I’m the director of Facility and Neighborhood Services for Parker Street Ministries. That’s a fancy title for the guy who manages the building and basically takes care of just about anything that happens in the inner-city neighborhood where I work. I’m on my feet at least 80% of the day, and my work takes me through all sorts of terrain. Having a good set of boots isn’t just a convenience—it’s integral in order for me to do my job well. So, what exactly are good boots? They have to be comfortable, durable, and if they look good that’s a bonus. The Magnum Flint Z-Flex Waterproof boots came up for review, and I can say that I gave them quite the workout.
Editor’s Note: Check out our best work boots review article for our favorite products for all applications.
Magnum Flint Z-Flex Waterproof Boots Features
The Magnum Flint Z-Flex waterproof boots have a full-grain leather and textile upper with the company’s “Z-Flex” direct-attach bottom. The boots end up being very well built, but also flexible so that you can wear them all day without being uncomfortable or stiff.
If you wear your boots all day long as I do, and your feet hurt at the end of the day, then you need to find different boots. I liked the fact that the Magnum Flint Z-Flex boots had both a safety composite toe and TPU toe and heel caps (TPU stands for thermoplastic polyurethane). You can also wear these boots int eh rain because the Magnum Flint Z-Flex waterproof boots use a membrane that keeps your feet dry regardless of what’s going on outside.
Footbeds Matter
Footbeds can wear out and get downright disgusting over time, so the Magnum M-P.A.C.T. Advantage dual-density anti-microbial model (M-P.A.C.T. stands for Magnum Performance Athletic Comfort Technology) is attractive in that it claims it will keep your feet refreshed all day and the slip and oil-resistant outsole and 90-degree heel and ladder grips provide excellent traction.
Magnum Flint Z-Flex Waterproof Boots Specs
- Magnum Flint Z-Flex boots
- Full grain leather and textile upper
- Z-Flex direct attach bottom
- Composite safety toe
- Waterproof construction
- M-P.A.C.T. Advantage premium dual-density footbed; anti-microbial
- TPU toe and heel cap
- A second pair of laces included
- Durable non-metallic hardware with a traditional lacing system
- ASTM EH certified
- Slip and oil-resistant outsole; 90-degree heel and ladder grips
- Color: Coffee
- Sizes: 7-15 (D)
- Weight: 34 oz.
- 1-year manufacturer defect warranty
Magnum Flint Z-Flex Waterproof Boots Testing
We tested these boots non-stop for two months, driving a Husqvarna M-ZT 52 Zero Turn mower, using a Stihl MS 441 C-M Magnum chain saw, and—of course—doing any manner of home repairs and impromptu maintenance tasks. Our commercial building has a concrete floor, so between the hard surface there and walking the neighborhood, I must have put about 50 miles on these boots.
Composite Toe vs Steel
Composite toe boots are lighter than a steel toe, but they offer possibly even better safety since they don’t bend and stay pinched under load. The Magnum Flint Z-Flex waterproof boots weigh about 34 ounces—which isn’t bad for the protection offered in this 6-inch boot. These composite boots will be a great solution for those who need the protection and still want a boot that doesn’t weigh them down too much. The Z-Flex feature did indeed aid in the boot’s flexibility, and the Magnum M-P.A.C.T. footbed stayed free of acrid smells the entire time I used the boots.
Simply put, these boots are extremely comfortable and offer a nice combination of durability and style. The included 90-degree “ladder grips” or ridges along the middle of the sole are pure genius.
The Magnum Flint Z-Flex waterproof boots are available in sizes 7-15 (D-width only), and they retail for $179.99 (free shipping). You can also find them online for around $153.50.
