Anybody have these? Did you have any problems? My wife just got me a pair of them, I didn't get through lacing the first one, and one of the formed metal eyelets pulled apart. I looked and all of them on both boots are cracked. I don't understand why they didn't just use grommets like they used to, they still make a hole in the boot with these, but now 100% of the lace tension pulls on this little folded piece of metal.
I now have no boots for at least the next two weeks, since I went through the soles of my old ones.
I guess Timberland just charges a lot for junk boots. Too bad, since I have had five pairs of the Pro Ti boots in the last four years.

 

I'll tell you a little known secret.

L.L.Bean Official Site: Free $10 Gift Card with Purchase of $25 or More

Spend the money and buy a pair of boots from LL Bean. LL Bean warranty's thier clothing and footwear for a much longer period of time than most other clothiers. Buy them online if you don't have a store nearby and they will ship them anywhere in the world.

My next suggetstion would be RED WING boots. Again, spendy but high quality.

Tim

 

LL Beans is great, I loved going to their store in Freeport when I still lived there, but no steel toe boots.
Timberland boots are the most comfortable boots I have ever worn, but this is not acceptable. The only problem I've had in the past was the sole cracking due to all the tight spot work I was doing, I went through the first three pairs in 18months, the pair I have I have had for over a year, the one before more than two years. I need to replace the ones I have since I've basically walked through the soles. I really don't have the money to spend since I'm looking at a layoff very soon, but my wife bought them.
Here's a couple pics:
Broken eyelet-


Cracked eyelet-


It's just very frustrating because I've been looking forward to getting these for the last week, tried to put them on when I came home for lunch, and couldn't even lace up the first one I put on.

 

By a pair of Danner boots and never look back..............Worth every penny.

 

I need a good safety toe, and I'm a bit leery of the alloy toe. Not to mention Danners tend to run narrow, so I'd need the 13EE, and the only option from them is the Vandal. It's $200, and heavy (listed at 64oz vs 36 for the Timberland). A heavy boot will wear you out really quick.
Unfortunately now we're locked into using Zappos so I can't get anything from Danner except a pair of $80 sneakers.

 

My steel toe Danners cost $190 two years ago, and still look new and I sometimes forget to take them off, they are that comfortable...........My feet are a lot smaller than yours so I cant vouch for their larger sizes............They are the best boot I have ever owned, that were not issued by Uncle Sam.

 

Ya ever think about taking them to a good reputable boot repair shop? Personally, I can't stand those type eyelets. I like the good old hook style.

A year ago, I bought a set of firefighter styled boots... they're made by White's, but have a different name and you can have them rebuilt time and time again. Usually, boots with a tall style heel, make me feel like I'm walking on my toes, more than level. These boots are perfect. Foot feels "flat" all the time. AND... my feet have been giving me heck for several years now... with mucho pain by end of day, if I'm on my feet for very long at all. These boots are the most comfortable I've ever worn and they don't make my feet hurt as bad at night, as my summer Nike's, sandals or anything else I own. I've gone through all kinds of shoes, trying to get something that'd make a difference in foot pain. White's did it, but they are really spendy.

Go to a shoe repair shop or saddle shop. I'd think they could put on some decent lace holes or the hook and tie type. ( Unless, of course, you happen to love that style lace up. )

I bought some Danners, used, on ebay a few years back. Now they aren't too bad either. The insulated/goretex ones are best for winter, if you keep active. Sitting still, my toes still freeze in anything... but that's a circulation problem now. Go check ebay. Just type in some names of boots. You can get brand new boots for anywhere from $20 bucks on up. My Danners cost me $25. And they are still in good shape. But I don't use them, 'cept in winter. And you can find WIDE shoes there too, if that's a need.

 

My last two pairs of boots were Timberlands, and overall I was pretty happy with them. Although, I had sole issues with both pairs after about a year/year and a half of use. I will say I'm pretty tough on boots, and put some serious wear on them due to my job.

They were comfortable, but after the sole and tread starts cracking and coming apart, comfort doesn't mean all that much. There's nothing like walking around all day at work with a soaking wet left foot.

I currently have a pair of Georgia Boots, and so far I'm pretty happy with them. I think I payed around 105$ for them, so hopefully I will get some good use out of them.

 

I see your dilemma with the external eyelets. I'd probably do something silly like take them out to the shop and drill out the eyelets.

As a letter carrier, I wear nothing but Thorogood shoes. I wear out 2 pair a year but my feet are very appreciative of the soft outter soles and the thick inner soles.

They also have the little green SR/USA tag on them SO, if I were to slip and hurt myself, the PO couldn't accuse me of not wearing the appropriate footwear.

Good luck with those.

Tim

 

Well, Zappos is sending me a replacement pair that they are assuring me are inspected to make sure they don't have this same problem.
If there is a problem with those ones as well, I'll probably drill out the eyelets and install grommets.