Reno Work Boots: Faster, Lighter, More Versatile
Reno Work Boots: Faster, Lighter, More Versatile

Reno Work Boots: Faster, Lighter, More Versatile

Work conditions can change from day to day, even minute by minute. What shouldn’t change is how capable, protected, and good you feel in your work boots. When you’re stripping old shingles off a roof in the rain or you’re crammed into a tight crawl space running cable, the last thing you need are boots that are too stiff, heavy, leaky or otherwise not up to the job.

You move constantly on the jobsite, so the lighter and more flexible your work boots are, the better. Our Reno series of work boots are designed for industrial athletes—tradespeople who are on their feet all day building homes, maintaining roads, hauling freight, and doing everything else it takes to keep things moving.

Roofer installing a new roof in the Reno shoe

What Makes The Reno Different?

Like a premium multitool, there’s not one thing in particular that makes the Reno a standout performer. Rather, it’s the seamless combination of many things. We’ve built many of our best, most innovative features into this versatile workhorse. Things like KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX, KEEN.ReGEN, and KEEN.DRY combine with lightweight safety features to keep you protected and productive on dynamic jobsites.

Worker kneeling down while Reno shoe flexes at toe.

What is KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX?

KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX is the accordion-like insert between the toe and the laces. It provides up to three times the flexibility in the place where your foot bends every time you step or crouch. This is a spot where other boots may crack or weaken over time. Not our boots.

KEEN Utility fan says:

“This is my latest purchase and I’ve had them for a month. I will probably never buy anything other than KEEN from now on. I love these boots so much as they are everything I was looking for. Lightweight, comfortable from day one with no rubbing during walking or when flexing my feet while kneeling.” — Rich

Any Weather, All Conditions

Top to bottom, the Reno is equipped with many of our most worker-friendly features, like a durable yet lightweight leather-and-mesh upper with a KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane. This is the technology that keeps your feet dry in rainy conditions or in standing water but still lets hot air and sweat vapor escape. Underfoot, a responsive KEEN.ReGEN midsole returns 50% energy with every step—that’s no small amount after 10,000+ steps during an average eight-hour shift.

Work outside on rough, unsteady ground or in a warehouse on mostly paved surfaces? In either case, the tough-lugged outsole that’s oil- and slip-resistant helps you hold your ground. For electricians or anyone who may encounter live circuits, there’s an Electrical Hazard (EH)-rated outsole for precisely that kind of work.

Worker climbing shipping container ladder in Reno shoe

Safety First

What about safety toes? The Reno KBF comes in two toe types: carbon and soft toe. Both options are non-metallic, so trips back and forth through a metal detector aren’t a hassle. The Reno KBF Mid soft toe work boot uses a KEEN.PROTECT toe cap to help safeguard against minor impacts but provides no crush resistance. They’re a great fit for landscapers, drivers, light-duty warehouse workers, finish carpenters, and DIY/home projects where boots with safety toes aren’t required.

Here’s a quick chart that matches a variety of jobs with the best Reno KBF model by toe type and collar height:

Reno KBF work boot by toe type and height Best for …
Low- and mid-height soft toe Trucking, delivery, warehouse, landscaping, carpentry, roofing
Low-height carbon safety toe Mechanical, roofing, carpentry, light manufacturing, warehouse
Mid-height carbon safety toe Framing, roofing, carpentry, landscaping, electrical


Tradeswomen Tested

The women’s Reno KBF Mid is certified Tradeswoman Tested, which means it was developed with and tested by a group of professional women workers pulled from a wide variety of trades.

Wherever you see our Tradeswomen Tested (TWT) logo, you know the boot was designed for the size, shape, and biomechanics of women’s feet, and hard-working tradeswomen wear-tested it at work—and approved it.

The women’s Reno KBF Mid is available in two versions: one with carbon safety toes and the other with soft toes. The women’s Reno KBF Mid soft toe boot is light and versatile and performs like you need it to, indoors and out. Its KEEN.PROTECT toe cap can handle minor impacts, making it a good choice for drivers, truckers, and landscapers or if you work in a warehouse.

KEEN Utility fans say:

“Super comfortable! I tried on a bunch of KEEN hiking boots beforehand and was skeptical about how these would feel with long days in the brewery. I’m on day two and I absolutely love them. I feel they run a little wide, but I enjoy the extra footroom on long days. Very light, comfortable, and slip resistant!” — Sarah O.

“I purchased the olive color. Great look and feel. I have bought a decent amount of KEENs and will be using this outside the house. Landscaping / yard work. They’re lightweight, so that should help on the long days, and the metal hooks for the laces feel sturdy.” — EJ

Our Boots Walk the Walk

We ask a lot from our work boots. Not only do they have to hold up on the jobsite, but they have to feel good too. KEEN Utility’s Reno KBF has all the rugged protection, durability, and waterproof performance you need for indoor and outdoor work. Plus, their lightweight, responsive feel and forefoot flexibility make a huge difference when you’re on your feet all day.

Worker lacing up Reno Boot in wet shipping yard.