Cheaper these days= loss of quality???

Well it’s a sad day for me as I am going to have to lay my trusty winter boots to rest after 15 years of keeping my feet more than toasty on the coldest of days. I have a pair of Rocky snow stalkers that have 1000 grams of thinsulate, when I purchased the boats I got them on sale for $189. After doing some shopping they no longer make this exact boot which is what I want so I was looking at the Rocky blizzard Stalker which offer 1200 grams of thinsulate but the price is only $119. I am comparing these to Cabela’s inferno boots which offer 2000 grams of thinsulate.

Here’s the dilemma, my Rocky’s I trusted for the last 15 years and that is a long run for a pair of boots. I am concerned about the price of boots these days and their quality. If I buy another pair of Rocky’s being that they are almost $100 cheaper than my original pair will they last as long and be as warm? How is the quality and warmth of the Cablea’s boots and how long of a run do you think I would get out of them? I have always been a bit of a believer that you get what you pay for and after looking at the price of boots these days I am wondering why they are so much cheaper in price than they were 15 years ago?

I am set on one of the 2 pair of boots mentioned here I am just sketchy about quality and how long they will last. I guess if I only pay $119 for a pair of boots I wouldnt expect them to last more than 2 years or so. Your opinions on the 2 pair of boots mentioned here are greatly appreciated.

I have a pair of Rocky 1200 Blizzard stalkers. They are a very warm boot I wear them everyday to work and icefishing on the weekends. Im very hard on boots and wreck them every year and but a new pair in the fall.It is sad that they only last a year . But I figure I wear them about 70- 80 hours a week so I guess it isnt that bad for $120 bucks Hope this helps

jj……. Sorry for your loss, please burn those boots down wind from populated areas

Bought the infernos before ice season started, so far so good. Toasty and comfortable. Seem to be made well but time will tell on durability. Too many unforseen problems with higher end boots, junk adhesive, cheap thread etc. One issue with these and they are going back to Cabelas, which was why I went with them…..no questions asked in the return dept. Don’t forget the sno-seal

BTW…….nice job hunting down the pannies yesterday, sounds like your homework paid off

If you consider that you are getting them for half price of the originals then you should be happy with 7.5 years of service. Check the net, my wife buys shoes and boots off the net all the time and gets some great deals. In fact at this very moment I am wearing my brand new Lacrosse Ice Kings she bought me for Christmas. I ordered the wrong size and had to send the first pair back, but if you are patient and like saving $$$ the net is the way to shop for such items. I can get you her trusted shoe sight later if you would like to shop it….

Has anyone tried the clam brand boots? I was wondering the same thing… Are they warm and will they last. Cheapest I have seen them is 140

Now i know what that smell was yesterday in your shack I thought maybe it was my line burning on my guides from all the fish i was pulling up,but it was just your trusty old boots i smelled I have a pair of Red Wing Irish Setter’s 1200 i believe and they have not dissapointed me.I’m not sure how much they were, received them from the FW for christmas 4 yrs. ago. Very warm

When is the next episode is SIVee Smackdown gonna take place???

Ive got a pair of lacrosses that ive had since 1991 and still running strong. I think they are warmer than most boots made today.

I’ve been wearing my Blizzard Stalkers for 7 years now. Look almost as good as the day I bought them. I wear them hunting and fishing every year. Very warm. With a little water proofer every year, very dry too.
I am out of town this weekend, but I saw them in Bass Pro Shop this morning for $79.

clothing and everything has went WAY down over the last 1.5 years. wouldn’t worry about quality

It’s all because the Chinese pay their workers WAY less than they can do here……….

I have had a pair of rocky blizzard stalker 1200 gram for three years and could not be happier..I can not help you compare the quality vs their older boots as this is my first pair of Rockies. I wear these almost ever day in winter and a couple times a weak in spring and fall/so far they have held up quite well. I don’t see any reason I wont get ten years out of this boot. They are water proof and allot warmer than i thought they would be(almost bought a heavier pack boot/glad I didn’t) They are a little slick when it is really icy/but what boot isn’t.I think I paid 120 for mine but last spring Gander Mtn had odd sizes on sell for 80 bucks. They happen to have my wife’s size, so she picked up a pair(she also loves hers) Hope this helps!!

I went from Rockies to Cabelas 9-point 1000 gram thinsulate boots. I have worn them two years now for hunting and ice fishing and can’t be happier. They are extrememly comfortable, supportive, and great grip, and warm. I keep up about every 6 months on treating them with gortex spray but I am a little over anal about that at times. For the price I am very happy with them.

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It’s all because the Chinese pay their workers WAY less than they can do here……….

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Bingo! I recently started looking at motorcycle boots and couldn’t believe how many of the Rockies, Red Wings and the like are made over seas.

Thanks for the input guys though I wasnt really looking for info on how the chinese make everything we buy. I am pretty much aware of that situation. I just wanted to make sure I get another pair of quality boots that are most importantly WARM

Thanks to all that replied

my first pair of Rocky boots lasted me 12-15 years and were great. My last pair didn’t keep the water out for even a year and I couldn’t get a reply from them on the issue. I don’t buy Rocky anymore.

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Thanks for the input guys though I wasnt really looking for info on how the chinese make everything we buy. I am pretty much aware of that situation. I just wanted to make sure I get another pair of quality boots that are most importantly WARM

Thanks to all that replied

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Just thought I’d jump in and point you to a place in Berlin, Wisconsin that makes hand-crafted boots and shoes. They make them to fit you. High quality hand-crafted construction from people who have been doing it a long time. Heck, they’ll even use your leather if you want to send it to them. Price will be a little more than at the big box store, but they’ll resole for free if need be, and warranty can’t be beat. Lifetime worth of boot.

Russell Moccasin

Thanks Wooly Bugger and welcome to IDO

You’re welcome, and thank you.

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Thanks for the input guys though I wasnt really looking for info on how the chinese make everything we buy. I am pretty much aware of that situation. I just wanted to make sure I get another pair of quality boots that are most importantly WARM

Thanks to all that replied

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I understand that, BUT you asked how they are now cheaper. Did you not? Assembled in China means the prices are now less. Cheaper labor force = lower, more competitive price.

No, I asked about them being cheaper now days, did we compromise quality and warmth for cost? or will I still be getting the same quality and most importantly warmth for a cheaper price? I am fully aware that the labor and material is cheaper over seas but did we lose quality along with the price.