Farmers are passionate about their boots and quite loyal to brands. That’s what I found out after my last column when I asked, “What’s the best bang-for-your-buck boot?”

I included a photo and wrote about my son-in-law’s worn boots I noticed while riding in the combine cab with him. I wondered if I should buy him a new pair as a combo birthday-Christmas present.

I was pleased to get many responses from readers. They shared some common must-haves, including high-quality leather for durability and breathability, water resistance, insole for arch support, and good soles with treads for grip. Other considerations include — depending on the intended use — ankle support, toe protection and insulation.

Here’s what a few of you had to say:

“I have owned every brand of work boot, from pull-ons to lace-up. The bottom line is … find what fits your foot as not every name brand is made the same. I have had both knees and a hip replacement and foot surgery; your foot position and gait changes. I was also a fireman for 34 years, and in-the-middle-of-the-night calls require a quick dress.

“The best boot for me as far as fit is Bates side-zipper lace-up. Gets even better the older one gets! But the best advice I can give is you need to replace work shoes every six months and change out insoles every two months. Think about this. … We all have a step calculator strapped on our side, and if we just walk 2 miles a day, six days a week in the work boots, that’s 313 days in the year, which equals 626 miles. I live by what my dad told me when I was younger, “You can’t do much if your feet hurt; take care of them.”

Respectfully, Tony Tidd, Jamestown, Ohio

-------------------

“Those boots are nowhere ready to be replaced. My choice is the Wrangler Work boot-tag. My pair has Thermolite by Dupont thin insulation, which is unnoticeable as far as knowing it’s there, and they are super warm even at zero outside temps.   

“The full grain upper leather is so well assembled at the base of the tongue that when treated and cared for with Neatsfoot oil, I can walk/stand in water and melted snow up to nearly 6 inches deep without any making its way to the inside lining or my socks.

“Thanks for having such great farmer interest articles like this one.”

George Hubka, Dowling, Mich.

-------------------

“My boots take their worst beating when I am pheasant and quail hunting. The switchgrass out west and the briars down south are hard on boots. My favorites are Red Wings, and my favorite Red Wing store is on Bay Road in Saginaw. You can drop off your boots, and they will clean them and waterproof them for free as long as you own them. They also replace worn out laces for free. I currently have three pair of Red Wings, and I make at least two trips per year to Saginaw to get them cleaned and polished.”

Ward Forquer, Mount Pleasant, Mich.

-------------------

“Thorogood. One pair of their steel-toed moc toes has withstood the rigors of the past four planting through harvest seasons.”

Joshua B. Vann, Rock Hill, S.C.

-------------------

“We're farmers, and one of my sons works in the trades. My father was a diehard Wolverine boot-wearing construction foreman. However, as many things have been cheapened by foreign manufacturing, we have noticed the same with Wolverine. As my son has now been a plumber for seven-plus years and is through being fed up with boots that don't last and aren't able to be repaired. He has become, and converted me to, either Danner or Thorogood. He is Thorogood only. Value for me includes comfort, as well as ability to be re-soled. When you buy great quality, you can have them for many years. 

Rick Raber, Sixth Day Farms, Harlan, Ind.