Which KEEN Utility American Built Work Boot or Work Shoe Is Right For Me?
The work boots in our American Built collection have a few things in common, including KEEN.PROTECT rubber toe bumpers for increased abrasion resistance and boot longevity, oil- and slip-resistant, EH-rated outsoles, roomy toe boxes, and ergonomic footbed designs that provide unprecedented support and comfort for your feet. In addition, boots in this collection incorporate different combinations of features and technologies that make each a perfect fit for certain applications or jobsite conditions. So, which boot should you consider?
Portland Work Boots
At your job, do you bend, crawl, climb, or crouch often? Maybe you’re a diesel mechanic, an electrician, or a plumber that needs to shimmy, slide, and finagle your way through the workday? If so, the Portland work boot is an excellent option for you. Featuring KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX technology that provides up to 3x the flex right at the point where your foot bends the most -- this boot will work with you, never against you, all day long.
Troy Work Boots
Still need more flexibility? The newest iteration of KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX, available on the Troy waterproof work boot, adds more side-to-side articulation with multidirectional flex grooves. This technology not only helps make it easier for the boot to bend with your foot while you’re crouching or kneeling, but also extends the life of your work boot. How, you ask? In the high-flexion zone where most boots fail, this innovative technology alleviates the drying out and cracking that typically occurs with daily wear.
Braddock Work Boots
The Braddock series consists of steel toe and soft toe boots that are hiker-inspired and designed to keep you in motion all day. You’re a worker - and you more than likely have a pair or two of old work boots laying around with worn-through toe leather. Think: bare, exposed steel toe (or carbon-fiber toe, or aluminum toe). We’ve found the solution. A KEEN.PROTECT rubber toe bumper on the Braddock models makes worn-through toes a thing of the past.
Coburg Work Boots
Work in a heavy construction environment? Or another job with tough tasks that require durable work boots? The Coburg series, with a KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane and multipurpose outsole, is built to handle the worst conditions. Available in both 6” and 8” heights, these boots give the ankle support and lower leg protection you need to keep yourself productive and safe.
Dover Work Boots
Does your job require you to work in all conditions? Indoor, outdoor, dry, rainy, cold weather, hot weather, etc? The Dover series of waterproof, carbon-fiber toe work boots has you covered. With both 6” and 8” models available, plus additional options that incorporate 600g of insulation, the Dover is built to excel in the varied jobsite and weather conditions that you’ll use them in. Additional features like a KonnectFit heel-retention system for a secure, locked-in feel, KEEN Luftcell air-injected midsole, and KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane help these boots fit into your workflow, no matter where you use them.
Mt. Vernon Work Boots
The Mt. Vernon series of waterproof boots are built to be used in a wide range of applications, from a weekend home project with our soft-toe version to welding tasks at a shipyard with our external metatarsal protective work boot. The KEEN.GRIP slip-resistant outsole provides great traction, even on wet or oily floors. These boots also offer a KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane to keep you dry and comfortable.
Logandale Work Boots
Built to be used in applications where there might be rough surfaces, the Logandale work boot has a synthetic upper that incorporates KEEN.WEBTECH abrasion-resistant panels to add toughness. Additionally, a KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane makes this boot able to handle wet job sites with ease.
How Are Work Boots and Work Shoes In The American Built Collection Constructed?
The KEEN footwear factory in Oregon was set up specifically to use the most advanced production techniques to build the highest quality boots and shoes using carefully sourced materials from around the world. The production method we use is called Direct Attach.
What is Direct Attach?
Direct Attach is a “goldilocks,” of sorts, with regards to the method used to attach a boot outsole to the upper. Cement or glue processes, seen in some entry-level footwear, rely on (you guessed it) cement or glue to make the attachment. These can be very flexible, but not very stable or long-lasting because glues can become brittle and the rubber outsole can start peeling away from the midsole. Welted work boots have their outsoles stitched directly to their uppers with heavy thread. These tend to be heavier and stiffer than boots made with other outsole attachment processes. That leaves us with Direct Attach.
In the Direct Attach method, both the boot upper and outsole are placed into a mold. A polyurethane (PU) midsole material is then injected at great force and high temperature to fill the void between the rubber outsole and upper material. The boot is then removed from the mold, cooled, and then trimmed of any excess material. This method permanently bonds both the upper and the outsole to the midsole. Direct Attach boots are lighter in weight and more flexible than welted boots, yet provide more stability than most cement-constructed boots. It’s a true advancement in boot building technology that we use to build the products in our American Built collection.
The KEEN Utility American Built collection
No matter what you do for a living or around the house -- construction, heavy or light manufacturing, warehouse, utility, welding, mechanic, farming, delivery driver, trucker, plumber, electrician, weekend warrior, handyman, handywoman, etc. -- there’s a work boot or work shoe in the American Built collection that has the features you need to get the job done comfortably, efficiently, and safely.
