Blauer has been making boots longer than I've been wearing them and the Clash Waterproof line shows they're still improving on the concept.
In my career I've worn all manner of boot from slip ons (yuck) to steel toed zip ups (Big City fireman boots!) to whatever was cheap at the uniform
store.
I've reviewed Magnum Boots in the past and enjoyed their fit and specs and the Blauer Clash did not disappoint.
Often I give the boots I review a thorough testing period through random Engine Company duties such as footing ladders in drills, PT, footing gurneys etc but my new gig doesn't have much of that but it does have one thing most jobs don't:
Walking.
I do a lot of walking where I am and having a comfortable boot to do it in is essential. The Clash 6" is far more flexible out of the box than I expected and it fit my foot well in my regular duty socks. No extra thick hiking socks needed here to fill gaps. There is no safety toe which may exclude it from some EMS and Fire duty, but as a supervisor I can get by without it, especially since I have the option at work of wearing a dress shoe instead of my boots.
The Clash has a number of features that set it aside and the first one that caught my attention before putting it on was the goofy looking disc on the front. I say goofy looking because, well, this boot has no laces, zipper, or other discernible method of applying pressure to snug the boot. They reminded me of Marty McFly Jr's shoes from October 2015...wait a minute...that's next year!
That disc is part of the new BOA system, a steel cable that is tightened by spinning the disc and loosened by pulling the disc forward. I'll admit I was skeptical at first but the disc does what they say and I am able to quickly don the boots and tighten as well as release and don turn out boots (in case I need a safety toe...see?)
The BOA system does take some getting used to but as soon as you learn your comfort level, the boots begin to give support to the ankle and above right away.
However, once the boots are on and you begin to walk, and remember I do a lot of walking now, the real clever feature of this boot is revealed. In the rear of the 6" Clash boot is a notch about an inch deep, padded, that allows an almost full range of motion with your ankle when walking. Where my usual boots catch and have to bend, this boot remains supportive laterally and my achilles tendon never feels stressed.
The toe takes polish like a champ but did scuff easily before I got a coat of polish on.
Another feature of the Blauer 6" Clash Boot I didn't expect is the almost velcro grip on the sole of the boot. Your pal Happy is a lover, not a fighter, and I am known to wipe my feet, dirty or not, on door mats. When I did so in my Blaur 6" Clash boots they did not move. The honeycomb pattern somehow grabs the flooring and won't let me wipe my feet naturally. Perhaps my old boots are old and worn, but this was a pleasant surprise.
In conclusion, the Blaur 6" Clash Waterproof boot is a safe investment for anyone who needs a reliable boot to do a fair amount of walking. If your agency requires a steel or safety toe sadly this won't fit the bill, but those in law enforcement, security and some EMS agencies should certainly find them at your local shop and give them a try. If you are doing special events or are on your feet most of the day this is the boot you've been looking for.
I recommend the Blauer 6" Clash and give it a 446 out of 654 based on math I won't bore you with (but the spreadsheet looks amazing!)
On a sidenote to boot manufacturers: Stop putting your logo on the inside of the boot. It never lasts more than a day and I've had that with every boot I've ever tried. It makes me feel dirty when I wear them for 9 hours, then see your logo mostly gone. That is all.
In my career I've worn all manner of boot from slip ons (yuck) to steel toed zip ups (Big City fireman boots!) to whatever was cheap at the uniform
store.
I've reviewed Magnum Boots in the past and enjoyed their fit and specs and the Blauer Clash did not disappoint.
Often I give the boots I review a thorough testing period through random Engine Company duties such as footing ladders in drills, PT, footing gurneys etc but my new gig doesn't have much of that but it does have one thing most jobs don't:
Walking.
I do a lot of walking where I am and having a comfortable boot to do it in is essential. The Clash 6" is far more flexible out of the box than I expected and it fit my foot well in my regular duty socks. No extra thick hiking socks needed here to fill gaps. There is no safety toe which may exclude it from some EMS and Fire duty, but as a supervisor I can get by without it, especially since I have the option at work of wearing a dress shoe instead of my boots.
The Clash has a number of features that set it aside and the first one that caught my attention before putting it on was the goofy looking disc on the front. I say goofy looking because, well, this boot has no laces, zipper, or other discernible method of applying pressure to snug the boot. They reminded me of Marty McFly Jr's shoes from October 2015...wait a minute...that's next year!
That disc is part of the new BOA system, a steel cable that is tightened by spinning the disc and loosened by pulling the disc forward. I'll admit I was skeptical at first but the disc does what they say and I am able to quickly don the boots and tighten as well as release and don turn out boots (in case I need a safety toe...see?)
The BOA system does take some getting used to but as soon as you learn your comfort level, the boots begin to give support to the ankle and above right away.
However, once the boots are on and you begin to walk, and remember I do a lot of walking now, the real clever feature of this boot is revealed. In the rear of the 6" Clash boot is a notch about an inch deep, padded, that allows an almost full range of motion with your ankle when walking. Where my usual boots catch and have to bend, this boot remains supportive laterally and my achilles tendon never feels stressed.The toe takes polish like a champ but did scuff easily before I got a coat of polish on.
Another feature of the Blauer 6" Clash Boot I didn't expect is the almost velcro grip on the sole of the boot. Your pal Happy is a lover, not a fighter, and I am known to wipe my feet, dirty or not, on door mats. When I did so in my Blaur 6" Clash boots they did not move. The honeycomb pattern somehow grabs the flooring and won't let me wipe my feet naturally. Perhaps my old boots are old and worn, but this was a pleasant surprise.In conclusion, the Blaur 6" Clash Waterproof boot is a safe investment for anyone who needs a reliable boot to do a fair amount of walking. If your agency requires a steel or safety toe sadly this won't fit the bill, but those in law enforcement, security and some EMS agencies should certainly find them at your local shop and give them a try. If you are doing special events or are on your feet most of the day this is the boot you've been looking for.
I recommend the Blauer 6" Clash and give it a 446 out of 654 based on math I won't bore you with (but the spreadsheet looks amazing!)
On a sidenote to boot manufacturers: Stop putting your logo on the inside of the boot. It never lasts more than a day and I've had that with every boot I've ever tried. It makes me feel dirty when I wear them for 9 hours, then see your logo mostly gone. That is all.
Comments
Clash Boot Review | The Happy Medic < Loved it!
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