The Timberland PRO series is one of the brand’s most celebrated line-ups. It boasts a wide selection of work footwear that’s designed to make the daily grind a whole lot easier on your feet. I’ve done quite a lot of research on this line-up before, and it never fails to impress with its stellar designs that are made with your hard day’s work in mind.
The Timberland PRO Pit Boss is one option that sticks out every time I look up the series. So I have done quite a lot of reading and research on this particular design. All in all, the Pit Boss comes out as one of the brand’s front-runners with its burly yet comfortable construction.
If you’re wondering whether the PRO Pit Boss is something worth spending for, then I can give you a definite yes. But if you’re not quite sure why the boot is so impressive, then I’ve listed all the reasons why it makes a smart investment.
Outstanding Durability That Lasts for Years
Timberland is no second-rate brand when it comes to boots. In fact, the company is possibly one of the most popular work boot manufacturers in the market to date. So you can expect any option you buy from the Timberland brand won’t wear out too soon after.
So without surprise, the PRO Pit Boss does perform exceptionally well in terms of durability. The rugged nubuck leather uppers are impressively dense and robust. So your feet are kept safe from falling objects and trauma while you walk around demanding work environments.
The soles are made from the signature Timberland PRO Rubber, and are designed to resist all types of damage – whether from heat, moisture, or friction. So the wear and tear that daily use might cause isn’t likely to generate any damage, even years after you first start wearing them.
Construction-wise, the Pit Boss Boots shine with premium craftsmanship. Goodyear welt construction provides a secure attachment between the uppers and soles. Reinforced stitching lines the most vulnerable areas of the boot for better resistance to damage and wear. Basically, anywhere you look or touch, the boot is evidently solid. And with each boot weighing 1.57 pounds, you know it’s not likely to give up too soon.
Premium Protection for a Problem-Free Shift
The PRO Pit Boss comes in two main variations. These are the soft-toe and the steel-toe varieties. Choosing between them really depends on your work environment. But I do have to point out that not a lot changes between the designs aside from the inclusion or exclusion of the steel toe.
The boots are designed to meet electrical hazard standards. They’re built to withstand and protect against live electrical circuits, electrically energized apparatus, and other electrically conductive material that could cause severe or even fatal injury in certain work conditions.
Along the collar, plush padding cushions your ankles and keeps them in proper alignment. This, in combination with the design’s rigid uppers, makes a very reliable joint support system. So the boots effectively reduce lateral movements and, to some extent, even excessive flexion and extension.
But the PRO Pit Boss doesn’t stop there. To make the boot even more supportive, the brand uses a special nylon shock-diffusion plate built into the midsoles. This improves torsional rigidity, thus limiting the chances that you twist your ankle.
Mad Traction for Any and Every Environment
Resistant to heat, abrasion, oil, and slipping, the ultra-durable lug soles on the Timberland PRO Pit Boss boots are nothing short of a dream-come-true. These are possibly some of the most reliable soles I’ve seen in a while; made from premium rubber that gives you that squeaky, abrupt bite as soon as your foot hits the floor.
The outsoles boast a one-piece lug design with aggressive treads for multi-directional traction. As I mentioned previously, these rugged soles connect to the uppers via premium Goodyear welt construction, so they don’t rip away easily.
Now, if we’re talking safety, these soles cover every aspect you can imagine. But in terms of flexibility, they do feel particularly rigid. The welts, of course, are made of polyurethane which improves durability at the cost of pliability. The one-piece construction, although exceptional at sustaining wear and tear, makes the boot a challenge to walk in.
That said, you should expect to experience some restrictions to your natural gait when using the boots. While I would classify this as a downside, I do want to mention that with work boots, that is the general trend as safety and protection are always the main priority.
Superb Comfort for the Daily Grind
Comfort is something that’s hard to achieve with work boot designs. That’s mostly due to the fact that companies often focus on aspects like durability, safety, and protection. So the designs tend to get too bulky, heavy, and dense to make room for any sort of comfort.
That’s why I was impressed with Timberland’s work on this particular design. The Pit Boss boot’s interior is relatively cool, despite its burly construction. Cambrelle fabric lining wicks away moisture and keeps perspiration at bay to help prevent foul odors, bacteria, and that icky sticky feeling you might get with wet feet.
The midsoles are made from a responsive polyurethane material. So while the boot doesn’t really flex so well to your natural gait movements, the foot feel provides some impressive rebound that effectively cushions your step. Open-cell polyurethane footbeds reinforce this responsiveness, so the boots give quite a bit of bounce on heel-strike.
To top it all off, all the elements of the interiors were treated to prevent bacteria build-up. This doesn’t only keep your boots clean and sanitary even without regular maintenance, but also helps keep nasty smells at bay.
Two Cents on Choosing the Right Fit
Choosing the right size should be one of your main goals when buying these boots, and that probably seems like a total no-brainer. But I want to emphasize the importance of selecting the ideal size for your feet because the boots will not adjust too well, even with its lacing system in place.
Because the uppers can be excessively restrictive, the laces can barely adjust fit. So if you make the mistake of choosing a size that’s too big, you might have to struggle with loose fitting boots.
Based on reviews, the boots generally run true to size, but get too tight for comfort when fitted with any sort of insert. So if you feel more comfortable wearing inserts, make sure to purchase at least a half size larger. It’s also important to consider the type of socks you intend to use with the boot. Some users have stated that even just wearing a pair of thicker socks can make the boots a little too tight.
Personally, I think it would be best to contact the manufacturer to get a better idea of the precise measurements of the boot. You can also opt to check out their size chart which I’ve attached here for reference:
Pros of the Timberland PRO Pit Boss Boots
- Rugged nubuck leather uppers are exceptional at resisting damage.
- Rubber lug outsoles are reliable on a variety of surfaces and terrain.
- Exceptional ankle support and torsion rigidity prevents twisting movements that could result to injury.
- Goodyear welt construction prevents the soles from ripping away from the uppers.
- Reinforced stitching over vulnerable areas improves overall durability.
- Designed to comply with electrical safety standards for superior protection.
- Moisture wicking liner keeps feet cool and dry.
- Polyurethane footbed and midsole offer great responsiveness and bounce for better comfort.
- Burly designed is developed to last for years without the slightest signs of wear, tear, or damage regardless of the hazards you frequently encounter at work.
Some Downsides
- Rigid uppers resist adjustment, so laces don’t serve much of a purpose for fit.
- Not quite as pliable, so expect limited range of motion.
- Pretty heavy at 1.57 pounds per boot.
The Verdict
There’s not much I can complain about with the Timberland PRO Pit Boss work boots. When you take all of its features into consideration, it’s easy to see that it’s really just a durable, reliable, and safe work boot that’s intended to make those hard days at work a little easier on your feet.
Of course, it’s not perfect. Issues with the ineffective lacing system, stiffness, and weight could be a problem for some users. But when it all comes right down to it, these design flaws aren’t deal breakers, and you still end up with something that offers more benefits than problems.
So can I recommend the Timberland Pro Pit Boss work boots? I can confidently say yes. These boots are hardy, dependable, and fairly affordable in comparison to others in the same segment. So you can be certain that money spent on this premium design isn’t anything short of a smart investment.
