My very first job was training show horses. As you can imagine, there was a lot of stomping, & all of it was going on near my own feet. This would have been very stressful for someone in a pair of loafers, but because I was wearing comfortable work boots, I was able to roll my eyes & simply tell a thousand-pound animal, “Scoot over!”, when he stepped directly onto me.
At my current job, I was moving something heavy for a guest, & just as I began to lift it, the man said, “Be careful! You don’t want to drop it on your foot!” With a small smile, I wiggled my work boot a bit in his direction. “Wouldn’t hurt even if I did, sir,” I replied. Noticing my boots, he commented on how nice it was that I had them for just such an occasion.
In those situations, & many others like them, my work boots have provided a sense of comfort for both myself & those I work with. Knowing that there’s one less thing to worry about during the day makes it go that much smoother. In fact, many workplaces have strict policies about the kind of footwear required for the job because of how many things can go wrong by not wearing work boots. Can you imagine the stress levels of a contractor on a job site, discovering one of his employees in flip flops?
Everyone knows that work boots are the safest footwear option. My father’s employer even goes so far as to comp out its employees a new pair of work boots every year. It’s less stressful &expensive to keep boots on every single employee than it is to pay medical expenses for one person who has an accident without proper footwear.
Steel toe work boots protect you from serious foot injuries, but they also offer a variety of other benefits as well. You don’t have to worry about slips or falling, because most work boots are slip resistant. You’re more surefooted & less prone to tripping, because most work boots are a bit heavier than an average shoe. Your balance on a ladder is better for that same reason. Work boots have thick soles, so stepping on a nail is no big deal. My personal work boots are water resistant, so even the slight inconvenience of damp socks can be avoided by wearing them. I am so completely comfortable wearing my work boots that I’m able to concentrate fully on my tasks at work without devoting any mind-space to worries about safety hazards.
There’s no possible way I would have been able to train horses in anything but work boots. I couldn’t step foot in a warehouse without them. Work boots remove stress about personal safety from the workplace because they are designed entirely with safety in mind. The employers, employees & customers of an establishment are all less stressed when an employee is wearing them. The knowledge that the best protection of feet is being used gives a sense of confidence that will increase productivity at any aspect of a job.
Out of all the reasons to be stressed at work, footwear is the easiest to solve: get work boots! Work boots decrease the amount of stress in a work environment more than any other part of a work uniform. They do this simply by being the safest footwear available.
Smith & Wesson Men’s Breach Work Boot Reviews
Smith & Wesson produce weapons, but also accessories, fold out knives and tactical boots for law enforcement and anyone else who wants to own a pair.
There are two versions of this Breach 2.0 model; the first has a 6-inch shaft and the second has a 9-inch shaft. Down both right sides, you’ll find a zip that runs from the top of the boot to just above the EVA mid sole area near the bottom.
The model comes in a black version which has a no-nonsense appearance and a camouflaged coyote version. Each is quite distinctive from the other.
Comfort
The boots are made from a combination of leather and nylon with foam inner lining. There a substantial collar made from polyurethane and a long, gusset tongue that runs the length of the upper until it reaches the bottom of the lacing.
The combination of the right-side zip-up method and the lacing at the front allow for a snug, comfortable fit. The boots won’t slide around once your feet are inside them.
The mid sole is made from EVA which provides a bouncier feel with good controlled movement. The out sole is rubber with bi-directional lugs, so it grips wet surfaces to avoid getting a blister from losing your footing.
Safety
The steel shank inside each boot provides greater rigidity. The boots feel a little stiffy when first wearing them, but that’s because you’re expected to be breaching doorways while wearing them.
The hardened leather upper mixed with nylon provides a thicker surface that fights abrasions picked up from scuffing.
The rubber out sole performs well. It grips securely to waxed floors, carpet, concrete, ladders and when climbing over fences too. It’s a good choice to offer a secure grip when moving through the urban jungle.
Waterproofing
The leather upper provides a good degree of protection from the rain and splashes from stepping through puddles of water. Smith & Wesson do make another boot under the same branding that is stated as being fully waterproof. We feel this one is good enough for most uses, but don’t leave them out in the rain overnight.
Insulation
There’s foam padding inside the boot that makes it warmed when out on cold nights. The leather acts as a good insulator. The combination of the rubber outsole and EVA midsole also insulates the feet from the cold ground.
Style
The black boots cut a striking sight. It’s distinctly different from a regular climbing boot or another type though some of the materials are similar. It’s almost got a space-age appearance to it. Certainly, looks high-tech and stylish without a doubt.
Reputation
The brand Smith & Wesson is well-known and respected for their range of weaponry. It stands to reason that their military-style boots are serious looking items that get the job done.
Conclusion
The Smith & Wesson Men’s Breach 2.0 Tactical Side Zip Boots look and feel right for their role as footwear for an urban warrior. Whether you need them for tactical operations or you’re just a fan of tough-looking boots, these are comfortable and reasonably durable. The boots strike a good balance between appearance, toughness, and comfort.