Swim 2.4 miles to warm up. Ride your bike for 112 miles. Then, when you start your 26.2-mile run, the race really begins. Oh, and you have 17 hours to do all of this. want to win? You need to shoot more than 8 hours. That's what triathletes are all about. When I received my new 6-inch Carhartt Force work boots, I warned them that, as an Iron Man, I could tell if they lived up to the "feels like a running shoe" claim. Works like a boot. ” Carhartt welcomes challenges and perspectives.
If you're not into triathlons (yes, I know, it's probably just me), then you probably don't know that running is at the end of the race. It's literally where the game is won or lost. Last year, Miranda Carfrae overcame a 20-plus-minute deficit to win the Ironman World Championships. As you can imagine, what matters is not how good you feel when you start swimming, but your ability to keep going and stay comfortable at the end of the marathon.
The same goes for work boots. Most of them feel great when you're wearing them. It's after 8 or 10 hours that you can continue working or have to call it a day. The feel of your feet will vary. Let's face it, if we're going to spend $150 to $200 on work boots, we want them to work like we do.
Editor's note: Check out our best work boots review article to see our favorites for all applications.
6″ Carhartt Force Work Boot with Composite Toe
The 6" Carhartt Force Work Boot is available in soft toe (CMA6046) or composite toe (CMA6346). With only a $5 difference and OPE season coming up, I definitely want the composite toe. The way this boot earns Carhartt's Force title is through its quick-drying, moisture-wicking material. For those with sweaty feet, your wife will love this feature when you get home. Even if the inside of the boot gets wet from the elements, this helps to shed moisture better, making the rest of the day easier to handle.
Brown coated leather combines with Ariaprene breathable foam and a Storm Defender membrane to create a boot that is both waterproof and breathable. Carhartt's EVA foam midsole and Ortholite sockliner combine to provide comfort beyond what we typically expect from work boots.
I have to say this sounds too good to be true. Has Carhartt really succeeded in innovating work boots, or did some trade-offs have to be made?
The Big Three of Boots: Fit, Comfort, and Looks
How the 6″ Carhartt Force Work Boot Fits
Let's start with the standard fitting problem. Work boots tend to be 1/2 size larger than tennis shoes. I wear 12-1/2 running shoes, so I chose a size 12 and found that it fit me almost perfectly. The upper has room for my ankle to move and the boot to breathe. This happened without letting my feet slide on the base.
How about the idea of a fit like a running shoe?
The huge, huge, huge, huge (whatever) difference between a running shoe and a work boot is the secure fit of the footbed itself. When you're running for 3 hours or 30 minutes, you don't want the movement around your feet to cause blisters. Traditional work boots do allow for some movement in there. The first thing I notice when I put on the Carhartt Force work boots is how securely they wrap around my feet. This is a good thing for someone who is used to comfortable running shoes.
Exclusive Carhartt Force Work Boots
A look at the bottom of the boot will tell you what I'm talking about. The toe box is still wide enough to accommodate the swelling your feet naturally develop throughout the day. The heel still leaves the traditional space. Notice how the Carhartt Force work boot cinches in the midsection. That's what gives your feet an extra sense of security.
Let me turn briefly to comfort. If you don't usually wear shoes with this design, this style of boots feels a bit strange. It might take some time to decide if you really like it. However, professionals who insist on walking throughout the day should appreciate the fit.
Carhartt Force Work Boot Comfort
Comfort is the centerpiece of much of the functionality of Carhartt's Force Work boots. Of course, anything that keeps our feet dry or helps them dry when wet is welcome. For this reason, I really like the combination of the Carhartt Force and Storm Defender technology's waterproof construction, breathability, and moisture-wicking capabilities. This season doesn't bring us a lot of harsh conditions to test them. However, using the Carhartt Force work boots with their Shoreline Vapor rain gear caused my feet to dry out the few times I "played" in the rain.
Within the frame of mind of keeping a running shoe, the EVA foam and Ortholite inserts really intrigue me. I noticed a difference when comparing the midsoles of my Carhartt Force work boots to my Wolverine EPX Cabors. Force boots are softer. While not as soft as the EVA foam in my running shoes, they provide plenty of cushioning. In fact, I have more Carhartt Force work boots than my other boots. Larger people will feel softer when walking and standing in them.
Disadvantages of Low Density Foam
However, low-density EVA foam also has disadvantages. Running shoes must be replaced every 300 – 500 miles or at least every 6 months. This is all because of the bursting of the bubble. Once it is no longer working, continued use could result in injury. Now, I'd expect the Carhartt foam to last more than 6 months due to its density, but you'd probably want to try on a new pair at least to get a feel for any noticeable difference near the year mark, if you're wearing these every day .
Ortholite insole is complemented by EVA foam. Most people around me already have insoles and can go right into their boots. Many runners also use inserts if they are bigger or run longer distances. The insole adds a few millimeters of cushioning around the areas that experience the most pressure and improves comfort during a long day.
So the bottom line on comfort – do all of these features apply to the Carhartt Force work boot? Yes, they do.
appearance 
If I'm going out for a drink with the guys after get off work, or dinner with my lady, I have to know if my boots will fit. When it comes to looks, the Carhartt Force work boot will need to stay on the job site. That's not to say they're ugly. Not by any means. These boots are designed to function well in less than ideal environments.
Like all work boots, they have bulky soles (even the lightest Carhartt makes). Materials and stitching are chosen more for how they make you comfortable than for decorative appeal.
Conclusion and Parting Shots
My only issue with the Carhartt Force work boots is their durability. They clearly have a durable design. Time will tell if the combination of materials and technology can withstand the harsh environment of the job site.
Does it really feel like a pair of running shoes?
kind of. It certainly fits like a running shoe. After wearing it for a few weeks out of the box, it's a bit too stiff to say it feels like a running shoe. To make the outsole more durable than a running shoe, it's made of a denser, harder material that won't loosen like a pair of running shoes.
My running shoes, on the other hand, definitely don't have oil-resistant, non-slip soles, nor self-cleaning lugs. Still, the Carhartt Force work boots should last longer than the 6 months I took my running shoes off. The fit and extra cushioning from the EVA foam and Ortholite sockliner are a huge improvement over what I would expect from a boot that I need to wear 10+ hours a day compared to traditional work boots.