Timberland PRO Powertrain – Is It Comfortable Enough to Power Through Busy Days?

First Impression

My first thought while unboxing is that these shoes looked like a pair of rugged sneakers with a safety toe. The sole, in particular, had a striking look that’s not often seen in other work shoes. It had a very thick structure, with a foamy feel that significantly improved foot comfort. The color combination of black and orange fueled the sporty look, but I was happy to note that the shoe still had a streamlined profile. With the high-tech design, I wasn’t surprised that the shoe came packed with many interesting features and specs that further enhanced overall performance.

Summary:

This shoe’s sporty, high-tech design gave a clear idea of its superb comfort and functionality that I got to maximize at work. Even with the sporty silhouette, the shoe still looked sleek enough to be used in non-formal work environments.

Material Quality and Care

This work shoe was made with ripstop nylon much stronger than ordinary nylon. This material has abrasion-resistant properties, protecting the shoe from getting damaged in case of contact with abrasive materials that can otherwise cause scratches and scuffs on weaker materials. I noticed the material was much lighter than leather, so the shoe didn’t feel as bulky as regular work shoes made with leather uppers. I appreciated the lining even more as it was made with the proprietary eco-friendly material, ReBOTL, made from a minimum of 50% recycled plastic bottles. I felt the laces could be stronger, but the issue wasn’t a dealbreaker as they could easily be replaced if they broke.

Summary:

The ripstop nylon material created a sturdy work shoe that easily kept up with my activities. It didn’t easily get scratched or scuffed even with heavy use in variable conditions. The material was easy to clean and maintaining it didn’t require much effort. Using an environmentally friendly material in the lining was just the icing on the cake regarding this shoe’s high-quality structure.

Comfort & Fit

The outsole significantly contributed to this shoe’s exceptional comfort level. I discovered this was where the Anti-Fatigue technology was focused on, delivering a foamy feel that kept discomfort at bay. The shoe maintained its comfortably foamy feel even when I walked and stayed on my feet most of the day, absorbing the shock and dissipating it to prevent fatigue. It had a regular to snug fit, but the toe box had enough space for unrestricted toe flexing. I especially liked the snug fit on the ankle area, which felt as supportive as trainers. This snugness improved stability, making me feel more secure as I walked on different surfaces. The ripstop nylon and outsole were flexible, so I didn’t feel any restrictions with how my foot moved. This shoe didn’t weigh as much as work boots even with the alloy toe caps in place. Meanwhile, the breathable lining helped keep the foot comfortably dry throughout the day, even in humid or warm surroundings. The antimicrobial treatment was a wonderful bonus that assured me of fresh-smelling feet for a lot longer.

Summary:

This work shoe delivered outstanding comfort, thanks to the outsole design with its Anti-Fatigue technology. The outsole’s foamy cushioning softened the impact of all-day walking and stopped foot fatigue in its tracks. The shoe’s minimized weight and flexibility also contributed to the comfortable walking experience.

Break-In Period

There was virtually no break-in period needed for this work shoe. The upper was soft and flexible, so it didn’t need to be broken in like leather for the material to soften enough to feel comfortable while walking. Even the outsole flexed easily from the beginning, so I didn’t experience the awkward movements I once felt while using other work shoes with stiff soles.

Summary:

This work shoe didn’t need a long break-in period since it was made with flexible materials that adapted to the foot’s movements almost right out of the box.

Design & Craftmanship

I found the work shoe’s design to be quite impressive. The athletic construction made the work shoe look like sneakers but was still sleek enough to pair well with casual work attire. I got the pair in black with orange accents, which has a trendy look without going overboard. The cement construction boosted the shoe’s flexibility while ensuring enhanced structural integrity for lasting performance. I discovered that a fiberglass shank was boosting the shoe’s stability and durability, thankfully without the heaviness of a steel shank. The thick outsole design stood out with an almost futuristic design that boosted the sporty look and, at the same time increased comfort and durability.

Summary:

With a sporty, high-tech profile, this work shoe worked great in casual work environments and can even be maximized off the clock. The sturdy materials and construction made the work shoe strong enough to withstand heavy use while maintaining its superior features.

Weight

This work shoe has a lightweight design. The weight of both shoes, as per our scale is 1053 grams / 2.32lbs / 37.1 oz (this is shown on the image above too!). Even if it was fitted with alloy toe caps, I still enjoyed its reduced weight profile. This lightweight structure made the shoe a great alternative to work boots that tend to feel a lot bulkier, especially with safety toe caps built in. Since it didn’t drag heavily on the foot, the shoe was comfortable to wear over long periods of walking and didn’t cause muscle fatigue. The lightweight structure was a lot like the Reaxion composite toe work shoe (also from Timberland), which I also had the chance to road test in the workplace.

Summary:

The lightweight profile contributed to the shoe’s overall comfort. I would recommend it to those who are on the lookout for lightweight safety toe work footwear options that have high-performance qualities.

Traction

The outsole was one of the first things that caught my eye when I first saw this shoe. The sides were designed to look like the contrast color was dripping, creating a bold appearance further enhanced by large lugs. I found out that the PU material was more resilient than regular rubber because it was resistant to heat, abrasion, oil, and slipping. However, even with the slip-resistant structure, the outsole still lacked the strong grip I hoped for. It lacked the outstanding traction to keep up with extremely unstable or slippery surfaces.

Summary:

The outsole’s bold design was one of the most striking things about this shoe’s appearance. However, even if it was thick and durable, the outsole didn’t have the excellent grip to prevent slipping on severely slick or unstable terrains.

Safety Features

This shoe was built with alloy toe caps to block dangerous compression and impact. I was even more impressed because these toe caps protected the toes from being crushed but didn’t feel as heavy as steel toes. The shoe also had electrical hazard protection, adding another layer of safety against electrical shock risks in dry conditions. Meanwhile, while working in challenging settings, a TPU overlay offered an extra shield against abrasion and mild impact.

Summary:

Thanks to the alloy safety toe caps and an electrical hazard-safe design, the shoe protected the foot against the threats of falling objects and electrical shock. However, there were better choices for extremely hazardous environments, which would best be tackled with safety toe boots with or without metatarsal guards.

Water Resistance

This wasn’t a waterproof work shoe. The ripstop nylon upper didn’t protect my foot from getting wet after long exposure to liquids. However, since the material was thick and sturdy, it handled moderate wetness, such as light rain.

Summary:

The work shoe’s ripstop nylon offered minimal water resistance. It isn’t waterproof and will still absorb liquids when exposed long enough to wet elements.

Durability

This work shoe was quite well-made. I fully appreciated the strength of the materials and construction while using this work sneaker in different work conditions. The ripstop nylon’s abrasion-resistant material helped maintain the shoe’s high-quality appearance for much longer as it wasn’t easily scratched or scuffed. I was glad to note that the outsole also had a strong and heat-resistant abrasion resistance. The sole kept up well in challenging settings, delivering the needed comfort and stability without easily falling apart. I believe the shoe can last for a couple of years depending on how and where it would be used.

Summary:

Made with reliable, abrasion-resistant materials, this shoe is durable enough to last a least a couple of years, depending on the frequency of use and the work environment.

Reebok Sublite Cushion Work Shoe

The Reebok Sublite Cushion Work Shoe uses alloy toe caps to protect the toes from getting crushed by heavy items that can fall from elevated areas by accident. It has a lightweight design ideal for walking or standing for hours since it doesn’t pull the foot down with a heavy feeling. The memory foam footbed is designed to follow the foot’s shape, delivering a nearly customized fit for enhanced comfort all day. The Sublite midsole provides the necessary support while maintaining flexibility that keeps the foot moving as naturally as possible. The mesh upper is just as flexible, so there’s no stiffness to restrict the foot’s comfortable movement in any way. It also allows more air to get into the shoe to stay fresh and cool for a longer period. However, this isn’t a waterproof shoe, so it’s not ideal for wet work conditions.

Skechers Synergy – Sandlot Alloy Toe Work Shoe

The Skechers Synergy – Sandlot Alloy Toe Work Shoe is an ultra-comfortable option that makes walking for hours much more enjoyable. The memory foam insole relieves pressure spots and, at the same time conforms to the foot’s shape for an almost personalized level of comfort. The aluminum alloy toe caps guard the toes, keeping them safe against impact and compression threats in hazardous work areas. Without the heaviness of steel toes, this shoe remains fairly lightweight while offering reliable toe protection. An electrical hazard-safe design significantly lowers the risk of becoming electrocuted if there’s accidental contact with open circuits in dry conditions. The oil-resistant rubber outsole had a powerful grip even on the slickest and most unstable surfaces, promoting safer walking experiences in such challenging conditions. The shoe has a sporty vibe, with colorful accents that can brighten up a plain work outfit. However, it’s not waterproof, and the sole can be difficult to clean and maintain.

Caterpillar Streamline Composite Toe Work Shoe

The Caterpillar Streamline Composite Toe Work Shoe features composite toe caps to block heavy objects from crushing the toes. These non-metallic toe caps weigh less than steel toes, helping the shoe maintain its lightweight structure while providing much-needed toe protection in hazardous work conditions. The sporty design pairs well with different workwear for non-formal work scenarios and can just as easily be used off the clock. The proprietary ERGOlite system with a double-density EVA midsole absorbs the shock coming from nonstop walking on hard ground and, at the same time keeps the shoe flexible enough to support the foot’s natural motion. An ergonomically designed footbed adapts to the foot’s contours to enhanced comfort that feels almost customized. It should be noted that this shoe doesn’t have waterproof materials, so it can’t keep the foot dry in wet work areas.

Puma Rio Composite Toe Work Shoe

The Puma Rio Composite Toe Work Shoe has a sporty design ideal for casual work settings. Its rugged structure can keep up with the demands of tough environments for a long time. The water-resistant upper offers minimal protection against light rain and small amounts of liquids that can splash on the shoe. Composite toe protection protects the toes against severe injuries caused by tools, construction materials, and other heavy objects that can fall from high places. The IdCell element fitted into the heel absorbs the impact of nonstop walking, protecting the foot from fatigue throughout the day. The exclusive BreathActive lining wicks away moisture and disperses heat to keep the shoe cool for longer. This shoe isn’t fully waterproof, so it’s not recommended for extremely wet environments.

Wolverine Jetstream CarbonMAX Work Shoe

The Wolverine Jetstream CarbonMAX Work Shoe has an athletic build that looks like a stylish sneaker. This design can be maximized in non-formal work scenarios and enjoyed with casual leisure outfits. Composite toes form barriers against hazardous compression and impact, keeping the toes protected so they won’t be crushed by heavy items that can roll or drop on the feet by accident. The shoe has a lightweight structure, so it’s more comfortable to wear over long periods compared to heftier styles that can drag the foot down. The memory foam footbed follows the foot’s shape, boosting comfort that lasts all day with just the right level of cushioning. The breathable upper welcomes more air to circulate, preserving the cool feeling for the foot to enjoy much longer. Since this work shoe isn’t waterproof, it’s not recommended for wet conditions.