Timberland PRO Helix Work Boot - Review

Work boots are sort of like pick-up trucks. In the same way that there are Ford people and Chevy people, there are Red Wing people and Chippewa people. We even know some Carolina people, and we've met a few Timberland people. Brand loyalty is strong with boots, as it should be. Your feet are getting pounded on all day, so when you find a boot that works, you're going to stick with it.

We used to be in the Chippewa camp until they discontinued our favorite boot and replaced it with a crappy one that drove us crazy for a number of reasons. Then almost two years ago we switched to the Red Wings 606, which we now see as the gold standard in working footwear. They're phenomenal and we see no reason to ever look at another boot as long as we live. So then, here comes Timberland asking if we would like to try out a pair of their new PRO Helix boots. Apparently, they've got a number of interesting features that set them apart from the pack. Even with our allegiance firmly with the Red Wing family, we thought we'd give the Timberlands a shot. Why not?

So we've been wearing them for probably about a month now, maybe a little more. We've worn them just about every day and have done all kinds of work in them; we've worn them inside, outside, on ladders, and on concrete floors. We've even done some small hikes with them, even though Timberland told us these are specifically work boots and are not intended for hiking.

First off, they are freakishly comfortable. Even the Red Wings had a 'break-in' period, but these didn't. Right out of the box, our feet slid right into them and we started to hear angels singing. There is good stiff support at the ankle and the grommets are all solid and they don't look like the kind that is going to tear at the laces (Chippewa, are you listening?).

Red Wings to the right

Beyond the leather which is treated for water-resistance, there is a 'waterproof membrane built into the boots. Our experience is that this means, "a plastic bag around each foot." Which, in turn means, "sweaty feet." And we all know that's just another way of saying, "stinky boots." Timberland has evidently made this connection too because they've treated the inside of the boot with an anti-microbial agent. We've only been using the boot for a month, but there's no odor...they still have that new car smell actually.

The tread is aggressive and deep, perfect for outdoor work. There is also some traction just in front of the heel for when you're on a ladder. It's a nice touch and one that anyone who has ever been on a 40' ladder will appreciate. The safety toe is made up, not of steel, but of some high-strength alloy. This lessens the weight and they didn't seem to telegraph the cold to the inside of the boot, like a traditional steel toe.

So where do they stand in comparison to the 606s? Well, pretty good. They're just as comfortable, they seem very durable, and they're very lightweight, beating out the Red Wings by 6-1/2 oz per boot. The one edge that the Red Wings have in our eyes is that they're one step closer to a shoe. The tread isn't as deep, the heel isn't as tall, and they've got a slimmer profile. All of these things give it an edge for inside work, particularly in a finished space. We're not saying that the Timberland's are bad for this or that you're going to have problems with them, but when directly compared to our current boots, that's how we see it playing out.

But that's hardly a quibble. We were really impressed with these boots and if anyone we knew was in the market, we would absolutely suggest these. Depending on the model, they're going to be going for $130-$160 which is entirely reasonable for a good set of boots, and especially for ones of this nature.

March 25, 2011

Timberland PRO Helix Work Boot - Review