Thorogood Z-Trac 8-Inch Composite Toe Wellington Boots – Worn, Tested & Evaluated

Comfort

The Thorogood Z-Trac 8-Inch Waterproof Composite Toe Wellington Boot works hard to provide a comfortable experience and rugged function.

I love the Shock Zone insole, one of the thickest Thorogood insoles I’ve ever tried.

It gives a foamy sensation, making walking much more enjoyable since my foot has a soft yet supportive cradle underneath. This insole has a shock zone in the heel area where most of the impact is concentrated, soaking up the shock and dispersing it to stop the onset of foot fatigue.

I’m a fan of the thickly cushioned collar adding a comforting softness to the top of the boot, preventing painful friction from nonstop walking and movements around the work area.

The padded collar also helps keep the calf in place more securely while walking, especially over uneven terrains. A polyester lining offers another layer of protection against chafing to keep the foot and leg as comfortable as possible all day.

I like how the composite shank keeps the foot in a more stable position, promoting proper foot alignment while offering a safer way of walking. I appreciate the shank’s function even more when going over loose or sloped ground, where I continue to walk confidently without losing my balance. However, even with all the comfort features, the boot still feels uncomfortable because of the extremely snug fit.

Weight

This boot isn’t the most lightweight one I’ve tried, but it’s also not the heaviest. There are much heavier boots out there, especially given the tall Wellington style and the composite toe protection in place. The weight of these boots, as shown in the image above is 1924grams / 4.24 lbs / 67.9 oz.

All in all, I’m still pretty happy with this boot’s weight level considering all the high-performance features that are built in.

Traction

This boot has the best outsoles I’ve experienced so far in Thorogood boots.

The aggressive-looking treads provide impressively strong traction, firmly gripping the ground, so I have no trouble walking with complete stability over tricky surfaces.

Unlike Thorogood wedge styles, this boot’s sole is inflexible and supportive, especially over uneven terrains.

Fit and Sizing

This boot is not true to size.

It has a narrow design resulting in severe snugness, and I struggle every time I put them on and remove them.

I first thought the snugness was because the boot needs a break-in period, but this isn’t the case.

I suggest you upsize by at least one size, after which the fit will still be snug.

As such, I don’t recommend this for those who prefer relaxed-fit boots or those with wide feet.

Waterproofing

The boot offers great waterproofing thanks to the X-Stream waterproof construction.

I’d say the waterproofing is nearly as good as rubber boots. The impressive defense against liquids allows me to continue my tasks in severely wet conditions without worrying that I’ll have soaked feet, even if I need to walk on moisture-filled surfaces for long periods.

Breathability

Thankfully, the waterproof construction is also breathable, allowing moisture to dissipate quickly.

The Air Flow zone in the insole also helps the air move continuously. Even with the tall boot height, I don’t feel like my foot is inside a hot oven as the air continues to flow inside the boot. This results in a fresh feeling for much longer, protecting my foot against intense sweating, especially in humid or hot work environments.

Quality and Durability

The Thorogood Z-Trac 8-Inch Waterproof Composite Toe Wellington Boot is one of the best work boots I’ve come across in terms of overall ruggedness and durability.

It’s made with premium materials and construction, making this a fantastic work boot choice for extremely harsh work environments and bad weather conditions. The silhouette is similar to winter or snow boots and can be used in cold settings, but without proper insulation, I doubt if this suits winter or snowy conditions.

The abrasion-resistant black armor coating in the vamp offers impressive strength to save the boot against premature damage, even in the toughest work settings.

I appreciate composite toe caps providing continuous defense against compression and impact hazards, keeping my foot protected against serious injuries on the job without the heaviness of steel toes.

A composite shank promotes the foot’s proper alignment and adds support from below while giving the boot the rigidity it needs to maintain its structural strength for a long time. The boot has a non-metallic structure, so it doesn’t accidentally trigger metal screening devices that are placed in highly secure locations.

The boot has excellent waterproofing courtesy of the X-Stream waterproof construction.

This level of waterproofing makes the boot seem like rubber boots that keep the liquids out even in severely wet surroundings.

I especially like how the boot stays breathable even with its tall height, with the waterproof system promoting good ventilation within the footwear.

Meanwhile, the electrical hazard protection provides a secondary level of protection against electric shock in case of accidental contact with open circuits in dry conditions.

The boot’s Z-Trac outsole is one of the best I’ve seen in Thorogood boots, with an exceptional grip on even the most challenging surfaces.

A rubber heel stabilizer helps secure the heel to prevent it from sliding inside the boot with every step. The Shock Zone PU footbed has a foamy feel and is one of the thickest Thorogood insoles I tried.

It’s a shame that the extremely narrow, snug fit considerably reduces the boot’s overall comfort level, requiring an upsize for a more manageable fit.

Other Versions

The Thorogood Z-Trac 8-Inch Waterproof Composite Toe Wellington Boot is built with brown leather with black abrasion-resistant material in the vamp. It doesn’t come in other versions.

Ariat Anthem Waterproof Western Boot

The Ariat Anthem Waterproof Western Boot is built with a full-grain leather upper with decorative stitching on the shaft for that distinctive Western style boost. It uses DRYShield waterproof construction to block water and other liquids so the foot can remain comfortably dry in bad weather conditions and other wet settings. The Ariat-branded Duratread outsole has a thick structure that’s durable enough to keep up with demanding work tasks and environments. It has an exceptionally strong grip that makes it easier to navigate tricky surfaces while maintaining secure footing in the process. The insole features the exclusive 4LR technology, which supports and cushions the foot in precise spots for all-day comfort. The EVA midsole acts as the shock absorber, dispersing the impact to stop the development of foot fatigue. It’s worth noting that the toe box feels too tight so that the boot may be uncomfortable for wide feet.

Carhartt Waterproof 10-Inch Wellington Boot

The Carhartt Waterproof 10-Inch Wellington Boot has steel toe caps forming a barrier over the toes, offering superior protection against injuries from heavy objects that can roll or drop onto the feet. The Carstrong fabric makes the upper even stronger, delivering enhanced resistance against abrasion and premature signs of damage. The Storm Defender waterproof lining prevents liquids from entering the boot, helping the foot stay dry in the rain and on wet job sites. The same lining encourages moisture to move out quickly, saving the foot from becoming drenched with sweat with all-day use. The electrical hazard-safe design offers an extra layer of safety against electric shock should there be accidental contact with electrically charged objects in dry settings. The outsole has deep treads providing an exceptionally strong grip on most surfaces for superior stability while walking. However, the boot can feel warm and tight around the ankle in hot surroundings.

Thorogood 11-Inch Pull-On Wellington Wedge Steel Toe Boot

The Thorogood 11-Inch Pull-On Wellington Wedge Steel Toe Boot comes in a convenient pull-on design that doesn’t require spending time fiddling with laces with every use. It’s made in the USA using globally sourced materials to ensure the product’s superior quality and aesthetics. The steel toe caps shield the toes so that they won’t be crushed in case large or heavy items come crashing down by accident on the feet. The Ultimate Shock Absorption footbed cushions the foot, protecting it from discomfort by soaking up and dispersing the shock before it turns into fatigue. The MAXWear Wedge outsole has a soft, flexible structure that allows comfortable walking without unwelcome rigidity interfering with the foot’s motion. However, the boot feels slightly bulky and can feel severely snug, especially for wide feet.

Muck Boot Chore Classic Work Boot

The Muck Boot Chore Classic Work Boot is 100% waterproof, making it a great choice for working outdoors in muddy or rainy conditions and in other settings that are surrounded by wetness. The bottom part of the boot is built with rubber that’s easy to wash off at the end of a hectic workday. The toe section is reinforced with a triple layer of rubber for maximum resistance against abrasion and other forms of damage in tough work settings. Meanwhile, the heel has a quadruple layer of rubber reinforcement to resist premature deterioration, especially with heavy use in demanding job sites. The 5mm-thick neoprene lining on top is waterproof and provides the flexibility that’s needed for comfortable foot and leg movements. The rugged rubber outsole has a firm grip on most surfaces, making it easier to maintain a stable gait on unstable or slippery ground. It should be noted that this boot can feel extremely bulky, especially when used nonstop for long hours.

Dunlop Protomastor Full Safety Boot

The Dunlop Protomastor Full Safety Boot is completely waterproof, effectively sealing out liquids to protect the foot from becoming soaked in exceptionally wet surroundings. It’s fitted with steel toe caps offering maximum toe defense against impact and compression threats lurking in harsh work areas. The midsole is also made with steel to prevent sharp objects – such as glass shards and nails – from puncturing the foot from the bottom. The sole is very flexible and enables the foot to move naturally for better agility and comfort while walking around the job site. The slip-resistant outsole has deep treads that dig strongly into the ground, helping maintain stable walking even on slippery and uneven terrains. The heel is designed to absorb most of the impact of walking, helping sustain foot comfort all day. It should be mentioned that the sole feels a bit too thin, though, so it may not last as long as thicker outsoles.