If you’re new to mybeerbuzz.com, you’ll find that in addition to beer, alcohol and food, I also test-drive all sorts of other products in the electronics, personal care, photography, outdoor activities and clothing segments. I’m also excited to say that when it comes to footwear, I like to have the right shoes for the right job….and I think you’ll find today’s footwear to be the right boots for many jobs.
In the past I’ve checked out the XTRATUF Swingsaw boots, the XTRATUF Legacy boots and the XTRATUF Legacy Lace boots, and in each case I thought they were some of the best footwear I’ve encountered, and perfectly designed for the job at hand.
I should also mention that I’m fussy with my footwear, and as someone with flat feet and an in-between size (XTRATUF recommends sizing UP on half-sizes), it can be difficult to find comfortable shoes that are also functional shoes…but today I think I may have found both.
We’ll be test driving a new pair of boots today from XTRATUF and they’re called the Men’s 6-Inch Ankle Deck Boots. These boots were designed for anglers and the fishing industry and they were built for action. Much lighter than a traditional boot, these deck boots also have all of the great features of the more work-oriented boots from XTRATUF like:
- 100% Waterproof
- Slip-Resistant Chevron Outsole
- XPRESSCOOL Liner
- Front and Rear Pull-On Tabs
- Shaft Circumference is 12.6 inches
- Toe Box Height 1.19 inches
- Approximately 3.16lbs
- Pull-On Tabs
They also feature “slip-on-and-go-styling” as XTRATUF calls it and they use hand-layed rubber as compared to the XTRATUF commercial grade deck boots called the Wheelhouse Boot. Naturally I can’t wait to try them out so off we go.
In talking to several of my brewer friends, their initial response to the 6-Inch Ankle Deck Boots was really positive. They pointed out that not every day in the brewery is a full-on brew day that would require full-height boots, and having a lightweight waterproof boot that is easy-on and easy-off is really valuable.
I first tried out the 6-Inch Ankle Deck Boots in a purely indoor but really wet environment. I should say up from that these boots are easy to put on with the pull-on tabs (both front and back), and the lack of laces not only makes them easy to put on, but also makes them feel even more waterproof with no holes in the upper boot to accommodate laces. I worked in the boots for about 2-hours and not only did I not get a drop of water through the boots, the XPRESSCOOL liner also made them feel breathable and sweat-free. This is important for someone like me that has feet that run warm. My socks stayed dry from the inside and outside and even after a few hours, the 6-Inch Ankle Deck Boots were really dry and comfortable.
On a floor that is typically very slippery when wet, the 6-Inch Ankle Deck Boots made me feel safe and confident and I will say, before my next mud test, just how good these boots look. XTRATUF gives up no function over fashion, and they do look really good.
Up next I tried the boots out in a muddy gardening-in-the-rain environment and they worked great. My feet stayed dry despite the heavy rain and I didn’t slip a single time in the wet grass or mud. The boots hosed off nicely and even with direct hose pressure, the boots remained waterproof and dry.
Finally I should mention that the XTRATUF 6-Inch Ankle Deck Boots have now become my go-to shoes to run outside; and whether I’m picking up the mail or running out to the garage, they slip on and off easily, they are really comfortable and they keep my feet dry.
So whether you’re running out to walk the dog, grabbing the mail, washing the car, gardening, or working on a commercial fishing boat, the XTRATUF 6-Inch Ankle Deck Boots are perfect for the occasion. Overall they perform well, my feet stayed dry inside and out and they simply look great.
Be sure to check out the XTRATUF 6-Inch Ankle Deck Boots boots for yourself, and when you do try them, be sure to let us know what YOU think.
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