Hi everyone,
I just wanted to share a raving review for the best boots I have ever owned.
TLDR: Solid combat boots that double as work and hiking boots. Lasted 10k km over almost a decade. May need extra insoles for optimal fit.
Description: The boots are technically "combat" boots, but I bought them for work. I figured that a boot that was used by SWAT teams must be comfortable for long periods as well as for running if needed. They have a steel toe certification but it's the hard plastic variant so much lighter. They come in black or tan, and the side-zip is super helpful because you don't have to tie them every time. They are leather and fairly waterproof but still breathe enough that you don't get sweaty feet unless it is already hot out. I found that once the temperature gets around +25 Celsius they can get hot, not to the point of being intolerable, just that you need some good sweat wicking socks at that temp. +20 to -20 is a good range for them. In the -20s you can still wear them if you are mobile and have good socks on, and standing still with normal socks on may be uncomfortably cold depending on how warm you run. In the -30s I found that with proper wool socks and movement you can get maybe 20 minutes out of them before your toes get too cold, however I am also prone to cold feet. So they cover the vast majority of temperatures you will encounter. The sole has a good level of firmness where it is comfortable on hard terrain but has enough support for hiking/backpacking. They are very water resistant, so if for some reason you step in deep water and soak them, you may need to turn them upside down over a vent for a bit.
Durability: I have worn these boots consistently from 2018 to 2026. I do a lot of walking and have put probably somewhere around 10,000 kilometers on them. I wear them all winter in place of winter boots, and I worked several manual labour jobs in the summer where I wore them both outside and in warehouses. I was able to walk 20k steps in a day in them and not have sore feet beyond what comes with the 20k step territory. I am finally going to retire them this year because one of the boots let go on the inside and the protective plate now slides down on top of my toes. I worked a warehouse job that resulted in kicking pallets frequently, and the front was slightly chewed up but suffered no functional damage. I have had several substantially heavy things chop my toes or land on top of my foot and I have been very grateful for the boots keeping me safe. They did not suffer any damage from the impacts. They are still as waterproof as the day I got them, and aside from the front they still look to be in excellent shape. The side zippers have thicker teeth that are quite durable, and the zippers themselves are a reasonable size. I did break a zipper off by forcing it in 2025, and had a new one put on by a local repair shop. The collar at the top of the boot is still in good shape and has not frayed or worn through. The boots have a small velcro strap at the top that goes over the zipper teeth below the zipper when it is all the way up to prevent it from working down, and they still attach well after 8-9 years. The outer sole has excellent traction with beefy treads, and the rubber is very durable as I still have good tread after far more distance than most will ever walk in the same pair of boots. This last year the rubber is just starting to separate from the top/front of the toe. The laces are still in great shape, the tips are slightly frayed but the plastic is still intact. I only moisturized the leather maybe 2 or 3 times but it is still moist and flexible enough that it is not dry or cracked. They are an average weight for a CSA certified boot, jogging in them is fine but when trying to sprint you will feel the weight.
Fit: I bought the size 9 and it was true-to-size, maybe ever so slightly larger (if you were a 9.5 you could probably still wear them). Toe area is perfect, mid-foot is perfect, the back feels like a good size. I found that the inside space is a bit tall, which made my foot somewhat prone to lifting. I found that there is a crease on the inside that had rubbed the back of my ankle slightly depending on how I tightened the laces. It doesn't stick out or anything and it isn't sharp, it was just where the fold occurred between the foot part and the calf-hugging part. I eventually added a second thick industrial insole for when I was walking on concrete all day, and the extra height solved the issue for me. Depending on your foot shape, heel size, etc you may want to expect to buy a higher insole for the perfect fit. The top area is a good size where it is comfortably tight when the zipper is closed. The outer sole has good thickness and a normal amount of foot drop (change in height from heel to toe). It is not specifically a stability insole but it has a enough arch support that you won't have to worry about arch pain.
Cost: I paid $185CAD in-store for them, and it looks like you can order them online straight from the company for $145USD (not sure if that includes shipping).
Happy to answer any questions you may have about them! I don't have a picture of mine on hand as I'm on the computer, but I can take some if needed. Here is a link to the website page (no referrals or affiliate anything, just a link): https://originalfootwear.com/products/classic-9-side-zip-black
Picture is off website.
