If your day involves doing backbreaking physically demanding tasks or handling heavy machinery, workplace safety should be a priority. When it comes to workplace safety, it’s always best to lay down a solid foundation. In this case, this means getting the best work boots that will not only protect you from job site hazards but allow you to do your 100%. However, shopping for the best pair of work boots can be frustrating. We’ve all had that experience of buying a pair that is only good in pictures or the store but doesn’t deliver in the site. Will the Men's Legend DuraShocks CarbonMAX Safety Toe 6" Boot be such a pair?
When it comes to buying work boots, it’s typical to think that comfort and performance have a give and take relationship. A feature-packed pair will likely to be heavier or more cumbersome. On the other hand, a more comfortable pair might not have the safety features you need. So which type of work footwear is the Legend DuraShocks CarbonMAX? Let’s take a look at its features.
At first glance, you can see that the Wolverine Legend looks like a tough pair. It has a fairly aggressive exterior but it’s definitely a good-looking pair of boots. The leather upper is the highlight here and it looks very well-made. The stitching looks to be on-point and adds to the toughness of Legend. The midsole is bonded to the upper and outsole through the direct-attach method. This gives the boot a very solid feel and looks like it’s not going to come apart soon.
Perhaps the most noteworthy feature of the Wolverine Legend is the CarbonMAX Safety Toe Technology. According to Wolverine, the CarbonMAX make use of nanotechnology to create a boot that has the combination of strength, comfort and lightweight quality. The safety toe meets the ASTM standards, so it will protect your feet from potential injuries caused by falling objects. The toe box itself is quite spacious which gives the Legend better comfort, especially for those with wider feet.
Another feature of the Legend that is worth mentioning is the Wolverine H-Plate suspension. Lateral stability is something that you want from your work boots. However, ramping up stability means you need to compromise in other areas. In this case, comfort is usually sacrificed. Wolverine has managed to strike a balance of both with the H-Plate suspension. The H-Plate aims to stabilize the feet when exploring uneven terrain while returning energy with each step.
This is yet another proprietary technology by Wolverine. The aforementioned H-Plate is actually integrated with the DuraShocks system. The Wolverine DuraShocks system is designed to provide both comfort and performance while incorporating with an all-new energy return system. DuraShocks is made up of several advanced components.
There’s the cushioning in the heel that provides flexibility with each step. Next is the sidewalls that are used to absorb shock and return energy. The third component is the H-Plate that is responsible for stability. Last is the rubber lug outsoles with chiseled edges for excellent traction and resistance to slippage.
Now that we’ve highlighted the three main technologies of Wolverine Legend, it’s time to talk about its other features:
Like all good work boots, the Legend has excellent waterproofing qualities. The full-grain leather upper does a great job of repelling water. The membrane utilizes Waterproof Plus to add another layer of waterproofing to the pair. You should have no problem wearing this pair while walking on wet grass and mud.
When wearing boots, your feet need to breathe. Otherwise, you’ll be in for an uncomfortable experience. The mesh lining not only ensures that your feet are kept cool, it also wicks away any rogue moisture that penetrates inside.
Ortholite is excellent for long-term cushioning and providing breathability. The footbed can also manage moisture for a cooler, healthier boot environment. Plus, you can just easily remove the footbed when washing.
So does the Wolverine Men's Legend DuraShocks CarbonMAX Safety Toe 6" Boot succeed in balancing both comfort and performance? There is no shortage of performance and comfort features in this pair, so it has definitely succeeded. The most impressive aspects of the Legend are definitely the proprietary technologies. Wolverine has done a great job of elevating this work boot from the competition.
Retailing at $165, the Wolverine Legend can be pricey for most people. However, we think that the price is warranted considering the quality that you are getting. This is perhaps the best pair of work boots that Wolverine has to offer.
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