The JK OT Boots address two of the biggest problems with PNW boots: weight, and flexibility. They accomplished this by removing the front section of the midsole and swapping out a stacked leather heel for a unit sole. Other than that the rest of the boot is built the same way their other high tier boots are, with the same leather, thread, etc.
Here are my honest thoughts
It seems like JK Boots are everywhere you look, and hey, good for them, that’s what you’ve gotta do to get noticed these days. JK are the initials of John Khadzhi who learned the skill of boot and shoe making in Ukraine. He immigrated to the United States in 1994, and began JK Boots in 2008.
In the pacific northwest there exist at least six boot companies who make very similar styles of boot, with Whites being the oldest (1853) and Franks being the youngest (2016). Each company has had to make themselves distinct, either through unique models, leathers, or customizations.
While I was looking at JK and their offerings, I was looking for a boot that was interesting and different. Then my buddy Taylor over at Best Damn EDC told me about his OT boots and how much he liked them. The last I’d heard, Taylor somehow slashed a deep cut into his Red Wing Iron Rangers… He wont admit it, but and EDC/knife reviewer…. I’m betting he was fidgeting with a knife and it got outta control.
OT huh?
The OT (which stands for Overtime… those JK boys love their acronyms) is JK’s attempt at making a boot that solves the two biggest complaints about PNW boots: they’re too stiff and too heavy.
They accomplished this by removing the front section of the midsole and swapping out a stacked leather heel for a 132 unit sole. Other than that, the rest of the boot is built the same way their other high tier boots are, with the same leather, thread, etc.
I ordered mine in the redwood colorway which combines a roughout vamp and heel counter with a smooth leather upper. This has become a very popular combination thanks to the abrasion resistance of roughout leather which seems to shrug off most light cuts and scrapes. But I think it’s a also really good looking combination of colors with that tan sole and the reddish brown leather.
This is the first boot in a long time that got compliments from the guys at work. Not that I’m really seeking out compliments from 50 year old construction workers, but I’ll take what I can get at this point.
Their other observation wasn’t so positive- damn those things squeak!
A very noticeable and persistent squeaking noise accompanied each step I took in the OT boots. Often leather-on-leather can cause this, and its one of the reasons boot makers will use cork between their insole and midsole.
This began to really annoy me, so I went back to the original documentation that came with the OT. I’m a pretty typical guy, when I open a box with instructions, I toss them aside and just get down to it. In this case, I remember the boots coming with a bottle of Obenaufs boot oil. Could I have missed an essential step?
Construction
The construction of the JK OT boots is the same as their top of the line Superduty until you get to the sole. So you still get 8-9oz leather, or an option for bison should you choose, brass hardware, fire-resistant thread, and a very interesting gusseted tongue made from flexible and pebbled leather. Double-row stitch-down construction, 8” height, and available in safety toe- this is probably a very familiar formula if you wear work boots daily.
I will say that the finishing on my JK’s is among the best I’ve ever seen from a PNW boot-maker. The stitching is clean and precise, there aren’t any wonky stitch lines or loose ends, and all the edges are cleanly finished. Very impressive.
Where things get interesting is beneath your foot in what we’ll call the chassis of the boot. JK removed the typical full-length midsole and used a lineman shank made from USA oak-tanned leather. This essentially gives you a tapered midsole which ends just after your arch. Less leather means that they’re more flexible, but the tradeoff is some of the cushion and moulding that happens with a layer of leather, cork, and more leather.
Adding to the flexibility and light weight is this unit sole which also has a really wide heel comparatively. This is the softer rubber compound as well, so you get a little cushion here too.
The experience wearing these boots was mostly positive. They ARE crazy flexible, and nearly half a pound lighter than my other 8” PNW work boots, making them super easy to wear right out of the box. Anyone who is new to this style of boot would find the transition from Wolverine, Red Wing, or Timberland boots easier with the OT versus the Superduty.
The truck comparison
I’ll make this comparison since I’m not all that bright, and relating things to vehicles keeps me from getting confused:
The JK Superduty is like your 1-ton crew-cab dually pickup – a 3500 series meant to do some serious hauling. These work trucks are great in their element, but try and park it at the grocery store and you’ll quickly realize how overbuilt it is for everyday use.
The JK OT would be like a standard ¾ ton 2500 or F250. Its built to do some serious work, and shares 95% of its DNA with it’s bigger brother – you’d even be forgiven for mistaking them as the same model at a glance. But what you’ll find is they’re much easier to live with on a day to day basis.
While we’re comparing boots to vehicles, the Iron Ranger would be a ½ ton pickup. Loafers would be a Mazda Miata.
Application
However, we need to talk about WHY the JK Superduty and other similar full-octane boots have a full midsole, double midsole, or even triple midsole like the Viberg Lineman CSA.
If you’ve ever had to stand on pegs all day, walk on rebar, or even just stand on ladder rungs for an extended period, you know that the right footwear matters. This is where a lineman shank can be essential.
I’ll give you a less extreme example of this- back in the early days of my apprenticeship, we built a lot houses… then the 2008 collapse changed all that. Anyway, after the floors were done, we would have to go back and install light fixtures. In order to keep from scratching the new floors, most guys would leave their work boots at the door and just wear socks. Later on I learned about those boot condom things, and bought a whole box. Standing on flat A-frame ladder steps in nothing but socks was murder for your feet, and if you’ve ever done this at home to change a light bulb or something, then you understand what I mean.
Boots act like little platforms for your feet in those situations, and if your work day is spent standing or walking on small surfaces, you’ll want a boot with some rigidity. These can also be handy if you are carrying heavy loads for the spring effect they provide, giving your feet a little help on the “push-off”
I’ve also found that thicker-soled boots work well when walking on ballast stone or trap rock since the surface is sharp and uneven. The only caveat in a case like this is the boots should be tall, since rolling your ankle is very easy in these conditions.
The last application I want to mention is if you use your feet to kick shovels or other implements. The more material between you and tools, the better.
So there are cases where flexibility and light weight can actually work against you.
Where these boots shine is almost every other situation. It’s far easier to operate equipment with the OT since you can actually feel the pedals, where sometimes you can feel “disconnected” with thicker soles.
If you’re walking a lot on jobsites, or landscaping, or maybe even farming, the added flexibility will be welcomed. And if you plan on just wearing these casually, they’re a far more accessible boot than their heavy duty brothers.
In Use
I wore the JK OT’s throughout the month of May both at home and at work. I found that break in was minimal, being able to wear them all day right off the bat. The light weight and flexibility was a welcome feeling in most situations, especially just coming off a month in the Franks Patriots. It’s hard to find anything to dislike with the OT, you tend to just forget about them until someone compliments you or you take them off at the end of the day.
My only concern is when the sole begins to wear down. Right now the lugs and the softer compound provide a nice amount of cushion for your forefoot. As those lugs wear down with use, with there being less leather beneath your feet I’d be interested to see if the comfort changes. Only time will tell!
If you prize flexibility and light weight in your work boots, I can’t think of a better option than the OT. But be sure to consider your application and your needs because at $550 these boots are an investment, and in some cases you might benefit from a full midsole like you’ll find on the Superduty.
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