Irish Setter Edgerton XD review

Sturdy boots are not optional for many trades. These Edgerton XDs may be a good footwear choice for people who work hard.

by Leon Pantenburg

Irish Setter supplied the product to be reviewed. I was not paid to write this post, and I don’t work for Irish Setter or the Red Wing Shoe Company. Irish Setter is a division of the Red Wing Shoe Company. These are my opinions and nobody had any input into the contents. All we ever promise is a fair and unbiased testing and review.

My “gap year” from college was the blue-collar, working-class version. I was broke and couldn’t afford tuition, so I dropped out of Iowa State University and got a job at the Ames, Iowa Sundstrand transmission factory. The plan was to earn enough money to go back to ISU in the fall.

Anyway, I was operating an impact wrench, tightening bolts on a transmission case, one of four that were on a pallet. A forklift was holding the pallet about a foot off the concrete. It was a typical noisy day on the factory floor, and the nearby assembly line racket prevented hearing much. I never heard a warning. Suddenly, the pallet dropped, pinning my left foot under several hundred pounds.

The Irish Setter Edgerton XD is a solid, hardcore work boot.

My co-workers quickly lifted the pallet so my foot could get out, then helped me limp to the medical station. My steel-toed boot had kept my foot from being crushed instead of just being badly bruised. Lesson learned: Never scrimp on quality footwear.

When I (finally) graduated from ISU, my first post-college job was working on a Story Construction Company crew that poured concrete footings for home construction. I was a ditch digger as needed and built forms for pouring concrete. OSHA decreed we would all wear a hard hat and steel-toed work boots. I wore mine with pride.

So I had considerable on-the-job experience and background already when asked to review the Irish Setter Edgerton XD  work boot.  The XDs are an addition to the popular Edgerton line. 

I’ve been wearing the Edgerton XDs recently. I like them. The boots fit me well and the style brings back (mostly!) happy memories of my blue-collar days. Working people need solid, protective footwear, and these Edgertons XD (stands for Extra Durable) may be just what the job requires.

Farming, construction and manufacturing plant shoes have a tough life. The work can be strenuous, shifts can be long and the wearer might spend long hours standing on concrete. The XDs are recommended for commercial and residential construction, maintenance and repair and trades work.

For us weekend-warrior, homeowner do-it-yourselfers, shade tree mechanics and home improvement types, these boots may offer some support, comfort and protection you probably didn’t know you needed.

These boots would be appropriate for any  worksite where craftspeople work.

Here are the Edgerton XD specs: (according to the Irish Setter website)

 Soles: The non-marking Vibram® Fire & Ice rubber outsole meets the new ASTM slip resistance standard and is the most resistant to extreme weather.
The outsole is also rated best in class for oil/gas, chemicals, abrasion and heat. The outsole tread pattern is designed to provide traction and release mud with every step.

Full grain, waterproof leather uppers and direct attach welt construction deliver durable and comfortable footwear suitable for tough job sites. Toe and heel areas are reinforced with Armatec™ Protection for abrasion resistance. Underfoot stability is enhanced by a TPU (a flexible, rubber-like hybrid of plastic and polymer) shank.

EnerG® technology within the dual density midsole delivers extra comfort in the heel and forefoot impact zones with every step. This high rebound polyurethane material used in premium athletic shoes is strategically placed to minimize foot fatigue for workers who spend a lot of time on their feet.

Toe protection: A lightweight non-metallic safety toe offers toe protection while not conducting electricity.  This provides the protection of a steel toe without the weight and they won’t trip off metal detectors either.  A padded collar and Cushin™ comfort tongue add to comfort in the shin area.

Waterproof: UltraDry™ waterproofing offers protection in wet environments.

Electrical hazard: EH footwear is designed to reduce hazards due to contact of the outsole with electrically charged components. There is always the potential on any work site for an electrical short circuit.

The Vibram soles are designed to be non-slip and self-cleaning.

Here’s how the boots worked out:

Break-in time: All full-grain leather boots are tough, and take awhile to break in. The Edgertons are no exception. But the fit of mine was so good, they were never terribly uncomfortable. Out of the box, I put on a pair of Darn Tough® wool work socks, laced up the boots and went out for my nightly two-mile dog walk. The boots were stiff, but at the end of the walk they were definitely loosening up. I  will continue to wear them nightly dog walking and mowing the lawn, and intend to break them in gradually. (Here is how to break in boots quicker.)

Toe protection: Non-metallic safety toes won’t get as cold as steel or aluminum safety toe component. I’ve already mentioned why the safety toes are a really good idea!

Soles: Vibram® soles have been a standard on my footwear for decades, and I’ve never had a complaint with them. Vibram patterns vary, depending on the shoe model. The XDs’ sole is rated high for working in environments, like factories, where oil, chemicals and heat might be underneath. For a roofer or highway worker, the XD sole might be the boots’ best attribute, since heat comes with the job. Shedding mud easily is a really good aspect for construction workers, who might be in and out of a house, or up and down on ladders or scaffolds.

Waterproof: I typically don’t like waterproof liners on work boots, since the barriers usually can’t release moisture as fast as it is generated. This varies, naturally, according to the workplace conditions. In cold weather, this may not be a big deal. In really hot conditions, like working on hot concrete or asphalt, the liners won’t matter, since it’s hot anyway.

Then there’s this:

These are not hiking boots: Years ago, I backpacked several hundred miles in the mountains wearing Georgia logger boots. They were full-grain leather with steel toes, eight-inches high with one-inch heels and heavy. The loggers were tremendous overkill for hiking most trails, and not a good choice. While the XDs could serve you well as hikers, there are better choices.

Weight: You don’t get boots with full-grain leather uppers, quality soles and foot protection without them weighing in. These are heavy duty boots for hard work, so expect them to be hefty and solid.  Each boot weighs upward of two pounds, so change footwear to go dancing.

Waterproof liners: To me, boot breathability is more important than being waterproof. I can’t tell how breathable these boots are right now, since it is August in Mississippi, and it’s hot and humid everywhere. My experience is that a waterproof barrier in a work boot is probably not necessary and the barriers can contribute to a hot boot. Most barrier systems can’t transmit foot-generated moisture as fast as it happens, so your feet may stay sweaty.

I grew up in the trades and have the greatest respect for the skilled craftspeople who work in them. My dad was a carpenter and a part-time farmer, and I was operating a Skilsaw™ and driving tractors as soon as I was old enough to reach the pedals. Sturdy, leather footwear was a given.

These XDs are hardworking, durable footwear for heavy-duty outdoor jobs. You won’t be disappointed with the XDs. 

Consider these things when you are shopping for footwear:

• Shoes or boots for hiking?
• Waterproof or not?
• What are the best socks for the conditions?
• How do you avoid getting sore feet?
• Will the shoes or boots keep your feet warm?

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