Keen Work Boot Overview | Family Handyman
Utility boots have come a good way over the numerous years. Beforehand associated to being obnoxiously heavy and having an annoying metallic plate that appeared destined to pierce by way of your foot fairly than put it apart, gone are the instances of lackluster work boots with solely safety in ideas.
Producers have gone to good lengths to not solely make them even safer however moreover additional cosy and, dare I say, partaking. Stylish work boots declare to be safer, lighter and better turning into—and might be worn all day. Could it presumably be true?
Keen Utility’s Evanston boot is a kind of new-era utility boots that downside misconceptions. I tried them to see if they may resist my regularly duties and meet industrial necessities. I was thrilled with these boots, so be taught on to take heed to why.
What is the Keen Utility Evanston Work Boot?
Keen Utility designed the Evanston work boot to meet the needs of many professionals. Nonetheless, I found it smart for any utility the place comfort and safety are paramount. Keen Utility states that the work boot is good for assembly line workers, electricians, the aerospace commerce and light-weight manufacturing.
The boots tick the entire bins for regular work boots, with safety and meeting necessities being the most effective priorities. They’re a six-inch extreme waterproof boot applicable for lots of producing and constructing circumstances. Sturdy leather-based presents the wearer security and makes the boots visually fascinating.
PAMELA BONDURANT/FAMILY HANDYMAN
Keen Utility Evanston Work Boot Choices
The Keen Utility Evanston Work Boot stands out with a set of high-performance choices designed for durability and safety. This boot is not solely oil, slip and heat resistant, however moreover boasts a carbon-fiber toe. This makes them a lighter numerous to traditional metallic toes whereas sustaining sturdy security. Rated for electrostatic discharge (ESD), the boot ensures protected use in environments the place static electrical power is a precedence.
The boot’s six-inch ankle peak provides necessary security and stability, an necessary aspect every industrial settings and demanding work environments. The heat-resistant outsole further enhances sturdiness, allowing the boot to resist extreme temperatures with out compromising effectivity or comfort.
The Keen Utility Evanston is supplied with Keen.ReGEN know-how, a proprietary sole designed to provide 50% additional vitality return compared with regular foam soles. This know-how helps in the reduction of fatigue and can enhance comfort all through prolonged hours in your toes. Furthermore, the boot incorporates a 90-degree heel (half an inch) that contributes to its stability and steadiness.
The eyelets are constructed from plastic fairly than metal, minimizing the hazard of marring extraordinarily accomplished surfaces—a thoughtful ingredient for professionals working with delicate provides. The boots even have reflective parts for enhanced visibility in low-light circumstances.
The leather-based used is barnyard resistant, which means it efficiently withstands the detrimental outcomes of widespread livestock-related hazards like oleic acid and urea.
Furthermore, the Leather-based-based Working Group certifies the leather-based as “environmentally hottest,” which ensures that the tanneries adhere to rigorous environmental necessities, along with waste administration and greenhouse gasoline low cost.
As an extra bonus, the boots are PFA-free and comprise no “endlessly chemical compounds.”
How We Examined the Keen Utility Evanston Work Boot
The boots arrived by mail in terrific packaging—a sturdy boot subject that I’ll be reusing. The boots had been pre-laced and ready to make use of, so I put them on my toes spherical 8:30 a.m. As someone who dislikes carrying footwear and solely wears them as a necessity—one factor I equate to foot jail—I didn’t even assume to take these brand-new boots off my toes for practically 12 hours!
I placed on a Euro measurement 39 with a narrow-to-normal width foot and bought a U.S. girls’s 8.5 medium boot. The match was good, and Keen’s signature roomy toe subject was a welcome support for my claustrophobic toes and the precise or imagined widening of my foot as I age. The cushioned half throughout the ankle felt cozy and didn’t give me that restrictive feeling I get after I revisit my early 90s hipster days and placed on my heavy, black ankle boots.
I wasn’t going to test the carbon fiber toe for safety as they did as quickly as on Fable Busters (anyone else see that episode?), nevertheless the toe was clearly fortified. I felt assured that my tootsies had been in protected arms and opted out of dropping a toolbox on my foot. One different welcome shock was that the composite toe was not even noticeable, while my toes had been bent, which is one factor I’ve struggled with in several steel-toed boots.
I spent the remainder of the day doing quite a few chores in these boots. I weeded, ran the string trimmer, cleaned gutters and dug up volunteer lemongrass that was invading my flower beds. I walked on grass, mud and mulch. I even took my daily multi-mile stroll on asphalt in these boots on account of it didn’t occur to me to change my footwear.
Keen Utility boasts that the heel design of these boots helps protected the foot in place on ladders. Whereas climbing the ladder to scrub my gutters, I felt fully assured. Whereas digging with a shovel and on the ladder rungs, the one actual’s sturdiness did not set off discomfort or fatigue. As a result of the day passed by, I was so very surprised that my ankles moreover did not actually really feel any chafing or excessive stress.
Professionals:
- Licensed for safety necessities and ESD
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Environmentally hottest leather-based
- Reflective
- Chemical and natural resistant leather-based
- Quite a lot of widths
Cons:
- No shade alternative for ladies
- Restricted sizes in every males’s and girls’s varieties
Why Perception Me
I’ve been carrying work boots for a lot of of my grownup life. I’ve lived and labored on an pure farm, labored as a land surveyor in a number of regulated environments, owned a landscaping agency and executed gobs of contracting work in painting and first carpentry. Nothing makes my work easier than cosy and smart footwear.
As educated product reviewer, I am devoted to considering my needs and folks of others when evaluating merchandise. The boots will not be any exception, and I believed-about many parts to have the ability to give a very good analysis. I checked out every my personal needs and folks of people of assorted sizes and in quite a few industries.
FAQ
Are Keen boots good for work?
There are many varieties of labor boots that are licensed for certain industrial makes use of and problems with security. Many Keen utility boots are permitted for these makes use of and, subsequently, are superb work boots. Keen moreover has climbing boots and casual boots which can be applicable for certain work environments.
Are Keen footwear good in your toes?
They’re undoubtedly not harmful in your toes! In precise reality, with the arch help, security and roomy toe subject, your toes are getting the royal remedy as far as footwear goes. Keen utility boots embody a 30-day trial, so in case you uncover that they aren’t meeting your needs, you can return them.
Are Keen boots waterproof?
Some Keen boots are waterproof. The Evanston boot reviewed is rated as waterproof and is indicated for moist and dry use. If waterproof boots are a ought to, be sure that to confirm the producer’s acknowledged makes use of and capabilities.
What Totally different Reviewers/Specialists Wanted to Say
LaRita B. presents a 5-star consider on Keen’s web site, saying, “Giant enough!!!!! Certain, lastly, Keen listened! These safety-toe boots are broad enough to go well with my foot. Thanks, successfully executed.”
Vicki Rose, proprietor of SPC Specialty Merchandise, a woman-owned enterprise serving the manufacturing and vitality sectors, says, “I placed on industrial boots daily for work. This boot meets all the safety requirements, appears to be good, and even is accessible in a girls’s 5, which is good for me.”
“Most interesting boot ever,” says Jade P on Keen’s web site. “I bought these off of a suggestion from a coworker. So cosy, even with out one different insole! My blisters I obtained from my completely different boots went away, and as a result of composite toe all my ankle ache is gone (on account of my earlier boots had been too heavy). Severely the proper purchase I’ve ever made.”
Keens vs. Purple Wings
I in distinction these boots to a pair of Redwing steel-toed boots that I used to placed on for work and situated the Keens have way more help and cushioning. The carbon fiber toe was not even noticeable on the Keens, versus the discomfort inflicted on my foot by the old-school metallic toe.
I moreover in distinction the Wanting to a more moderen pair of steel-toed Purple Wings side-by-side and situated the comfort and styling to be significantly equal, nevertheless the Keen was significantly lighter.
Final Verdict
The in depth itemizing of safety scores on this boot makes it viable for practically all work circumstances. The nice help and luxurious allow for all-day carrying with out the need to interrupt them in. It’s fashionable, too. I was unable to give you truly any criticisms of this boot, so I 100% recommend it. There’s nothing to hazard due to Keen’s 30-day return interval, so try a pair on your self.
The place to Buy
You’ll uncover Keen Utility’s Evanston boot on Amazon and Zappos for spherical $150. The sizing is right, and with Keen’s 30-day return protection, the hazard of buying footwear on-line is minimized.
PAMELA BONDURANT/FAMILY HANDYMAN
