I unexpectedly won these Builder Pros on an eBay auction at a weirdly low price in almost new condition. As an example, the thread on the soles was still totally intact so I have to assume that I’m the one doing the breaking in here. Anyway, at first I figured this was going to be too much boot for me as I work in a trade of sorts but have always been fine with a moc toe wedge. Generally I need mobility/agility and something to be on concrete all day. So this was the first time with a 55 last, logger heel, and 10” boot shaft. 

I unexpectedly had an early work day, it was sunny, 55 degrees, and I thought, “What a perfect day for a lovely jaunt to break in these bad boys”. I headed to a local park which is basically in the foothills of the Cascade mountain range that has varying terrain with relatively short trails. It is a titled mountain but the elevation is only 1,500 feet. PNW boots doing PNW shit. 

The trail starts steep with loose gravel and I found the footing with the heel to be quite solid. To give context, I’ve summited many major mountains in the PNW, have done multi day treks in the Andes, and idk…I’ve done some walking but always with modern hiking gear specific to that task. So these are my meandering thoughts and somewhat of a Builder Pro hiking/first wear review. Anyway, I went off a side trail downhill that was quite muddy finding ,once again, that the big heel totally locked in the footing and no downhill slippage was happening. I also bounded through the muddy trail sections without the leather getting dirty as the supper sits off the ground a bit more than traditional hiking boots. On moss covered/wet rock sections was pleasantly surprised to find I could lay the high arch of the boot right onto a rock edge and had excellent footing. Before embarking of this hike I imagined myself doing this like I was on stilts and just wasn’t sure how it was going to go. Regardless, I ended up hiking up 3 miles uphill to the summit as the wind picked up. 

About right at the top, the drops started falling and I wasn’t at all prepared. Light sweater, pants and these boots was all I was rocking as the rain came harder and harder. Obviously, I started my way back as the rain turned to sleet and I cursed my lack of preparation. Three miles back in the pouring rain/sleet wearing these new boots. This became less of a boot try out and more of a low stakes survival mission. So off I went downhill about as fast as someone can walk…getting absolutely drenched. So wet that water was dripping down my taint. I continued to be impressed by both how dry my feet were remaining, how much downhill traction I was keeping and also just how good my feet still felt. 

Finally, I got back to the car, went home, changed clothes, and put the boots back on to let dry around the shape of my foot. Only piece of clothing I didn’t need to change were my socks which remained dry. Considering the varying terrain/conditions I could definitely see myself wearing these both as work boots and also a major consideration for more serious hikes. Would I wear them on a multi day backpacking trip? Very possibly. The weight is there but the downhill support can’t  be beat. The heel lock on the uphill is there. The tertiary support of your foot landing weird on a rock is there due to the high shaft. Overall good boot. 

All in all, I’m stoked on this new gear and excited for the miles ahead. 

Hiking/first wear Builder Pro