The Thorogood Moc Toe is quite chunky and unrefined from a style perspective. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as a lot of guys like that super rugged workwear style. There’s a significant amount of triple stitching along the upper, which is important for durability as these are usually the first parts to break apart. And of course, the USA flag tag is proudly displayed on the outside of the boot. I have worn both boots in wet weather with no issues, although I have not had the boots submerged in water for extended periods of time. When comparing the two kinds of construction, stitchdown is considered more water resistant than a storm welt, but the difference isn’t very significant and neither boot is waterproof. The more important note is that the stitchdown is more flexible, but it’s a tad harder to find a cobbler to resole it and it can’t be resoled as many times. To keep the price down, Grant Stone makes their boots in China, but not in a cheap sweatshop — they’ve worked with the same family owned factory on the tropical island of Xiamen for years, with some craftsmen working with decades of experience under their belts. Moc Toe Boots are daily-wear boots for so many jobs, particularly those that require high quality shoes that are noticeably comfortable, while still being developed with durability in mind. Moc Toe Boots can be a great fit for electricians, plumbers, concrete workers, carpenters, construction workers, and much more.

I can keep going, but I’ll just add a few more reasons why I love this boot. They’re made with water-resistant Goodyear welt construction, some with even more water-resistant storm welts, and these construction methods allow for multiple resoles and dramatically increase the lifespan of the boot. They’re leather lined, making for a softer and more comfortable fit than is typical. Lastly (I promise), they have steel shanks. Most brands don’t make moc toe boots with shanks because the soles tend to be flat, but the Brass Boot even has shanks in the wedge soled versions, which guys have told me help with stability as the heel wears down.I think both boots look great, but speaking aesthetically, I prefer the look of the Danners. They are just simpler looking, with less stitching that’s colored more subtly. But because it’s such a popular boot, it comes in over half a dozen other leathers: several Chromexcels, America’s most beloved boot leather; a vegetable tanned leather (“Tan Essex”) from Chicago’s Horween Tannery, and the very famous waxed commander from Britain’s CF Stead tannery. Seriously primo stuff. Two of the biggest differences between the Thorogood Moc Toe and the Red Wing Classic Moc are: 1.) speed hooks, and 2.) the fiberglass shank.

Thorogood features a storm welt, which has all the same recraftability as the Red Wing, but adds even more weather resistance.

Standing up all day in work boots can be uncomfortable, but not in a pair of ironworker boots. The Thorogood Steel Moc Toe is one of the most comfortable boots around. With superb protective features and an 8” shaft, you can wear these boots all day long. The tobacco leather has a beautiful golden shine to it, and I like the contrasting white stitching running along the upper. All versions of the Moc Toe have a white wedge sole, four eyelets and three speed hooks, and multicolored laces.

While you can wear these as part of a rugged workwear inspired outfit, I’m going to gear this review more toward the guys who need a sturdy pair of work boots. This review will specifically focus on the Tobacco 6” Moc Toe (814-4200), but much of the information still applies to the 8”, steel toe, and other leather options. Beyond that, the Thorogood features a fiberglass shank. There is no shank in the Red Wing. So for arch support, Thorogood is a clear winner.Unlike a lot of options on the market, Grant Stone makes this boot in three widths: D, E, and EEE. Making wide widths is basically a public service; it’s expensive to do and most boot brands don’t make a ton of cash on the huge investment for them to design and construct more than one width. First and foremost, the main attribute an ironworker looks for in a boot is protection; can they be worn in an environment that’s dangerous and do the required job? Secondly, they look for comfort; they could wear their boots all day, often in unforgiving work environments. Russell really isn’t selling boots to be worn in city. They aren’t meant to impress anyone, except for maybe your hunting buddies, and they aren’t marketing these boots as something stylish that needs fancy leathers, though you won’t be disappointed by the range of weatherproof leathers they work with from Chicago’s Horween Leather Company. Their flagship boot is the Birdshooter, which you can customize in myriad ways. Trudging through marshes hunting game fowl? You can get a South 40 Birdshooter made with a triple vamp, meaning you’ll get threelayers of leather surrounding your foot. Bow hunting caribou on a frosty tundra? Get Birdshooters with up to 400 grams of Thinsulate insulation to keep you toasty warm. Despite both being called 6-inch boots, the Thorogoods are taller boots, with a top eyelet after the speed hooks to give you more support and prevent the laces from falling out of the speed hooks. (I don’t use the eyelet and just lace up to the top speed hook.)