CMS-Japanese Motorcycle Supply Parts

Safety Boot Review: Steel Blue Argyle Zip


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The boots I am reviewing today are a set of safety work boots from Steel Blue known as the Argyle Zip (available on eBay AU). They are available in black and wheat, and I have a copy of the wheat coloured variant:

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

The boots are 150mm high and the manufacturer describes them as a derby-style, lace-up safety work boot. They are also marked as being anti-static and having good water resistance. They are also steel-capped and able to resist a drop force of 200 joules - and this particular boot has a polyurethane bump cap covering the toe to protect the leather beneath.

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

Additional options for the Argyle Zip range (beyond the bump cap noted above) are a nitrile outersole for 300°C temperature resistance, a steel plate within the sole for penetration resistance and the removal of the steel cap.

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

The standard outersole is TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) which is stated to be highly resistant to most oil and chemicals and is heat resistant up to 130° Celsius:

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

TPU is also supposed to have high tolerance against cuts, abrasion, cracking or splitting damage and has good tear strength. The Argyle Zip has both laces:

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

...and a zip down the side:

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

The zip is a Riri item, which if you haven't heard of them generally seem to be considered as being in the same league as YKK:

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

The inner sole is "Ortho Rebound":

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

The top of the inner sole is high wicking material that's apparently resistant to abrasion. Beneath that is a polyurethane footbed and then a flexible anti-microbial insole. Beneath all that are energy absorbing, anti-bacterial PORON inserts:

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

The Argyle Zip boots generally seem to be available in sizes from 3 to 14, and half sizes are available within that range from 6.5 to 12.5. Some variants seem to have sizes 15 and 16 also available and some have additional half sizes available. The half sizes provide additional width without increasing the length of the boot.

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

There's some padding around the back of the ankle:

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

...and the model number (well, the 152 part of 332152) on the Velcro'd cover for the zip:

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

It meeds the following safety standards:

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

The box came with a sticker suggesting that the boot had been endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association - looking at their endorsed products list Steel Blue would seem to be the only safety boot company with such an endorsement. All of the other endorsed companies also appear to be alone in their field, for what that's worth.:

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

The reviewed pair were a size 6.5 (Australian sizing, other sizes on label):

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

I am working on getting them weighed - they certainly feel light for work boots but having the numbers would be nice. If you are specifically looking for light weight boots and don't mind the lack of a steel cap have a look at the Steel Blue Canberra (eBay AU) and Torquay (eBay AU) composite-toed range.

So far I have worn the boots for a week and have been extremely pleased with the comfort provided - I usually wear them for between four to eight hours a day, seven days a week in an automotive workshop or outdoors setting. Compared to the $70 pair of safety boots I was wearing previously the Argyle Zip boots are able to be worn for much longer without foot and knee pain and feel distinctly more comfortable throughout the day. Of note, I am wearing them with King Gee Bamboo socks, which feel like a good match to the boots and are available on eBay AU.

The zipper seems to be of good quality and is nice and large and the laces are of an appropriate length. My only gripe with the boots is that I would like a tab at the back to help pull them on with!

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

Steel Blue offer a 6 month manufacturer's warranty on their boots, which are made in either Australia or Indonesia as far as we can tell.

If you're keen for a pair check out the deals on eBay AU.

Are the Steel Blue Argyle Zip boots any good? As part of our review of them we have a variety of photos showcasing their features, and this is one of them!

As far as colour choice goes, Steel Blue state that due to the Baltico lining in their boots the outer colour will make no difference to the wearer in terms of one colour (i.e. black) being hotter than the alternatives.

I'll post an update after a month of wearing them!



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