The folks at sent us a pair their Keen Flint Low Work Shoe with steel toe to review and evaluate on our job site. Timing was perfect because we were getting ready for warmer weather and it is always more comfortable to wear a low rise work boot in the hotter temperatures.
FIRST IMPRESSION:
The Keen Flint Low Work Shoe with its waterproof nubuck leather upper looks more like a hiking show than a work shoe . When I took it out of the box and put them on, I immediately noticed the weight which I later learned was 21.8 ounces. Wearing these shoes was like wearing a pair of heavy sneakers – they were comfortable and more importantly they still felt comfortable after a long day on the job site.
The toe on the Keen Flint Low Work Shoe is covered with rubber which is a great feature to protect this high wear area. Every pair of work boots I have ever owned have failed at this spot and become worn-out at the toe. This happens when you are working on your knees and your boot toe is constantly rubbing on basement floors and plywood sub-floors. I hate when a perfectly food pair of boots become ratty looking at the toe, it looks terrible to my customers and I feel it is an unprofessional look.
At first glance this shoe appears to be well made and durable. To test them out, I have been wearing them all day, every day even when not on the job site. My conclusion is that the Keen Flint Low is a comfortable shoe.
Sole:
I have not been able to determine if the Flint Low has a shank running through the bottom or not but it feels like it does. When standing on a ladder rung for long periods of time my feet did not fatigue. If this shoe does not have a shank in the sole it does have support to give comfort on a ladder.
The bottom of the sole is made of an oil and slip resistant non-marking rubber outsole. A dual density compression molded EVA mid-sole covers the inner shoe with a removable metatomical dual density EVA footbed.
Lacing:
The Flint Low has a nylon type lacing that does not easily “un-tie” itself which is a pet peeve of mine. To prevent this, I usually have to double lace my work shoes and did not have to on the Flint Low.
Support:
So far so good. The Flint Low has provided comfortable support on the job-site, while standing on ladders and while at the sidelines of the soccer fields watching my daughter play. A built in contoured heel lock really holds and supports the heel of my foot in the shoe.
Steel Toe:
Keen Flint Low Work steep toes are right and left asymmetrical, and meet or exceeds ASTM F2412-11 and F2413-11 I/75 C/75 EH standards.
Features:
- Weight: 21.8 oz/618.02 g
- Type: Steel Toe
- Lining: Moisture wicking textile
- Upper: Waterproof nubuck
- Rubber: Oil and slip resistant non-marking rubber outsole
- Utility Features: Oil and Slip Resistant, Steel Toe, Water and stain resistant leather upper
- Low rise shoe
How Much And Where To Buy?
The Keen Flint Low Work Shoe sells for approximately $110.00 online here: Keen-Utility-Mens-Flint-Work