KEEN Utility Men's Mt Vernon 6" Steel Toe Metatarsal Guard Work Shoe Review
The KEEN Utility Men's Mt Vernon 6" Steel Toe Metatarsal Guard Work Shoe in Cascade Brown/Tawny Olive color is a robust footwear option tailored for professionals who spend long hours on their feet. This shoe combines functionality with sophisticated design, ensuring that your feet are protected while maintaining comfort throughout the day.
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Features
- KEEN FOR COMFORT: Features left and right asymmetrical safety toes and unique anatomically correct designs.
- SAFETY FIRST: Wide metatarsal guard adds impact resistance; Kevlar thread protects from abrasion, sparks, and heat.
- KEEP DRY: KEEN.Dry proprietary waterproof, breathable membrane keeps water out while allowing moisture to escape.
- ON YOUR FEET: KEEN.Grip oil- and slip-resistant outsoles meet ASTM nonslip testing standards.
- AMERICAN BUILT: Assembled in Portland, Oregon with a minimal-waste design.
Pros
- Exceptional comfort with a roomy toe box.
- High level of safety with the metatarsal guard and steel toe.
- Waterproof and breathable features for all-day wear.
- Durable construction made with quality materials.
- Slip-resistant sole enhances stability on various surfaces.
Cons
- May require a break-in period for maximum comfort.
- Some users may find the width slightly larger than standard.
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | KEEN Utility Mt Vernon | Similar Alternative A | Similar Alternative B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel Toe | Yes | Yes | No |
| Metatarsal Guard | Yes | No | Yes |
| Waterproof | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Slip Resistant | Yes | Yes | No |
Detailed Review
The KEEN Utility Men's Mt Vernon Work Shoe excels in multiple categories, making it a worthy choice for those who need reliable work footwear. Let's delve into the specifics:
Comfort: The asymmetrical steel toe design and anatomically correct footbed significantly enhance comfort levels, allowing for extended wear without discomfort. The roomy toe box gives your feet the space they need to breathe.
Safety: With a wide metatarsal guard and robust safety toe, this shoe provides excellent protection against impacts, meeting ASTM safety standards. The Kevlar thread also adds an extra layer of durability against abrasions.
Waterproofing: The KEEN.Dry membrane is a standout feature for those working in wet or humid conditions, ensuring that your feet stay dry while still allowing sweat and vapor to escape.
Grip and Traction: The KEEN.Grip outsoles deliver outstanding slip resistance, crucial for workplaces where slick surfaces are commonplace. This feature ensures you maintain stability and safety even in challenging environments.
Build Quality: Proudly made in the USA, the minimal-waste design and high-quality materials used in the Mt Vernon shoe emphasize durability and environmental consciousness, appealing to both professional and eco-friendly sensibilities.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 4.5/5 | Excellent support and a spacious fit for all-day comfort. |
| Safety | 5/5 | Meets stringent ASTM safety standards, very protective. |
| Waterproofing | 4/5 | Effectively keeps feet dry under various conditions. |
| Traction | 4.5/5 | Outstanding grip on slippery surfaces. |
| Build Quality | 5/5 | High-quality materials ensure longevity and reliability. |
User Reviews
Update 15MAY20: I love these boots but the stitching has failed. I fixed the failed stitching by super gluing the seam and it is holding well using thin CA and a catalyst. Doesn't look bad either. Took a long time to truly break in and where the boots needed to change shape to fit my feet is where the stitching let go. Now the boots are really comfortable and I really like them. Still give them 5 starsOrigional Review: I am a picky wearer of work boots. My feet are shaped wide and the inside of my feet are almost completely straight (the heel to big toe line also is in line with the big toe joint). This means that my big toe always gets a lot of pressure from the toe cup. With some adjustments with pads, I was able to get this shoe to fit well. The footbed is hard and could use more padding or an insole. The wide version of this boot is pretty wide, which is awesome. I have only worn these boots for two days so far and the initial impression is that they are very hot, very sturdy, and actually are pretty dressy and go well with nicer clothes. If you are a salesman that needs to visit steel mills, aerospace, and the occasional sawmill, or you are an engineer like I am, these are a really great choice. You wont look like a burke in a nice restaurant and you will be comfortable at work as well - and you know that your feet are safe from everything short of a free-range jackhammer.
Update: Just don't buy Keen footwear! I not only have I had 3 different pairs of keen footwear literally fall apart in a matter of months, when I attempted to get them replaced under Keen's supposed "warranty", I was told "that is normal wear and tear....and not covered under warranty." WHAT!?!?! 4 months of wear, boots literally fall apart, and that is somehow "normal"?? Keen can take a flying leap! $200+ boots, that fall apart in MONTHS, and Keen refuses to back their products? NO THANK YOU! I can find better ways to waste money!Update: PURCHASED LATE DEC 2017, AS OF MARCH 2018, THEY ARE FALLING APART! My rating on these boots just went to ZERO! $200+ boots that start falling apart within 3 months!?! With a bit less than 3 months of daily wear, these are starting to fall apart! A couple of days ago we had a bit of snow, and when walking between shops, I noticed my foot felt "wet"..... I looked, and the stitching around the toe had broken/unraveled and there's a gap in the seam! For the money I paid for these, I would expect MUCH longer wear before things go south! I'm going to take them to a local shoe repair outfit and see if they can sew/seal the seams that are opening up.The fit is very good/true to size. The laces are VERY long, requires me to wrap the laces around the ankle or double tie them to keep from stepping on them. The insoles provided are pretty poor. Although you can buy much better aftermarket insoles, for the price of these boots, I would expect the insoles to be be better...they are just cheap pressed foam. Time will tell how the durability is, but my initial impression is that they are well made.
I use them for shoeing horses and they keep my feet comfortable and protected💯
Grade A- for comfort. I’ve worn a lot of work boots and these are the most comfortable I’ve found. They hurt a little around my ankles when they were breaking in but that went away in a week. The toe box is very roomy so I installed thin padded inserts which helped with the rather firm sole padding.I can’t evaluate durability because they’re still new. I’m concerned they will not be as durable as typical work boots. As the headline says, they’re built like hiking shoes. On the plus side they are significantly lighter than other work boots I’ve worn. For my job, comfort is far more important than durability. I’m only in environments that require safety shoes about 25% of the time. I just never know when, so I have to wear safety shoes all day. If you’re in that situation, these are the shoes for you. I should also mention I have owned several pairs of Keen sandals and outdoor shoes. All were remarkably durable, so maybe these will surprise me.Grade B+ for appearance. They don’t look either good or bad to me, just utilitarian. On the other hand, several guys in our shop definitely noticed them and complimented me on them. The shoes have a lot of stitching on them and on my pair there were no flaws in the stitching.One minor complaint: When I got them the leather had some little scuffs where the shoes rubbed together during shipping. Not enough of a problem to return them, but when I pay this much money for shoes I expect them to be in perfect condition. Keen just needs to wrap them in paper a little more.
Fit correctly good support, I enjoy the shape of the toe box, other boots I tried the steel toe sometimes rubbed against my foot and this one doesn't. After working in them for 7 days I can walk without pain. The arch in my right foot collapsed and these boots provide the correct support for me and hopefully for you as well. Only negative thing is the laces are longer than I like but that's just personal preference.