The Cheapest Not-Terrible Boot? Golden Fox's $139 Boondocker Review

[@jamesmarkham7489]

I’ve had this boot for about 6 years and they are great for the money. Had zero issues. Got mine back when they were $100.

[@ponraul1221]

They’re $89 USD right now

[@richardzak2140]

Hello HJ. Or should I say, Tim. This was a very natural video and it was amazing how you transition from the sophistication of pens and journaling to the outdoor, flannel shirt wearing back woodsman. Nice job. You gave us a different side of who you are, (in a good way).

[@Stridewise]

Glad you followed him here Richard

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks Richard! I appreciate the kind words.

[@Bayou987]

Nice review! I’ve never owned any but the suede options look really nice, especially at that price point. I’m not a fan of plastic welts, but the fact that there is a small but loud group of fans that refuse to give an inch on how good these boots are makes me feel confident these Boondockers have to be great for what they are.

[@Watchtrain]

Amazon USA has these for $119.90 at the moment. I have a pair of these and enjoy them immensely. Extremely comfortable.

[@hexum9449]

I've been waiting for a review like this for a long time, thank you so much!

[@Stridewise]

Glad you like it!

[@banbaji]

Great guest reviewer!

[@hughharrell8528]

I've had a pair for 4 years...still comfortable and leather was soft to break-in

[@hughharrell8528]

Just purchased their Overlords...they are equal or a little better in looks but they have a real leather welt!! Can't be beat for $120

[@Stridewise]

really?? that's cool, thanks for letting me know Hugh

[@matthewcaughey8898]

Bought the greasy black leather GF service boot. Wanted something like a Thursday captain but didn’t wanna shell out the cash for that style of boot till I was sure I would like it. Now that I know I do and it fits with what I lime to wear I’ll run the foxes till I wear them out and I’ll either buy another pair or use the money I saved for the Thursday’s. For the money these things and this brand are hard to beat

[@charlesweaver722]

I have two pairs of black and brown. I especially love the brown. I also have two pairs of Thursday boots, also black and brown, that I don't wear half as much. I really haven't had a chance to break in the Thursdays because they are a bit more dress up than everyday wear their's bit of a shine I wish could get rid of anyway the Golden Fox boots I absolutely love, I'm gonna get the suede boots next

[@koskey06]

I was so close to buying these a few months ago. I haven’t and I’m still looking for a good budget boot for these north east winters. I only wear my boots in winter so it’s only like 4 full months of boots a year. So my cheap sketcher boots have lasted me 5 plus years before I start seeing problems. I would love a pair of iron rangers but $350 is just way to much for this single father of 2 who also helps take care of there mom.

[@drluisrosalesleon5015]

I have the Overlord model, I would add that the leather although a bit on the thin side, has a great pull-up. I would even say the leather is better that the one on my Thursday's...

[@tarasmathers7423]

I'm looking at possibly getting a pair of the "Overlords." If you don't mind me asking, how have they held up for you, in terms of durability, and are they truly goodyear welted, w/ a real leather welt as advertised??? I ask because I know that the "Boondocker" has a plastic welt. TY for your time.

[@drluisrosalesleon5015]

@@tarasmathers7423 hi !! They have held pretty well, after 7 months and about 200 km. Yes, they're truly Goodyear welted with a leather welt. I still think they are a good product for the cost!

[@tarasmathers7423]

@@drluisrosalesleon5015 Thats exactly what I was hoping to hear. I was just out checking some of the local department store to see what they had available, and honestly, it's pretty slim pickings if you ask me. I hear that they run "true to size." Is that your experience w/ them?? Thanks for the update BTW. It's quite helpful

[@rd010123]

Now you put those SM Wholesale Boondockers on my radar. Please do a review of them. 🙏

[@user-tc2ng4zm4c]

I went a half size down and they fit just fine until months later when they were 100% broken in. Then they started feeling quite loose even with added insoles. It will probably hurt for a while but maybe go a full size down. Then again I bought mine in 2020 so I don't know if the construction has changed much since.

[@edrader]

the big turn-offs to heritage boots are price and comfort. there are plenty of good "cheap" boots that are lighter and waaaay more comfortable than say a heavy ass PNW boot

[@lonewolf30531]

Thanks for content. . These are my favorite boots I have owned . Not sure why .

[@nikeisagreekgoddess4135]

These look FAR better than any of the other expensive alternatives. The toe box looks mean as hell.

[@surfingmoose]

Could probably replace DMs for an everyday wear sort of boot.

[@sergeantbigmac]

Last time I looked (and it wasnt that long ago!) these were $99 MSRP ...I guess buy them now because theyll only go up in price in short order.

[@rockygabriel7096]

I like this!!! Really want to try it for daily beater!!! Looks cool!!

[@Stridewise]

Go fer it!

[@sergeantbigmac]

I'd like to add that 'boondockers' were a specifically Marine Corps slang. They had slightly different boots, rough outs with different soles vs the standard leather low quarter Army service boots of the time. Visually very similar though. My point is most Veterans ive heard refer to these boots as 'low quarters'. Ive also heard my Dad who is a Veteran call the more modern tall 10" Army boots 'leg boots' or 'full quarters' so the term must come from somewhere...

[@jasonanthonyschultz5672]

Nick, were you wearing LL Bean duck boots? I thought you didn’t like them.

[@HemingwayJones]

They were mine! I thought he looked great in them! @stridewise

[@jasonanthonyschultz5672]

@@HemingwayJones I’m sure his feet stayed warm and dry!

[@Stridewise]

bean video incoming!

[@HemingwayJones]

@@Stridewise Your crowd is going to lose their minds. I love it.

[@BestPaulever]

They also made it to the patinathunderdome top 10 working boots.

[@Stridewise]

hell yea, represent

[@smiley-qb3nt]

They said there lower end but mine I've had for 8 years sole is still pretty good the leather in the back is now splitting but I can still wear them and wore these slot put slot of miles on them

[@Stridewise]

yeah and even if they fall apart tomorrow, 8 years of wear for that price is tremendous value

[@thedemonnemo]

I have the suede model ($99 in outlet) and I find them quite comfortable, the patina is great, very fuzzy.

[@freddierodriguez3036]

Great review. Still, save up and get better sole from a Thursday Boots pair.

[@meownyan2708]

if you don't mind it's made in China, the LUOS JIET boots is like about $116, it's Goodyear welted and decent quality.

[@strengthandbulkMadness]

There are several Chinese brands making handmade boots around that price. No American middlemen jacking up the price, haha

[@sergeantbigmac]

The made up fly-by-night Chinese company names on Amazon give me a chuckle, its like their cat walked on their keyboard and they said "looks good to me!" *thumbs up

[@chrisblanc663]

I imagine at this price point there is very little reason to resolve these boots as a cost savings purpose, but, I would argue, that you might still consider doing so from an aesthetic point of view. After all, half the fun of getting a heritage style boot is for the patrons that eventually builds, and having a boot that is uniquely your own.

[@Stridewise]

Good note! And this could get through one resole :D

[@14s0cc3r14]

How about the Wolverine BLVDs? GYW for less than $100 on sale

[@strengthandbulkMadness]

Pretty much sold out now. I have 2 BLVDs (Chelsea+Wingtip)and they are great. Hopefully Wolverine gives them another run.

[@Stridewise]

They've been discontinued, no more BLVD!

[@bubbie23jw]

I just found a pair at goodwill for $16

[@johnnyregs2378]

I have them, they're super comfortable.

[@Coleone139]

It actually placed in the patina thunderdome 🤷🏻‍♂️ .. “a hundred and thir-TEE nine dollars”? What a deal 😏

[@Highland_Paddy]

I guess these look acceptable for the price if not wanting a more attractive leather finish and all that. Eddie Bauer flannel shirts are thicker than JC Penney but not as soft as LL Bean. Thursday Prez and Oliver Cabell cost a little bit more but don't quite fit me exactly as snugly as I would like, but I already have both of those so these can go on the backburner that maybe wish I would have heard of six months ago and save fifty bucks?

[@Highland_Paddy]

Still would likely want a resole, tho.

[@Highland_Paddy]

I still prefer eyelets to hooks. I guess just cut that tab off?

[@kevinorr6880]

I have Golden Fox chukkas. Liked them very much, but they do not last long. The soles wear in record time. The tops are still worth wearing…but, heel worn. I wish the could be resoled.

[@serialseb2841]

And the black one is $99 right now! That's a pretty good deal. I sound like corporate plug :)

[@chuckgoodwish3897]

I don’t agree with you on saying made-in-China to be one of the downsides. On the contrary, I consider that a great upside. Nowadays, people are gradually accepting the fact that there are a lot of high quality boots coming out of China with much lower prices.

[@Stridewise]

Fully agree, tried to make it clear that _some_ people consider it a downside because they want more of their money to stay in the US, that's all

[@ponraul1221]

Why would you roll up your pants, especially when you’re walking through snow??

[@Stridewise]

mostly to show what the boots look like for the camera

[@ponraul1221]

@@Stridewise Fair enough

[@Youmadbro2025]

It's good year welted with plastic! You can't resole them

[@Stridewise]

yeah you probably can once but no more than that. a cobbler can replace the welt if you want. i have a new 'best under 200' video out this week where i make this clearer

[@AlexMPruteanu]

At this price point, I wouldn't feel bad just cutting the pull tab with a knife.

[@Stridewise]

Yeah I can never bring myself to cut off pull tabs no matter how much they annoy me

[@bbff4931]

So much better than Nick ! 😂

[@Stridewise]

HEY

[@timjames6190]

I’m sorry they look nothing like a boondocker boot ?

[@Stridewise]

they look SOMETHING like a boondocker boot

[@PaulyV56]

With the savings buy a pair of jeans you don’t have to cuff 7 times and look like a bufoon

[@StolenAlias]

Nah man. Thursday is the way for cheaper boots.

[@Stridewise]

For sure, these are just even cheaper. But much less good. But cheaper!

[@drluisrosalesleon5015]

@@Stridewise Im not so sure on that, waxed flesh excluded, Thursday's boots have low quality leather, including the CXL.

[@junktube4000]

But the Thursday boot has an even pointier toe. I'm worried these boondockers might have too pointy of a toe.

[@StolenAlias]

@ nah they changed the lasts.

[@junktube4000]

@@StolenAlias Oh, I see it's the Thursday President boot that has the pointy toe. The Captain, less so. Interesting. I might have to return my Goldenfox boondockers now

[@couchsofa2977]

6 1/2 minutes to hear Made in China. 6 1/2 minutes waisted.