When it comes to work boots, it’s important that what’s on your feet matches the job's requirements. Sure, KEEN Utility makes heavy-duty work boots for excavation and road construction, but we also make boots that blur the line between work and play. These are the kind of boots you can wear to stack pallets Monday through Friday and keep wearing to stack firewood on Saturday. The kind you can wear for your shifts on the shop floor and for a night around the campfire with your buddies.
Transitional boots are tough enough for work and have the necessary safety features. An oil- and slip-resistant outsole keeps your footing secure on the jobsite, and the KEEN.DRY waterproof and breathable membrane keeps you dry whether you’re repairing a roof or unloading supplies from your truck. At the same time, they have rugged good looks that make you want to keep wearing them after you clock out. House project or happy hour, these boots are also your go-to for life away from work.
Here’s a handy chart with a quick rundown of the key features of a few of our favorite light- to medium-duty work boots.
| WORK BOOTS | KEEN.ReGEN Midsole | Luftcell Midsole | KEEN.DRY Available | American Built | Soft Toe Available |
| Cincinnati | X | X | X | ||
| Kenton | X | ||||
| Red Hook | X | X | X | ||
| Reno | X | X | X | ||
| San Jose | X | X | X | ||
| Seattle Romeo | X |
Do you like the look of traditional heavy-duty work boots (and sometimes need the protection they offer, too)? The Cincinnati family is made to handle the toughest jobs imaginable while still providing outstanding comfort and support. To match your jobsite needs, you can choose a version with either a classic wedge sole or a 90° heel. Both options are built with premium leather uppers for long-lasting good looks and performance.
We offer two safety toe types in the Cincinnati — carbon fiber and soft. Choose carbon fiber if this will be primarily a work boot. Choose a soft toe if you need a versatile boot that transitions easily from the jobsite during the week to the campsite over the weekend.
KEEN Utility fans say:
“Great boots. Started a new job in a truck shop, most of the guys are wearing these.” — Danny
“I’ve been a Cincinnati guy for a while, and I can’t express how comfortable these boots are. It’s my 3rd style and they are all great. I’m on my feet 10-12 hours a day and they hold up great!” — Andrew G.
Ideal for working day in and day out on concrete slabs, wood subfloors, and compacted dirt, men’s and women’s San Jose work boots combine a lightweight sneaker feel with a stable wedge sole and the cushioning you need to get through long days in stride.
One of the lightest work boots we make, they pair a wedge sole with a nylon shank for midfoot support and our KEEN Luftcell midsole cushioning for reduced fatigue over long hours going up and down stairs or standing on concrete. A durable leather upper and clean appearance make them a popular choice for the weekends too. They’re available with a soft toe or an aluminum safety toe.
Because not every job requires a 6” work boot, the men’s San Jose Oxford combines the leather upper and air-infused midsole of the San Jose work boot with the low-cut ease and lightweight feel of a shoe. Its clean good looks make it equally at home in client meetings or on the shop floor.
KEEN Utility fans say:
“I work in production at a winery. I’m on my feet all day most days, and the main qualities I look for in a work boot are comfort, traction in slippery conditions, and waterproofness. These boots have the first two in spades, and the last equals any other boot I’ve owned.” — Zach W.
“I work in construction, and I can wear through a pair of boots very quickly! These boots do an amazing job when I'm spending all day walking around on a jobsite or a hard floor surface. They have great support, and I don't get sore feet throughout a day of walking and working.” — Jarin
A pull-on design makes the men’s Seattle Romeo a versatile choice that’s suitable for carpentry, framing, light manufacturing, and more. Double-stitched elastic side panels and a full grain leather upper make the boot easy to get on and off without sacrificing durability. When you're working across multiple floors or you’re up and down ladders all day, a TPU shank provides midfoot support while a 90-degree heel ensures secure footing on ladders or soft surfaces. It’s available with aluminum safety toes or soft toes that help safeguard against minor impacts but are not reinforced with a secondary crush resistance.
KEEN Utility fans say:
“I bought these for work at a brewery, but they have become my everyday wear. I love these boots. Perfect for protecting against minor slips on ice/snow, resist water and chemicals, and soooo comfortable. Like a Birkenstock™ sandal had babies with a big boot.” — David
“Perfect fit and easy break-in. Light yet protected for most farm tasks where the aluminum toe is sufficient. Appreciate the seam design as there is no flexing at the seams, so I expect a long life. Comfortable on the tractor and in the field. Also good traction on my brush-digging shovel. Highly recommend these boots for a farmer looking for fit and function.” — Rob
Imagine if your favorite high-top basketball sneaker could also keep you dry during a sudden rainstorm or quick jaunt on the trails with your friends. That’s the Red Hook soft toe. A KEEN.ReGEN midsole provides bounce-back comfort you can feel, while a KEEN.DRY membrane keeps your feet dry. The good-looking leather upper makes this boot a shapeshifter, equally at home installing a fence in your backyard or building a stone firepit in the woods on a family camping trip.
KEEN Utility fans say:
“The shoe is very comfortable and felt "broken in" from the box. I will be buying this shoe again and again. I like the waterproof option for winter…” — Brenton
“These Red Hooks are the most comfortable boots I've ever worn. Heck, the most comfortable shoe, even! I walked around San Francisco all day with no problem and cannot recommend them enough.” — Dan
What’s the difference between the Reno and your favorite pair of high-performance hiking boots? Well, not a whole lot, really. Let’s stack it up against one of KEEN’s most innovative hikers, the NXIS EVO.
Shared features include KonnectFit heel retention, KEEN.DRY waterproofing, engineered mesh uppers that provide an optimal combination of flexibility and abrasion resistance, and athletic-based designs that won’t hold you back. So, whether you get your 10,000 steps climbing a mountain or finishing your delivery route, you’re sure to find the right footwear here. The men’s Reno soft toe is available in a mid-height and a low-cut, while the women’s Reno soft toe comes in a mid-height.
KEEN Utility fans say:
“Use these for everyday wear, love love love them. Especially great if you're someone that lives somewhere rainy and hilly.” — Kimmy
“They fit very well, the heel locks in tight and they are very comfortable for having them on all day at work. I will definitely buy another pair once I wear this pair out .” — Patrick
Ever look at the loading dock at your jobsite and think “Hey! I could skate that!”? Well, we wouldn’t recommend it. But KEEN Utility does make a style that fits the vibe. Our Kenton work sneaker perfectly blends throwback skate-shoe style with modern, lightweight jobsite protection. The KEEN.ReGEN midsole returns up to 50% energy with every step, while a carbon toe keeps you safe without weighing you down. It’s available in mid-height and low-cut versions so you can match it to your workflow.
KEEN Utility fans say:
“Fits great, comfortable summer work shoes.” — Jason
“Great work shoe. Lightweight, but sturdy. I can walk all day in these bad boys and not feel like "I gotta get em off" at the end of the day.” — Dustin
From double shifts to fun house projects, KEEN Utility transitional work boots can do it all. With proven safety features, a supportive fit, and work-to-weekend good looks, they’re sure to be the most versatile pair in your closet.
