Picture: Tom Scalisi
I’ve worn plenty of work boots in my time, and I’ve thought-about myself a loyalist of a model or two. I typically favor an ordinary moc-toe work boot with a wedge sole, even earlier than they turned stylish. When Tecovas supplied the chance to check out the model’s new work boot line, I wasn’t certain what to anticipate. So far as I knew, Tecovas made western boots—and, being from the Northeast, I by no means thought-about proudly owning a pair, not to mention carrying them on a building website or throughout a renovation. However Tecovas Stocktons proved to be fairly completely different from a standard western or cowboy boot.
So what did this Yankee consider a pair of shoes extra more likely to be discovered constructing fences on a Texas ranch than nailing cedar shakes on a cottage in upstate New York? Learn on for my Tecovas Stocktons evaluate.
Tecovas Work Boots
Ranking: 8/10
PROS
- Vibram sole like a standard work boot
- Resoleable Goodyear welt
- Handled leather-based and weatherproof seams
CONS
- Takes some getting used to
- Can’t be tightened
Get the Tecovas Stockton Work Boots at Tecovas.com beginning at $245
What Is the Tecovas Stockton Work Boot?
The Stockton is a brand new work boot from western boot producer Tecovas. The corporate is predicated in Texas, and their wares are made by conventional boot-makers in Leon, Mexico.
The Stockton is a full-grain leather-based boot, that means Tecovas makes use of your entire thickness of the disguise for essentially the most sturdiness and high quality doable. It contains a Vibram oil- and slip-resistant sole, similar to a top quality commonplace work boot. The leather-based and seams are handled to be weatherproof, and there are shock-absorbing polyurethane insoles with leather-based lining for consolation. Additionally, the only real is replaceable, due to the Goodyear welt building.
Whereas this may increasingly appear fairly fundamental and acquainted, it’s solely half the story—so prepare for the plot twists! The Stockton contains a 1½-inch stacked leather-based heel, which may be very completely different from most conventional work boots. The heel options thick layers of leather-based with a rubber Vibram cap on the underside. Additionally, as western boots, they’re pulled on quite than laced up. The ten-inch shaft (the realm across the decrease leg) is unlined, with the tough facet of the grain on show inside. The shaft is pretty unstructured, permitting for snug contact with the leg. All of those attributes describe what’s generally known as “roper-style” on this planet of western boots.
Picture: Tom Scalisi
Testing the Tecovas Stockton Work Boots
I wore my Stocktons on a number of initiatives, together with an extended day of welding, a home-addition venture, and loads of journeys to the lumber yard and residential heart. Based mostly on these lengthy hours, I felt I used to be actually capable of provide an sincere evaluation of their efficiency.
Placing the Boots On
Stocktons should not as simple to placed on as conventional work boots, however they’re not unimaginable, both. Tecovas despatched a card within the field that advised placing the boot on the bottom and sliding my foot into it, quite than lifting the boot within the air and pulling it on the foot. I didn’t discover this to be essential, because the principally unstructured shaft was versatile sufficient to sneak my foot into. Nonetheless, when you plan to place these boots by the door and slip them on rapidly with out utilizing your palms, suppose once more, associate; it received’t work. That mentioned, in case your finger joints are a bit too stiff to tie a pair of shoes within the morning, Stocktons could also be an excellent possibility for you.
As soon as I acquired the Stocktons on, I discovered that they don’t match like rain boots or Wellingtons, since they’re designed to hug the foot to stop it from slipping out. Initially, I discovered them a bit tight within the toe field, however they loosened up after a number of initiatives. Tecovas says it’s regular for the heel to raise barely whereas strolling, so when you aren’t a western boot connoisseur, don’t fret over a little bit of heel raise.
Total Consolation
Let’s get all the way down to an important side of any work boot: consolation each throughout and after a venture. I had my Stocktons for about 9 months earlier than penning this evaluate, so I really feel able to judging their consolation stage in numerous seasons. Whereas I discovered them great to put on within the spring, particularly in muddy situations, they felt far too heat in the course of the summer time. Because the climate cooled, I’ve been placing them by their paces once more.
I just lately constructed an addition and opted to put on solely the Stocktons in the course of the building. They had been very snug to work in throughout all phases of the venture, from framing to flooring. Even beneath me whereas I used to be curled up and mendacity on the ground, the Stocktons felt excellent on my ft. Aside from being a bit looser than I’m used to when kicking a framed wall into good alignment, they had been identical to carrying a standard pair of labor boots.
Right here’s the most effective half in regards to the Stocktons: After an extended day on my ft, kicking them off was a breeze. That is necessary to me, since I get a bit sorer than I used to, partly as a result of getting older and likewise as a result of the truth that I don’t do as a lot building as I used to. So I used to be happy that the Stocktons slipped proper off and my ft felt nice after carrying all of them day.
The one actual grievance I’ve, comfort-wise, is that strolling in western boots is barely completely different than strolling in a pair of conventional work boots. There’s a extra pronounced rock between the heel hitting the ground and the ball of the foot touchdown. At first, it felt a bit mechanical, however I acquired used to it after a day or two.
And perhaps it is a choosy level, however the boots do make me about an inch taller, which implies selecting fallen nails and boards up off the ground requires a deeper bend.
Grip
First, I really like Vibram soles, and those Tecovas places on the Stockton boots are nice. Regardless of the climate or situations, these soles had been grippy and sure-footed. I’m unsure in the event that they noticed any oil, however I don’t keep in mind slipping a single time whereas carrying them.
The one factor I discovered to be unusual got here when kicking an object into place. Since there aren’t any laces, I wasn’t capable of tighten the Stocktons round my ankles. Whereas my ft are huge, my ankles aren’t, so kicking something into place wedged the widest a part of my foot additional into the boot. It wasn’t painful, nevertheless it did require some adjustment after the kick to really feel snug once more.
Picture: Tom Scalisi
Look
Though I used to be fairly impressed with the match and luxury of those Stocktons, I needed to marvel: Would these boots be so western impressed that I’d not often put on them? I’m blissful to say that it doesn’t matter when you’re feeding livestock on a ranch in Texas, changing 200-year-old window panes in a New England Cape Cod, or constructing timber-framed properties from Douglas fir within the Pacific Northwest, the Stocktons will meet the costume code.
At their core, Stockton work boots are western ropers, however they will go for conventional work boots at a look. The toe isn’t as tapered as cowboy boots sometimes are, and there’s no fancy tooling or stitching to attract consideration. They’re only a easy, easy leather-based work boot with a western affect, and so they look simply wonderful below a pair of denims or work pants. Nobody’s going to tease you or name you a rodeo reject. Will I purchase different western boots? Most likely not. However I’d purchase extra work boots from Tecovas.
I’ll add, the leather-based is terrific. Even with all of the tough climate they’ve seen, the initiatives they’ve been on, and the sparks from welding, they nonetheless look excellent. Aside from a number of creases and a slight nick right here and there, they appear like they simply got here out of the field.
Are the Tecovas Stockton Work Boots Price It?
The Tecovas Stockton work boots retail for round $245 for the bovine and $265 for the bison. Certain, I keep in mind a time when all of my work boots got here from a division retailer shelf and value between $80 and $100. I’d put on them onerous, so it’s no shock that the low-quality leather-based would break down a bit and a budget soles would put on proper off the boot. After about 6 months of onerous use, they had been rubbish, and I’d substitute them with one other pair.
The Stocktons will final a lot, for much longer than a 6-month stint. First, the full-grain leather-based is top-notch. Full-grain leather-based, when maintained correctly, truly improves over time. It doesn’t break down like artificial supplies and low-quality leather-based do. It wears in, turns into extra snug, and appears excellent.
Additionally, the Tecovas Stockton work boots are resoleable. Which means I can take them to a cobbler and, for $80 to $120, have the prevailing sole eliminated and changed, giving me a superbly broken-in pair of shoes with brand-new soles. For my part, that’s fairly onerous to beat. And if I now not like the kind of heel initially used, I can select one thing completely different (like my beloved Vibram wedge).
These are the kinds of attributes and choices you get with a high-quality work boot just like the Stockton. And most high-quality work boots are dearer, making these Tecovas boots a steal for simply north of $200.
Picture: Tom Scalisi
Remaining Ideas
First, I do consider that anybody can put on and revel in these work boots. They’re prime quality, they appear good, and they’re very snug. However they won’t be the most effective work boots for everybody.
For instance, in case your office requires a security toe, the Stocktons don’t include metal, security, or composite toes. That is most likely as a result of western boots are supposed to suit by a stirrup, and the majority of a security toe would possibly make that tough.
Additionally, when you want a comfortable match to really feel safe and grounded in your work boots, take a go. For my part, the foot is comfortable sufficient and cozy, however the shaft is way looser across the ankle and leg. One strategy to fight that is to put on thicker socks, however that can probably get fairly scorching.
For anybody else who doesn’t thoughts the look of a mildly western-styled work boot, the Stocktons may very well be a success. The supplies are top-notch, the standard is excellent, and match and design are glorious. And because it’s accessible in clay bovine, umber (black) bovine, cognac bison, and wheat bison, there’s quite a lot of aesthetic selections, too.
The place to Purchase the Tecovas Stockton Work Boots
Get the Tecovas Stockton Work Boots at Tecovas.com beginning at $245
Meet the Tester
Tom Scalisi is a full-time DIY and building author for lots of the largest web sites within the business, together with BobVila.com, This Outdated Home, Household Handyman, and Forbes. He additionally owns and operates a pest management weblog, RiddaBugs. He spent years within the trades, from constructing upkeep to carpentry and contracting, and he’s collected his share of labor gear all through these jobs—boots included.
