Summary
It’s easy to see how easily the AdTec 9-Inch Crazy Horse Leather Work Boot can hold its own in tough outdoor environments. The tall, heavy-duty build showcased a premium look and feel that I got to maximize while dealing with challenging tasks. It offered ample protection against the elements while stopping debris and other items from getting in. I especially liked the thick, heavy-duty sole with its aggressive lugs that bit powerfully into the ground, keeping me walking comfortably and steadily on tricky surfaces. It gave the added bonus of making me a bit taller, too. This is a great value work boot that we’ll look at more closely to help us discover the aspects that contribute to its superior performance.
To keep up with demanding environments, this work boot is built with tough construction that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.
Performance Analysis
Comfort
I assumed that this boot would feel a bit uncomfortable given its heavy-duty construction. Lucky for me, it turned out to be a lot more comfortable than my initial assumption. The cushioned insole provided much-needed softness from the bottom, cradling my foot so it didn’t press too firmly into unyielding surfaces. The heel had a foamy feel to it when I walked, which I believe worked to absorb the shock and kept it spread evenly throughout the boot, so my foot didn’t experience any fatigue.
The padded tongue embraced the top of my foot with a comforting softness and protected my skin against painful chafing. This enhancement was especially useful when I walked for long periods, keeping my skin blister-free even with continuous foot movements. The cushioned tongue also increased the comfortably snug fit and helped stabilize my steps over a variety of ground conditions.
I loved how the tall height stopped pebbles, dirt, and other items from entering when I worked outdoors and in other conditions that had debris lying around. The tall boot offered extended coverage against the elements and abrasion threats in challenging environments. My foot felt a lot more secure as the tall boot kept my ankle firmly in place and prevented it from easily twisting, especially when I navigated slippery or unstable surfaces.
The sole had an impressive thickness that contributed to the secure feeling while I walked. I especially liked the way it added nearly 1.5 inches to my height without the awkward, strange feeling that I previously experienced when using boots with extremely thick soles. I noticed that the sole had multiple layers, and I believe they worked to deliver a comfortable yet supportive feel from the bottom.
Even with the robust construction, the boot didn’t feel overly stiff and needed only a short break-in period to become comfortable enough to be used for long periods of time. I was happily surprised that the boot didn’t dig in painfully from above with every step, enabling me to walk comfortably and naturally without stiff parts that would’ve restricted my mobility. The sole wasn’t completely flexible, but that wasn’t surprising because of the thick structure – and it didn’t cause a great deal of discomfort.
Weight
I was so glad that this boot wasn’t as heavy as I thought it would be, considering its tough construction. I expected it to be quite heavy and was surprised that it weighed closer to that of a work boot with a less robust design. The absence of a safety toe may have contributed to the reduced weight, but it was still surprising given the thickness of the heavy-duty sole and the extended boot height.
Traction
This boot delivered impressively strong traction that I felt was almost at par with that of a hiking boot. The thick rubber outsole had aggressive lugs that had a powerful grip on most surfaces, allowing me to walk safely without worrying too much about losing my balance. The high heel offered increased stability as it dug strongly into muddy and unstable ground conditions, keeping my footing secured so that I could walk more confidently on tricky surfaces. I expected the sole to feel a lot heavier, but it turned out to have an average weight, just like other work boots.
I was surprised to discover that the bottom of the outsole had screws fitted in, which wasn’t something that I normally saw in work boots. The screws turned out to be useful for re-crafting purposes, allowing me to replace the outsole if it wears out with a brand-new component. This means that I’ll be able to extend the boot’s life by replacing the damaged sole with a new one, enabling me to fully enjoy the boot’s premium features for much longer.
Fit and Sizing
This boot is true to its size and fits quite tightly, resulting in a locked-in feeling. This snugness kept my foot in a proper position and prevented it from sliding uncontrollably inside the boot, especially while I was walking on uneven or slippery surfaces. As my foot was locked in place, I felt a lot more stable while walking on different ground conditions. However, the snug fit may be a bit uncomfortable for those who are used to more spacious footwear – in which case, it would be best to choose the wide fit size.
It’s worth mentioning that before putting on the boot, I had to remove the laces on the lace hooks at the top. This isn’t a difficult task, but it takes a bit of time because you still need to tie up the laces with every use.
Waterproofing
The water-resistant leather protected my foot against severe wetness with limited exposure to liquids such as rain and mud. This enabled me to finish my tasks without my foot getting uncomfortably soaked. However, as the leather isn’t completely waterproof, the boot won’t be able to stop wet elements from penetrating with long-term exposure.
Breathability
Even with the heavy-duty construction and the tall height, the boot didn’t overheat easily, thanks to the breathable lining that was fitted inside. This enhancement allowed the air to freely flow throughout the boot, preventing it from feeling overly warm even when it’s used in hot or humid conditions. The lining also protected my foot from feeling excessively sweaty as it allowed moisture to quickly evaporate.
Quality and Durability
The AdTec 9-Inch Crazy Horse Leather Work Boot showcases a premium look and feel that I got to maximize while at work. It was obvious that the boot was created with a lot of attention to detail, resulting in a tough structure that doesn’t compromise on comfort, performance, and durability.
I liked how the Crazy Horse leather felt thick enough to protect my foot against hazards in the environment but still managed to exude a classy look with its smooth texture.
The exceptionally well-made boot had double- and even triple-stitched parts to ensure the lasting bond between components.
The metallic lace hooks and eyelets are designed to retain their strength throughout numerous lace adjustments and don’t easily get damaged. Like those of hiking boots, this boot’s laces are thick enough to resist fraying for a long time even with heavy use. Putting on the boot required me to loosen the laces from the top and put them back on – something that’s not exactly difficult to do but requires quite a bit of time to complete.
I liked the cushioned insole that provided enough softness, cradling my foot in a supportive manner while warding off the pain of staying on my feet for hours.
The boot had quite a tight fit that resulted in a locked-in feeling. This enhanced stability as my foot was secured in place and prevented my ankle from twisting when I walked on tricky surfaces. It can feel a bit uncomfortable for those with wide feet, but this can be resolved by going for a wide fit size option.
The rubber sole had an impressively thick structure, with the high heel providing a welcome height boost while also easily digging into muddy or rocky surfaces for a more stable walking experience. I loved the sole’s aggressive lugs that forcefully bit into even the trickiest ground conditions, allowing me to walk around with more confidence without sacrificing my steady footing. The bottom of the outsole had screws that worked for re-crafting purposes, making it possible for the boot to be enjoyed for much longer as the worn away sole can be replaced with a new one.
Other Versions
The AdTec 9-Inch Crazy Horse Leather Work Boot is offered in brown Crazy Horse leather and black full-grain oiled leather. It also comes in a steel-toed version as well as a waterproof option.
The Challengers
The Chippewa Aldarion Insulated Composite Toe Boot
The Chippewa Aldarion Insulated Composite Toe Boot features a waterproof bootie construction to seal out wetness, ensuring lasting foot dryness for all-day comfort while you’re working in exceptionally wet conditions. The composite toe guards the foot against dangerous impact and compression to prevent crushing injuries in hazardous work environments. The black rubber sections that are fitted over the heel and toe areas offer increased protection against premature damage in case of exposure to abrasive materials in the workplace. This boot has 400 grams of Thinsulate Ultra insulation to deliver maximum warmth, enabling you to continue walking comfortably in cold settings. It isn’t as thick as other insulation materials, leaving the interior with enough space for the foot to move a bit when needed. The breathable lining allows sweat and heat to quickly dissipate, preventing the interior from overheating when the boot is used for a long time. The rubber outsole has aggressive treads that bite strongly into the ground. Given the heavy-duty design, it’s not surprising that this boot turned out to be quite heavy and may cause discomfort when used for extended periods.
The Ariat Catalyst VX Defiant Gore-Tex Insulated Boot
The Ariat Catalyst VX Defiant Gore-Tex Insulated Boot has a supremely rugged design that fits in with equally tough work conditions. The waterproof leather stops water and other liquids from entering and is enhanced by the GORE-TEX membrane for maximum waterproofing power to ensure comfortable foot dryness when you’re in wet surroundings. The exclusive Cobalt VX technology works to manage the temperature inside the boot, preventing it from overheating while also working to keep the footwear flexible and supportive. The tongue and collar are thickly padded to ensure that your foot won’t suffer from painful chafing while walking continuously for long periods. The 400 grams of Thinsulate Ultra material seals in the warmth to ward off unwelcome chill so your foot can stay comfortable even in cold conditions. A rubber rand runs along the boot’s perimeter to keep moisture out and offer increased protection against abrasion. The Vibram outsole delivers remarkably strong traction, helping you walk safely across slick or unstable ground conditions. The snug fit locks in the foot for a more stable walking experience but may be uncomfortable for those with wide feet.
The Georgia Boot Hammer Internal Met Guard Steel
The Georgia Boot Hammer Internal Met Guard Steel Toe Work Boot has a robust structure that showcases full-grain leather for a premium look. The steel toe cap delivers maximum protection against crushing injuries in case heavy objects such as pieces of equipment are accidentally dropped onto the boot. The collar has a double-cushioned structure that prevents pain by protecting the calf from chafing, especially with nonstop walking for long periods. The internal met guard offers further protection from serious harm that can result when blunt or heavy objects fall on top of the boot. What makes this met guard stand out from the ones in other work boots is its soft structure, enabling you to walk more comfortably without an extremely rigid component biting into your foot with every step. The electrical hazard safe design offers a secondary layer of protection against electric shock in case you unintentionally come in contact with open circuits in dry conditions. The exclusive Comfort Core insole offers ample cushioning and works with the Air Flow system to promote proper ventilation inside the boot. The oil- and slip-resistant outsole has aggressive treads that grip surfaces strongly to prevent slipping accidents. It’s worth noting that without waterproof components, this boot isn’t suitable for extremely wet settings.
The Irish Setter Trailblazer Waterproof Leather Boot
The Irish Setter Trailblazer Waterproof Leather Boot is built with Goodyear welt construction, ensuring that the sole and upper’s bond is strong enough to maintain the boot’s remarkable structural integrity for a long time. The UltraDry membrane blocks water, mud, and other wet elements to keep your foot dry and comfortable even when you stay in exceptionally wet settings for extended periods. The metallic eyelets and lace hooks are built to maintain their study attachment to the upper and won’t easily break apart with heavy usage. The steel shank offers another layer of support from underneath, ensuring that you’ll be able to walk in a stable manner over a variety of surface conditions without compromising your comfort. The carbon rubber outsole has strong treads that bite strongly into the ground, making it safer for you to walk on tricky surfaces with comfort. The EVA midsole provides comfortable cushioning without excessive weight. However, this logger boot doesn’t have a safety toe, so it’s not suitable for hazardous work settings.
The Palladium Pampa Shield WP+ LTH Boot
The Palladium Pampa Shield WP+ LTH Boot has a sleek design that you can take advantage of in indoor and outdoor work settings. Its streamlined structure easily pairs with workwear but also adds a bit of stylish sportiness to casual outfits. The nubuck leather upper’s waterproof construction stops liquids from penetrating, keeping your foot dry and comfortable in wet environments. The fleece lining embraces the foot with a soothing texture and protects the skin from painful chafing, especially with nonstop walking for prolonged periods. The EVA footbed comfortably cradles the foot to protect it from feeling the hardness of the surfaces you’re walking on. The sole isn’t as thick as other work boots, though, so it may not be as durable.
Conclusion & Verdict
The AdTec 9-Inch Crazy Horse Leather Work Boot’s premium construction stands out and can be relied on to deliver maximum benefits. It’s an extremely well-made pair that the manufacturer obviously spent a lot of time perfecting. The thick sole gave me a welcome height boost while providing exceptionally strong traction that kept me walking safely over different ground conditions. The water-resistant leather ensured that my foot maintained comfortable dryness when the boot was exposed to limited amounts of liquid substances. I loved that it didn’t feel too heavy even with the aggressively tough construction, making it comfortable to use for long hours. It didn’t have a safety toe, though, so I won’t recommend it for use in areas that are exposed to compression and impact threats.
- Premium, durable construction and design
- Water-resistant leather
- Comfortable and not too heavy
- Recraftable sole with strong traction
- Great value for money
