6460 CSA Engineer

Introduced as part of Dayton's CSA-certified work boot line, the 6460 CSA Engineer incorporates the company's heritage construction techniques while meeting workplace safety standards. The boot is constructed using Goodyear welt methods in Dayton's Vancouver factory, following manufacturing processes that have remained consistent for nearly 70 years.

The 6460 CSA Engineer draws its design from Dayton's original 64 Logger boot, adapting the heritage logger style for modern safety requirements. In 1978, Dayton Boots launched its double-soled Engineer Boot, which became recognized among motorcyclists worldwide. The engineer boot style has since been adopted for various industrial applications while maintaining its core structural features.

The boot is built on the 64 Last, a form that has been part of Dayton's production since the company's early decades serving the logging industry in British Columbia. This last shape provides the foundation for the boot's fit characteristics and has been refined through decades of use in demanding work environments.

The 6460 CSA Engineer employs Goodyear welt construction, a method developed by Charles Goodyear Jr. in 1869 that attaches the upper to the sole through a leather welt strip. This construction creates a water-resistant seal through tight stitching while allowing the boot to be resoled multiple times throughout its service life. The welt is stitched using waxed thread to seal stitch holes, and cork fills the cavity under the insole, molding to the wearer's foot over time.

Manufacturing each pair of Dayton Boots involves over 230 individual steps, all performed in the company's East Vancouver facility. The production process includes hand-cutting leather to ensure consistent thickness and grain selection, triple stitching for ongoing reliability, and the integration of a steel shank for lasting arch support. The boots feature leather lining for breathability and comfort during extended wear periods.

The upper is constructed from 7-7.5 oz. full-grain leather in either Logger Tan or Black Oil Tan colors. This leather weight provides durability for industrial applications while allowing the material to develop patina with use. The full-grain designation indicates that the leather retains its natural grain pattern, as opposed to corrected or buffed leather surfaces.

The 6460 CSA Engineer meets CSA Standard Z195-14 (R2023) "Protective footwear," earning the Green Triangle certification mark. This certification indicates Class 1 steel toe cap protection combined with a puncture-resistant sole. The Green Triangle is the only grade permitted for use in construction work sites in Canada.

The Grade 1 steel toe cap provides impact resistance of 125 joules, approximately equivalent to 13 kilograms of force. A composite plate integrated into the sole construction provides puncture resistance, meeting the CSA requirements for protection against penetration by sharp objects. These safety features are integrated into the boot's construction rather than added as external components, maintaining the engineer boot profile while meeting regulatory requirements.

The 6460 CSA Engineer is fitted with the Vibram 100 Montagna Lug Full Sole in black. The Vibram 100 Montagna, known as "the sole that conquered Mt. Everest," provides substantial traction through its lug design. The sole measures 11.6mm in thickness and is manufactured from Vibram's SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) and Fire & Ice compounds, formulated for resistance to oils, solvents, and extreme temperatures.

The lug pattern provides edging capabilities for both ascent and descent on uneven surfaces, while remaining durable for use on both pavement and turf. This sole configuration balances the requirements for industrial traction with the chemical resistance needed in work environments involving petroleum products or other industrial chemicals.

Dayton Boots uses UK sizing, which typically fits one full size down from standard North American sneaker sizes. For example, a wearer of North American size 8.5 would typically require a Dayton size 7.5. Women's sizing runs three full sizes down from US Women's sneaker sizes. This sizing system reflects the company's British Commonwealth heritage and the use of English-sourced lasts in the company's early production years.

Dayton Boots offers a lifetime warranty to original owners, covering manufacturer defects and materials. The company's workshop regularly services boots that are 10, 20, and even 30 or more years old, facilitated by the Goodyear welt construction that allows for sole replacement. The welt construction enables local cobblers to resole the boots, adding years or decades to the footwear's serviceable lifespan beyond the original sole wear.

Dayton Boots was founded in winter 1946 by Charlie Wohlford, who had been manager of the Lumberman's Social Club. Wohlford gained recognition for repairing loggers' boots to quality standards exceeding new production, leading to demand for his work boot manufacturing. Made in East Vancouver for over 70 years, Dayton Boots are now produced under the Wohlford & Co name (formerly Dayton Boots), though the boot lines and manufacturing methods remain consistent with the company's heritage.

"Dayton's" became the standard by which CSA work boots were measured across industries from logging to construction, oil patch work, and fire and police departments. The company's hand-crafted production using consistent methods has maintained these quality standards across the company's production history.