Tecovas Wedge Boots are popular because the wedge outsole adds extra comfort under the foot. The wedge outsole helps evenly distribute impact stress across the entire bottom of the foot instead of localizing it on the heel and toe pad area.
And Tecovas uses the popular Vibram Cristy 4014 wedge outsole, which I measured to be softer than many other types of wedge outsoles. I spend long days on concrete and these Vibram Cristy outsoles supply the shock absorption I need under my foot.
These are the types of Tecovas boots that use a wedge outsole:
- The Knox – The Knox boot is the Tecovas wedge boot that I use. It has a 10-inch shaft that finishes mid-calf. Yes, it is built using the Vibram 4014 Cristy wedge outsole. One thing I really like about this boot is it uses water-resistant leather and weatherproofed seams which allows me to hose down the boot when needed. The shock-absorbing insoles are comfortable and removeable, so I can swap them when needed. Click here to view these “Knox” Tecovas boots at Tecovas.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Tecovas.com).
- The Luke – The Luke boot is Tecovas wedge sole chelsea boot. This boot has a 6-inch height that finishes near the ankle. It has elastic gores to make it easy to slide this boot on and off. It uses the Vibram Cristy wedge outsole and just like The Knox boot from above, this boot uses treated leather and weatherproofed seams to make this boot water-resistant. Click here to view these “Luke” Tecovas boots at Tecovas.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Tecovas.com).
In this article let’s take a closer look at Tecovas Wedge Boots by discussing the pros and cons of wearing these types of boots on the job. I will also discuss the Tecovas Wedge Sole Boots that I own.
What Type of Wedge Outsole Does Tecovas Use?
As I mentioned above, Tecovas wedge boots use a Vibram Cristy 4014 outsole. This is widely considered to be one of the best wedge outsoles on the market today.
Wedge outsoles are most commonly made of either rubber or polyurethane. The Vibram Cristy outsole is a rubber-based wedge outsole.
Rubber-based wedge outsoles are softer than polyurethane-based wedge outsoles, but not quite as durable. That means this Vibram Cristy wedge outsole is a softer wedge outsole, and very good at absorbing shock.
Here’s the Vibram Cristy outsole on my Tecovas wedge sole boots:
These wedge outsoles use blown rubber which creates tiny air pockets inside the outsole to add squish and comfort. However, these wedge outsoles are not as durable as traditional types of rubber outsoles, and so if you put a lot of miles on your boots, you will eventually need to get them re-soled.
The Tecovas Wedge Boots I Wear
These Tecovas Knox boots are the type of Tecovas wedge sole boots that I wear. Although they come in three different colors, I own the “Midnight” version.
Here is a look at mine:
This is the current price of these Tecovas wedge sole boots available at Tecovas.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Tecovas.com). In my experience, these boots fit true to size.
As I mentioned earlier, one reason I like the Tecovas “Knox” boots is they are made with premium Vibram outsoles, that, in my experience, last longer than other types of outsoles. These boots use the Vibram Cristy 4014 outsoles, which are well-liked due to their comfort, and the fact that the shallow lug pattern offers larger surface-area contact and superior grip.
Here is a look at the Vibram 4014 soles on my Tecovas wedge boots:
This Vibram Cristy 4014 outsole is so popular that even though it was originally designed for work boots (specifically construction and industrial footwear) it has since made a transition to casual, city-style footwear due to the comfort and grip it provides. These wedge outsoles provide a sort of hybrid design, that can transition well from outdoor to indoor environments.
Rubber-based wedge outsoles are softer than polyurethane-based wedge outsoles, but not quite as durable. That means this Vibram Cristy wedge outsole is a softer wedge outsole, and very good at absorbing shock.
Regarding the leather, these Tecovas wedge boots are made using treated leather that has a durable, but soft feel to it. They aren’t too stiff and, when combined with the wedge sole, have a flexible design.
The bovine leather upper is treated and combined with weatherproof seams which allows this boot to be hosed off when needed. No, don’t expect this boot to be completely waterproof, but if you need Tecovas work boots for muddy conditions and need to take a hose to these boots every once in a while, they are built to handle that.
Tecovas builds such a quality boot, there is a good chance the upper will outlast the outsole. The good news is these Tecovas Knox boots are built using a Goodyear welt construction, which means you can easily get these boots re-soled if needed.
I like Tecovas wedge boots because they use more traditional boot-making methods, which lead to better long-term results. For example, they use hand-hammered lemonwood pegging to attach the midsole. These lemonwood pegs are more malleable than modern nailing, and they expand and contract properly when exposed to moisture.
I also really appreciate the fact that Tecovas uses an “inside-out” stitching approach which helps hide the seams, and means the seams won’t cause irritation against my foot or leg. As you can see inside my boots below, the stitching is not exposed:
This boot has a 10-inch shaft that finishes near the mid-calf area. The shaft opening is wide enough to comfortably slide your foot in and out so you don’t have to wrestle with these boots. Yes, they also have pull tabs to help slide the boots on:
Another thing worth mentioning is the footbeds in these boots are removeable. This means if you need to clean or swap these insoles, you can easily do so. The insoles are thick and provide nice comfort under the foot. And Tecovas uses thick cork midsoles which help absorb shock:
Overall, when you buy this “Knox” Tecovas wedge boot, you’re buying a boot that has an upper made with premium bovine leather. The boot is handmade using traditional boot-making methods which help increase the life-span of the boots. And they combine that with, in my opinion, the best wedge outsole on the market today: the Vibram 4014.
Together, this creates a dependable boot that is built to last longer than cheaper competitors.
Click here to buy these Tecovas wedge boots available at Tecovas.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Tecovas.com). As I mentioned earlier, in my experience, these roper boots fit true to size.
Tecovas Wedge Boots Pros & Cons
Benefits of Wedge Soles
- Comfort – Wedge soles are comfortable, in part, because the flat sole helps evenly distribute the stress across the entire bottom of the foot. Standard raised heel boots, although rugged and great for uneven terrain, focus the majority of the stress to specific spots on your foot, like your heel or toe pad. This can lead to irritation.
- Mud – Wedge sole boots have shallow lug patterns that reduce mud build-up and are often easier to clean. This may be particularly useful for those of you working in sloppy barnyards, or fresh construction sites.
- Weight – Wedge soles often weigh less than other types of outsoles. The blown-rubber crepe style of wedge outsoles creates tiny little air pockets within the outsole which not only create a soft comfort, but also help reduce weight.
- Versatile – Think of wedge sole boots as a nice option that can be used both indoors and outdoors. No, they won’t be great for uneven terrain, but they maximize surface grip which can be useful in outdoor conditions (on smooth surfaces), but also add comfort inside on concrete and industrial floors.
Drawbacks of Wedge Soles
- Traction – Wedge sole boots do offer premium grip because they maximize the contact surface area on the bottom of your boot. This can prove to be useful on surfaces like wet concrete. But if you are working on uneven, rocky terrain, a boot with a deeper lug pattern will likely be the better option.
- Riding and Climbing – Because wedge sole boots don’t have a raised heel, they don’t make for good riding boots. This is also a drawback if you are climbing ladders all day on the job.
- Durability – Rubber-based wedge outsoles are built for comfort and do wear out a bit quicker than more traditional types of lug outsoles.
Tecovas wedge boots are a great option for those of you who want a little more shock absorption under the foot. They are easy to clean and provide dependable grip on flat work surfaces. Just know that these types of outsoles wear out quicker than traditional outsoles.