JK Boots O.T. Review: The All-Day Work Boot Built to Last
The O.T. is a boot that can turn skeptics nervous about the price into lifers wondering how they every worked without them. The secret to these boots isn't really that complicated. Using quality materials like 50% thicker leather, an arch support that actually does its job, and a construction that makes these boots rebuildable rather than disposable. Knee pain gone. Back pain gone. Foot pain gone. You could be a carpenter, mechanic, farm hand, or do any other type of job, for our customers that are used to other types of boots, they describe getting their first pair as a before-and-after moment. Let's take a look at some of their reviews.
What customers are saying
"Just do it"
★★★★★"For reference, the best pair of boots I wore before these were Danner Bull Run moc toes. I then fell down the Rose Anvil rabbit hole. Didn't realize how fascinating I've recently found leather working and traditional boot construction. Being a craftsman myself, I just wasn't going to be happy until I got some JKs. These are amazing. I now get to wear a pair of boots that a team of people put as much handmade skill into as my employees and I put into building someones addition, cabinets, or furniture. Pair the brown leather with a set of canyon bison kilties and ****, that contrast looks sharp. Just finished my first day on them. It's going to take a week or so for this super thick leather upper to form around my ankles and crease easily. Immediately I noticed the arch support that I've never felt in a boot before. Your heel is HAMMERED back into the counter, but it stays put. You'd think it would hurt after a while, but it doesn't. No heel slippage, no blisters. My toes have all the room they need, that lineman shank tapers down at the perfect place on the ***** of my feet. I'm using the super thin supplied insole, I trimmed it to fit properly. I used the JK fitting guide, you should too. I tested a pair of 2E and they were tight w/the insole, perfect fit no insole. So I got 3E with intentions of using an insole. They feel so good. I do not look forward to taking them off at night. They just got a new customer for life and I'll tell anyone who will listen."
“I've seen the light!“
★★★★★"Was a bit nervous dropping almost $600 after tax and shipping for boots. I needed to do something though as I have psoriatic arthritis and have been plagued by foot pain and swelling. I read a lot online and watched youtube videos (thanks Rose Anvil and Wranglerstar) and they said with a high quality all leather PWN boot would break in and mold to my foot. After a month of break in these boots are like stepping into a perfect foot imprint. I can wear them 10 hours without pain and then go for a walk when I get home. These have changed my life. I ended up dropping an order for a pair of honey Bison SuperDuty shortly after. These are worth every penny and I will never wear cheap footwear again!
Sizing wise just follow their directions and you will be fine. I measured a bit over 11.5 on the Brannock device and I went with a size 11. Very happy. Ball of my foot was 11-1/4" around and I went 5E width.
I have high arches but had never worn footwear with arch support before. It did feel like I was standing on a ladder rung for the first week or so. Just go slow, they will break in and you will adjust. I'll never go back to flat footwear again now. Can't wait for my Bison SD to show up."
"Life changing experience"
★★★★★"Ive been using variety of boots from redwing and origins and they're pretty good to me until i started to develop a striking pain on the arch of my foot. Its manageable after changing the soles etc but why do I have to do that on expensive boots. through further research Ive found J.K. boots in youtube and immediately got intrigued. Ive actually was going to buy ***** first but for a first time buyer I got lost in their selection and price tag. However J.K. boots was simpler and straightforward. as long as you follow the sizing guide and boot care, you're heading the right direction. Ordered the O.T 8 inches and upon arrival I'm just in awe. this is way different than any of my boots. its just built different. a little bit of oil and break in and Im all set. Ive been wearing these boots at work or just walking my dogs or just anywhere. Ive noticed that the usual pain on my knee, foot arch and lower back have disappeared through my hikes and at work and i think these boots are just what i needed all these time. its life changing experience for me and i hope people can experience it too."
“Great Boots“
★★★★★"These O.T’s with the honey Vibram sole are my first PNW boot purchase. I decided to go with JK after much consideration, something about them and their “brand” ,if you will , just stuck out to me. Let me tell you, I’ve only been wearing these for boots for 2 weeks and I can tell the quality is top notch! I’m in love and I love wearing them. I’ve got about 100 hours in them and I’d say around hour 60 they were nicely breaking in enough to be very comfortable. I’m now addicted and have ordered 2 more pairs. Some brown Forefronts and a pair of the Founder’s edition boots 😳. I’m a mechanic (or try to be some days) but the boots definitely get put through their paces, walking, kneeling, spilling oil and **** on them. I have no doubt they will last a long time. I’m a JK customer for life. I would like them to come out with some more heritage styles though, that would be cool. I really like JK. Thanks"
"Versatile, comfortable, and aesthetic"
★★★★★"Thanks to Ernest and Trevor I was able to stay on top of my order's ETA and satisfy questions about sizing. When I received my boots break-in was required but not painstaking or too difficult. The boots feel dense, incredibly well-made, and extremely comfortable four months into wearing them daily. I work on a wood floor, and my state experiences all four seasons. The OT has felt great in the summer, fall, and now winter conditions. I don't put my boots through **** at work so I appreciate the finish and appearance of the boot. I work in an urban area and I feel that the OT can be worn in the mountains or streetside just as well. I wore my pair to my sister's wedding in the desert and walked them all around the city of Detroit. I think these are great all-around work-and-play boots. I'm eyeing an all-black pair of 300s to add to my collection."
"Absolute perfection !"
★★★★★"I only have one grip with the Black OT’s or two actually , one i never got a bottle of oil with my purchase so i was a little bummed not gonna lie. 2 is how wide the sole of the boot is ! besides that they are by far the most comfortable pair of boots i’ve worn so far in my 42 yrs on earth. I have 4 pairs total , 2 pairs i’m waiting on and i can’t wait to get them because there the bison leather . literally little to no break in period for myself , there’s also plenty of toe room which is always a plus and they look fresh as ****. I get compliments non stop about them , just today my instructor asked me about them cause he said they looked really nice …… so of course i put him on to the JK Crew . Keep up the stellar work gents"
“Putting in the OT“
★★★★★"My first pair of JK boots. I was super nervous about spending this much money on boots but I researched a lot and watched a lot of Tims videos on YouTube. I absolutely love these boots. I am on my feet walking powerlines 10-12 hours a day on all types of terrain from asphalt to steep rugged terrain and my feet feel amazing at the end of the day. They are very supportive and comfortable. Break in time was nothing. My first day wearing them I walked 9.5 miles. Currently working in Wisconsin in 2-3 feet of snow every day and my feet are dry at the end of the day. Great boot, and highly recommend! I will definitely have these rebuilt or buy another pair in the future."
"Redwood o.t.'s"
★★★★★"So to begin with the ot's I purchased were a bit to small... after 2 days of wearing them I was ready to burn them... but after calling jk boots and getting some advise the 3rd day into wearing my jks they felt like a new pair of boots... the break in was over and they are now my most favorite boots ever! They are waterproof, and tough as nails, they also have the best fit and feel of any boots I've had in my entire life(I'm 41 yrs) ! The short of it is I love them, when they tell you trust the process..... they mean it! I love these boots! Mike in Vermont."
"Went black, won’t go back!"
★★★★★"This is my first pair of JK’s. The OT - Black was my try-on boots and they fit perfectly and look pretty darn sharp. So I figured I might as well put them to the test. As a mechanic on a farm, these boots out preform all others. From the shop to field to construction projects, they have never made me think twice about my purchase. Break-in was quick (2 weeks) and getting more comfortable every day. They are also great riding boots. I’ll put a few more miles on these and give a more detailed review in a few months, but as of right now, I’m very impressed."
“Awesome boots“
★★★★★"The boots are amazing. I have the bison forefronts and I do like the bison leather better but you can’t go wrong with any boot JK makes. The OT’s did take about two weeks to break in but it’s an over all great boot. I work on concrete every day and don’t have any problems with either boot. It’s worth every penny and I’m going to order the shadow bison custom super duty next. The customer service is wonderful and the sizing was accurate also the lead times are better than any other company. I can’t ask for a better experience."
Ending Thoughts
You can spill oil on them, do 10+ hour days in them, use them on concrete, snow, and even wear them to weddings. That doesn't change how the O.T. performs. For these customers, their stories were very similar. A short break-in period followed by a feeling like it was made for your foot, because in every way that matters, it was. Handmade in the USA with leather built for beatings and fit that will just help your body feel a whole lot better, the O.T. was made to work overtime with you. If you're ready to stop cycling through boots, the O.T. was built for you.
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