Somebody bought these boots, never laced them up, and left them in the box. Their loss is a dry pair of feet for you this winter.
This week’s shop spotlight is a pair of Timberland Premium 6″ Padded Collar Waterproof Boots in men’s 9.5 M, new in box, for $130. Timberland’s own site lists the Premium 6-Inch Waterproof Boot at $220 new. Here’s the story behind the boot, what it’s built to do, and how to check a pair before you buy.
The boot people said made no sense
Timberland didn’t start as Timberland. The company was the Abington Shoe Company, run by the Swartz family, and it only took the Timberland name as a company in 1978, according to its company history.
The 6-inch boot was made for hard, wet New England winters. In Timberland’s telling of the boot’s origin, Sidney Swartz remembers the reaction to the idea: “Making an all-leather boot that was waterproof was considered to be ridiculous. Nobody thought that made any sense at all.” The same story says the boot is built from 39 components in 80 separate steps.
It started as a work boot for people who spent the day outside. Then it showed up on the feet of hip-hop artists in the nineties, and it has been a street-style staple ever since. Not many pieces of footwear are just as at home on a job site as they are at a concert.
What makes it a “Premium”
Timberland sells more than one 6-inch boot, and the names get confusing. Per Timberland UK’s own comparison, the Premium is an update on the original boot. The two big differences:
- The collar: the Premium has a padded collar around the ankle. That’s the cushioned ring at the top that keeps the boot from rubbing your leg raw.
- The sole: the Premium sits on a thicker, heavier sole built from several materials for more support. The original’s sole is thinner and mostly rubber.
On Timberland’s US product page, the Premium is described with seam-sealed waterproof construction, 400 grams of PrimaLoft insulation, a removable anti-fatigue footbed and a steel shank. In plain words: dry, warm, and stiff enough underfoot that a long day standing doesn’t wreck your arches.
How to wear a pair of Timberlands
This is a black pair, which makes it easier to dress than the classic wheat color.
- Weekend: straight-leg jeans with a slight cuff or stacked at the top of the boot, a flannel or a hoodie. That’s the look most people picture.
- Work and errands: canvas work pants or carpenter jeans and a chore coat. Black boots hide the mud.
- Dressed up a little: dark denim or black chinos, a crewneck sweater and a wool coat. All-black boots look sharper than you’d think.
Lacing tip: a lot of people wear them loosely laced with the tongue out. If you’ll be walking far or the weather’s bad, lace them all the way up so your heel doesn’t slip.
Buying Timberlands secondhand: what to check
Timberland 6-inch boots are one of the most copied boots out there, so take a minute before you buy any pair.
- The box label: it should list the style name, size and width. Check that it matches the boot inside. Our guide to spotting fake sneakers explains why a box alone never proves a pair is real, and the same logic works for boots.
- The tree logo: look for a clean, crisp tree on the side of the boot. Blurry or uneven logos are a red flag.
- The stitching: rows of stitching should be even and tight, with no loose ends or glue blobs where the upper meets the sole.
- The weight: a real pair feels solid. If a pair feels flimsy or light for its size, ask more questions.
- Size and width: Sizing on work boots can feel different from your sneakers, so go by your boot size, not your running shoe size. This pair is a 9.5 M (medium width). Try it on in the afternoon with the socks you’ll actually wear.
For used pairs, also check the inside heel for wear-through and the sole for heavy lug wear. Our 7-point condition check covers the rest. This pair is new in box, so there’s no wear to worry about.
Why buy boots like this in October
Winter boots sell the same way snow gear does: slowly all fall, and then all at once the week the forecast turns bad. Buy now and you get your size before the rush, plus a few weeks to break them in before the cold sets in. If you’re putting together a full cold-weather wardrobe, our fall wardrobe for under $100 post has ideas for the rest of the outfit.
The details
- Item: Timberland Premium 6″ Padded Collar Waterproof Boot
- Size: Men’s 9.5 M
- Color: Black
- Condition: New in box
- Our price: $130 (Timberland lists the Premium 6-Inch at $220 new)
We have one pair, in this one size. When it’s gone, it’s gone.
Steal this: Buy winter boots in October, check the box label against the boot, and never pay full price for a boot this many people buy and barely wear.
If you wear a men’s 9.5, grab the Timberland 6″ boots here before the first cold snap. Not your size? Browse the rest of the Frugal Teacher shop, where we add new cold-weather pieces all through the fall.