Durable Boots for LE Professionals
3
I recently had the opportunity to test out a pair of T8 Athena LE boots (the wide version) after Garmont gave me this free product. With my job, I am tasked with working long hours, in various settings. In the field, I am exposed to desert environments, where I hike through deep sand, gravel, course dirt, or sometimes pavement. I also spend time in my duty vehicle as well as the office. Since I work in multiple environments on a daily basis, I need boots that will stand up to the harsh environment for hiking as well as be comfortable when I am indoors at a desk or in my vehicle. The T8 Athena LE boots were a great mix for the conditions I am currently working in.
When I first put the boots on, I immediately didn’t like the tongue on the boot. I felt it was too much fabric, and it would get in the way/cause blisters (since I wasn’t sure how to fold it out of the way to be comfortable). I was wrong about this initial thought. For desert landscapes with sand, the tongue was perfect because it ensured that sand wouldn’t get into my boot and make its way down to the toes (like what happens with so many other shoes). I decided to write out the pros and cons of these boots as I found multiples of each.
Pros:
• These boots are extremely durable for various environmental conditions.
• High arch, very comfortable for hiking (I did not need to add any inserts which was a plus).
• The boot itself comes in a wide option.
• The boots are very lightweight making it easier to hike in.
• The boots allowed for breathability, but not too much whereas sand/small gravel could get in them.
• The boots have a very snug fit, which is good to avoid getting blisters.
Cons:
• The lack of upper speed eyelets makes it difficult to quickly lace up the boots. Speed eyelets aren’t necessarily needed, but I would prefer to have them.
• Even though most of the boots were a snug fit, my heels slipped a bit, causing a blister on my right foot.
• A crease line formed on the top of the boot from standing on my toes (this is only a con if you are required to shine your boots and don't want that crease).
• The pull tab on the back of the boot is small and could be increased in size (makes it easier to pull on the boot since I don't want to unlace the entire boot to take them off/put on).
Overall, I enjoyed wearing these boots and I will continue to use them as my duty boots since they are comfortable and lightweight. There are a couple improvements I feel could be made to the boots, however, the pros outweigh the cons.
