Milwaukee Tool is launching new safety footwear, dubbed Flextred and Armourtred.
Before you get too excited, you should know that the footwear line is launching in Europe. At this time, Milwaukee has no plans to release safety shoes in the USA.
The new lines do look competitive, with a bevy of competitive and interesting features, such as “Step-Release” heal for convenient shoe removal.
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There are 14 different models in the pipeline, with a mix of shoes with and without safety toe caps.
The FlexTred models look to be designed for greater comfort when toe protection is not needed.
From some of the product descriptions, the ArmourTred products also have a “reinforced outsole with strong studs for best grip in demanding terrain.”
Some of the models feature BOA Fit System laces.
There’s even one style that’s not black and red – it’s a mid-height Nubuck leather work boot with soft toe and is ESD certified as with some of the other models.
It’s not unusual for tool companies to enter the safety footwear space; I’ve seen work boots from brands such as Diehard, CAT, Stanley, and Dewalt.
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Thus, I’m not surprised to see Milwaukee launch their own line of work boots and safety footwear.
Why not here? I bet they’re going to keep a close eye on USA demand while asking the same question.
Personally, I think it’s only a matter of time before Milwaukee launches work boots and safety shoes here, unless there are obstacles I’m not aware of. After all, Milwaukee already has work pants, work shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, heated jackets, so many types of gloves, hats, hard hats, helmets, disposable respirators, ear plugs, and all kinds of attachments for their hard hats and helmets.
So why wouldn’t work boots and safety shoes work to complete the “from head to toe” gear selection?
Andy
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from the Rose Anvil boot dissections on YouTube, it’s that these tool brand boots tend to be very cheaply constructed. That said, the range of styles does look like a more deliberate design effort than simply slapping the Milwaukee name on some budget boots, so maybe there is some hope?
My work is most often the indoor kind, that necessitates safety toes but not big chunky lug soles, so I’ve always been a sucker for a sneaker-style boot that hides it’s boot-ishness well. I would love for these to be not crap.
Drew M
Rose Anvil is legit ! Thank you.
CA
If those comfort ones are really comfortable and hold up I would buy them. Might see how they review.
AlexK
It’s difficult for me to find footwear that fits me well. I would try on any and every shoe or boot brand. I’m a brand loyalist as long as a product is good and continues to be good. When I needed safety toe shoes, I went with Thorogood. Very happy with them. Red Wings okay for awhile, then painful. SAS shoes are fantastic. Work paid for boots the last three years, so every day I rotate between Keen, Oboz (love ’em) and Lowa.
The Flex tread looks comfortable. If Milwaukee was hands on involved with the boots, they could be very good. If they slapped their name on good boots, same.
My first generation vest is as good as day one, but my second generation has zipper issues and I’m not sure if they went down in quality, or it’s a one off problem.
MM
If you need heavy-duty boots you might check out the big 3 companies which make wildland firefighter style boots: Nick’s, White’s, and Frank’s. They are handmade in the USA, resolable when they wear out, extremely high standard of quality, and they custom fit you. While their main product is that heavy duty style of outdoor work boot they also make more casual and dress styles as well. Everything is customizable to suit your needs–the type of sole, the heel, the color and type of leather, different types of safety toe, height, various reinforcement options, etc. I am also picky about footwear and I absolutely love my Nick’s boots.
Alexk
I just saw a Reddit that says these are made by Keen. Don’t know if that is accurate.
Adam
That toes box design does look similar to Keen. As long as the boot is made well, I really don’t care the name on it.
I got a cheap non-rememberable brand $7 clearance pair at Lowes once, and l’d buy those again over some of my other choices.
Koko The Talking Ape
If they have the wide, tall toe box and overall comfort that Keens offer, that’s good. If they have the indifferent materials, construction and durability that Keens offer, that’s bad.
BigTimeTommy
Comfortable but cheap materials that don’t last. Would make perfect sense for Milwaukee to slap their name on that.
Chris
I doubt it. Like most other brands, they will probably stop at size 13 with no wide options.
It’s like looking at clothes at Costco. stacks of thousands of shirts, but 97% of them are all size medium.
Kent
Milwaukee has been so deliberate over the past decade about not releasing lemons that I couldn’t imagine them doing a bad job. Unlike a Cat or Dewalt boot I could see Milwaukee throwing a ton of money behind the R&D of these boots and succeeding because think back to when they first announced heated work wear and everyone thought what does Milwaukee know about clothing let alone heated workwear but they are definitely the market leader in that category.
mahk gee
Dont forget the “improved” high torque impact that thankfully was recalled immediately
MKY
Stuart-
“The FlexTred models look to be designed for greater comfort ***with toe protection is ***not needed.”
Saulac
Heated shoes anyone? If it is ridiculous to have an M12 battery attached to each legs, how about something like connecting to the batt for 5 mins keep you warm for an hour?
bg100
Stuart,
Is it ‘heal’ or ‘heel’ for the back of the foot? I thought it was heel.
Jared
I realize for some people “Milwaukee” written across the side will be a selling feature, but I’d prefer less branding personally. I realize how small a nitpick that is.
NoDak Farming
I remember when Carhartt first announced that they would start offering work boots. I was so used to thinking of Carhartt as being a well respected cloth and material company. I thought their boots would be a joke and I also thought that they were trying way too hard, to be everything to everybody. But I was wrong and I don’t second guess any companies ventures into footwear now. I’m currently wearing some Carhartt safety toed boots that are very comfortable. And I can’t wear the things out. I can’t find a good excuse to buy new boots. And in the past, I’ve worn their boots in some very punishing environments.
Milwaukee can maybe pull this off. They wouldn’t even have to know how to build a boot. Some different companies privately labeled boots actually come from Wolverine. And they too, have made some very good boots. I used to buy Wolverines exclusively.
On a side note, I agree that the tool company name shouldn’t have to be emblazoned so largely on the side of the boot. And wouldn’t a small “Packout”, look better anyways? Kinda makes sense?
Rog
These will be be bought by just as many people who legitimately need them as those who just want the Milwaukee image. That logo is critical
Ron
I bought a pair of Carhartt boots last summer on clearance for half price not knowing what to expect. After two days of wearing them, I went back to the same store and bought another pair for when the first pair wear out. Extremely uncomfortable and heavy duty without being too heavy.
As for Milwaukee branded boots, I’d guess they will be great quality. Their jackets, hoodies, hats and gloves have all exceeded my expectations. I cannot guess that their footwear would disappoint.
Ron
I meant Extremely “comfortable”.
So strange that I find myself correcting words on this site more than every other site combined. Not a knock on this site, but it’s just strange.
Dustin
Carhartt boots are made by Black Diamond. I used to work at the Carhartt store
Nathan
I wonder if they are only in EU to prevent stepping on the actual makers us sales?
Or if they don’t want to go up against red Wing and etc here in the US.
Meanwhile I’ve had red wings for 2 decades now and will most likely keep on with them although much of their new stuff is made in China or assembled there. So mething to do with OSHA regs and the glue they used
Dan
There’s already a trademark on the Milwaukee name for boots and footwear in the US, so they legally can’t sell them in the US market.
Jim
These look great and I’m impressed by Milwaukee’s workwear. But, I really wish that they would use a little restraint with how many times they put their logo on these items. It starts to look pretentious and fanboyish. Their designs are almost Apple level iconic in appearance and they shouldn’t need to put “Milwaukee” on it in more than in one place. Better yet, just use the lightning bolt.
Harrison
Agreed, but there are other customers who see the giant logos as a feature, not a flaw. The lightning bolt on it’s own would be nice.
Its pretty funny- my partner and I joke about how most subcontractors show up looking like the Milwaukee Man- they just need a red cape. At least they will be able to dress fully in red from top to bottom now!
Right now I think Milwaukee is very… Fashionable? And deservedly so, their products and clothing are all very well considered and marketed- If not always the best, you are reliably guaranteed a certain level of performance and design. The Apple comparison is very apt.
Festool is probably the only other tool company that comes close to the same cohesive marketing and design ethos, but are much too niche to be compared to Apple.
I wonder if Milwaukee will need to start managing their image to counter their ubiquity- Apple offers their smartphones in a handful of colours and models, so even though half of Americans use an iPhone, you can still have a unique device within your social circle.
This is probably the reason Makita offers so many impact drivers, each in a handful of colours, within their home market.
Plain+grainy
I wonder if the steel toe requirements(strength), are the same in both Europe & the US? If not they couldn’t easily transition to the US without modification.
Koko The Talking Ape
DeWalt tried selling workwear a while back. Then they stopped. I got some good closeou deals on some work pants with all the features (knee pads, external pockets, etc.), which I kept, and some work boots, which I didn’t.
I wonder why they didn’t do better.
MM
I snagged a Dewalt sweater on closeout at Lowe’s. It’s pretty nice!
Jeff
I will go out and get a pair of these the same day that Red Wing comes out with their own cordless tool line.
Chip
As an owner of many Milwaukee cordless tools, I wouldn’t try them on if they were in front of me. Somehow they can build better shoes then companies who’s only mission is shoes?
Dewalt shoes are constantly on deal of the day on HD, also not tempted.
Blue Martinez
I am in Tucson Arizona USA.can I buy Milwaukee work boots from the UK and have them shipped to me. ??. As they are not for sale in the U.S.
Stuart
They’re not available in the US. As long as you get the sizing right and don’t mind some risk, I don’t see why you couldn’t order from a European supplier.
Gilliane
Where can I buy in the US?? Any dealers ?
Stuart
Not at this time.