8 Boots Brands like Timberland: These Are Our Favorites

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When we think of the Timberland brand, we immediately associate it with adventure and dynamism.

This brand’s shoes and boots are characterized by robustness, functionality, and comfort. All of this is accompanied by an unmistakable style that has made these products popular all over the world.

However, Timberland is not the only brand on the market with the above qualities: there are many others at a similar level of quality and style, which offer interesting products, all to be discovered and kept in mind for your next purchase.

Be it work shoes, hiking boots, or mountaineering shoes, the brands that we have picked today are just like Timberland and are all aimed at a clientele who certainly does not like to sit on the sofa, but lives intensely and wants to do it safely and with style.

We will tell the story of these companies, and take a look at their style and the products that have made us love them.

So, let’s get started!

Contents:

• 1. Dr. Martens
• 2. Grenson
• 3. Caterpillar
• 4. Woodland
• 5. Thorogood
• 6. Red Wing Shoes
• 7. Blundstone
• 8. Royer

1. Dr. Martens

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Dr. Martens 1460 Leather Boot with AirWair technology

Everyone has heard of the famous Dr. Martens boots: the black boots with “infinite” laces, thick soles, and the famous yellow stitching.

But, this famous English brand is much more than that, and its history demonstrates how the genius of simple craftsmen can transform a brand into a legend.

The invention is in fact the work of Dr. Klaus Maertens who in 1945, in Munich, Germany, fractured his foot. After realizing that his boots were too stiff, to heal more quickly he decided to invent a softer sole with an air cushion.

Don’t miss: Dr. Martens vs Timberland Boots: A Comparison

With this new shoe prototype and his partner, the mechanical engineer Dr. Herbert Funck, they started producing shoes and had a successful business for 10 years.

In the 1960s, the Griggs company from England, which had been producing work footwear since 1901, noticed these shoes and after acquiring the license, started producing them in the UK.

So, on April 1st, 1960, the first 1460 Dr. Martens boot was launched, taking its name from the date of its inception.

This is how the Dr. Martens boots were born: the “a” of the name will be abandoned in favor of English phonetics.

Their history spans the entire second half of the 20th century to the present day, becoming for everyone a synonym of attitude and rebellious spirit: an icon for youth movements and related subcultures.

The latest news, in terms of current trends, is vegan production: boots, sandals, and backpacks in imitation leather, to meet the increasing needs of an eco-friendly and sustainable world.

Read also: 9 Boot Brands like Dr. Martens: Our Top Alternatives

2. Grenson

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Grenson official website

The history of the Grenson brand is as old as that of Dr. Martens. It began in 1866 in Rushden, Northamptonshire, England, when the shoemaker William Green started making work shoes strictly by hand, like all the artisans of the time.

Read also: 9 British Outdoor Clothing and Jackets Brands for Your Adventures

The industrial revolution helped him expand the production and it was in 1874 that the first shoe factory was born with the revolutionary Goodyear Welted method, still used for the most recent products.

In 1901, his son inherits everything and changes the name of the brand that becomes Grenson (from “William Green and sons”). It will be a leading supplier of the British Army and then face a decline.

In 2013 the brand is reborn with a new modern factory and a production that maintains the semi-artisan character of the company, for a high-level production ranging from ankle boots to moccasins.

The shoes are masterpieces of design and craftsmanship, aimed at a demanding and chic audience, who loves comfort but at the same time prefers a classic style.

One of the flagship shoe series is the “Triple Welt”: it owes its name to the sole, which seems like it has three welts and it’s very resistant over time.

Don’t miss: 9 British Shoes and Boots Brands: Our Favorites

3. Caterpillar

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CAT Footwear official website

Caterpillar is an American brand that was born in 1925 from the merger of two large companies, the Holt Caterpillar Co. and the C.L. Best Tractor Co.

It is currently one of the largest construction machinery manufacturing companies in the world.

Must read: Timberland vs Caterpillar Boots: A Comparison

Also known as CAT, it has expanded its production by making safety shoes that have moved out of their initial use which was strictly linked to work, to become cult shoes for the youth and beyond. This was thanks to Wolverine Worldwide which introduced the CAT Footwear brand to the market in the 1990s.

Certainly not suitable for evening dresses, the boots and sneakers produced by Cat combine highly technological materials against the risks associated with stability in risky work environments, and the need to have something indestructible that resists shocks and water.

The production for kids is interesting, with a view to safety entirely dedicated to them.

However, over time the design has become very accurate, with the aim of combining practicality and style.

4. Woodland

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Woodland official website

An international brand that was born in India with a small shop, Woodland now has over 600 stores in the country and other offices in Singapore and Hong Kong.

They currently ship in India and only on special request they can ship outside the country.

Specializing in hiking and other outdoor activities, they offer boots made of highly technological materials suitable for the most demanding activities.

Read also: Woodland vs Timberland Shoes: Which Brand is Better?

At the same time, they offer streetwear collections and, for women, also for the evening, always with the same philosophy of comfort and quality.

The close link with nature and the spirit of the challenge leads the brand to be very attentive to the cause of environmental sustainability, with affiliations such as the WWF and UNICEF, but not only: they are promoters of their own community and organize events on awareness and respect for the planet.

In addition to shoes, they present a complete line of outdoor clothing and support expeditions to the Himalayas thanks to the partnership with the GHE (Global Himalayan Expedition).

If you are planning to embark on a titanic trekking venture, the Woodland will dress you from head to toe with great professionalism and style.

Pay attention to the prices, expressed in Rupees, you will have to consider the exchange rate. At the time of purchase, you can add a small contribution to the WWF that will go to support the endangered Himalayan snow leopard.

5. Thorogood

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Thorogood official website

An American brand owned by its workers (it is a formula used in many countries of the world where, partially or entirely, the ownership is entrusted to the employees), Thorogood is part of the Weinbrenner Shoe Company, founded in 1892 by Albert Weinbrenner in Wisconsin.

The brand handcrafts boots for the toughest jobs, including boots for firefighters, carpenters, and all those who work in difficult conditions.

The result is a collection of excellent and visually impactful shoes.

Don’t miss: Thorogood vs Red Wing Boots: A Comparison

Over the years, the brand has supplied the American army and in 1964 their “Hike ‘n Camp” model became the official Boy Scout boot.

Their collection is divided by characteristics (height of the boot, type, and colors), uses, and professions (public safety, construction, firefighters, etc.).

You can purchase their products online from various websites, including Amazon.

6. Red Wing Shoes

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Red Wing Leather Moc Toe Boots

Another American brand historically specialized in comfortable and safe shoes for workers, the Red Wing Shoes company was founded in 1905 by Charles H. Beckman, in Red Wing, Minnesota.

Their collections include boots and safety shoes with resistant materials and a lifestyle line for men and women, which collects the craftsmanship and artisan imprint of the most technical shoes to bring them into everyday life.

Must read:
Red Wing vs Timberland Boots: Which Brand is Better?
10 Boots Brands like Red Wing: Our Top Alternatives

One of the first successes of the brand is the production of a type of boot for women, called Gloria.

Over time the brand has decided to divide its products into categories: work and heritage.

The first aimed strictly at work shoes, the second dedicated to free time, but with the same attention to maintaining identical craftsmanship of the designs.

For example, the women’s Iron Ranger collection is based on shoes initially designed for miners and the result is a classy leather boot with exceptional solidity.

In addition, Red Wing produces backpacks, wallets, and even elegant leather journals.

A large space is dedicated to the maintenance of the products: various shoe care kits of oils and boot creams are available to guarantee the longevity of your purchase.

Red Wing is present in stores all over the world and you can also buy their products online.

Read next: 7 Swedish Shoes and Boots Brands for Cold, Rainy Weather

7. Blundstone

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Woman wearing a pair of Blundstones

Now is the turn of an Australian brand, Blundstone, from Tasmania, the wild island, which was founded in 1870 by English emigrants.

Despite the brand’s expansion to all continents, the headquarters have remained in Tasmania.

Must read: Blundstone vs Dr. Martens Boots: Which Brand is Better?

Blundstone production is aimed at those who live in contact with a land of uncontaminated nature, offering shoes for working in the fields, carpentry, hiking, etc.

The collection is divided into work, casual, and kids products.

There are boots for working in difficult conditions, for everyday life, up to a section for kids, created for playing in nature in complete safety.

Many of their work shoes are equipped with soles to resist oils and acids and built with XRD® Technology, a material that is ultra-resistant to shocks.

You can purchase these boots on the various e-commerce sites available online.

In 2020, Blundstone celebrates 150 years of activity during which the company has supplied soldiers, miners, and even dancers, becoming popular all over the world.

Read next: 11 Boot Brands like Blundstone: Our Top Alternatives

8. Royer

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Royer official website

Let’s move on to a Canadian company – Royer was born in 1934 during the Great Depression, from the genius of Louis-Philippe Royer.

The dramatic period of poverty did not even allow him to buy the work material, so he decided to create his own tools and tannery (even the leather was difficult to source).

Read also: 9 Canadian Winter Boots Brands to Try this Year

With the help of the family and the improvement of the operations, the hard times come to an end, and the company soon becomes famous throughout Canada.

Royer boots and shoes are designed for construction and carpentry work and are distinguished by the attention to the Arctic climate of the area in which many of them are produced.

The Arctic Grip line, specific for ice and snow, has some models that are equipped with a heating system called 3M® THERMAL INSULATION, useful for keeping the feet warm up to -20°C (-4°F), and comes with non-slip soles by Vibram designed specifically for frozen ground.

Among their collections, you can also find shoes to wear in your everyday life, not only for work.

You can buy Royer’s products from their website and other online shops, depending on where you live.

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That’s all for today’s selection! Did you like the brands we just presented? Have you tried any of them? Let us know your experience in the comments below.