Thorogood vs Carolina boots

The brands in brief

Thorogood is best known for the American Heritage moc toe line and also sells the Logger Series, 1957 Series and Wellingtons. Its American Heritage listings say American made with USA and globally sourced components. See best Thorogood boots.

Carolina sells loggers such as the Elm, linesman boots, and the AMP USA moc toe wedge. The AMP USA listing says made in the USA with global components. Origin is not stated on the Carolina 8" steel toe logger listing, so we do not assume it. Carolina models appear across our logger boots and lineman boots guides.

Loggers: Thorogood Logger Series vs Carolina 8" Steel Toe

Both are waterproof steel toe loggers. The Thorogood is 9 inches tall and lists a Vibram midsole, Goodyear storm welt construction, a steel shank and a shock absorption footbed. The Carolina is 8 inches tall and lists waterproofing, EH protection, a triple-rib steel shank and a memory foam footbed. The Carolina listing does not state its construction method or outsole brand, so those are not confirmed.

For the general question of whether you need a logger at all, see logger boots vs work boots.

Moc toes: American Heritage vs AMP USA

Both are 6 inch soft toe moc toe wedge boots with EH ratings and welted construction. Thorogood lists a Goodyear storm welt, a MAXWear Wedge outsole that meets ASTM F3445-21 slip standards, and a removable dual-density footbed. Carolina lists Goodyear welt construction that allows resoling, full-grain leather and a removable Ortholite insole. Slip test standards are not stated on the Carolina listing.

Side by side

The price gap is widest on the loggers, where the Thorogood listing costs nearly twice the Carolina. On the moc toes the two are close. Prices change often, so check the current listing. See how much do work boots cost for what drives price.

Compare moc toe work boots →

Sizing and fit notes

Brands use different lasts, and fit can vary between a logger and a moc toe from the same maker. Neither listing gives a sizing recommendation, so do not assume your size carries over. Measure your feet late in the day, use each brand's size chart and our boot size and width converter, and check width options; both brands list wide sizes on many models.

Read are Thorogood boots true to size, how should work boots fit and the work boot width chart. If you have wide feet, see work boots for wide feet.

Note.Tall loggers need a snug heel. If your heel lifts more than a little when you walk, try a different size or width before relying on break-in.

How to choose between them

Many buyers pick Carolina when budget matters and the basics are listed, and Thorogood when they want a named Vibram midsole and storm welt on a logger. Either way, a good fit matters more than the brand. For other options, see construction work boots and wedge sole work boots.

1. 1

   Decide on the style first: a tall logger for slopes, brush and climbing, or a moc toe wedge for flat sites and concrete.

2. 2

   Check whether your site needs a rated toe. Both loggers here list steel toes; both moc toes here are soft toe.

3. 3

   Set a budget. On the loggers the price gap is large; on the moc toes it is small.

4. 4

   Look at what each listing confirms. Thorogood states more sole and construction detail; Carolina states fewer specs on the 8" logger.

5. 5

   Order from a seller with easy returns and test the fit at home on a clean floor before wearing the boots outside.

Frequently asked questions

Is Carolina as good as Thorogood? On these listings, Carolina matches Thorogood on the basics, such as welted moc toes, EH ratings and waterproof steel toe loggers, often at a lower price. Thorogood lists more detail on soles and construction, especially on the Logger Series.

Are Carolina boots made in the USA? The Carolina AMP USA listing says made in the USA with global components. Other Carolina listings, such as the 8" steel toe logger, do not state origin. See which work boots are made in USA.

Which logger is better for linemen? Both are steel toe loggers with steel shanks. Check your employer's climbing and EH requirements, then pick by height, fit and budget. See lineman boots.

Can both brands be resoled? The welted models here, Thorogood's storm welt boots and the Carolina AMP USA, are built to be resoled. Construction is not stated on the Carolina 8" logger listing.