I have had similar experience, (2009-2012) with Timberland 6" workboot ( Style # 24097). The first pair the sole became almost gooey and fell apart. To their credit they replaced that pair of boots. The new soles seemed a little harder. Those soles eventually, (after 1 yr.) disintegrated. I also am a little stubborn / slow-learner but I bought another pair May 2011, ( what I do like about this boot is it is very comfortable right out of the box ; but I can't afford to buy new ones every 9 mos). By December of the same year ( what, 8, 9 months?), the soles are cracked at that natural bend point like when you're down on your knees & then get up. The leather has not lasted very well either. It's got that "acid etched" look, ( I'm not religeous about cream but did bathe them in Obenauf's "Heavy Duty LP leather preservative" which, by the way, is supposed to be the best. It is very rich in bee's wax; it just feels like good stuff. I'm not that hard on boots. I'm on the farm only 1/4 of my time the rest I'm in office & wharehouse. I had a pair of Georgia boots that lasted me 7 years. I'm either going back to them or try Chippewa, (made in USA I'm not sure about the Georgia).

I have to agree with everyone else. I have gotten about 6 months out of both pair of mine. The first pair was replaced by the local retailer at the 6 month mark and now that replacement pair has cracked across the natural bend area just like the first pair. I had much better luck with my first non water proof pair. They lasted 2 years. very disappointing.

Hey all, sure glad I found this site. Thank you for your great posts. I have a pair of Tiimberland Pros that are deteriorating at an alarming rate. The sole of only one boot is falling apart, but well before it should. These are obviously inferior-quality boots, and I hope to get Timberland to replace them, although I'm not holding my breath.

My background is as an electrician (20 years in the US Navy, 5 years Merchant Marine, and now 3 years with the railroad). Ships take their toll on boots faster than any other environment I've worked in, and the best brand I've found is from Australia. They're called Oliver, and if I could afford to get them shipped to my house, I would.

At any rate, these Timberland boots suck and if they won't replace them, this will be the last pair of Timberlands I wear.

Does anyone have any suggestions for American-made boots that are worth the money?

I'm a commercial electrician and I have purchased 2 pairs of Timberland Pro boots. They are pretty nice at first but the soles are complete garbage. The first pair split all the way across right about where the ball of the foot is, I thought it was a fluke and the boots were decent other than that so I bought a second pair. This time it was the Steel Trax 6-Inch Boot, not a cheap pair at about $150. I noticed that it had a different sole than my old model, which had a flatter sole. These have a rounded section wight where my old ones split and I hoped that they had addressed the problem. Unfortunately, that's right where they split, again. The sole is also shedding several layers of rubber, seems it is not one solid piece. I don't know if it's a material problem or a problem with the process they use, but I will NEVER buy another timberland boot for work. There are times where I really flex my boots, like when I kneel down and keep the front of my foot flat on the floor, but I thing that any pair of WORK boots costing over $100 should stand up to such use. Timberland "Pro" is all hype and no performance, the uppers are fine but the sole will wear out before a year is up with real use.

I have owned around 6 pair of Timerland Pro boots and every pair has lasted around a year. I wear out the soles because i work between 12 to 18 hrs a day. i found a really light and comfortable pair called Titans. They were taller and added more angle support. Unfortunately after 6 months i am experiencing the same problems everybody else is they leak and the soles were they bend have cracked all the way across. Also these boots have a softer sole so i figured they would wear faster but i never thought they would crack. Timberlands "work boots" so they call them are junk and a waste of money. I paid 180 bucks for these and i am severly disappointed. I am going to send them back. I already know their qaulity is poor now lets see how their customer support is.

Thanks everyone for the feed back about timberland boots, my boots are now defected i just need to know where i can send them back or get a refund i only had my boots for 2 months and both pair are not waterproof anymore. Yeah i do construction work to, but jeepers creepers, boots shouldnt only last two months. Can anybody help me!

To: Chrome01: I just got my replacement boots from Timberland today. They found that my boots were defective and replaced them at no charge. Call 888-802-9947 and select option 5. They will give you a return authorization number and the address to mail them to. After you send your boots back you can call the warranty center for an update at 603-772-9500.

I bought a pair of Timberland boots in Florida in 1999 and they were only used on special occasions and never in the wet.Whilst on holiday in Jersey in 2007 the sole came apart from the uppers as though the adhesive had disintegrated. I put this down to experience and vowed never to buy Timberland again as expensive items do not necessarily always mean good quality.
On reading The Sunday Times last week there was a letter printed by one customer who had the same problem as me and even without proof of ownership or receipt he was offered a replacement pair of boots.He claimed that Timberland offered a lifetime guarantee.
I tried the same story with Timberland writing to their customer service department and they claimed the was No lifetime guarantee.Buyer still beware.