The KEEN Utility Men's Louisville 6" Steel Toe Internal Metatarsal Guard Waterproof Work Boot in Slate Black offers robust protection and comfort for demanding work environments. With its unique asymmetrical steel toe design, these boots not only enhance comfort by providing a more spacious toe box but also offer comprehensive safety features compliant with ASTM standards.
Crafted with a keen.Dry waterproof membrane, your feet will stay dry and comfortable, even under wet conditions. The breathable nature of this liner allows moisture to escape while keeping water out, a vital feature for anyone working in unpredictable weather.
Feature | KEEN Utility Louisville | Similar Work Boot A | Similar Work Boot B |
---|---|---|---|
Steel Toe Protection | Yes | Yes | No |
Waterproof | Yes | No | Yes |
Slip Resistance | ASTM F1677 | ASTM F2913 | Meets Basic Standards |
Electrical Hazard Protection | Yes | No | Yes |
Weight | Heavier | Lighter | Moderate |
The KEEN Utility Men's Louisville 6" Steel Toe Work Boot is designed for professionals who require durability and safety in their footwear. Its steel toe cap meets strict safety standards, ensuring that your feet are protected from heavy objects and impacts. Additionally, the boot's metatarsal guard protects the upper part of your foot without feeling bulky or restrictive.
When it comes to comfort, the asymmetrical toe design shines, allowing for a naturally fitting experience. The interior of the boot is cushioned and flexible, adapting to your movements throughout the day. However, some users note that the initial break-in period may require patience before reaching ultimate comfort levels.
In terms of performance, the waterproof barrier does an excellent job of keeping moisture out during rainy days or when working in wet environments. Coupled with its slip-resistant outsole, these boots provide reliable traction on both wet and oily surfaces, making them suitable for various work settings.
While the weight of these boots can be a downside for those needing lightweight footwear, the trade-off is a sturdy build that withstands rigorous conditions. The added electrical hazard protection further frames the KEEN Utility Louisville as a compelling choice for those working in hazardous environments.
Category | Score | Description |
---|---|---|
Comfort | 4.5/5 | Spacious toe box with good cushioning, though requires break-in. |
Safety | 5/5 | Robust steel toe and met guard for maximum protection. |
Traction | 4.8/5 | Outstanding grip on various surfaces, meeting ASTM standards. |
Waterproofing | 4.7/5 | Effective waterproof barrier keeps feet dry in most conditions. |
Durability | 4.6/5 | High-quality materials ensure a long lifespan under tough use. |
Surprisingly comfortable and balanced. My feet dont get sore after working on a concrete floor for 12 hours, so that's a huge plus.
I have worn these boots for one week at work now and I feel somewhat qualified to leave at least a preliminary bit of feedback. Long story short, the fit of these boots runs very small overall, so I ordered an 11-1/2 2E instead of an 11 2E. There is a considerable amount of tightness around the area just behind the steel toe box on the top of your foot. It is enough to be noticeable and even slightly uncomfortable. This concerned me so much that I almost shipped these boots back to G & L Clothing. I am glad that I changed my mind and decided to try to break these boots in instead of buying a different pair of boots. The discomfort is still there after a week, but it has not caused pain and it seems to be lessening ever so slightly as the days wear on. I work 10 hour days six days per week in these boots, so anything that could cause pain would be magnified by the swelling in my feet as those long days progress. The hard met guard doesn't flex much if at all, but it does appear to protect your feet well, so that is a tradeoff. While walking in these boots, the met guards seem to be rubbing on the leather of the tongue of the boots and it creaks very loudly with every step. I work in a very noisy environment, so that isn't much of an issue to me except that it does seem to wake my wife up in the morning when I am walking around getting ready for work. Now back to the narrow fit being a good thing as I stated earlier. These boots are nothing like any other met guard work boot that I have ever seen for one very specific reason. They are formed to the shape of the foot and they seem to cradle your feet from all sides, which makes them feel like they are more narrow than they actually are. There is enough room for my very wide feet, but not a spare millimeter inside. This provides my very tender feet and more importantly ankles with vastly more support than I am used to receiving from a pair of work boots. The ankle support is nothing short of astonishing. I have two different very high quality ankle braces that I no longer need due to these Keens. I have spent the last three months gulping down ibuprofen twice a day before and after work because my feet and ankles hurt so much using my old work boots with flat stitched soles and no ankle support. These Keens offer so much foot and ankle support that I am able to work all day on my feet and not suffer nearly as much as I did before. Tonight I took no ibuprofen at all and that could never happen with my old work boots and ankle brace being used together. They aren't comfy as a pair of slippers, but they offer support unlike anything I have ever put on my feet before and I am very thankful that I gave them a shot. I will order another pair of these boots next year as well.Before I was going to ship these boots back, I went shopping to see if I could locate something locally that was better than these boots and felt more comfortable out of the box. When I went to the Redwing store, the prices sent me into shock. When I mentioned the ultra high price being an issue, the salesman said "But these are Cadillac boots." I pointed outside the window to my truck and informed him that I drive a Ford and couldn't give two craps about a Cadillac. Those supposed Cadillac boots offered almost no ankle support BTW. In fact, none of the work boots I saw anywhere offered any real ankle support and that is what convinced me to hang on to the Keen Louisville Internal Met boots. My ankle is very arthritic and it causes me a lot of pain if I don't have a ton of ankle support. If you have bad or weak ankles and have to wear internal met boots with steel toes, these boots are definitely for you.
These would be 5 star but for one issue. This is my 3rd pair and I hope to not ever have to change. These boots are absolutely the most comfortable steel toes I have ever worn, almost feels like they are broken in new out of the box. The support, styling, and comfort are top notch.The downside of this keen boot is broken laces...it sucks, at 5 in the morning do you really want to deal with a broken lace? I bought some great laces, but the tips were to big to fit through the eyelets. So I buy several good laces at a time and just keep them in my sock drawer. Kevlar laces on amazon work well. I like 72" but it may too long for some tastes.
Coming off of a pair of 1.5 year old Pittsburgh’s, I was a bit wary of the internal Met guard. Three work days in and these boots feel fully broken in and are wearing beautifully. I work 10-12 hour days on gravel and tile (about half and half.) I have not noticed any of the squeaking I have heard others complain of, although I wouldn’t be all that put off if they were a bit loud.All of the heel support you could want and they hug my feet with just the right amount of firmness. I will update after a couple of months when the rainy season is in full swing and see how they are holding up. I am expecting another home run from Keen. They do not often disappoint me.
These boots are nice and flexible for a steel toed boot with an internal metatarsal guard. MUCH better than the timberland pros I had before. I’m on my feet all day and these are nice and comfortable to the soles of my feet. They have a neutral arch support too. Good room in the toe box too.
The boots feel fine. The laces lasted about 6 weeks, then I had to buy new ones. Holes developed where the steel toe ends. For this price, I expected them to last much, much longer. This is just walking around a warehouse and no rough outdoor activity. Very disappointed in these, especially for the price I paid. I have had better luck with Walmart no-name boots than with these. Don't waste your money on these.