Comfortable and durable jobsite boots are essential for remodelers and deck builders.
I’ve been sloshing around in and around everything from jobsites to mowing the lawn to weekend hikes with my son to JLCLive tradeshows—and a lot, lot more—for the last 8 to 12 months in KEEN Utility Manchesters. They are rugged, out of this world comfy, durable with nearly interminable support for achy legs. The boots have a simple, get-it-done design my feet and eyes are in deep appreciation mode.
Design.
Let’s start with simplicity of design. First, it only looks simple, which I like for looks, but also like the fact that there’s no glued-on, sewed-on, stamped-on doohickery that’ll ineluctably begin falling after a while.
It took me until shooting the photos for this review to notice the little tab that actually says “KEEN Dry Waterproof,” but I can tell you that claim is 100% on point. For example, I was hooking up my trailer and ended up standing in a river of rain water gushing between the street and the curb, and nary a drop got inside the jobsite boots.
What I do NOT feel is what I have felt with other waterproof boots, and that’s swampy tootsies at the end of the day.
I like the little strap detail even though it serves no actual purpose I can detect, and I use the little hook to pull them on.
Comfort.
The sole—are squishy but highly supportive, like a running shoe, but different. Better I think. KEEN calls them KEEN Rebound. All I can really say is that my feet, knees, lower back, and glutes—all sensitive to lousy footwear—like them.
They do make a squishy-squeaky noise when walking on a wood floor, so I don’t recommend them if you are planning to burgle or otherwise sneak about. I found the noise charming after a while. They still feel new.
Tough.
Only after 8+ months of my version of ‘regular use’ did I notice the beginnings of a meltdown. And it’s just the beginning so there are miles left to roam in these Manchesters. The toe is starting to show signs of wear as is the heel. I think it’s a good for a boot that Keen positions as a recreational shoe, and not part of the KEEN Utility line of ostensibly tougher kicks. The soles also show limited wear. And that’s it.
I had no issue with traction or tread with these jobsite boots, so I’ll make another mark in the win column, too. Now that I am thinking about it, the fine tread design didn’t seem to hold too much mud, which some tread patterns do. I did plenty of mud slogging, lots of demo, dump runs, a few deck resurfaces, and other stuff in and around houses. I also didn’t notice having to bang them out to clear mud, so one more mark in the win column.
On my rating scale of Not Ready ?? Meh Pretty Cool ?? Full Chooch, I give the KEEN Utility Manchesters a Full Chooch rating.
What jobsite boots do you use? Are there boots that haven’t performed so well for you? We’d love to know.
