The best all-around footwear: Keen Tacoma Work Boots

For digging footing holes in August heat, building fences in freezing February, walking porch roofs, and visiting with clients, the best all-around footwear for me is a 6-inch hiker-style boot.

The shorter height breathes on hot days, and if I throw on another pair of socks, my feet stay warm (mostly) in the cold. Hikers—unlike taller, work-only boots—are nimble enough that I can walk fast or stand on a roof, yet they’re still tough enough for jumping on a shovel, standing on extension-ladder rungs, and dealing with the rough conditions that come with building decks and working outside.

Unfortunately, most hikers aren’t bombproof, they’re far from cheap, and even if the maker claims that the boots are waterproof, they’re usually not. So despite their advantages, I resent paying $150 or more for boots that won’t last a year on a jobsite and that allow my socks to get wet.

Click here to read more by Mark in Professional Deck Builder.