Summary
Finding a shoe that can be worn from the workplace to a more relaxed setting can be tricky, which is why the Irish Setter Men’s Soft Paw Waterproof Leather Oxford Shoe is such a good buy. This shoe offers multifunctional benefits, as it’s primarily constructed to deliver superior protection against the elements in different indoor and outdoor work settings. However, the design is ideal for more relaxed settings as well. This made it possible for me to go from the workplace to socializing in casual surroundings without the need to change my footwear, which is fine-looking enough to be paired well with a variety of clothing choices. The lightweight profile of this boot is aimed at providing a comfortable experience that can be enjoyed for the entire day no matter how challenging your environment and activities turn out to be.
Finding a shoe that can be worn from the workplace to a more relaxed setting can be tricky, which is why the Irish Setter Men’s Soft Paw Waterproof Leather Oxford Shoe is such a good buy. This shoe offers multifunctional benefits, as it’s primarily constructed to deliver superior protection against the elements in different indoor and outdoor work settings. However, the design is ideal for more relaxed settings as well. This made it possible for me to go from the workplace to socializing in casual surroundings without the need to change my footwear, which is fine-looking enough to be paired well with a variety of clothing choices. The lightweight profile of this boot is aimed at providing a comfortable experience that can be enjoyed for the entire day no matter how challenging your environment and activities turn out to be.
For providing a comfortable experience that you can enjoy beyond the workplace, this boot is a remarkable choice that will blend seamlessly with your preferred style.
Ideal For
- Wearing with jeans and chinos for a more casual look
- Environments that require waterproof shoes with good traction
- Those who prefer a low-cut moc toe design for style and comfort
Performance Analysis
Comfort
The Irish Setter Men’s Soft Paw Waterproof Leather Oxford Shoe provided a comfortable experience without compromising my style and need for protection against moisture. The inside features a footbed enhanced with memory foam that effortlessly follows the contours of my foot.
This resulted in a superbly comfortable feeling as the footbed cushioned my foot, easing pressure spots that could have turned to blisters if I had used other footwear with non-cushioned insoles.
This footbed can easily be removed if needed so I didn’t encounter any difficulties when it was time to clean it or air it out. The shoe is constructed with an EVA midsole that works as a reliable shock absorber. It helped fight foot fatigue caused by walking or staying on my feet for almost an entire day. This midsole is lightweight, so it doesn’t contribute a significant amount of bulk and weight to the shoe to maintain its comfortable silhouette. The molded heel counter helped keep my heel in place as I navigated various floor conditions and worked through never-ending tasks, allowing me to avoid the discomfort and instability that can come from the heel repeatedly shifting or sliding within the shoe.
I liked the way the padded collar and tongue cushioned my ankle and the top of my foot, so these parts didn’t experience the discomfort of a rigid material digging into them.
The sidewall stitch worked with the cement construction to give the shoe the flexibility that allowed me to move effortlessly since there wasn’t anything getting in the way.
Weight
This shoe looks heavy but surprisingly has a lightweight structure that brought about long-lasting comfort. I was expecting the shoe to feel heavy, given the extra stitching on the moc toe design and the thick full-grain leather. I was pleasantly surprised when the shoe felt comfortable with a lightweight profile that made it easier to get around because there was nothing to interfere with my quick and efficient movements. The EVA footbed delivered the benefits of generous cushioning and support but also had a lightweight structure so it didn’t contribute a lot to the shoe’s total weight.
Traction
The shoe is built with the exclusive Soft Paw II sole that works to continuously shed off mud and dirt as you navigate challenging outdoor ground conditions. This makes it possible for you to continue with your activities without repeatedly stopping to remove the debris that can build up on the soles. Without debris, mud, and dirt that can build up underfoot, the shoe maintains its comfortably lightweight structure to help you with effortless movements unhindered by overly heavy or bulky footwear. The outsole delivers strong traction over a variety of surfaces, enabling me to move as rapidly as possible without compromising my safety and efficiency.
Fit and Sizing
This shoe comes with a snug fit and is true to size. This eliminated the need for me to choose between options half a size or a full size larger than my usual shoe size to get to a comfortable fit. This snug fit may not be ideal for those who want their shoes to have more room, in which case going up half a size may bring a relaxed fit for a more comfortable experience. The moc toe design did provide extra space in the toe box that allowed my toes to move within the shoe as needed, which worked well to prevent painful cramps from developing when I was walking and working on my feet for almost the entire day. The laces make it easy to tighten or loosen the shoes as needed to enjoy all-day comfort and security.
Waterproofing
The Soft Paw leather Oxford Shoe comes with waterproof construction to ensure that no water or liquids will be allowed to penetrate to get to the interior. The UltraDry system works doubly hard to maintain a comfortable dryness to surround the foot throughout the day, even when working in wet conditions cannot be avoided.
Breathability
The waterproof system of this shoe includes a special nylon lining that works to wick moisture away from the skin. This allows sweat to be dispersed along with any built-up heat while encouraging air to flow inside the boot to fight overheating. My feet stayed comfortable and were spared from experiencing excessive sweating throughout the day even when my surroundings became much warmer and there was nonstop work to deal with.
Quality and Durability
The Irish Setter Men’s Soft Paw Waterproof Leather Oxford Shoe is made with premium materials designed to maintain reliable strength and durability when used in a variety of settings.
The memory foam within the shoe molds to the contours of the foot to deliver customized comfort and pressure relief that will last through the entire day, while maintaining a structure that resists lasting impressions to preserve the footbed’s structural integrity.
A high-rebound material is placed in strategic points to ensure that the shoe can deliver a much-needed energy burst with each step, which can help increase your efficiency over a multitude of tasks and activities while keeping discomfort at bay. The exclusive ScentBan system works within the shoe’s lining and leather upper material to kill bacteria that cause odors, ensuring that your foot will only be surrounded by a fresh environment even with long hours of continuous boot-wearing. The thick leather material is crafted into a classic moc toe silhouette that’s rugged enough to be used in different work environments but is also attractive enough to be enjoyed with jeans and chinos for a more casual look. A non-metallic shank takes on the role of providing impressive support and stability without the additional bulk and heaviness. The extra bit of leather and stitching that gives the shoe the distinctive moc toe design also works to provide more room in the toe box so that your toes can move as needed to prevent discomfort from developing over long hours of working on your feet. The shoe provides long-lasting protection against wetness with the UltraDry membrane that stops water and other liquids from seeping inside.
However, because it doesn’t have safety toe components to provide protection against compression and impact threats, this shoe isn’t suitable for harsh outdoor environments.
Other Versions
The Irish Setter Men’s Soft Paw Waterproof Leather Oxford Shoe is offered in a leather chukka version that has a slightly higher profile, making this a better alternative for those looking for protection that goes above the ankle. Both versions are available in dark brown and can be selected in regular or wide size options.
The Challengers
Soft Paw Oxford Shoe
The first impressive challenger to the Soft Paw Oxford Shoe is its own enhanced version with a chukka style. This shoe comes with a taller shaft that delivers increased coverage against safety hazards that you may encounter in different workplace settings indoors and outdoors. This taller version also offers improved support that goes beyond ankle height to ensure your steady footing even when walking over challenging surfaces. The shoe comes with the same UltraDry system that features seam-sealed leather components to prevent liquids from entering, along with a moisture-wicking nylon lining that allows air to move within while fighting heat and moisture build-up. The same mini-lug outsole sheds dirt and mud so you won’t need to worry about debris accumulation resulting in heavier shoes that can grow uncomfortable with long hours of working on your feet. The padded collar and tongue help with the achievement of a snug and secure fit, while the moc toe structure offers more space in the toe box for added comfort all day long.
Irish Setter Canyons Waterproof Leather
The Irish Setter Canyons Waterproof Leather Hiking Boot is perfect for those who love the outdoors and prefer a more athletic shoe silhouette. The shoe is available in several colors that closely resemble sports sneakers for that casual look that can go from your outdoor adventures to a more relaxing night of socializing with friends. The waterproof full-grain leather works with the trademarked UltraDry system to guarantee superior foot protection against wetness for impressive functionality and comfort in challenging environments. This shoe is built with the Vibram Beehive Gum outsole that delivers outstanding traction to keep you safe from slipping on wet and muddy ground conditions while maintaining a lightweight construction that can withstand more than the normal wear and tear that hiking boots are exposed to on a regular basis.
Timberland PRO TiTAN® Oxford Soft Toe
The Timberland PRO TiTAN® Oxford Soft Toe Work Shoe combines comfort and style in a classic silhouette that does away with unnecessary bells and whistles. This shoe is built with a lightweight structure that needs only a short break-in period before it can be fully enjoyed. An open-cell PU footbed uses an exclusive comfort technology to ensure that the foot will enjoy a breathable environment throughout the most challenging workdays while the midsole works to deliver a high-rebound functionality for that much-needed energy return. This shoe offers electrical hazard protection to add another layer of safety against live currents in dry conditions. A mesh lining is enhanced with odor-repellent treatment to fight odor-causing bacteria and maintain a fresh and dry cocoon.
Timberland Heritage Moc Toe Chukka Shoe
The Timberland Heritage Moc Toe Chukka Shoe has a rugged yet stylish profile that can be fully maximized for different purposes and environments. The GORE-TEX membrane delivers maximum waterproofing to make sure that the feet can enjoy a dry and comfortable feeling throughout the busiest workdays while maintaining a breathable shoe interior to prevent overheating and excessive sweatiness. The padded collar helps achieve a more secure fit that also works well to cushion the ankle and prevent painful chafing.
Skechers Relaxed Fit Segment Melego Shoe
The Skechers Relaxed Fit Segment Melego Shoe comes in a low-cut design that offers reliable waterproofing to protect the foot against being soaked when working in wet conditions. The casual style will blend in well with workwear as well as with more casual getups so you won’t need to change your shoes when going to a more social setting straight from the job site. A relaxed fit prevents painful pinching throughout the foot, which can be a problem when using other work shoe options with a tight fit. The insole is crafted with gel-infused memory foam that molds to the shape of the foot for maximum comfort that also works to keep the surface cool, which stops extreme warmth from building up. The high traction outsole prevents slipping and is flexible enough to allow you to move as naturally as possible without getting in the way of your productivity. With a price that sits just below $70, this shoe offers excellent value for money without compromising the important components.
Conclusion & Verdict
The Irish Setter Men’s Soft Paw Waterproof Leather Oxford Shoe is a great choice that can provide a comfortable experience in and out of the work setting. The moc toe silhouette showcases a rugged stylishness that can be fully maximized on the job site but also be paired with casual clothes, all while exuding a strength that can readily take on the challenges of various activities. However, with the absence of toe protection, this shoe isnot recommended for harsh outdoor environments, especially those that have compression and impact dangers.
