At the beginning of the year, working shoes of all types are generally sought after and having a great working boot is not always easy to acquire. You will need to look for specific boots that meet the needs of your job and also have a few additional features that will give them some versatility and make them worth the price you pay.
The Keen Utility Men’s MT Vernon 6″ Waterproof work boots are considered to be one of the best when it comes to versatility and multifunctional use and after getting my hands on a pair of these boots, I set out to put them through as much strain as possible to find out exactly what they are made of. This was the ideal opportunity to see if these boots will be worth the price.
Read on to find out if these boots are for you!
Keen Utility Men’s MT Vernon 6″ Waterproof Features
As with all other boots, the KEEN brand has always tried to set themselves apart from the rest of the competition when it comes to boots and these features are quite common, but many of them can also only be found on KEEN work boots. Here are the top features in this specific model boot that you could benefit from:
Materials:
With premium grade leather used in the construction of the boot, this boot is one of the most comfortable and durable you could find. The outer sole is constructed from lug rubber, something that is extremely durable and will not allow anything to penetrate no matter the surface that you step onto. Additionally, a dry membrane has been added to the boot and this will allow the boot to evaporate moisture and keep you cool on the inside without having water penetrate.
Inner sole:
On the inside of the boot, you will find a durable PU midsole and this is combined with the EVA footbed. The footbed will mold to the shape of your feet, but the midsole might need some replacing. Fortunately, it can be removed if needed and you will be able to add something like EVA or memory foam if you feel the need.
The inner lining is also extremely comfortable and will keep the boot from ever causing any potential abrasions. It will also keep out some of the moisture while allowing some of the sweat to evaporate. When it comes to breathability, this boot is actually really functional.
Additional Features:
The boot includes a steel toe (see more) that has been constructed from aluminum and other materials. Both the left and right toe are asymmetrical and should provide some much-needed comfort to both sides of your feet. The outer sole has also been designed with KEEN grip and this is tested to be resistant to oil and water stains.
It is also worth mentioning that this boot does meet the ASTM standards for safety boots and with the addition of an electric-resistant outer sole, the boot is quite versatile and can be used in virtually any environment that you need to work in. The high-cut design is perfect for keeping out any unwanted creatures of visitors from getting into your boots if you are trekking through the wilderness in jobs like logging.
Review
Given the short testing time I had with these boots, it was quite exciting to put them through as much punishment as possible and find out if they are worth the price. The boots seem to hold up like most of the KEEN boots have in the past and this has made them one of the top brands that you could invest in when it comes to versatility.
Talking about versatility, the boot is designed for multifunctional use and can be used by virtually anyone in any type of job. I found the outer sole to be quite relaxing and comfortable, while the addition of the electric resistance, allows me to walk trough hazardous electrical areas as well. However, we would caution not to mix water and electricity, as this will always remain quite a bad combination that could surely cause you troubles and even death.
In terms of the design, the boot seems rather flawless and easy to put on and take off. I did not really have much in terms of break-in period and the boot seems to be short and you could walk it in within the day. Personally, I am not the biggest fan of the PU sole and have replaced it with a better EVA sole that molds to the shape of your feet. However, the EVA footbed is a great benefit.
One of the biggest problems that I found with these shoes is the narrow design and you might need to consider looking for a size bigger if you have wider feet. The shoes are extremely durable and tough and this will make them harder to stretch when forcing your foot inside. Eventually, the boots will fit perfectly, but you do need to endure some pain if you have narrow feet.
Pros and Cons
With each boot, you will see different pros and cons and even though the boot might be recommended as one of the best, nothing is perfect and there is a con or two that you will need to know about. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of the Keen Utility Men’s MT Vernon 6″ Waterproof boots that you need to know about.
Pros:
- These boots are extremely durable and well constructed for long lasting efficiency.
- The boots are waterproof and abrasion resistant, while still allowing the moisture to evaporate
- They are also electric resistant, something you might not find on boots every day.
- No break-in period is present if you have the right size and the boots will also not constrict your feet.
- These boots have passed all ASTM testing for quality and efficiency.
Cons:
- Unfortunately, the boots are rather expensive and this does make them a tough decision when looking for new boots.
- The PU midsole should be replaced with memory foam or EVA.
- The overall design of the boots is also rather narrow, which means you could be left between sizes.
Final Verdict
If quality is one of your fortes, these boots will certainly be something to look at. They might be rather expensive, but when you have them, you will notice that they are definitely worth the price. We would like to highly recommend them to those looking for the best in every boot.
Please let us know in the comment section if we might have missed any of the other key features and if you believe that these boots are ideal for you.