American-made in Keen’s Portland, Ore. manufacturing facility, the Braddock Mid WP is a classic, premium-level, seven-inch, steel-toed, waterproof, leather work boot listing for $180/pr.
Braddock Mid WP boots feel comfortable right out of the box: Foot sides, heel and ankle areas, which are asymmetrical by design to fit left and right feet, conform ideally to this tester’s feet, providing good support with a glove-like fit without undo pinching or hot spots.
The speed-lacing system works smoothly, and the hard rubber top-lace eyes, with their lock notch, make it easy to quick-tie the boots and keep laces tight all day long in the field.
I wore them for almost a month around the shop, office, jobsites, and while doing various outdoor activities from ATVing to hunting to hiking.
The boots are nicely cushioned with very good arch support negating the need to supplement with aftermarket insoles as is the case with many steel-toe boots of lesser quality. The Braddocks also provide better than average ankle support.
Working outdoors the sole flexes just enough to keep the day-to-day comfort level high while exhibiting very good stability and footing on rough, uneven surfaces.The dual-density EVA footbed is removable, so it’s easy to keep them aired out.
The Braddock’s steel-toe area is covered with the same non-slip exterior rubber coating as the outsole and does its job protecting from serious blows as I witnessed when accidentally rolling a rock over one toe while doing landscaping work.
Oil-and-slip-resistant, the boot’s non-marking outsoles, with a medium lug design, provide excellent footing on all types of surfaces.
Keen has also done a nice job making the Braddock boots waterproof with an inner liner construction that wicks away the moisture of sweaty feet. Wading in water and mud on several occasions still left socks bone dry.
Summary: I found the Keen Braddock Mids to be a premium quality, exceptionally comfortable steel-toed work boot that should take the daily abuse of outdoor work for many years when properly cared for. – Bruce W. Smith / Senior Editor
Highlights:
American Built
KEEN.DRY ™ waterproof breathable membrane
Lining with hydrophobic/hydrophilic 2-zone comfort technology
Meets or exceeds ASTM F1677-96 Mark II non-slip testing standards
Meets or exceeds ASTM F2412-11 and F2413-11 I/75 C/75 EH standards
