I work in construction, so a reliable pair of work boots is crucial in my day-to-day. Recently, I was in the market for new work boots and I figured I'd have a little fun while I exploring my options.
I tried on styles from two reliable brands: BRUNT and Red Wing. Specifically, the Marin by BRUNT vs. the Traction Tred style #405 by Red Wing. Here’s my brutally honest take on how they stacked up:
If you value comfort…BRUNT
Both of these brands are made for all-day comfort, but I found the Marin from BRUNT to be the most comfortable. We’re talking about a cushy triple-layer insole, a shock-absorbent midsole, and the option for some more width, thanks to an adjustable-width insole system that you can add or remove to take the width from a regular fit (D) to a wider fit (EE). But what was most striking to me is they felt comfortable out of the box, since I’m used to work boots taking weeks to wear in.
The Marin in a men’s size 9 weighs around 1.5 pounds compared to the Traction Tred at 2 pounds. At the end of a long day of standing on cement for 12 hours, my feet didn’t feel tired in BRUNT boots, thanks to all the care that went into designing them for long days of wear.
If you want breathable boots that are going to last…BRUNT
Replacing my work boots several times each year really starts to add up. On the bright side, BRUNT boots are by far the most durable boot I've ever worn, and my first pair lasted me almost a full year. They use 2mm of genuine leather that’s waterproof and stain resistant, so they can withstand brutal conditions on construction sites. At the same time, their flexible materials move with you while you go about your workday. Similarly, Red Wing’s Traction Tred boots are also made of high quality 2.2mm of leather, but they felt more confining and were totally worn out after 7 months.
For guys who need safety toes, get this: BRUNT Workwear developed nano-composite toes that use of-this-century technology to protect your toes in a way that doesn’t feel like lugging around a ball and chain. Not only is BRUNT’s composite toe even lighter than Red Wing’s Traction Tred soft toe, but it’s up to ASTM F2413-18 standards. This is how it should be, so buying myself another pair of BRUNTs was a no-brainer!
If you are balling on a budget…BRUNT
Is it so wrong to want it all? To own a durable leather work boot with quality finishing, customizable comfort, electrical hazard rating, that is waterproof and oil resistant, and not have to donate an organ to afford it. Turns out it’s not. The Marin from BRUNT costs $139 and the comp toe version costs just $10 more, whereas the Traction Tred style #405 from Red Wing costs $234.
That's pretty big considering you’re not sacrificing quality or functionality at all with the Marin. In fact, I think it's a much better boot, considering its lighter weight, cushiony comfort, and adjustability. What's better than something that's comfy AND affordable?
If you care about key features…tie
Both BRUNT and Red Wing offer a ton of key features that make these boots suitable for a range of heavy duty labor jobs. To name a few, the Marin by BRUNT and the Traction Tred style #405 by Red Wing are both triple layer waterproof, electrical hazard rated, slip or oil resistant, and they meet ASTM standards.
As far as their differences, Marin by BRUNT has an adjustable width system and the Traction Tred style #405 from Red Wing has HRO resistance. In this test, the boots line up fairly equally; but personally, this tie doesn't sway my preference because all the other categories have a clear winner.
My winner is…BRUNT
If you’re still reading, you know where my heart is. Red Wings have been around forever and the Traction Tred is a good boot, but the Marin is the boot that’s best all around. Just give BRUNT a try and see. You can wear BRUNT boots on the job for 3o days and if they aren’t your hero boot like mine are for me, just send them back no questions asked. In addition to the risk-free trial, BRUNT also offers free shipping and free returns.
Editor's Note: One of the things we love most about BRUNT is that they’re never satisfied with just “good enough.” They’re always listening to what their buyers think and feel so that they can deliver the best work boot possible. So to kick off 2024, BRUNT revamped their Marin and Bolduc Boots to improve fit, comfort, performance and safety. It’s the type of innovation and ingenuity that inspires us all to take pride in the work that we do and go the extra mile to see results. Click here to find out more about the next generation work boot!
