Oliver Boots by Honeywell sent us a pair of mid industrial hiker boots to review, and I’ve already put them through some abuse in the shop and out in the field. I am notorious for destroying footwear and generally only get about 6 months out of a pair if I am lucky. Time will tell how these Oliver Mid Industrial Hikers hold up, but so far they’re going strong. I spend most days on my feet for many hours getting covered in sawdust and metal shards, among other things. Other days I’m installing cabinetry, setting kicks, and crawling around on my hands and knees dragging the toes of my shoes to hell and gone.
Here are the manufacturer’s spec’s on the Oliver Mid Industrial Hiker Boot
- Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) cage surrounds and supports the foot; when laces are tightened the TPU cage locks heels in place to help reduce slippage and create a customized fit
- Tread design features large, angled lug channels along the perimeter to enhance stability and to squeegee liquid, oils and debris out from underfoot
- Center lug tread design is engineered for excellent slip resistance, and ergonomically designed flex-grooves at the heel and under the midfoot increase flexibility when in motion
- Removable dual-density poured PU and open cell foam footbed for outstanding cushion, comfort and longevity
- Durable, color-coordinated loops on the heel and tongue help to pull on boots with ease
Right out of the box I was impressed with the quality and feel of these boots. They are like a hybrid of a hardcore steel toe work boot and a hiking boot capable of traversing the sierras in comfort. As soon as they were delivered I wasted no time pulling off my defeated old Olukai flats and lacing up my new Olivers. My foot slipped in nicely and the size 9 (these felt true to size) held my foot firmly with no pressure or pinch points.
Even as I jumped around floating like a bee in them going up and down on my tippy toes, they felt comfortable. Not something you normally feel inclined to do in workboots. I was also pleasantly surprised by how little heat they held in as the rest of my body tried to cope with the 90+ degree peak summer weather here in San Diego. Ventilation on these is good.
I researched Oliver footwear and found out the rich history that they have from days long past in the mines. They have obviously been doing their research and listening to their clientele and based on my initial impressions, are producing a very high quality product. If you spend much of your working life on your feet you should do yourself a favor and checkout a pair of these Oliver Mid Industrial Hiker boots.
these seem like what my friend needs he works on cars and boats and all around go doer and these seem like a great pair of shoes