Not all work boots are created equal, and the Timberland PRO Helix Waterproof Safety Toe Work Boots (85594) might just change the way some folks think of work shoes—particularly thanks to their lightweight performance and features. Not only is the leather treated to shed water, but an additional waterproof membrane lines the entire inside of the boot to ensure your feet stay dry.
Timberland PRO Helix Waterproof Safety Toe Work Boots Features
When we heard that these boots were called lightweight, we thought to ourselves, “Yeah, right. Can you truthfully say ‘lightweight’ and ‘steel-toed’ in the same sentence?” One day a few weeks back when we were getting our typical load of packages delivered, there was one box with an address that I did not recognize and it had no real indications on the outside to give an idea of its contents. The one thing I did notice was that the package was light for its size. I tossed it on my desk and began to open the other boxes first, since there were some tools that we were expecting, and we were eager to check them out.
Once we got through the other boxes, I turned back to the one that was left on my desk and opened it. Much to my surprise, the Timberland PRO Helix Waterproof Safety Toe Work Boots were inside. I was a little taken aback because the box felt more in line with what I would expect some new Air Jordans to weigh. Now this is where the fun begins, because after spending some time with the new Timberlands, we discovered they delivered “lightweight” – but not at the sacrifice of features or performance.
The Timberland PRO Helix Waterproof Safety Toe Work Boots is what Timberland is calling a ‘hybrid’ work boot because it really combines the best of materials to make it lightweight and comfortable while meeting the safety and performance needs of today’s workmen. To start, the uppers are made of full-grain leather that is treated to be waterproof.
Just to ensure that your toes stay dry, there is an additional waterproof membrane inside the boot that completely surrounds your foot. With a watertight boot, there is the potential that your feet might perspire a bit, so they treated the inside Mesh lining with an Agion antimicrobial agent. Well, it sounded good and seemed to work, so we took their “silver ion” technology on faith and moved on…
Editor’s Note: Since we did not know what this particular antimicrobial treatment was we had to do a little digging. We found that Agion actually is a company that partners with manufactures to help them figure out the best way to combat bacteria in their particular product. What it does, instead of using unsafe chlorinated or synthetic chemicals, is use their uniquely developed antimicrobial technology that includes “ionic silver technology” which operates at the surface of a product through the controlled release of silver ions. Apparently, these attack microbes and inhibit their growth which means your feet stay fresh.
Comfort and safety are serious parts of the Timberland PRO 85594 Helix 6″ Waterproof Safety Toe Work Boots, and it shows on multiple levels. The sole is made of a specially formulated rubber that is abrasion, slip, and oil resistant. There is a Ladder Lock outsole radius in front of the heel that aids in ladder rung climbing by adding extra grip grooves. Inside, there is an Ortholite dual-density footbed that provides cushioning for comfort and resists compression for long-term durability.
On top of that, there is a contoured single-density open-cell polyurethane insole. Built into the inside layers of the boot is “Outlast Adaptive Comfort,” which is a material technology that helps regulate temperature and moisture build-up (which I suppose you can think of as climate control for your feet). The tongue is cut with a contour at the ankle to reduce bulk for a better fit. The TiTAN Safety Toe is made of a lightweight, high-strength alloy instead of steel. The toe is built asymmetrically to offer better protection and a roomier, more comfortable fit.
The safety toe of this boot meets the I/75, C/75 impact and compression standards of ASTM F2413-05 PT Class 75 Protective Toe and ASTM F2413-05 Electrical Hazard standards. All these systems combined make up Timberland’s Anti-Fatigue PowerFit technology. Basically, if the Terminator wore a boot, it would be this one. By combining all the unique technologies in key areas of the boots, you have better ease of movement, temperature control, and maximum support for your feet. The goal is that you can have a more comfortable day at work. But does all this tech-talk translate into real-world comfort and performance? We wanted to know as well…
Testing and Use
While we are in the tool review and testing business, the idea of trying out boots never really struck us. But it makes sense. If a fellow is working, using tools, and he can’t be comfortable in his boots all day, then chances are that he won’t be as productive or agreeable to be around. Trying out the Timberland PRO 85594 Helix 6″ Waterproof Safety Toe Work Boot was actually one of the simpler things we have done. Pretty much starting early one morning a few weeks ago, I strapped them on and went to work. It was just about a ‘set it and forget it’ moment.
The work I was doing for a week was trekking around a 13-building, 50-unit public housing project doing energy audits. What this really looks like is loading and unloading equipment, up and down a 6-foot step ladder, up and down a 16-foot extension ladder, and lots of walking. After the first day, I’ll admit that my ankles were a little sore. I think this could be attributed to the way the quick lace system works, and the second loop from the top seemed to pull the boots nice and tight (this is a good thing for support) around my ankle, and I was simply not used to it.
Also, to Timberland’s defense, I think there is a slight break-in period for any new footwear. The next morning I put the boots on again did more of the same as the day before. Over the course of a few days, I got to the point where I did not even notice I was wearing new boots. On three of the days, we put in 12 hours, and even then, my feet never begged to be out of the boots. I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they were and how versatile they were out in the field.
On some of the mornings when we first arrived, we would do the attic-level work first to help escape the afternoon heat. Every morning, we would have to walk through heavy, soaking dew on the ground to get to the sides of the buildings, where we would set up an extension ladder to access the exterior attic. Climbing the ladder was easy with these boots thanks to the Ladder-Lock and anti-slip properties of the rubber outsole.
Once I got into the attic, I would snake my way around the trusses to check insulation levels and ductwork. The boots provided plenty of agility and support as I clamored over and around the wood supports in the attic. Through the course of the week, I probably walked the combined mileage of a half-marathon and was up and down enough ladders that I could have been to the top of the Empire State Building; all this with no major discomfort.
Conclusion
The Timberland PRO Helix Waterproof Safety Toe Work Boots is a great choice if you have to be on your feet all day and your work environment has you doing everything from fieldwork to office work. This boot is called a ‘hybrid’ for a reason since it combines plenty of comfort features like lightweight materials and special insoles with safety toes and waterproof performance.
For our Performance rating, we gave these boots a well-deserved 9/10 because they delivered out-of-the-box comfort combined with job-site tough features. For our Value rating, we gave these boots a 7/10 because many times you pay for what you get – and what you get with the Timberland PRO Helix Waterproof Safety Toe Work Boots is a lot. Should you decide to spring for a pair of these, you have a 30-day comfort guarantee that pretty much lets you send them back to Timberland for a full refund if you are not completely satisfied.
