This is a Chippewa Logger Boots review. Chippewa is well known for making premium work boots and is one of the most trusted brands on the market. Although Chippewa has several different types of work boots, they are probably most famous for their logger boots.
The Chippewa Logger boots are heavy-duty boots that can stand up to some of the harshest outdoor work environments. Let’s review some of the specifics of Chippewa Logger boots, and take a closer look at how a used pair of Chippewa Logger boots has held up over time.
Chippewa Logger Boots
Steel Toe Available – Abrasion-Resistant Leather Upper – Insulated Versions Available – Waterproof – Logger Style – Goodyear Welt Construction – Oil/Slip Resistant Outsole
“Our favorite winter heavy-duty work boot. Trustworthy and warm.”
Chippewa’s beginnings date back to 1901, and to a small factory in the lumber town of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Since then, they have grown to become one of the most trusted names in premium work boots (source). Still to this day they handcraft as many of their boots as possible in the USA.
Chippewa is famous for logger boots, and their boots set the standard for the industry. What you get with this Chippewa logger boot is a combination of toughness, safety, and waterproof construction, made by a company who has spent over a century perfecting its craft.
The Chippewa logger boots come in several different versions, including soft-toe/steel-toe, and insulated/non-insulated. In this article we will discuss what makes the Chippewa logger boots unique, and take a look at a used pair to see how they’ve held up over time.
What We Like
Not only is Chippewa our favorite brand of waterproof work boots, they are also our favorite brand of insulated winter logger boots. The way the Chippewa logger boots are built, it naturally keeps water from getting down inside the boot. The tongue is premium leather and sits perfectly with the laces to help hold out water (more on waterproof construction later).
These are insulated logger boots. The waterproof, insulated version of the Chippewa Logger boot is our favorite winter heavy-duty logger boot. Not only does it have the premium waterproof construction, it also features Texon® 460 waterproof insoles and 400 grams of 3M Thinsulate™ insulation. If you work outdoors in harsh terrain during the winter, this boot gives you heavy duty protection and warmth.
As we mentioned earlier, Chippewa got its start during the early 1900s in small-town Wisconsin. And although some individual parts are imported, Chippewa still, to this day, handcrafts as many of their boots in the USA as possible. This is something they take pride in, and it is reflected in their motto “Hand Crafted by people who care”.
Chippewa makes several different tiers of Logger boots so that you can find one that best matches your needs and budget. Here is a look at a pair of their logger boots, and how they have held up over time. As you can see, despite extreme use, these boots are still holding well at the seams:
What We’d Change
As we have mentioned in other articles, we love heavy-duty boots that wrap the rubber outsole over the top of the toe box for an extra layer of protection (KEEN boots are this way). Not only does this add protection, it just helps the toe of the boot last longer. We’d love to see that same style offered in certain versions of rugged Chippewa boots.
But this likely comes down to personal preference. And there aren’t logger boots on the market that offer a wrapped toe. Some people prefer a clean-styled toe. Even though these Chippewa logger boots don’t wrap the rubber outsole up over the toe, the steel-toe versions still provide heavy duty protection and support in the toe box area.
Material
Chippewa logger boots use premium construction and materials to help ensure they are ready and able to protect and support in harsh outdoor work environments. They have 100% leather waterproof uppers.
The outsole is logger style, with heavy-duty rubber lugs that provide consistent traction even in outdoor environments. The outsole is manufactured to maintain its physical properties in cold weather.
These boots have a Goodyear welt construction. Welt construction, in general, is the best way to build a boot, and makes the boot easy to re-craft, if you ever feel like you need to.
The shank of these boots is made with triple ribbed steel. In a boot, the shank is a part of the supportive, load-bearing structure between the insole and outsole (info). For more reading on the shanks used by Chippewa, visit our article Do Chippewa Boots Have a Steel Shank?
| Uppers | 100% leather |
| Outsole | Rubber |
| Shank | Triple Ribbed Steel |
| Toe | Steel |
| Build | Goodyear Welt |
Design & Comfort
The Chippewa logger boots are offered in 8″ and 9″versions. They provide great support around the ankle.
As we mentioned earlier in the article, Chippewa is our favorite brand for waterproof work boots. These boots create tremendous waterproof protection due to several different factors (source):
- The uppers are 100% waterproof leather with seam-sealed construction
- The boots go far enough up the ankle to help keep water out
- The tongue (leather) and laces are designed in a way that keeps water from leaking in all over the place
- The Chip-A-Tex® waterproof membrane system helps lock water out but allows air to still pass through.
If waterproof boots are an absolute necessity for you, then Chippewa is an excellent brand to go with. If you are working in harsh winter conditions, the insulated version of the Chippewa logger boots uses 400 grams of 3M Thinsulate™ insulation. As we mentioned earlier, the insulated version is our favorite heavy-duty winter logger boot on the market.
The logging industry produces some of the most extreme working conditions and can put incredible stress (through mud, brush, timber terrain) on logger’s work boots. Because these boots are made with loggers in mind, you know these are heavy duty work boots made to last even in extreme work environments.
Summer or Winter Boots?
As we just discussed, Chippewa does make an insulated logger boot that is ideal for winter conditions. They are insulated with 400 grams of 3M Thinsulate™ insulation (Thinsulate is a synthetic fiber thermal insulation used in clothing and boots).
Chippewa also offers a non-insulated version that can be better for summer work environments, or environments that don’t face extreme winter conditions.
Fit
Chippewa advises customers to expect their boots to run about a half size bigger than normal shoe sizing. In my experience, the Chippewa Logger boots ran maybe a little big, but not so much that it caused me an issue with slippage or discomfort. Chippewa boots are offered in wide and extra wide sizing for those of you who have wide feet. To read more about Chippewa Boot sizing, visit our article How Do Chippewa Boots Fit?
Safety
Chippewa does offer the logger boot in a steel toe version (soft toe versions also exist). The rubber outsole of the Chippewa logger boots is made by Vibram, a company that specializes in making high performance outsoles for shoes and boots. The rubber outsole on these boots is oil and slip resistant. Be sure to check the electrical hazard specifics when applicable (source).
| Steel Toe | Certain styles |
| Slip Resistant | Yes |
| EH Protection | Certain styles |
| Size | 9″ |