If you have ever been shopping for a pair of boots, chances are that you have come across the Timberland brand. This popularity is because the brand is known to produce high quality casual and work boots that are stylish, comfortable, durable and eco-friendly. Well, if you are looking for casual wear boots that can double up as traveling boots, then you need something like the Timberland Men’s Earthkeeper original 6” boots.
These boots embody the core values of this brand by being durable, comfortable, stylish and very friendly to the environment. Although not meant for use in harsh environments such as in most outdoor working conditions (for instance logging), this pair can still handle some abuse here and there. However, you must treat them right if you want them to last. One of the ways to do this is to oil them every once in a while because their oil-leather construction tends to wear and tear slowly over time.
Although these are very good boots, some people may find that the pair is not suitable for them. Of course, they are not meant for every person and more so, for every type of use. The points below will help you determine if the pair is a good fit for you.
Timberland’s Men’s EarthKeeper boots are for you if:
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You prefer 100% leather-made boots with rubber outsoles
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You are looking for a waterproof pair of boots
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You want breathable boots
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You want boots with removable insoles
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You want an everyday style pair of boots
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You want lightweight, comfortable and stable support boots
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You don’t mind boots made outside of the USA
However, they won’t work for you if:
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You need boots with steel toe caps
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You want boots with steel shanks
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You need heavy-duty boots for outdoor work such as construction or agriculture
Timberland Earthkeepers Review: Key Features and Specifications
Premium Full Grain Leather Upper Material
Leather is used as the primary material to make these boots and it not just your ordinary type of leather, it is a premium full grain leather. This high-quality material contributes a lot towards the overall durability of the boots because it has great abrasion resistance, which basically means that the pair can take a beating.
Although they are not meant for heavy-duty work such as in construction, the full grain leather makes them usable at least in light indoor work. On top of this, each boot has a leather rand along the sides, giving it an extra tough layer for additional protection.
Recycled moisture-wicking, breathable lining
On the inside, the Earthkeepers are designed with comfort and eco-friendliness in mind. For starters, they have breathable linings that help keep your feet from perspiring uncomfortably, resulting in a foul smell when you get to remove them after a long day of walking.
This same lining also has moisture-wicking properties and this helps in making the boots more comfortable because your feet will be kept as dry as possible.
Construction wise, the lining is made from 100% PET (recycled plastic bottles), which means that the boots are very environmentally friendly.
Removable anti-fatigue footbed
For additional comfort, this pair of boots feature an anti-fatigue technology, which is in the form of an antifatigue footbed or insole. This makes the shoe ideal for people who spend a lot of time on their feet be it standing or walking.
In the actual implementation, this technology is built into the midsole and it utilizes geometrical cone-like supports to hold your feet comfortably while also providing shock absorption so that you can focus on the trail ahead. Basically, with these Timberland boots, you will not want to take them off until you get back home.
Additionally, these insoles are removable and therefore, when you get home, you can remove them so as to help clear any bad odor in your shoe. You can even clean them or replace them easily in case they get worn out.
Recycled rubber sole
Recycling is not only featured in the breathable lining, but it is also incorporated into the rubber outsole construction. Each pair of these Earthkeeper boots features a green rubber sole, which basically consists of 42% recycled rubber material.
Despite this, the outsole still maintains the comfort awarded by rubber soles, by being softer to the feet and helping in absorbing shock from uneven surfaces below. It is also very durable and well-treaded so as to give a good amount of grip when walking on muddy or other slippery surfaces.
Organic cotton laces
Part of being eco-friendly involves using organic materials and since these boots are as environmentally conscious as it gets, they feature 100% organic cotton laces.
Waterproof
Leather and rubber are waterproof, but the joints between them might let in some water. However, this problem is taken care of by a seam seal construction, which literally seals all the joints to prevent moisture seepage.
Even with this construction though, it is not recommended to test this property in very deep waters because the impermeability can only go so far. But at least you get an inch lift from the heel, which gives you some room to wade in shallow water puddles.
Shaft, Heel, Platform, and Shank
The boot’s shaft is 6.5 inches from the arch. This is the average size in most casual boots and it provides enough support to the foot while also being comfortable to walk or stand in for longs hours.
For the heel, it measures approximately 1 inch and a 0.5-inch platform keeps your toes balanced on the other end.
On the shank, these Earthkeepers have airport-friendly nylon ones, which can pass through metal detectors without setting them off. Being nylon does not make them any less superior though, for they still offer support, stability and shocks dispersion, working hand in hand with the outsole and insole to make your feet enjoy high comfort levels inside.
Style and look
With a more contemporary style, these boots can be worn with jeans or khakis and can be fashionably worn to dates, casual events, outdoor activities (though not all) as well as on road trips and other outings.
Lightweight
This pair of Timberlands is relatively lightweight, making them ideal for day to day wear. To put this into perspective, using size 9 (which is common among most men), one boot weighs 1 pound, 3 ounces. This is slightly just above half a kilo and thus, you get to haul just above a kilo (2 pounds, 6 ounces) of tough, comfortable boots on your feet.
Pros and Advantages
Comfort
Thanks to its antifatigue footbed, you can wear this pair comfortably throughout the day, whether you are doing your activities while standing or walking. Additionally, the moisture-wicking, breathable lining ensures your feet are kept dry and aerated inside.
Durability
Leather is generally known for its toughness. With a 100% leather construction on the upper part, these boots are very durable and capable of taking a beating with little wear and tear. However, to take care of this leather and give your shoes a long life, it is recommended to oil them using the proper leather oils regularly.
Universal style
One of the outstanding features of these Earthkeepers is that you can wear them with both casual and semicasual clothing, and this means that you can wear them to quite a number of events.
Lightweight
Compared to other types of boots, these ones are relatively lightweight, having a combined weight of 2 pounds 6 ounces. Therefore, you can even wear them to a light hiking expedition because they won’t drag you down.
Waterproof
A combination of leather, seam seals and rubber outsoles ensure that your feet are kept dry inside as you navigate through muddy puddles outdoors. On top of this, you get a ground clearance of approximately 1 inch from the heel for avoiding as much water as possible.
Effective treading for grip
The rubber sole is well-treaded, giving you enough grip to navigate through muddy and slippery conditions.
Eco-friendly
Lastly, these Timberland Earthkeepers shoes are made in a very environmentally friendly way, featuring recycled rubber outsoles, recycled PET linings and 100% organic cotton laces.
If you prefer insulated boots, sorry to say that this feature is not included in these shoes. Therefore, they are not ideal to wear during the winter season.
Not meant for heavy-duty use
They may be perfect for casual, fashion or a number of outdoor events but for heavy duty tasks, these Timberland Earthkeepers simply cannot cope. They do not have protective features such as steel toe caps, which are very important for keeping your digits intact in case something heavy falls on your feet.
Pricing
As compared to other similar boots, these ones are relatively more expensive but they have the comfort and eco-friendly features that justify this price. On top of this, they are Timberland boots. This brand is known to produce high-quality boots and the Timberland Earthkeepers shoes are no different.
Outsole separation
A few customers have reported that after some time in use, the rubber outsole tends to peel away from the boot. However, this issue is quite rare and is mostly due to extremely rough handling, where the boots are used in unrecommended situations.
Leather requires routine maintenance
Even though you would expect leather to be extremely durable even with little or no care, this is not usually the case. For the boots to remain in good shape, you must clean and oil the leather every once in a while.
However, this is just routine maintenance, just like the way you would polish or apply suede on other types of shoes.
Sizing
The last issue with Timberland Earthkeepers is that they tend to be a size bigger than other types of shoes or boots. This can bring in a lot of issues when ordering them online because let’s say you wear a size 9 and all your other shoes are size 9 so you are very sure about this. If you order a size 9, the pair of boots that you will receive will most likely be larger.
To avoid this problem, it is recommended that you order a size down from your usual sneaker size. This means that if you wear size 9 sneakers, you should order size 8 Earthkeeper boots.
Reviews From Actual Users
66% of the customers have given the boots 5 out of 5 stars in their reviews.
Final verdict
Timberland Men’s Earthkeepers Original 6” boots are a great pair of shoes and we highly recommend them because they are comfortable enough to be worn all day without causing fatigue to your feet.
Furthermore, we are also quite pleased with the versatility of the boots when it comes to their use. Being casual shoes, they can be worn to a number of occasions or even when taking a stroll in your neighborhood. Even though they are a bit costly, their features make them worth every penny.
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