Roger Bisby gives Buckbootz S5 the thumbs up in November's Professional Builder.
"I take a lot of new products out onsite and am well used to builders initial scepticism but when I took these Buckbootz out everyone loved them instantly and wanted to know where to get a pair. I put them on to a local stockist and he sold 10 pairs. This product is going to be a very big success."
For years now many of you have heard us banging on about our dislike of lace hooks. We think they are positively dangerous and to fit lace hooks on safety (or any) boots makes no sense. We don’t fit lace hooks to any Buckler boot style.
A Buckler dealer recently told us about a serious injury involving a roofing contractor, where the lace loop of one boot snagged in the lace hook of the other, whilst he was stepping down a high ladder. We know of another where the same thing caused a serious head injury to a tractor technician at a vehicle inspection pit.
Lace hooks snag wire as you step over a fence and twine on the ground.
It just seems crazy that the EN standards for safety footwear, which are the strictest in the world, still allow this potentially lethal feature - but the warning lights are now flashing - safety boot companies in a number of countries (with Canada in the forefront) are deleting lace hooks from their boot specifications.
What's your experience of lace hooks? Email us.
A number of Buckler customers have asked recently for our opinion on safety boots being offered with multi layer textile composite midsoles in place of steel. We thought it would be useful to get the up to date opinion of a leading EN testing organisation. It’s quite revealing. Be careful – Steel is still much stronger. Multi layer textile midsoles pass the penetration test – just. In fact, they fall short of steel (1,100 Newtons to minimum 1,500 Newtons) by a sizeable margin in EN testing. Other interesting points from the testing organisation to note:
We like the concept but right now they don’t provide the level of reliability and performance that Buckler users would expect from footwear designed to be worn in the toughest conditions.
Buckbootz non-safety range 'surpassed' Gun Mart magazine's 'most stringent tests' with 'consummate ease'. They thought the range 'would generate a substantial demand' in the country boot market, acknowledging Buckler's high manufacturing standards, while appreciating the range's 'style and practicality'.
Both the Ladies Western boot and the Men's Calf boot were tested by standing 'in near freezing water' - both testers liking the 'excellent' grip, the 'incredible warmth' and the fact they are 'easy' to put on and take off. And 'even after performing tasks in conditions most people would shy away from', the boots 'still look like new'.
Gun Mart magazine also tried the Buckbootz Lacers, which have become a 'regular choice' for the reviewer, as he likes the boots 'amalgamation of durability, support and semi casual looks'. 'Well cushioned and comfortable', the boots 'proved themselves excellent daily footwear irrespective of the conditions'.
Professional Builder magazine is the most widely read publication for the construction industry in the UK - by far. Every year they give Top Products Awards to those products which have generated the highest reader interest. To achieve an award we compete head on with Snickers, Dickies, Scruffs and many others.
In the Professional Builder Top Products Awards 2007 there are 44 qualifying products but there is only ONE winner in the Workwear/Safety Footwear sector - you're correct - it's Buckler!
