Best boots I have ever owned. I am a machinist and on my feet m-f 8 hrs minimum in an oily and solvent rich environment. These are tough! I have been wearing my steel toe Apache to work every day for almost 3yrs now. All other brands are done after 1yr (or less). I just got these re-sole with new vibram for 70$ because the boot body still has at least another year in them. Now with regards to the laces they are disappointing I agree, and mine also broke after like 2weeks, but I did not buy the boot for the laces. The solution is simply use Paracord(<5$), I put some on mine and 3yrs later I am writing this with the same string on them.(about to change from soiling) . In summary I will no longer be buying any other brand of boot, or rather I will only buy USA made boots from here on out the difference is huge. I will try out red wing and maybe Carolina, but honestly so happy I will likely be wearing Chippewa for the rest of my career