Comfort

The shoe’s slip-on style not only delivered convenience but also worked to enhance comfort.

I especially liked the gusseted section at the top of the shoe, as it easily stretches whenever I need to put my foot in or pull it out.

This stretchable material also made it easier for me to walk without the restrictive feeling that stiff uppers deliver. The gusset promoted a wider range of motion for improved efficiency and a comfortable walking experience.

My foot didn’t feel too tired at the end of a long workday, thanks to the All-Day Cushioning insole.

This section created a soft yet supportive base with ample padding to protect my foot against directly feeling the hard ground that I needed to walk on around the work area. In addition, I appreciated the foamy softness in the heel area as it added a bit of a bounce to my steps, helping me walk comfortably for much longer.

The EVA midsole worked nonstop to absorb the impact of hours-long walking on hard ground, helping protect my feet against discomfort.

I liked the addition of the exclusive ATS lightweight forked shank that strengthened the shoe’s structure while providing increased support for a more stable walking experience over varying surfaces.

Weight

These shoes have a lightweight feel – which is quite surprising since its robust profile made me assume it would weigh much more. We have weighed these using our own scale, and their weight is approximately 964grams / 34oz / 2.13lbs.

The thick Duratread sole felt lighter than I thought, so it uncomfortably dragged on the foot. Inside, lightweight components such as an EVA midsole and a forked shank provided superior benefits without the excess bulk. The combination of materials allowed the shoes to deliver remarkable performance without the unwelcome heaviness.

Traction

The Duratread sole injected a striking accent with its gray color against the shoe’s brown and black profile.

However, it turned out to have weak traction, so I’m not too keen on using the shoes in slick or uneven ground conditions where I may have a higher risk of slipping.

I believe the minimal level of outsole traction makes the shoes suitable for use city use (on even pavements) and mild outdoor terrains – but not for rocky or extremely unstable surfaces.

Fit and Sizing

The shoes have a regular fit, and I didn’t need to go up or down a size to achieve a comfortable experience. They had a wonderfully snug fit when I paired them with thick socks.

However, those who want more space inside their footwear may want to avoid using these shoes with thicker socks to leave enough room for comfy toe-wiggling.

These shoes are easy to slip into, especially with the help of the pull tabs at the front and rear portions of the opening.

Waterproofing

The shoes are built with the exclusive Waterproof PRO construction that effectively blocks water, mud, and other liquid substances.

This makes working on wet worksites or outdoors when it’s raining easier since the feet remain protected against uncomfortable wetness.

It’s worth noting that the gusseted section on top of the shoe doesn’t have the same waterproof construction. This becomes vulnerable when the shoes are exposed to liquids, as the wetness can seep into the shoes through the non-waterproof gusseted area.

Breathability

The leather sections don’t welcome a lot of air – but they can pass through the gusseted neoprene section on top. This prevents the shoes from heating up when I work in humid or hot surroundings most of the day.

Inside, the moisture-wicking lining encourages heat and moisture to escape quickly, maintaining a cool and dry feeling for longer, even with hours of nonstop shoe-wearing in warm conditions.

Quality and Durability

The Ariat Terrain Ease Waterproof Shoes are probably one of the top slip-on (non-safety) work shoes that I’ve tried.

The well-designed profile looks and feels sturdy enough to take on variable work conditions without easily succumbing to premature damage, so I can look forward to enjoying the shoes’ benefits for a long time. The Waterproof PRO construction removes my worries when working in wet conditions as it stops liquids from seeping into the shoes.

I discovered that the shoe works hard to provide additional protection and strength even if it doesn’t have safety toe caps.

The front part has a toe overlay that offers an extra layer of safety against abrasion, scratches, and impact encountered in different job environments.

The same overlay material is fitted into the heel – another high-wear area that needs to be protected against abrasive or sharp objects in the workplace.

The stretchable neoprene part on the top of the shoe makes it much easier for my foot to slide into the shoe without discomfort.

It also allows my foot to flex and move naturally, so I didn’t feel like my agility was restricted.

Pull tabs at the front and back of the opening help with effortless foot entry and exit, making the slip-on style even more convenient to maximize on and off the work area.

The Duratread outsole is durable enough to last long through demanding work conditions.

It also has a 90-degree angle heel that holds firmly onto ladder rungs and stirrups for enhanced safety.

However, I discovered that the outsole needs to be grippy enough to be used on extremely rough, unstable, or slippery surfaces. Nevertheless, it offers a robust structure, working with the cushioned insole and shock-absorbing midsole to support my feet while promoting better walking stability.

Other Versions

The Ariat Terrain Ease Waterproof Shoe are also available in a slip-on boot version, which is called Terrain Blaze.

Skechers Work Bronwood Shoe

The Skechers Work Bronwood Shoe has a water-resistant upper to keep the wetness from creeping in, helping the feet stay dry even in work areas exposed to liquids. The material is also stain resistant, so the shoes aren’t permanently ruined by dirt and other substances that can spill on the feet. The slip-on design is a big help when you’re pressed for time and must be on the go since there are no shoelaces to fiddle with. A memory foam insole cushions the blow of walking nonstop for hours on hard floors while supporting the foot properly. This lightweight work shoe can be comfortable all day because it doesn’t pull the foot down with annoying bulk. The flexible sole allows more freedom to walk naturally and is grippy enough to prevent slipping in challenging ground conditions. However, it’s worth noting that this shoe isn’t fully waterproof and doesn’t have safety toes, so it’s unsuitable for hazardous surroundings.

Rockport Women’s Trustride Safety Toe Shoe

The Rockport Women’s Trustride Safety Toe Shoe has steel toecaps to block dangerous compression or impact, which may be encountered on job sites where heavy items can fall on the feet. The soft, nubuck leather structure is easy to slip into for maximum convenience. It comes with a short, zippered section on one side and a gusseted area on the other to make it easier for the foot to get in without discomfort. The proprietary truTECH footbed offers ample cushioning to stop the pain from all-day walking. It works as the shoe’s impact absorber to relieve the discomfort of being upright for long periods. The Prowalker outsole has exceptional traction to enhance walking stability over tricky surfaces, with a flexible structure promoting unrestricted agility and comfortable foot motion. Electrical hazard resistance offers a secondary layer of safety against electric shock in dry conditions.

Clarks Cotrell Free Loafer

The Clarks Cotrell Free Loafer is effortlessly stylish in a casual way, making it suitable for non-formal work environments and with casual clothing choices. The side gussets stretch to accommodate the foot’s entry, widening the opening for better access that doesn’t involve chafing and overall discomfort. An OrthoLite footbed provides much-needed softness while preventing pressure spots from forming over hours of walking. It also keeps the air flowing freely to maintain a comfortably cool feeling even in hot or humid environments. The low-profile footbed doesn’t take up a lot of space inside the shoe, so the interior still has enough space for the toes to wiggle naturally. The EVA outsole is flexible and enables a wider range of foot motion, but it doesn’t have strong traction and may not prevent slipping in challenging ground conditions.