We tried out the Hawx USA Wedge work boots to see how they compare to other brands we wear like Keen Utility and Wolverine. If you're new to the brand, you're not alone. This is Boot Barn's own brand, and they appear to be more than just cheap name-brand alternatives.
Editor's note: Check out our best work boots review article to see our favorites for all applications.
Discover the Hawx USA Wedge Work Boot
style and design
From a styling standpoint, these boots start out as traditional 6-inch work boots, with the addition of an active toe around the top of the toe to give them a distinctive look.
They come with soft or steel tips and are available in several different shades of brown.
As the name suggests, they have a wedge-shaped outsole that distributes your weight over a larger surface area and are more comfortable than heeled boots on hard surfaces. The tread pattern is the shallower style we usually see on wedges and is oil/slip resistant.
put up
One of the reasons I decided to give these boots a try is that they are American made. Hawx uses materials they source globally and manufactures stateside in the USA.
The full-grain leather upper is joined to the upper by a Goodyear welt. This is a very reliable, strong method of attaching boots and our go-to method when looking for durable work boots.
It is less likely that the top half will start to come apart with a combination of double and quadruple stitches.
fit
I'm in a weird place when it comes to work boot sizes. I'm a size 12 1/2 D (regular width) but very few brands make half sizes after a size 12, so I have to choose between a size 12 and a size 13. This time I took a size 13, which is about a full size large. After adding the steel toe, it might be closer to a half size.
Either way, you might want to head to your local Boot Barn to try them on first. If you don't live near a Boot Barn store, please consider ordering a half size smaller than your normal size. If they happen to not fit, there is a free exchange when you use their online returns portal with a prepaid label. Be sure to keep the tags until you are sure you want to keep the boots.
As for the rest of the fit, the toe box area doesn't squeeze my toes too much and the mid section is cut just enough to wrap around my feet without putting too much pressure on them.
With top eyelet lacing, there's very little heel movement that causes blisters, and the tongue pad avoids any pressure points on my metatarsals.
comfortable
Hawx's Ground Support insoles are a little different than most stock insoles we've seen. It has an antimicrobial top layer that helps deal with foot odor over a fairly standard foam layer and a dual-density heel pad.
Most unusual is the air cushion in the heel. You can feel the bumps being compressed with each step.
The padding under the ball of each footbed is a fun addition. They have a gel-like consistency that adds comfort to your step.
The wedge outsole has some merit, but it's not as plush as some of the latest boots we've reviewed. It's a trade-off that should help the outsole outlast soft boots, a plus if you're looking for long-term commitment.
Additional features
- EH class
- Puncture resistant
The floppy-toed boot we reviewed normally costs $204.99, and the steel-toed version is $10 more. That's on par with the brands we wear that use the same construction and materials, even though almost none of them are made in the US.
the bottom line
We've been impressed with the build quality of the Hawx USA Wedge work boots, and the fact that they're made in the USA is a nice bonus. While there are options for a more comfortable ride, the comfort level is about what we've come to expect from wedge boots, which are designed to last longer than 6 months or a year. Our test boots run large, so please try them on in store or order a half size down.