5 Year Review of Cofra Thermic Safety Boots

A Construction Worker’s Personal Review of Cofra Thermic Industrial Rubber Boots

If you’re asking yourself the question are Cofra Thermic industrial rubber boots worth the money, then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve personally owned a pair of Cofra boots for the last 5 years and I have to admit that I’ve changed my mind on these boots from my first review. I feel that my personal review below of these boots will help answer any questions you might have.

Cofra Thermic Industrial Rubber Boots: Are they worth it?

My first reaction to these boots was that you can tell right away that these are a high-end rubber boot. My second thought was that they looked really heavy. However, that thought quickly goes away when you actually pick one up and you realize how light weight they really are compared to other brands in this category. And if you’ve ever worked with heavy boots all day you know that being light weight will be so much better on your well being at the end of the day. I mean they look rugged and heavy with that thick tread pattern on the bottoms but without the steel safety toe or shank this really cuts the weight down significantly.

They are 100% metal free. I liked how this made a massive difference with weight and also keeping the boot warmer for longer periods of time. I’ve put these boots through the ringer for what they can handle, and they passed the test time and time again for light weight and warmth. I have to say you definitely pay for what you get in the higher end rubber boot category. But that doesn’t mean that they are perfect or that they will be perfect fit for your line of work.

One thing I’ve noticed is that there is a break-in period on these boots that is not very comfortable on the feet. It took mine about 2 to 3 weeks to break-in to my foot. I experienced rubbing and soreness of my foot. This really made me think that maybe I made a bad purchase but that did change as they broke-in to my foot a few weeks later.

The other downside I found was that if you wear an orthotic in your boots, make sure to test that out at the store beforehand. These boots fit snug and if you are wearing a thicker sock that will cut out any extra room for your orthotics. But due to the snug fit I find them to give the support where needed.

Another note: the cold does affect these boots and will make them more rigid. You will notice this in -10 to -40 degree weather and working in those temps there will likely be ice or hard packed snow. These boots are like any other rubber boots on ice or hard packed snow and will be slippery. In my honest opinion if you’re just using this boot for around the house snow blowing or for garden work, they might just be the last pair you’ll ever buy.

Would I buy Cofra thermic boots again?

I would absolutely buy the Cofra thermic boots again. I personally love these boots and after the initial break-in period they turned into one of my favorite pair of boots for home and construction sites. I really enjoy just being able to slip them on and off without boot liners and they actually have a built-in heel ledge that makes this even faster after a long day working outside. There also self standing so it makes taking them off very easy. I believe that there is a boot liner you can purchase with this boot however I have never felt the need to purchase those and my feet have always been warm in minus degree weather. All you need is a good pair of wool socks in these boots in the winter to keep your feet warm and dry.

These pics are of my Cofra boots in action at work and at play over the last five years. However, I will add that 2 of those years were strictly for home use and play. You can see from the pics throughout this personal review that the Cofra boots really stand up to a lot. Other then a couple of nicks out of the tread pattern my boots seem to be in the same shape from when I first purchased them, and I don’t see any major signs of them breaking down soon. Its quite possible that these boots will see another 3 years of winters on the construction site. So far so good. I’m quite impressed with them.

This informational review has been gathered from my personal experience with this brand over the last five years, so it’s jammed packed with helpful tips for anyone interested in purchasing them, now or down the road.

Below I’ll be covering the types of jobs I think are best suited for this type of boot if worn on a daily basis. I’ll also show what a Cofra pair of boots looks like after 5 years of heavy industrial form work, which in my opinion is the most physical occupation one can have out of the construction industry. I’ll also be going over some top features any buyer should consider before making a purchase.

PROS
– 100% Metal Free
– Electrical resistance
– Cold protection to -50 degrees
– Light Weight
– Chemical & Hydrocarbon Resistance
– Waterproof
– Thermal insulation
– Slip Resistance
– Cut Resistance
– Ankle Protection
– CSA/ANSI approved

CONS
– Aggressive tread
– Rigid Construction
– Tougher to operate heavy equipment
– Cold makes them more rigid

Top Key Features to Consider
– 100% metal free: This makes the boot lightweight and provides added warmth due to a non-metallic toe cap
– High Electrical Resistance: The result of being steel free
– Cold Protection to -50: Yes, I’ve never had a major issue in the extreme cold with these boots with a higher end wool sock.
– Chemical and Hydrocarbon Resistance: Diesel and Gas. I’ve spilt both on mine multiple times throughout a job without any issues. I’ve also poured concrete multiple times and they’re still good as new.
– Cut Resistance: I’ve had plenty of opportunities to have my boot cut from rubbing against cut rebar and exposed nails and they hold up well to it. However, it does depend on the force in which the boot is exposed to. But daily scrapes there’s no issues here.
– Thermal Insulation: I personally have had no issues with my feet being cold in these boots in minus degree weather.
– Waterproof: Yes, 100%
– CSA/ANSI: Approved

Break Down of my 5-Year-Old Cofra Thermic Boots in Pics

So far, I have not had any issue with splitting of seems or cracks whatsoever. These boots have been put to the test on different jobsites many times.

I can only find a few small issues on the sole from normal wear and tear. But there’s still plenty of material there to wear out yet to cause any major issues. Check out the pics below for closer detail.

Cofra boots after 5 years of heavy industrial form work

Jobs best suited for the Cofra Thermic boots

– Farmer
– Refinery Worker
– Concrete Worker/ Form Work
– Forestry Worker
– Land Surveyor
– Plumbers
– Carpenters
– Construction Labourer
– Industrial Electrician
– Sewer and Watermain Worker
– Landscaper

Conclusion

– These Boots are very durable and are great for work and play
– They will hold up to everything thrown at then from the construction site to the barn yard and more.
– They will take a bit to break into your foot.
– Very warm while working in winter conditions
– Will be more ridged in colder winter conditions
– Aggressive tread pattern can be sticky on certain surfaces
– Tread pattern can be very slippery on wet smoother surfaces
– These boots are 100% water proof.
– Full safety stamped
– Metal free = warmer in winter conditions
– Liner free = ease of taking on and off
– Fit snug so should try on at store first if you use a orthotic.

All-in-all these boots will serve the purpose for you and although they are not perfect, they are really close in my personal opinion.

Original article here at – www.keepdryfeet.com/product-review/cofra-thermic-safety-boots-review/