The Unwired Medic

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Product Review: Magnum Response III 6.0 Boots

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I see this question often on Facebook and Twitter: “What boots should I get for EMS?”

About a year ago, Magnum was looking for wear testers and I signed up to see if I could join in. It’s a neat program that allows you to check out a few Magnum product and you can keep them. They do put out requests for wear testers on their social media pages, so make sure to follow Magnum on Facebook and Twitter.

A few months ago, they sent me a welcome package with a t-shirt, water bottle, some decals, a guide book, and my first product to test and review.  I was asked to review the new Response III 6.o boots.

 

Magnum Response III 6.0 BootsThe last time I wore Magnum/Hi-Tec boots was in the Marines in 1995.  I only got to wear them on duty for about 3 months, then the regs changed and we couldn’t wear them any more. In that 3 months, I completely wore them out. They were comfortable, like tennis shoes. They were very popular among Marines (at least at MCB Pendleton). Since then, I have worn Danner, almost exclusively. Other brands were just not comfortable and able to handle the daily grind of working in EMS and for recreational hiking.

Get Kilted - Get Checked

Get Kilted – Get Checked

That I was able to review these boots was perfect timing for me, with my latest Danners wearing out. I have been wearing these boots for about four months now. They have proven to be quite durable and very comfortable as well. I have even worn them with my kilt during the annual September Kilted To Kick Cancer campaign.

What’s this all a-boot?

I wear a 10.5 to 11.0 boot and these boots fit like a glove right out of the box. I found them comfortable to wear, with good padding throughout the footbed, and they provided me with good arch support. The sole is flexible, but firm. It appears to be a non-replaceable rubber/plastic hybrid. There is a good amount of grip on them with broad grooves (great for channeling water away) and even walking across wet surfaces, I found I didn’t lose even a little traction. The other nice thing is that they don’t collect junk, which is important for me, as I work full-time in our area’s local L2 Trauma Center’s IT Data Centers. One of the two sites I work at has two retention ponds and a creek between them. So, it is blessed with a large flock of annual resident Canadian geese. They leave mushy poo everywhere, and as good as the facilities team is about keeping walkways clean, they are simply outnumbered. It is important not to track stuff into a data center. We keep the rooms as clean as a high-end hospital’s trauma bay. Not quite sterile, but exceptionally clean. Anti-static also is important, and the rubber compound does not disappoint. I walk across sticky mats before each entry to the data centers, and when I step on them, I look at the footprints left and they are pretty clean… moreso than the Vibram soles I have on other boots.

You may think that doesn’t reflect what we do in EMS, but I can tell you that I am frequently kicking freight boxes and pallets, climbing in and out of raised floors and metal server racks, running carts, climbing ladders, and much more. I often catch the toes on snags of metal and server rack doors. I’m pretty rough on my boots.

As far as EMS goes, I have worked a couple shifts and found them to be very supportive for the ankle, easy to quickly put back on when the tones drop. They have one catch on each side for speed lacing. I would prefer true speed lacing loops over the catches, personally. Splashing through decent puddles (1-2″ deep) is no challenge and no water leaks into the boots. When I wear them for 12 hours at a time, my feet come out dry and cool. (Note, I usually wear Under Armour boot socks with any boots.) By the end of the 12 hours, I am ready to take them off for a while, but I’m now in my 40’s, so that seems to be the case with any footwear for me.

I think my Magnum Response II 6.0 boots are more durable than the Shadow Trooper's!

I think my Magnum Response II 6.0 boots are more durable than the Shadow Trooper’s!

The toes are not reinforced on these boots, so if I had the option, I would prefer at least a reinforced toe, or a steel toe option. Ankle support is less than an 8″ or 10″ boot (which I prefer), but not bad for a 6″ boot. I haven’t rolled an ankle on a hike over semi-rough terrain. Aesthetically, they look like black work boots. I’m finally at the point where I feel a good polishing is due. They have held up well to scuffing so I haven’t needed to do that yet.

The Verdict:

Overall, I’d give them an 8/10. I am not sorry I got my hands on these boots. They are comfortable, durable, and attractive. I wear them at work and off duty. They provide good support and protection. They are comparable in quality and durability to much more expensive boots, like Danner. If the speed laces and reinforced/steel toe were available, they’d have scored a perfect 10. Not bad for a MSRP of $79.99.

Learn more about the Magnum Response III 6.0 boots and the Response Boots series at http://us.magnumboots.com/response-series.html

Do you have a favorite work boot? Share yours in the comments!

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