless both of you and I keep you in my prayers!
I used to go through boots about every 3-6 months, after some research and talking to coworkers who had White and Nicks boots i found JK. I also normally wear an 11-12 shoe but with jk's i wear a 9.5 EEE, and i'll never look back. 5 years and 2 pairs of boots later and i can say it was the best decision i made in my life to spend so much on such a high quality boot
Never cheap on boots. I have big wide feet (14EEE) Ariats have been my go to but hoping to get some R.M.Williams. they last a lifetime and can be sent back for repair or adjustments anytime for free.
I'm flat footed, and broke both feet. I have Wesco (don't buy them), tried Nicks, JK, Viberg (not made anymore?) Never heard of White's I live in PA. I like a tall arch in my boots so for now it might be Nicks. New job says corks are a no go & I need a steel toe.
I would be tempted to send Jack out on his first fire deployment, if it comes rapidly, with the broken in Nick's. If those JK's do not break in well on the job he will be miserable. Hopefully he will have time to break in the JK's before he is deployed. Stay safe Jack!
Have you ever tried Jim Greens? They are much more affordable but are a South African family owned company. I’ve been rocking their rangers and absolutely loving them.
I think you can lace them differently. I had a former ranger lace mine and he fixed my issues with my boots. You can lace them to take or add tension on the heel. And you can relieve pressure on the ankle
Young men listen up! This is a gift. A freebie. Not may fathers will do this and no boot review will go this far. Use this to your advantage. 44 yr old hvac tech here.
Please please please go see the sound of freedom and please promote it. We need every resource to bring awareness for our children’s future and we all need not to be the silent majority anymore, we need to fight every day as hard as we can! To remove child trafficking and the corruption in our government also for our children’s future. We will not always be here to protect or teach our children to take up for their rights and for the American way. God bless America and the human race . Be kind and compassionate to each other even when you don’t believe in the same things !
I've had White's since my first industrial job as a welder at 18. I've had them re-soled and rebuilt many times. Now that I'm rich and famous haha, I have four pairs, Dress, Millwoods, Smokejumpers, and Packers. Wife has one pair of smokejumpers. We're both 58 now. Plan to wear them for another 58. Wear accordingly.
Go Jack. It has been an absolute pleasure watching you grow up. Good luck to you in all your endeavors. Stay safe out there and God bless you, your dad and your whole family.
At first, I thought Jack was carrying a small-of-back revolver until there was a better camera angle. Regardless, he seems like a fine young man, so well done, Mom and Dad! A high-quality pair of boots is priceless. Also, caring for a high-quality pair of boots will help that investment lasts for years...
I would rather have the Franks ground pounder cause I am standing on concrete. But rather it be an engineer style boot. Because at the end of the day laces are gonna dig into your shins.
It’s crazy watching Jack all grown up! I remember when he was just a little boy. I’ve been watching your channel since your timber frame cabin got stolen. Just another reminder to appreciate all the moments with my almost 3 year old son.
So touching seeing father and son interact, you can just see the pride in your face when speaking to Jack at the end of the video. Wow, I do miss those father and son interactions that my father and I had when he was here. Hold tight to these memories, in the end they are what we are left with.
With the fire seasons being worse and worse in amerika and also germany were I am from (thanks to you I understand why the forest Fires are bigger than before) I do pray that Jack and the other Ppl from the Forest Service stay save and are able to come home.
I am so proud for you. I remember meeting you when Jack was just a boy. What a treat to see you and Mrs W have raised such a great man. Enjoy these moments. Sending him off to follow in your footsteps is so amazing. Good work, Jack. What a treat to be getting ready for your first fire. Savor this time as you will never get another first time.
man i just got some JK O.T boots in buffalo leather for my sheep hunt coming up. got to drive down to Spokane and get em custom fitted and i must say I have never felt more trust in a pair of footwear than i do in these boots.
Thank you for exposing me to these. One of your videos from 2016 or so on boot maintenance was very educational. I then went and got a pair of Whites boots. Despite the extreme price which made me cringe, and the agony during the break in period, some of the places I hiked in the Sierra Nevadas in California and here in Maine would have been quite dangerous without a quality boot and saved me a few times from sprains.
I am a year round boot wearer, and love each of these brands, preferably Nick's the most IMO. Biggest problems i have with these brands is size. I know and understand that i am an anomaly at a 16 4E but its impossible to find that size in any brand. 😂
The last 350 dollar Danner boots I purchased was made in China I am a diesel mechanic and am on my feet on concrete all the best boot in my opinion is Redback boots made in Australia I get the lace up version!!!! Great video!!!
I used to follow you many years ago. I left social media for the longest time. So now, seeing jack as a young man. Amazing. Feels like yesterday he was just a baby and you were under 200K subs. I'm your age, 53 and fixing to sell my house and going to quasi-homestead. I have to suppliment much labor with technology though as I deal with Degenerative Disc Syndrome, so I have to take opiates to manage the pain. But I get a good 4-5 hours a day of labor out of me, but i do NOT handle equipment or do dangerous things when taking pain pills. So thanks for keeping up with your videos over the years, I have a LOT of catch up to do. I have a lot to learn before getting moved.
shoot sorry meant to say something about the boots. I'm sure you will see people greifing about the cost. I hope they learn some day that it's 1000% worth it. I have very very skinny ankles and at 6'3" I can be prone to sprains. So I need good boots that wull help support my chicken legs. The boots i been using are around $400 and last me a LONG time. But they are due to be replaced. You have my word JK will be on my list. Checking out the Superduty hard toes now. I live here in the south in Georgia, so winder and thermals are not a issue. Breathing is.
It's amazing thinking about the fact I've been watching you so long I've watched Jack grow from a boy to a man. I'm 32 now and I think I started watching in high school. Amazing
Grease fires need baking soda and kings Hawaiian are indeed that good. Like other choices of foods. Like granola with jagged almond slivers that got toasted and hardened in the oven so the sharp tips are carbonized and solid in their sharp and decidedly dank flavor. But maybe dangerous if ingested too quickly.
In my opinion, White's Smokejumpers are THE best leather boot made, bar none. I've seen all these boots cut in half and ripped apart and seen exactly what goes into Smokejumpers in regards to quality and overall construction and although there are other really great boots, NONE...construct their boots with all the high-quality features of the White's Smokejumper. Rip them all apart and see for yourself.
Between JK, Nicks, and Whites I have had very good experiences with two of them, and one really bad experience with one of them. Never again level of bad experiences.
Sizing of boots is very weird. Brannock im a 12E. In shoes i wear 13. Not because of the width. But because my toes are smashed in to the end of the shoe in a 12. My drews i went half size down from my brannock size and fit is golden
Jack, really enjoyed seeing you on a video! Looking forward to some awesome fire lore. You will probably come back from a fire passing your pops in height. Blessings on your path!
I have a bunch of different pairs of boots and one pair of tennis shoes. I’m always wearing my boots, typically my work boots. If you see me with my tennis shoes, I’m not ok.
What's the difference between logger boots and fire fighter boots? I need logger boots for my job, which means steel toe, waterproof, insulated, and a steel shank.
I fought fire for years and have logged all my life, do not fold your boot tongue. Take the time to tuck the leather evenly on each side of your leg, your laces will be much tighter and you will get a more fitted feel, less hot spots, and they will break in faster. Just one mans opinion, Regards from the Bull Mts. Montana.
Did Cody ever say why he doesn't wear footwear when he works? Didn't know if he ever explained it? I could almost see him say something like if you're shop isn't clean enough to work around without footwear then you aren't cleaning your shop well enough or something to that effect.
This is boring, though informative. You aren’t interesting, and yet important. Glad to see a father and son coming together for a useful purpose. Sad that people have to go to RU-vid for this kind of thing.
I have a pair of Red Wings Shoes boots that I couldn't ever wear because of thin tongue kills the top of my feet. Any help? I try a lot of diferent things but none works.
I have pretty flat feet and am somewhat scared of getting Whites because of this... based on Jack's feedback it sounds like Nicks may be better for me.
Bummer for me is, wear slip on boots (im a welder pipe fitter) and have always had issues with slag or soarks birning the laces .... I guess leather laces would help , and the way the tongue is .... I just hate a heeled boots !
i have a pair of nicks steel toe rangers and jk ots....like them both....the jks fit me better but the nicks are a bit more stout....work conditions dictate which i wear....both are much better than the red wings or thorogoods i used to wear....both brands will need to break in be sure you properly size them to your foot
the only issue i have had with my nicks is there glue is kind of crappy my nicks from day one, were taking in water and squishing when i walked and the half insole coming up, and the sole delamination, just slightly
if you’re worried about getting a blister on that spot on your heel, I trick that I’ve used it, so just throw a gob of Vaseline on the inside of my sock in that spot
What color leather is that are those the super duty’s are a custom pair ? Looks like mocha I’m not sure really like that color wanna asking so I no for my pair I’m getting soon
I have Redwings for work and they are great. I put the tough toe on them so that I don't rub holes through the toes from crawling around on concrete all day.
Oh my your going to enter this debate. This is going to be great. Did Jack have to go to firefighter school prior to join the fire jumpers? Or is it on the job training?
My feet are identical to your sons, I wore 11 vans for the longest time but when I started wearing shoes that came in wide sizes I went with 9 or 9 1/2
I got their pair of bison JK boots they're by far my favorite boots. I wish they were not that expensive but that's the only downfall otherwise they're great boots.
After many hard Type 1 miles in my Whites they ended up fitting my 20 year old feet like slippers. Fast forward several decades of non-fire work later and they are way too small. Still have them and the memories though :p Love the fire content - thanks for sharing the other boots!
