No matter what trade you work or job you hold, finding a comfortable work boot or shoe can be a serious challenge if you’re on your feet most of the day. Make the wrong choice, and it’s not just painful for your legs and lower back, it’s also money you’re throwing away. Timberland Pro just announced their XR-1 work shoe, and I wanted to know a bit more about the tech behind it. I’ll share what I learned and help you decide if it offers the relief you’re looking for.
Timberland Pro XR-1 Work Shoe Basics
Style
First things first—the Timberland Pro XR-1 is available in both men’s and women’s styles. When I find a work boot or shoe with a winning formula, it’s a letdown when there’s no version for the ladies, so I’m glad Timberland has both.
From a style perspective, the XR-1 has an athletic shoe look and sports left/right-specific asymmetrical alloy safety toes. For those of you who avoid work boots because of their weight, stiffness, or style, this should be music to your ears.
Build
The upper features a nylon mesh with high breathability. Mesh won’t keep water out, but if you tend to have sweaty feet (guilty!), pairing these with quality moisture-wicking socks should keep you dry all day.
If you compare these to a standard pair of athletic shoes, you’ll notice a difference in the toe box. It’s more generous, which gives the shoe room for the alloy toe and for your toes to spread out more comfortably. However, it gives the shoe a slightly more bulky look compared to a pure athletic shoe.
For comfort, the shoe is built around what Timberland Pro calls its 24/7 Comfort Suspension System. It’s designed specifically to hold up in working conditions while supporting your arch and increasing the amount of cushioning under your foot with an insole and midsole combination.
The midsole is where the rubber meets the road. Well, not literally. That’s actually the outsole’s job. But in my experience, the midsole does more to aid in comfort than the insole. The XR-1 uses Timberland Pro’s Hover Spring lightweight foam midsole. These newer EVA midsoles tend to be lighter, more flexible, and far more comfortable than the polyurethane midsole we often see on work boots.
The insole is an Ortholite design made from a polyurethane base that holds up better than EVA foam over time. It has a moisture-wicking lining and antimicrobial treatment to keep odor in check.
Finally, the outsole is heat, oil, slip, and abrasion-resistant, which we expect. It’s also non-marring, so it’s safe to work on polished concrete or other floors where scuff marks are frowned upon.
Timberland Pro XR-1 Work Shoes at a Glance
- Mutilation Free Mesh Upper: Provides lightweight, durable upper construction that’s highly breathable. The eyelets are made to reduce the risk of marking or scratching up any surfaces you hit.
- Alloy Safety Toe: Metallic, asymmetrical left/right-specific safety toes that meets ASTM F2413 impact (I) and compression (C) requirements when tested to ASTM F2412.
- Dynamic Natural Fit: Offers generous toe box space to better align with your foot’s natural shape.
- 24/7+ TM” Enhanced Comfort Technology: Combination of an Ortholite insole and high-rebound midsole that fights foot fatigue by dispersing pressure, support the arch, and adding cushion.
- OrthoLite Insoles: Lightweight comfort foam insoles made of durable polyurethane that wick moisture, reduce odor with an antimicrobial treatment, and add cushioning.
- HoverSpring Midsole: Lightweight foam with high-rebound performance to improve comfort.
- Rubber Outsole: Heat-resistant, durable rubber compound with certified slip, oil, and abrasion resistance.
- Cement Construction: Reduces the weight of the build while offering excellent out-of-the-box flexibility.
- Electric Hazard Protection: Meets the ASTM standards F2413 and F2892 requirements when tested to F2412.
- Slip-Resistant (SR): Meets the SR requirements of ASTM F2413, F2892, or F3445, when tested to F2913.
Timberland Pro XR-1 Work Shoe Price
Both the men’s and women’s versions of these shoes are $105. Men’s sizes run 7 – 14, with half sizes through 12. The women’s style is available from 5.5 – 11, with half sizes through 10. Both come in medium or wide widths.
For color, both versions come in Blackout. Men also have a Gray Mesh/Orange option, while women have a Blue Ripstop/Purple combination.
Should You Buy Them?
If you’re looking to shed the weight and stiffness of traditional work boots, the XR-1 could be a great fit for you. With its generous cushioning and high flexibility, it’s a natural fit for indoor environments that require a safety toe.
However, there are a few reasons you might need to think twice. The mesh upper is more likely to let water in, and it doesn’t have the same stability as a work boot. Also, if you do electrical work and require a full non-metallic build, the alloy toe is a deal-breaker, even though the shoe itself carries an EH rating.
