Summary
Work boots do not need to look extremely rugged to be able to withstand tough settings, and that is what works so well with the Dr. Martens Men’s Icon 7B10 Leather Steel Toe Work Boot. It’s built with a classic work boot silhouette that has less of an industrial look compared to the bulky and incredibly rugged features that other work boots have, but it’s nonetheless just as sturdy and tough as those other footwear options. This boot is made with sturdy leather that’s designed to keep the foot protected against the elements and other hazards that may be encountered in and out of the work area while resisting easy breakage. This will allow you to wear the boot confidently with the assurance that it can withstand the harsh outdoor surroundings without the materials breaking apart easily in the process.
The steel toe caps in place keep your feet protected from crushing injuries in case tools and other heavy items accidentally drop from a significant height onto the boot while you’re working on various tasks on the job site. The air-cushioned sole comes with plenty of traction to keep you steady on your feet even on surfaces that are wet or slippery, allowing you to move more naturally and safely for all-day productivity. Below, we delve more deeply into the boot to see what makes its attributes stand out and if some features still need to be improved to be able to increase the footwear’s overall functionality.
When you need continuous stability in tough environments, this boot has the rugged construction to keep you comfortable and protected all day long.
Performance Analysis
Comfort
The Dr. Martens Men’s Icon 7B10 Leather Steel Toe Work Boot works hard to deliver a comfortable experience along with its protective features. It comes with the exclusive Smartmask footbed that’s built with a customized PU foam that hugs the foot with the most satisfying feeling as it follows the foot’s curves. This resulted in a comfortable sensation that had a customized feel, enabling me to work continuously while my feet were spared from discomfort.
The footbed eased pressure sites on the foot so that blisters were prevented from developing, especially during those days when I needed to walk around and stay on my feet for the better part of the day. The boot also has remarkable arch support that helped me avoid foot fatigue for long hours, so I was able to focus on my job without being bothered by pain.
The padded tongue kept the top of my foot protected from discomfort by delivering ample cushioning to stop painful friction on this part. The tongue worked to give a snug fit on this area to keep my ankle stabilized, making it easier for me to walk around for hours without compromising my safety and comfort. The snug fit also kept my ankle securely in place and prevented unnecessary shifting within the boot for a more secure feeling all day long. The full-grain leather upper has the strength to withstand tough outdoor settings but managed to maintain pliability that made wearing the boot more of a pleasure rather than a chore. The upper didn’t restrict my movements and instead adapted easily to my foot’s actions so I was able to move around more freely without stiff materials to hamper my natural quickness. The interior of the boot is fully lined so my foot was completely embraced by welcoming textures that also worked to relieve discomfort even with long hours of continuous use. The boot offers a medium level of comfort at the beginning, but that comfortability increases significantly after the break-in period.
Weight
This boot has a medium weight level considering the features that make up its sturdy profile. I was expecting it to feel heavier based on its appearance, so I was pleasantly surprised when I wore it. Walking around with this boot didn’t cause extreme discomfort even with all-day use because I didn’t feel like I was dragging bulky blocks on my feet. Even the heavy-duty sole didn’t feel that weighty underfoot, which may be because of the air-cushioned layer that prevented the outsole from becoming exceptionally heavy and bulky.
Traction
The boot is equipped with the proprietary AirWair outsole that delivers excellent traction over a variety of surfaces. The strong grip of the sole kept me from slipping on tricky surfaces so I was able to move quickly and confidently on different floors and terrains without worrying that my movements would compromise my safety. The grippy soles allowed me to walk more stably as I tackled the necessary tasks for the day in an almost effortless manner.
Fit and Sizing
This work boot is true to size, and I didn’t need to go through the guesswork that comes with going up or down a size just to get to the right fit. It had a relaxed fit that came with more space for my toes to shift when they needed to, such as when I felt that cramps were beginning to creep in, especially when I had been walking and standing all day without rest breaks in between my activities. This relaxed fit prevented painful friction and pinching within the boot but may not feel too secure for those who prefer a snug fit for their work boots. The extended lace-up design allowed me to achieve a customized fit without exerting too much effort, so I was able to enjoy this benefit throughout the day.
Waterproofing
The rugged genuine leather used for this boot is designed to offer some water resistance to keep the feet dry when a bit of water or other liquid splashes onto the footwear. The fluids will not be able to seep in quickly provided that the boot’s exposure to the moisture source is limited. However, as the boot doesn’t have a fully waterproof construction, it won’t be able to resist liquids with extended exposure. Your feet may be thoroughly soaked when you work for a long time surrounded by water puddles, mud, or other liquids that you may encounter around your work area.
Breathability
The special PU foam footbed works to promote proper airflow within the boot to maintain a well-ventilated interior that will keep your foot comfortable all day long. This prevents heat from building up inside the boot so you can be spared from the discomfort that comes with an overheated boot. This footbed material also reduces the amount of moisture inside by dispersing it continuously to keep your foot dry and comfortable even with extended periods of boot use.
Quality and Durability
The Dr. Martens Men’s Icon 7B10 Leather Steel Toe Work Boot is built with steel toes that provide superior protection against heavy tools and other items that can accidentally drop from an elevated location, so your foot will not get crushed in case of exposure to such compression and impact hazards. The leather upper is strong enough to be used in a variety of harsh work environments without breaking apart easily even with frequent use. The leather maintains a pliable structure that adjusts accordingly to the foot’s movements to make walking around more effortless, as there are no unyielding materials to hamper your nimble actions. The comfort level that the boot offers is increased significantly after the break-in period when the leather material becomes more flexible with use. The Smartmask footbed is made with a special PU foam that conforms to the contours of the foot for a customized feel that will keep on delivering a high level of comfort for theentire day while easing pressure sites to stop blister development. This footbed is enhanced with the Agion antibacterial treatment that works to prevent odors so you can enjoy the boot-wearing experience throughout the longest workdays without suffering from smelly feet problems. This insole works to encourage generous airflow to keep the interior properly ventilated even with extended hours of boot use while dissipating moisture so that your foot can be protected from an overheated feeling.
The footbed is built with a double-layered construction and offers strong arch support to stop foot fatigue that can cause extreme pain, especially when you have already been on your feet for the better part of the day.
The boot delivers reliable shock absorption to protect the foot from the discomfort that comes from the impact of repetitive movements for extended periods. The 7-eyelet lace-up design makes it easier for you to achieve the most secure fit while allowing numerous adjustments as needed so you can enjoy a high level of comfort no matter how long the work hours can be. The sturdy laces and eyelets are created to resist damage for long-lasting functionality that can keep up with the demands of your job. The AirWair soles are built with an air-cushioned layer that provides increased comfort by offering a bouncy feel that returns energy to every step. A strong pull loop will help with easy boot-wearing so you can conveniently put on and take off the boot when needed. The outsole delivers an outstanding grip even on low-traction surfaces so walking on these tricky ground conditions can be made with confidence. The boot is electrical hazard rated to deliver secondary protection against live currents in dry conditions. The Goodyear Welt construction strengthens the bond between the sole and upper for dependable durability that will provide functional benefits for a long time. The industrial profile is strong enough to keep up with harsh outdoor environments but still retains an elegance that can be used in more casual settings without the footwear looking too out of place.
The high-quality leather offers some water resistance, but as the boot is not built with waterproof components, it’s not recommended for extended use in extremely wet conditions.
Other Versions
The Dr. Martens Men’s Icon 7B10 Leather Steel Toe Work Boot is available in the following colors – tan industrial waxy, bark industrial bear, and black industrial bear. There are no other versions of this boot currently being offered.
The Challengers
Dr. Martens Men’s Duxford Steel Toe Work Boot
The Dr. Martens Men’s Duxford Steel Toe Work Boot is an amazing alternative that can take on harsh environments with ease. It’s built with waterproof leather to keep the foot safe from liquids that may be encountered around the work area. A waterproof welt sole increases the protection in extremely wet conditions, so your feet are guaranteed to maintain a comfortable dryness throughout the day. The steel toe caps guard your feet against impact and compression dangers that the boot may be exposed to over the course of a regular workday. The strong leather and nylon upper is designed to keep up with extremely tough settings while resisting structural damage so you can be sure that the boot will keep up its brilliant performance for a long time.
Wolverine Floorhand 6-Inch Steel Toe Work Boot
The Wolverine Floorhand 6-Inch Steel Toe Work Boot delivers maximum protection in a structure that retains its handsomeness despite the rugged profile. The waterproof leather upper has a premium texture that works harmoniously with your workwear and blends in just as remarkably well with more casual clothing, allowing you to fully maximize the footwear in and out of the work area. The steel toe protection guards your foot against serious injures if tools, machinery, and other heavy objects accidentally fall on the boot. The cushioned footbed molds to the curves of the foot for superior comfort that feels like the boot is customized according to your unique foot anatomy. A lightweight cement construction works together with the nylon shank to deliver continuous support while preventing the foot from becoming too heavy, making walking for long hours easier to manage with minimal discomfort involved.
KEEN Pyrenees Waterproof Leather Hiking Boot
The KEEN Pyrenees Waterproof Leather Hiking Boot is a noteworthy option that works hard to keep your feet dry and comfortable over long hours of continuous work. The waterproof leather upper repels liquids to keep your feet protected when you’re working in exceptionally wet surroundings for extended periods. The exclusive KEEN DRY membrane forms a protective barrier to prevent water and other liquid substances from seeping into the boot while encouraging moisture and heat to dissipate so that your foot can enjoy a comfortably dry cocoon for the better part of the day. The ergonomically engineered footbed delivers outstanding arch support and conforms to the natural shape of the foot for lasting comfort and prevention of foot pain no matter how tough the tasks turn out to be. The heavy-duty outsole comes with multidirectional lugs that offer strong traction to maintain steady footing over uneven and slippery surfaces for your continuous safety as you work on the most important tasks of the day.
Ariat Telluride Composite Toe Work Boot
The Ariat Telluride Composite Toe Work Boot will keep your foot encased in a comfortable shell as it delivers nonstop protection against various safety threats that you can encounter on your job site. The Waterproof PRO construction works with the waterproof leather upper to ensure that no liquids will be allowed to seep into the boot, preserving lasting foot dryness. The composite toe caps keep your foot safe from being severely injured in instances when impact or compression hazards accidentally drop on your boot from a significant height. The shock-absorbing midsole works to stop foot fatigue in its tracks by absorbing most of the impact coming from your repetitive movements all day long. The rugged Duratread outsole delivers maximum slip resistance even on low-traction surfaces and comes with a 90-degree heel that promotes more stable footing on inclined or rough ground conditions.
Skechers Work Workshire Steel Toe Work Boot
The Skechers Work Workshire Steel Toe Work Boot is a good choice if you’re after protective work boots with a relaxed fit. This boot has a roomy fit that will allow your toes to wiggle as needed to ease some of the tiredness after staying on your feet for the better part of the day. The memory foam insole molds to the contours of your foot for a personalized level of comfort that will help keep you protected from pain even when you wear the boot for long hours at a time. The safety steel toes act as your foot’s guards against objects that can suddenly roll or fall onto the boot so you can be spared from serious injuries. The midsole offers nonstop shock absorption to stop foot fatigue from developing, especially when you’re required to walk or stand most of the day.
Conclusion & Verdict
The Dr. Martens Men’s Icon 7B10 Leather Steel Toe Work Boot is rugged enough to meet the requirements of challenging outdoor work environments. It features the classic Dr. Martens silhouette that has less of an industrial look compared to other work boots, with steel toes for increased protection against compression and impact risks that you may be exposed to on a daily basis in the workplace. The outsole offers outstanding grip on low-traction surfaces so you can be more confident walking over such tricky ground conditions without compromising your comfort in the process. The comfort level that the boot provides is not that high, especially in the beginning before the break-in process – although this will improve with regular boot usage.
