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Dunlop Acifort Ribbed Full Safety Boot – Detailed Review

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Rating : 8.3/10
See price at Amazon.com

Performance Breakdown

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Bottom Line

Built with steel toe caps and midsole as well as a ribbed construction, the Dunlop Acifort Ribbed Full Safety Boot offers enhanced protection to keep you moving safely through the toughest parts of your job.

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Safety toe caps
  • Puncture-resistant midsole
  • Ribbed structure for additional shin protection

Cons

  • Extremely relaxed fit can feel unstable for some people

Material

Acifort (PVC Nitrile)

Type of Toe

Yes (steel)

Weight

4.74lb / 2.15kg / 75.84oz

Waterproof

Yes

Shaft Size

14 inches

Outsole

Acifort (PVC Nitrile)

Boot type

Ribbed

Manufacturer

Dunlop

Safety certifications

No

Price range

$81.05 to $199.00

Summary

You can easily tell just by looking at the Dunlop Acifort Ribbed Full Safety Boot that there’s something extra with this footwear choice. The ribbed design effortlessly gives the exterior a striking look that makes this boot stand out among other plain-looking rubber boots, with the red sole enhancing the aesthetic to make it even more eye-catching. This ribbed structure, however, isn’t just for aesthetic purposes, as it delivers increased protection for the shinbone and the top of the foot, keeping these areas safe when there’s exposure to abrasions as well as impact or compression hazards that you may encounter. The exclusive Acifort material made with a blend of PVC and nitrile offers maximum waterproof protection to ensure that your foot will remain dry and comfortable within the boot while you’re working in wet conditions. The puncture-resistant midsole prevents sharp objects from penetrating from underneath so your foot can be safe from piercing injuries. The steel toe caps provide nonstop foot protection against heavy objects that can accidentally drop on the boot from high places.

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This boot comes with ankle support to stabilize your steps and maintain a comfortable experience throughout the day. The slip-resistant outsole will help you walk around more confidently on wet, inclined, or uneven surfaces while maintaining your stability so you can avoid slipping accidents while navigating challenging surfaces. The oil- and chemical-resistant outsole can be used around such harsh substances without deteriorating easily, so you’ll be able to take full advantage of the boot’s functionality for a long time without the material breaking apart in tough settings. We will take a more intimate peek at the boot to identify which features are the most beneficial and if some components can still be improved on to enhance the overall boot performance.

When you need all-weather footwear that provides maximum protection, this boot is a remarkable choice that you can depend on in different outdoor and indoor settings.

Ideal For

  • People who flexible work boots with safety toes
  • Professions that require durable waterproof boots
  • Environments that are exposed to impact and compression hazards

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Performance Analysis

Comfort

The Dunlop Acifort Ribbed Full Safety Boot is made with the proprietary Acifort material with a PVC and nitrile blend that’s flexible so you can more comfortably walk with minimal effort involved.

This pliable material adapts to your foot’s movements, allowing you to move more naturally without feeling the discomfort that results from a rigid rubber boot jabbing painfully into your foot.

The interior features a grey nylon fabric that hugs the boot with a soft texture, keeping it protected from painful friction that can be a problem when using unlined rubber boots, especially after long hours of wearing them.

However, this lining isn’t fluffy nor insulated so it doesn’t contribute much to providing superior comfort with long hours of continuous boot use.

The shock-absorbing heel takes in most of the force coming from each step and dissipates it throughout the boot so your foot and leg muscles can be spared from fatigue.

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Weight

This boot comes with a medium weight level that gives comfortable stability. This boot isn’t lightweight, but it also can’t be considered extremely heavy, as it doesn’t cause a great deal of discomfort when worn for long periods. Most of the boot’s weight comes from the steel components – the steel toe caps that guard against compression and impact threats, along with the steel midsole that forms a puncture-resistant barrier underfoot. The ribbing on the top part of the upper also adds extra weight to the overall boot structure as it enhances the protection of the shinbone.

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Traction

This boot offers strong traction to help you maintain your steady steps while navigating various indoor and outdoor settings. The pronounced cleats on the slip-resistant outsole firmly grip the ground so you can avoid slipping accidents when walking on uneven terrains or on wet floors around your work area.

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Fit and Sizing

This boot is true to size so I enjoyed the effortlessly comfortable fit when I chose my usual shoe size. It comes with a very relaxed fit that gave my feet and toes the space they needed to shift in place so that painful cramping could be stopped from fully setting in, especially with long hours of continuous boot-wearing while working nonstop. If you want a snugger fit, you might want to go down half a size so the boot can give you a more secure fit and stop involuntary foot slipping. This boot is designed to be put on and removed easily, as the material quickly adapts to the foot’s movement with remarkable flexibility that doesn’t get in the way of natural mobility.

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Waterproofing

This boot is made with a waterproof structure that doesn’t allow water, mud, and other liquid substances to enter, so you can be sure that complete dryness will be preserved in the boot’s interior for the duration of your stay in wet surroundings. This also guarantees that your foot will remain dry and comfortable as you focus on finishing tough tasks in harsh settings. The tall height also works to keep liquids from getting in through the boot’s opening when you’re wading in deep mud or water puddles.

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Breathability

The interior of the boot isn’t fitted with a mesh lining so it’s difficult to maintain proper ventilation. The tall height also prevents enough air from entering the boot so heat can more easily accumulate inside.

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Quality and Durability

The Dunlop Acifort Ribbed Full Safety Boot is built with the exclusive Acifort material that combines PVC and nitrile to form a flexible upper that quickly adapts to your foot’s movements, allowing you to utilize your natural mobility. The waterproof boot stops liquids from entering to guarantee that your foot won’t get soaked when you’re in wet surroundings for long stretches of time. The tall boot height will also prevent liquids from sloshing into the boot opening so you can safely wade in deep mud or water puddles without compromising foot dryness. The outsole comes with deep cleats that grip the ground firmly to help you walk more confidently on low-traction surfaces without compromising your safety and productivity. The high-traction outsole easily sheds mud and other debris, so you won’t need to worry about the boot becoming too heavy with the unwanted accumulation and you won’t track in the dirt when you move indoors from a tough outdoor setting. The steel toe caps keep the foot protected if heavy objects, such as tools and pieces of equipment, accidentally drop onto the boot. The puncture-resistant midsole is reinforced with steel to stop sharp objects from piercing the boot to keep your foot safe from puncture injuries in case you step on these safety hazards.

The top part of the boot’s upper features a special ribbing design that not only adds a striking aesthetic but also protects the shin bone from injuries in case you encounter abrasion and impact hazards over the course of a busy workday.

The heel is designed to absorb most of the force coming from your repetitive movements, keeping it properly dispersed throughout the boot to prevent foot fatigue from fully developing when you’ve spent hours walking or staying on your feet. The heel is also reinforced to help you retain your steady footing while walking on inclined or slippery ground conditions. Additional ankle support is fitted into the boot to hold the ankle securely in place, allowing you to move quickly as the need arises while avoiding accidental ankle-twisting, especially with rapid lateral movements. A grey nylon fabric lining offers a comfortingly soft texture within the boot to maintain foot comfort, so you won’t have to deal with the painful friction that comes from wearing unlined rubber boots for hours. The outsole is resistant to oil, chemicals, manure, blood, and minerals so you can be sure that the boot will maintain its structural integrity and protective features even with exposure to these harsh substances. This boot has antistatic properties that will enable you to work more safely and comfortably in non-insulated places where there are risks of static electricity building up. It comes with a very relaxed fit that provides the room that your foot and toes need to be able to move in place to stop foot cramps.

However, you may need to go half a size down if want a snugger fit that can offer more stability, as it prevents the foot from slipping in place within the boot. The boot also doesn’t have great breathability, so you do run the risk of overheating in it.

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Other Versions

The Dunlop Acifort Ribbed Full Safety Boot comes with a black shaft and a red sole. The Acifort series is available in the following versions: slip-resistant classic boot, slip-resistant tri-color version, a calf-length for heavy-duty farm work, calf-length with bio-secure features, full safety version for concrete work, ESD-certified full safety, heavy-duty full safety, full safety with professional chemical protection, safety high voltage protection, full safety fur-lined with rocker sole, a thigh wader, chest wader, and a full safety eco Snugboot.

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The Challengers

Dunlop Unisex Universal Wellington Boot

The Dunlop Unisex Universal Wellington Boot is a good alternative if you’re looking for a boot that provides straightforward protection without the bells and whistles. The waterproof material stops water, mud, and other liquids from seeping into the boot so you can work throughout the day in wet surroundings while maintaining a comfortably dry foot environment. The flexible material is designed to be worn and taken off easily, so you won’t need to spend a lot of time with the task on a regular basis. The material comes with a flexibility that adapts to your foot’s movements to make walking much more comfortable and effortless without stiff materials to hamper your mobility. The outsole provides good traction to help you move more safely while you navigate uneven terrains and slippery floor conditions.

Dunlop Men’s Pricemastor Wellington Boot

The Dunlop Men’s Pricemastor Wellington Boot is another great choice that offers no-nonsense protection at a reasonable price. It’s built to offer reliable foot protection in less demanding conditions, with the PVC material adapting quickly to your movements to make walking more comfortable because there aren’t any rigid materials getting in the way of your mobility. The plain-looking exterior is designed to be washed off easily so won’t need to spend too much time and effort on the clean-up task at the end of a busy workday. This waterproof boot blocks mud, water, and other liquid substances to maintain a completely dry boot interior, enabling you to keep on working on your tasks without being bothered by drenched feet when you’re in extremely wet surroundings. The outsole offers good traction to keep you walking safely and comfortably on tricky surfaces without compromising your productivity around the work area.

Dunlop Men’s Purofort Thermo+ Full Safety Boot

The Dunlop Men’s Purofort Thermo+ Full Safety Boot delivers impressive foot protection and comfort in cold conditions. The puncture-resistant midsole blocks sharp objects from penetrating the bottom of the boot to provide maximum foot safety against puncture hazards. The steel toe caps form a protective barrier against heavy objects that can accidentally roll or drop on the boot, so your foot won’t be seriously harmed in the process. The impact-absorbing heel soaks up most of the force coming from your continuous walking and fights foot fatigue by dispersing the shock throughout the boot to protect your foot and calf muscles from extreme discomfort. The boot provides cold insulation to ensure that your foot will be kept comfortably warm even when the external temperature drops to -50°C. The waterproof structure prevents liquids from getting into the boot for all-day foot dryness you can enjoy even in exceptionally wet settings.

Dunlop Protomastor Full Safety Boot

The Dunlop Protomastor Full Safety Boot offers a high level of functionality without sacrificing safety features. This multi-purpose boot comes with a waterproof body that seals out water and other liquids to make sure that the interior remains dry, enabling you to continue your tasks in wet conditions without compromising your foot’s safety and comfortable dryness. The steel midsole builds a puncture-resistant structure that stops sharp objects from piercing through the boot from underneath, so your foot will be kept safe from puncture injuries in case you accidentally step on these safety hazards. The steel safety toes keep the foot safe from compression and impact threats that can suddenly fall or roll onto the boot from high areas in the workplace. This boot comes with antistatic electrical insulation that will protect you while you work in a non-insulated area where there is a risk of static electricity build-up.

Dunlop Purofort Rig-Air Fur-Lined Full Safety Boot

The Dunlop Purofort Rig-Air Fur-Lined Full Safety Boot guarantees superior foot comfort in a fully protective structure. It comes with a fur-lined interior that keeps the foot embraced in relaxing softness while increasing the warmth from within, so your foot won’t feel uncomfortably chilled even when the temperature in the surrounding area plunges to -20°C. The shock-absorbing heel takes on the force coming from repetitive foot movements and stops foot fatigue from developing by dispersing the impact throughout the entire boot. This is a fully waterproof boot that ensures long-lasting foot dryness as you work in particularly wet conditions for extended periods. The steel safety toes protect your foot from grave injuries in case impact and compression dangers suddenly drop or roll onto the boot. The steel midsole creates a formidable barrier that won’t allow sharp objects to pierce your foot in case you unintentionally step on these puncture hazards.

Conclusion & Verdict

The Dunlop Acifort Ribbed Full Safety Boot offers increased safety without compromising a comfortable boot-wearing experience. It comes with a ribbed design that adds a striking accent to the aesthetic while working hard to keep the shin bone protected from impact and abrasion hazards that may be encountered on the job site. The boot also comes with a reinforced heel and ankle support for extra stability that can help maintain your stead footing over various ground conditions. The extremely relaxed fit provides the foot and toes with enough room to shift comfortably in place but may feel quite unstable for those used to snug-fitting footwear. Breathability is also a bit lacking in this shoe, so that should be a consideration for anyone prone to overheating.

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Luke Davis

Luke Davis

Luke is the lead author on WorkWear.org. He has a vast experience in construction engineering and project management in California and Texas, where he had the chance to put to test a wide range of safety boots and PPE. Outside work, Luke is an avid hiker and not surprisingly a DIY fanatic!