According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, 25% of reported disability injuries start with the feet – slips, trips and falls account for 15% while other foot injuries account for 10%. So, while you might not be able to do much about the flooring you work on, but you have a lot of choice when it comes to the boots you work in.

How long a pair of work boots will last depends on a number of factors including the quality of the boots, the work conditions in which you’re wearing the boots, and how often you wear the boots. I think it’s reasonable for a hobbyist woodworker or DIYer to expect at least a five- or six-year life span. Contractors and renovators, on the other hand, might expect to get anywhere from six months to a year of use.

These Carhartt Force 6″ Nano work boots are available in medium and wide widths in sizes 8 to 14 and weigh just under 1-3/4 pound per boot. They feature a leather and nylon upper integrated with breathable mesh and a reinforced, abrasion-resistant heel and composite toe. A composite toe provides the same level of protection you would get from a steel toed boot without the extra weight.

These boots feature three different styles of eyelets. After lacing them up several times I came to appreciate this feature. At the top are two pairs of hooked eyelets (which make it quick to lace up or undo the boots), followed by a single pair of ring eyelets, and then four pairs of webbed eyelets (which enable the boot to flex a bit more, putting less strain on the top of the foot.)

The cushioned insoles are replaceable, though they should last quite a long time. Their purpose is to increase comfort and provide some shock absorption. The only reason to replace them is if you have specific support requirements such as fallen arches or flat feet, or if you feel that you need even more cushioning than these insoles provide.

The outsoles are slip, oil and abrasion-­resistant with deep threads that provide excellent grip. These boots are also EH (electrical hazard) certified, so there isn’t any metallic hardware that can conduct electricity should you happen to step into a live wire situation.

A critical area that is susceptible to water penetration is the point at which the outsole is joined to the upper part of the boot. On these boots the outsole and the uppers are joined with an adhesive rather than sewn.

Carhartt uses nanometer size non-metallic material to make the toecap wall thinner so there is more wiggle room for the toes. While the toecap is thinner and lighter it still provides the same level of protection you would get from a steel toed boot.

Carhartt’s Storm Defender® waterproof breathable membrane does a great job of keeping feet dry while its FastDry® technology lining wicks away sweat. The boots also feature Insite® footbed arch support which is very important as your arches support your body weight while standing and absorb shock each time your foot hits the ground. I find that I can wear these boots all day long without any discomfort.

These Carhartt Force 6″ Nano boots are best suited for carpenters, renovators, and other tradespeople looking for a relatively light boot that is high on comfort, yet is durable, oil, slip and abrasion resistant, has ample toe protection, and is easy and quick lacing. Avid DIYers looking for long-lasting top-of-the-line boots will also be pleased with these boots.