Brunt Marin Comp Toe Workboot Review
Brunt 6″ Marin Composite Toe Workboot
Brunt Marin Comp Toe Workboot
Manufacturer: Brunt
Model number: Marin Comp Toe Workboot
Weight: 3.9 lbs
Specifications & Features
- 6″ Overall Height
- Total Weight of 3.9 Lbs (Pair)
- Full-Grain, Waterproof Leather
- Composite Toe
- Electrical Hazard Rated
- Slip & Oil Resistant
- Width-Adjustable via Inserts
- Meets ASTM F2413-18 standards
Safety Design Features
The Brunt Marin Comp Toe Workboot has a number of essential safety features. And any PROs, especially those who’ve been through an OSHA-sponsored safety course, know that there are a number of common dangers that are easily avoidable with the right work and safety gear.
Composite Toe
I am well versed in the personal risks of dropping heavy construction materials. I learned this from firsthand experience as a steel fabrication project manager. Accidents are just that, accidents, and never planned. But having had Schedule 40 pipe and Wide-Flange Beams dropped onto my steel toe boots on a few occasions made me fully appreciate the protection provided by reinforced safety toes. The Marin Comp Toe offers such safety and also remains considerably lighter than traditional steel-toes. This is a results of the high-strength and minimal weight nano-composite materials used to make it. Luckily I didn’t have to test the max strength of the Composite Toe on my initial trial period but it felt firm, well shaped, and noticeably lighter weight as advertised.
Slip Resistance
One of the most common causes of jobsite injury is slipping or loss of traction. This can happen for a number of reasons. It may be due to oily or greasy surfaces. It could also be a result of wet or loose materials (like dust or gravel) on walking surfaces. Either way, the Marin Comp Toe performed well. To really test out the slip resistance of the Marin Comp Toe, I tried it out on a smooth concrete floor with an oil residue spot. I know this is a good test because I’ve slipped on it when wearing my other (well-used) workboots. I also tried it out by climbing on my roof to replace a few cedar shingles. And yes, they are also slip resistant. Bottom line; The Brunt’s didn’t slip. Not even a little. And you can’t as for any better than that!
Electrical Protection
I have also done my fair share of home rewiring. Again, thankfully, I have never had an electrocution come from a charged work surface. And again, thankfully, this wasn’t something I tested out during this trial run with my new Brunt Workboots. It’s safe to say that I had enough peace of mind to know that my new Marin Comp Toes sported this feature. But its worth highlighting as 1) Not all boots carry this essential safety feature and 2) all it takes is “using it” once to make these boots a lifesaving investment!
Weatherproofing
OK, this is where my biggest issue with past boots has been. It’s miserable enough stomping through puddles and wading through mud at a jobsite. Getting your feet soaked especially early in the day doesn’t make it any better. So I felt fortunate (not sure if that’s the right word) when it recently rained in my neck of the woods, and I got to finish my wood stacking project in the muddy and wet conditions. And after 4+ hours in the mud and wet my feet were bone dry and clean as well. To really test out Brunt’s waterproof (not resistant) claim I even filled a tub with 3 inches of water and stood in it for a while. Still bone dry. Waterproof claim confirmed; on the jobsite and plus some.
Style & Comfort
Should work footwear look good? The simple answer is yes. The longer (and opinionated) answer is yes, as long as they are comfortable since I’m spending good money on them! The Brunt Marin Comp Toe Workboots look good, not great. But feel great, not good! They were relatively comfortable once they got broken in, which took about 2 days of wearing them. Throughout the first 2 days they were a bit stiff through the ankles and rubbed on the front of my shin to the point of irritation. I folded the top of my boot sock down to double up the thickness which fixed the issue. After 2 days the ankle flexed well enough that the problem was gone.
The arch and foot support was awesome and shined through on uneven surfaces (ladder rungs and split wood). I was worried that the slightly-thicker anti-slip sole would cause the boots to feel tall and awkward. They didn’t. This was primarily because the adjustable width (I removed the narrow-width liner) offered a great foot-contouring fit. And the seemingly low weight made this boots not clunky in the slightest. The option to adjust the fit/width by including an extra set of inserts is awesome!
I will say that the Marin Comp Toe looks a lot better with pants covering the ankles. This is exclusively how I wear my workboots on the jobsite. But the overall boot is chunky and bulky. It is much less noticeable with pants though. Hence my first comment. The thickness is also a double-edged sword as it makes the boots stay warm (can be good or bad) but doesn’t make for the most breathable footwear on the market. I wasn’t surprised since that seems to be the norm with weatherproofed boots like this, but it can still be a deciding factor and worth consideration.
Final Thoughts | Brunt Marin Comp Toe Workboot
Overall the Brunt Marin Comp Toe Workboot is a great workbook. It offers a wide spectrum of safety features at a price that meets or beats most competitor boots. It is very comfortable and seems quite rugged on first impression. As the tool I use more than any other, I place a lot of importance on the workboots I wear. And this workboot is as good or better than any other I’ve worn! If you want the most stylish or breathable or lighest boot on the market then you might want to look elsewhere. If you want a safe, sturdy, weather-protected boot you should check out the Brunt Marin Comp Toe Workboot.
Brunt Brunt Marin Comp Toe Workboot
About the author
Ben Fecteau
Benjamin is a former project manager, CNC-designer, and AWS-certified welder with experience running a commercial and industrial steel design and fabrication company. Before making the jump to commercial construction, he spent years renovating houses and building furniture where he became skilled in the art of home wiring, flooring, siding, and custom tool modifications. Benjamin has a Masters Degree in Education and is passionate about sharing his love of design with his sons and through community-based outreach. He resides in Cape Cod, Massachusetts and enjoys spending time with his family, in his workshop, and serving as an Air Force Officer.
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I bought a pair wore them maybe 10 times and one of the speed hook pulled right out. because it had been more than 30 days since I bought them they wont stand behind them. They offered me 15% off my next pair. I promised you there won’t be a next pair. DON’T BUY THESE BOOTS!!
Jeff, I’m sorry to hear that. I certainly didn’t have that issue with these boots… But if I do then I will update the article accordingly. Thanks for reading! Ben
Was curious about the size I wear a 11 in sneakers bought a pair of wolverines I have had for about 2 years now got them in 10 and a half and they were to big so I went with a ten on these just ordered today so hoping they fit could their are just alot of mixed things saying they are true to size and some people saying they run big appreciate it buddy
Mike,
I can relate to your question (and struggle with Boot sizing) as I’ve had the same experience with different boot manufacturers. I typically wear a size 9.5 shoe so that’s what I went with on my Brunt Marin Composite Toe boots and they seem true to size. I would order the same size if I did it over again. If anything, they ere on the roomy side but very slightly if at all. Hope this helps and thanks for reading! Ben
Buy Thorogoods and Carolina’s, Made in USA and union made. Not Chinese crap.
I bought a pair of Perkins boots (one of the most expensive pairs they have and the most “rugged”) for 150$ or so. The boots lasted about 4 months maybe less. They first couple weeks I wore these boots they showed signed of bad wear. Which should’ve been a sign right there to return them. But I really wanted to give them a shot so I just kept them instead of going along with the pain in the ass process. Well my mistake because by 4 months comes around the boots are garbage. No sole to the boot at all completely flat and smooth. Customer service wouldn’t offer anything but the horrible one month return crap. Any other boot I’ve purchased has at least a year warranty. It’s insane this place doesn’t stand behind their product ( no wonder why cause it’s complete shit) I even took it to Facebook and Instagram to warn people since they flood both full of posts and they blocked me from commenting on both. They only want people to see the good reviews. Which you’d have a lot more of your boots were made well and you stood behind your product. Thanks for taking some of my hard earned cash you scumbags. I’ll do everything I possibly can to save people from buying your garbage.
I contacted Brunt about the $150 Marin Boots I surprised my Husband with because after only 6 months the boots fell apart basically. The boots shifted causing my husband to walk on the sides of his feet causing immense pain. I thought this must be a fluke so I reached out for help… I was offered a 15% off coupon to use on the same brand of boots that just fell apart? I was honestly stunned. Apparently every 6 months we should just be able to dish out a few $100 on something that we know will likely fail? Honest to goodness we bought boots from Walmart that lasted way longer and were 1/3 of the price. Super disappointed 😞 The best part…. the site doesn’t allow you to leave reviews after a certain time so you can warn other customers.
Kay,
I’m sorry to hear you had a negative experience with Brunt and the quality of the Marin Boots you bought. Mine have held up well so I can’t say I’ve had the same issue. But I also know that the way and conditions in which different folks wear work boots are as unique as the individual. So, My day-to-day use is likely quite different from your husbands… I’m glad you addressed the issues with the company directly and hope they take your experience and feedback seriously. Thank you for reading and commenting on the article! Best of luck! -Ben
I agree with Robert Johnson. But Thorogood boots. Been wearing them for yeyears as a container lift mechanic in trian yards. Best boots. Not worth looking for another brand. And Yes USA made means more to me than fancy looking boots.
Brunt, in particular, is an American work boot maker that manufactures its boots in Jinjiang, China. This is due to the fact that the technology required to produce their boots is not yet available in the United States.