A near accidental amputation of part of my foot while chopping firewood last winter left a gash in my hiking boots, so I was stoked to try a pair of do-all boots from the boss of tough: Caterpillar. Yes, the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment has expanded into our outdoor adventure realm. My experiment with a pair has been praise-worthy so far, and the quality and toughness seems comparable to that of their earthmoving machinery. These rugged, well-built boots have served me equally well on several hikes, home landscaping projects, and on a soggy fishing trip. Doing double-duty as work and play boots, they have kept my feet warm, dry and protected from abuse. On top of that, the tread traction is top notch, and I expect them to last for years—as long as I improve on my axe swing. MSRP: $144.95. Catfootwear.com
