Journeyman Lineman puts Frank’s boots to the test!

These boots have done a lot. From digging holes to climbing poles. They handle long walks in the right of ways where trucks couldn’t access to the snow salt covered roads of New Jersey.

My leather has been through the wringer. Break in was completed with in the first week with my leather choice being super soft. With that being said I would not order the Horween Natural Chromexcel because of how soft it is. I felt like a walk in the right of way i noticed where every thorn touched. Also my last day climbing you can see where the gaff have put a mild incision on the inside of my boots. My care routine was very simple almost non existent until photo day. I brushed them on photo day and a damp cloth to get rid of the dust I put a little oil when I noticed the leather getting dry from the salty roads.

The fit done by the team at Franks was a home run! With the perfect fit comes the best comfort. I needed custom uppers because I have such a high instep I would be the first to tell you when a boot is uncomfortable. 10/10

The design and construction of these boots are one of a kind. From my brown shark backstay to my custom uppers. In a couple spots I see the stitching was a little sloppy but other than that everything has been done beautifully to my standards because they are a work boot and not a boot going in a magazine.

My experience with the 430’s completely caught me off guard. With minis having so little tread I thought I would need a resole by now but they have held up to the point I can’t even tell I’ve worn them for six months. I really like the minis because they don’t hold mud and dirt. So that means no more banging your feet on the ground to clean the tread which increases comfort because I am not giving myself sore feet.

My experience with the Dogger heel has been great. I think they look amazing on my boots also I’ve had very little slips. I think I had very little slips because the treads are so tiny that they don’t hold mud or dirt and you get clean tread with every step.

My final thoughts. I love these boots for what they are. The construction and comfort is top notch. I’m really obsessed with how well the brown shark backstay is blending into these boots and I can’t wait to see what year one or year two will look like in these boots. Would I order this leather again? No, because the leather so soft and in my line of work I need a little more durable leather because I’m not sure what conditions will be thrown at these boots day to day.