Winter Work Boot Roundup

I am always willing to try new work boots. As a framer, I prefer wedge-sole boots, but when I’m forming foundations, I prefer boots with a more rugged sole style. Then, because I live and work in the Pacific Northwest, I need waterproof boots for the wet winters we get here. Over the last four months, I’ve been wearing boots from KEEN Utility and Danner, rotating them throughout the week depending on the work I’m doing. Organized from lighter duty to heavier duty, here’s what I’ve found.

KEEN Utility San Jose Waterproof Safety Toe. I wore the non-waterproof version of these popular boots for about a year and loved them, finding that the sole didn’t wear out to my walking patterns like on some wedge-sole boots I’ve had the in past, and that their slightly wider toe boxes and asymmetrical safety toes fit me perfectly. My feet never got sore after wearing either version of these boots, and I didn’t experience any “break-in” period. KEEN Utility has been promoting its air-injected PU midsole, which it calls Luftcell, as being lighter weight and more comfortable than other midsoles, and I have to say that I agree: These are very comfortable boots. They don’t have speed lacing, which I consider to be a bit of a negative.

According to KEEN, the boot meets OSHA standards for safety footwear, including ASTM F2412-17 and ASTM F2413-11 M I/75 C/75 EH, which basically specify the impact and compression resistance of the safety toe.

The rubber outsoles are oil- and slip-resistant, though I did find the boots to be very slippery in the mud (which they aren’t designed for). The waterproof version of the boot has a breathable, Keen.dry waterproof “booty” sewn into the boot. What I really love about this boot is that it is lightweight and stable. The downside is that it isn’t a heavy-duty boot, so I reserve them for wet days that I’m framing on a floor and not out in mud much. Online, you can buy this boot for $160 at keenfootwear.com. Made in China.

Danner Stronghold Safety Toe. I requested these boots from Danner after seeing a friend of mine wearing them and feeling the need for a little heavier-duty waterproof boot for winter. The full-grain leather Stronghold is waterproof, using a Danner Dry breathable booty lining. The composite safety toe meets OSHA standards and doesn’t transmit the cold or heat like steel or aluminum safety toes do; it also won’t set off metal detectors. Danner claims that the rubberized EVA midsole is more durable than traditional EVA, and is designed to enhance rebound, comfort, and support. As with the Keen Utility San Jose, I found these boots to be comfortable right out of the box; these are the boots I wear in the woods when I take my dog for a walk. They too meet OSHA footwear safety standards.

The Vibram outsole is nice and rugged but still very grippy on plywood and OSB. I don’t prefer a heel when I’m framing, but this outsole is perfect for wet and muddy jobsites. This is one of the best boots I’ve worked in. They don’t breathe quite as well as the lighter-duty Keen San Jose boots, but this isn’t a major deal for me. You can buy them online for $200 at danner.com. Made in Vietnam.

Danner Steel Yard Safety Toe. Danner asked me to try out this boot, and at first I wasn’t very enthusiastic about its request. But after dealing with record rains lately, another pair of waterproof boots didn’t sound like a bad idea. I found that these boots were very stiff, taking two full days to start breaking in. Even so, right away I noticed that they felt like they were made for my feet, with zero heel slippage. As I walked, it felt like there was a little spring action to my step. This boot meets OSHA safety standards.

According to the product literature that came with the boots, the Steel Yard features something called a “patented Danner Comfort System” to cradle the heel, and a polyurethane midsole that rebounds energy with each step. I have to say, I believe it. Once broken in, these boots are still a little stiff, but very comfortable. They are the kind of boots I want when I’m forming foundations and working in the dirt all day, stepping in wet concrete and then rubbing against the footings as we form walls. As I did with the Stronghold, I feel like these boots don’t breathe as well as the Keen, but again this isn’t a deal breaker, especially when I’m working in tough conditions. Due to its stiffness, this isn’t a boot I’d wear sheathing roofs, but the grippy outsole is perfect for working in the mud. You can buy them online for $160 at danner.com. Made in Cambodia.

Final Thoughts. I worked with a guy some years ago who had spent years as a Union glazer. He swore by rotating boots throughout his work week to avoid foot problems. That has become standard operating procedure for me, and a habit that I recommend. And when it comes to a particular boot, be picky. All three boots work well for me, but I have flat feet, and they may not fit you as well. Whatever you buy, don’t buy cheap; we make our living on our feet, day in and out.