Hey all glad to share and see that some of you know these boots already. I don't know about the wescos or danners but my Whites brand new were supple and tuff as hell at the same time right out of the box. The height of the heel was something i needed to get used to. (i'm 5'8" in my socks but i'm pushing 6' in these!!) As far as the stiffness the only thing I had to get used to was the sole that seemed not to bend. But after a couple days of living in them they break in (or maybe that was my feet breaking in) but never get flimsy. they come standard in a height of 10" but they go up to 16".
Despo- Check out their "Lineman". Is that like your old wesco's?
They also make a lined versio called their hunter.
And if you want to go all winter no mercy they have a line called "PACS". I own a pair of these as well. Lets just say Sorell's are turds with a lining compared to these.

Well, after poking around the Wesco site for the last 45 minutes I will be picking a pair of them up for this spring/summer.

The never ending search for the "ultimate" boots continue. Thought I had the ultimates pegged when I got Meindls...

Don't ever try to contact WESCO for the two to three weeks around Christmas/New Year. They close the entire operation so the employees can be with family. I gotta respect that, especially since it's paid.

Nah, I'll fly up to Portland and pay my Uncle a visit. Take him up there to the WESCO shop and see if I can't convince him to get a pair as well.

Won't happen till one of my next R&R's back down to the Lower 48 anyway...

Footwear is one of those things that you should get the absolute best you can afford. Do not try to skimp or worry about saving on them. If you live on your feet, it is worth it.

I have had great service from my Gortex lined, Thinsulate insulated, steel (now composit) toed, Vibram soled Matterhorns. While I didn't fight fires, or climb poles, they have served me well, being worn probably six months of the year for the last eleven years. They are heavy tho!!!

I gave up on steel toes. I realized i was using my foot for jobs i should be using a hammer on :P

+10. You wouldn't send your kids out on cheap, bald tires. Don't send your toes out in cheap shoes.

Yep. In the field it was either these our the issue jungle boots. These days the services are allowing more leeway in purchased boots. Seems they are also providing better footwear having talked to buddies still in.