Bates Men's 5 Inch Waterproof Safety Boots for Firefighters - Slip Resistant Work Boots for Construction, Industrial & Emergency Rescue Scenarios

I was looking for a boot that had these essential features:-- black leather upper, to make care/cleaning easy-- waterproof yet breathable-- Vibram anti-slip sole-- well-built, as indicated by double or triple stitching where appropriate-- comfortable, with an athletic fit for agility-- lightweight preferred, but not at expense of durability or other features aboveThe Bates Maneuver Mid hit all of those marks for me, at a price that was more reasonable than a direct competitor, the 5.11 XPRT 3.0. I tried both side-by-side. They are both good, but the Bates Maneuver Mid was over $50 cheaper and 1" shorter, which I found acceptable without loss of stability. I also preferred the traditional lace system employed by Maneuver Mid with paracord laces provided.It is true that they seem to fit tight/narrow, but this is due to the thick insole. If you are impatient you can change the insole out for something thinner, but if you are patient and break them in, you may find they fit like a glove.If I could change one thing, it would be to offer a lightweight safety toe version of the same model. As it is now, if safety toe is a priority, you have to give up one or more of the above features.Overall very pleased, thank you Bates for making a great boot to replace my Navy boondockers of 26 years.