A Review Of The Timberland Premium 6-Inch Waterproof Boots

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Timberland is an esteemed brand that has been universally loved for almost as long as any of us can remember. The company enjoys a unique market appeal that extends to blue collar workers, streetwear connoisseurs, and fashion focused socialites. Their unmistakable brown leather boots have been synonymous with influential New York rappers since the early 1990s, and have since cemented them as the standard footwear of choice for hip hop artists.

With such a wide reaching audience, one can't help but wonder. How did they get here, and more importantly, do their boots even live up to the hype?

Originally, Timberland was known as the Abington Shoe Company (1933-1978) and their focus was on creating the best workwear possible for New England's harsh winters. They had practical ambitions of delivering a quality product to their working class customer base, and worldwide relevance wasn't even on their radar in the early days. In 1973 the 8 inch boot was introduced, while the acclaimed 6 inch version was released three years later in 1976.

The all leather waterproof boot was a huge innovation at the time, and Timberland was one of the first companies to ever achieve such an accomplishment. Evidently, this kind of environmental versatility combined with a timeless silhouette had mass appeal on an unprecedented scale that no one could have predicted.

Materials & Construction

I've previously owned and loved the Blundstone 1308 Dress Boots but have since discovered that while the Timberland Premium 6-Inch Waterproof Boot is a similar offering on paper, it truly is a different beast entirely. Seeing this boot up close for the first time, I didn't expect the nubuck leather to look and feel as premium as it does.

Despite its rugged construction, the entire boot feels soft and luxurious to the touch. The stitching is beautiful handiwork that almost looks as though the boot was handmade by a master cobbler from a bygone era. Not only is this boot visually appealing, but it equally stimulates one's tactile senses as well.

The Timberland Premium 6-Inch Waterproof Boot laces up quite nicely. To elaborate further, the laces can be pulled tightly for a snug fit but the boot still looks great and relaxed when tied securely. You won't see the dreaded "football shoe" look (when shoes are tied so tight they resemble a football) here.

Rather, this boot looks stylish regardless of whether it's laced up loosely or tight which is somewhat rare. A well thought out design indeed.

The laces themselves are a cut above in terms of durability, while the metal ringlets that they pass through are genuinely rugged as well. On the bottom of the Timberland Premium 6-Inch Waterproof Boot, you'll find a thick gum sole with deep tread patterns.

This make the boot an excellent choice for gripping slippery surfaces and traversing perilous downtown city streets. Furthermore, the tongue may be somewhat thin but it doesn't detract from the boot's comfort whatsoever.

Comfort & Performance

Speaking of comfort, the Timberland Premium 6-Inch Waterproof Boot may look stiff, but that isn't the case at all. For starters, the heel has a surprisingly sufficient level cushioning that I haven't seen in Timberland's competitors. It certainly doesn't have a performance sneaker level of cushioning and support, but for a work wear boot it feels really good.

The boot fits true to size front to back, with ample room for feet to move around in. Toes can freely extend up and down within the space of the boot, and even the ankle area is spacious as well.

Although feet have some play in terms of spacing and they can sway from side to side a little bit, the boot doesn't feel ill-fitting or unstable as a result. In fact it feels kind of nice and loose even when the boots are laced tightly. Rest assured that there's simply no risk of them falling off your feet. At the same time, there's still some margin for your feet to breathe.

Perhaps most notably, the leather padding around the ankle provides a cozy fit that you'll warm up to right away. In fact, it might be the foremost detail that does the majority of heavy lifting in terms of making the boot incredibly comfortable to wear. It's not just an aesthetic choice, but instead it really elevates the boot to something you'll want to keep wearing. That ankle collar is everything.

Pros

• Versatility that can handle trails, worksites, and city streets with ease
• Best in class comfort and support for a boot
• Rugged gum sole is ideal for rough environments and slippery surfaces
• An iconic silhouette that pairs well with a wide range of outfits
• Looks great when laced up tight or loose

Cons

• None

Verdict

It took Timberland a while to embrace the streetwear market, but today they proudly claim that their focus is on "Work, Life and Outdoor", whether on the job, trail, street or stage. I like the Timberland Premium 6-Inch Waterproof Boot far more in use than I thought I would.

They are much more comfortable than I expected, especially compared to the Blundstone 1308 Dress Boots that I've had for many years. The Timberland boot feels somewhat broken in already which is nice, and the leather is pliable immediately which only adds to the feeling of comfort. I often don't want to take them off.

So who is this boot for? Pretty much everyone to be honest, and I don't say this lightly. The beauty of the Timberland Premium 6-Inch Waterproof Boot is that can be styled an endless number of ways, which again comes back to why they continue to captivate such a broad following. Their reputation for durability is well earned, and this is the nicest boot I've ever come across in terms of comfort.

Lastly, this is the first product we've ever reviewed that doesn't have any notable downsides. Highly recommended.