Bates Men's Core Tactical Sport, Black, 14 M

My job as a contractor who travels to various commercial nuclear utilities requires that I wear leather-topped, steel or composite-toed safety shoes. I wear 100% metal-free boots (composite toe/shank) for comfort (lightweight) and to help streamline my daily process through security. My last boots, Red Wing's WORX 5266 were great. I've had them for about 2 years and have finally worn them out.I was going to replace same with same, however I know that the Bates line is a favorite with the security force (many of whom are ex-military) so decided to try them out. I have large feet with almost no arch (thanks, dad!) so am cautious about buying footwear online. I placed my order late yesterday afternoon and paid the extra $3.99 for next-day delivery. They were on my doorstep at 10:00 this morning (free return, if needed). I opened up the outer box and the shoebox was in perfect condition. The boots themselves were even better than the pics depicted. Less Herman Munster-like than many out there, these boots look nice and are lightweight (nice when working 6 12-hr days for a month or two at a time). The double-stitching was perfect, the inserts made for comfort and fit, the soles provide a good solid grip, the quality leather seems to have a light coating to enhance water resistance (the instructions still advise wearer to polish regularly), and the tough, durable, padded fabric on the sides (with smooth, secured, inside zipper) provide breathability. I order men's boots for work and it is always a toss up whether a men's 9.5 or 10 will satisfy my dainty, girly feet. On a whim and a prayer (and taking the lead from a previous review), I ordered a 9.5M. Good choice as 10 would have been way too big (lengthwise). As it is, adding an insert (mainly for added comfort) gives a perfect fit for both length and width. I've been wearing these since they arrived this morning and will be working at breaking them in over the next couple days for an upcoming job (don't think I'll be needing that free return!).Invest in quality footwear...take care of your feet and they will take care of you. I think I have found my new favorite work boots.Hope this review helps!

I had an accident in 2016 and spent almost 5 years in a wheelchair due to a femur and hip fracture and 7 surgeries, when I bought this boots I was in therapy starting to walk again, at first my walking was very shaky and clumsy and I was very afraid of falling, I bought this boots because of they are slip-resistant and because the zipper makes them easy to get on and off an because the ankle is neither very tall nor short but perfect to steady my feet and avoid twisting my ankles as I also have hyper-mobility and Osteogenesis Imperfecta.This boots were a life saver, I traveled with my wife and kids cross-country, walked inside of gas stations to go to bathrooms, and in multiple other situations and they really make me feel secure, the material is neither too hard not too soft, I use them with my personal arch supports and they fit. I have used them for over a year now and I absolutely love them and I use them anywhere I go and I intend to keep using them forever if God allows me to keep walking. The quality is great and after a polish they still look new. Definitely the best shows I ever owned and I'm 52 (almost 53).

was looking for steel toes for work, and accidentally bought a set of polymer toe that were on salepolymer has less plasticity than steel, surprisingly. it's also lighter and more comfortable than steel, and is non-conductive if you need that.bates are pretty good, most of the time. some boots have qc issues but i haven't seen any of the usual flukes on these.good grip for working in a warehouse. i don't slide around like i do with my hiking boots.zipper makes it easy to quickly put these on and take them off.only issue is i can only wear one set of socks with these on, because adding thickness will cause a lot of pressure on my right calf, causing some pain at the end of the day. one set of socks is good enough, even though these aren't the most comfortable boots in the world for working long shifts. they do protect your feet as good as any steel toe.obviously, low-cut socks will cause scratches and scabs along your calves, so wear athletic socks or boot socks if you have them.overall i'd only get these on sale because 100 dollars isn't too bad for a set of near-perfect work boots. but at the usual price of 150, you can probably do better.