Finding work boots that fit well, are fit for purpose and are a good price is something that all arborists are looking for. When Haix sent me their Protector Forest 2.0 boots twelve months ago, it was my sole intention to wear them non-stop as a UK arborist. The Protector Forest 2.0 were previously unknown to me. So good or bad I wanted to put them through their paces and get a real opinion on them.
Before placing my order, I was pleased to see that Haix offer half sizes. Having a wide foot, I find going for a UK size 8 is ideal for me but footwear can often be a little too narrow. That extra half size helps me out a lot, so a UK 8.5 it was. Upon arrival, I cracked open the box straight away and was greeted with that new leather and rubber smell that generations of tree workers have had the pleasure of enjoying.
I wasn’t too keen on the Ronald McDonald colour scheme but what really surprised me was how light they felt. The protector is not a small hiking boot, it’s a designated forestry boot for working arborists and foresters. The fact it had a high upper, chainsaw class 2 protection, protective toe cap and a Vibram sole, whilst also being very light was more than welcomed by me. Whilst holding them, you could feel the quality. The leather felt thick yet supple and with the Gortex feature I was looking forward to giving them a run out in the British elements. My first impressions overall were very good.
Watch my first look at the boots here:
Fast forward twelve months and how have the boots fared? Well before I get into the specifics, I will say that I have not been let down by these boots at all! I’ve used them through all seasons doing a variety of commercial, domestic and forestry type works. On the ground, climbing, driving and stomping an average of 12,000 steps, five days a week, 12 hours a day. I think I have given them a good test for this review.
Only in the last few weeks has the right heel started to give way. This has become noticeable when carrying anything heavy or being on uneven surfaces as the foot does often give way but other than that, the Haix boots are fully functional; my pair even have the original laces. They do not leak water on wet days or when walking through a dewy field at 8am.
The leather and Gortex lining has held up brilliantly. I didn’t find the boots particularly hot in summer and on the flip side they were warm and waterproof all winter. I will add here that I coupled the boots with some quality Bridgedale merino wool socks – a winning combination for comfort and foot health, in my opinion. The Vibram sole has proved it’s worth time and time again, in footwear, with this boot being no exception. The sole does show a year’s worth of wear but even now still offers some good grip. I felt that the rubber sole was very soft and grippy giving great confidence when working on wet ground or walking on slimy, mossy limbs. In the first months of use, I did think this would be the boots downfall with the sole being very fast wearing however, this was not the case.
The comfort and fit were noticeable from day one with no ‘bedding in’ time, giving no blisters or hot spots. I feel the reasons for this is how supple the nubuck leather is out of the box. The two-zone lacing system, which I was sceptical of, has won me over also. Having hooks on the top of the boot was welcomed but what I was not aware of during the unboxing was Haix’s special ‘lock off’ system. What this does is enable you to tighten the lower part of the boot and then lock the laces with a metal eye and plastic capstan. This has been very robust and means the boot does not work loose what so ever, something I never really cared for until using the feature on the Protector Pros. To unlock you simply undo the laces on the upper, give the laces a sharp tug and the lower laces come loose with ease. It’s a brilliant feature and something I would like to see more of.
What we all want to know is what are the downsides to the Haix Protector Forest Pro 2.0? With all these positives and great feedback you must be asking surely they are not the best boots in the world? Now that I cannot answer as that would take a lot of boot wearing and a lifetime to discover. What I will say is that technologies are changing all the time and the modern work boots are a far cry away from footwear of the past.
The arb industry is no different with innovation and job specific footwear now becoming more the norm in every industry. There are lighter boots, smaller boots and better tree climbing boots out there but where the Protector Forest 2.0 shines for me is it’s an amazing all round boot. Although primarily suited for forestry ground work, it’s suitable for all aspects of tree work and does them really well. I feel the compromises are minimal in each area. I will admit I am still not a fan of the colour and would welcome the Protector Forest in more colourways. This is purely a cosmetic reason and a personal choice. I found that the yellow part of the boots where never seen as my trousers covered it up. This is honestly the only change and improvement that I would suggest.
After now being made aware of the Haix range of chainsaw boots, I would like to dive into more of their range and find out what else they have to offer. If the Protector is anything to go by, it certainly looks promising.
Haix are a company that have been around since the late 1940’s but it’s only recently that I was really made aware of their new range of chainsaw protective boots. If you’re looking for a do it all chainsaw protective boot that keeps your feet warm and dry, offers amazing grip and comes in at a competitive price, I would urge you to take a look at the Haix Protector Forest Pro 2.0.