The Timberland and Wolverine lines of work boots are two of the most popular in North America. They are both made with high-quality materials that allow them to be durable. They also come in a variety of different options based on your particular needs. While there are many models to choose from, we have decided to select the two most popular from both companies in order to draw comparison. This Timberland Pro vs Wolverine comparison is for those who are really trying to decide which of these two brands can take care of their workboot needs.
Before we get into comparing the two most popular work boots, you would first like to go over some of the major differences between these two brands.
Looking for the best safety boots? Read: Timberland Pit Boss vs Titan
What Makes Timberland And Wolverine Different
You made heard of how durable boots from these companies actually are. And really, they have to be durable in order to sustain the rugged usage that most workmen put them through. Both of these companies have been around for decades, and have been improving upon their processes over time.
One of the major differences between Timberland and Wolverine is the type of leather that they use. Wolverine has a tendency to use full-grain leather for the majority of their boots’ uppers. In contrast, Timberland tends to use Nubuck leather. In case you’re wondering what the real differences are between full-grain leather and nubuck leather, please read the following descriptions of both.
Full-Grain Leather Properties
Full-grain leather is one of the most durable of the types of leathers available. Typically, leather is split into multiple layers during the production process. In the production process, the outer layer retains the natural grain of the hide, while the inner layers are embossed with an artificial pattern. When leather is split into multiple layers, it is less expensive, but also of lesser quality. Full-grain leather has not undergone the splitting process and is, therefore, higher-quality and more durable.
Nubuck Leather Properties
Nubuck leather has a soft feel that is kind of like suede. Suede is a leather that is been split during the processing, and has been buffed on the side of the hide that was closest to the flesh of the animal. In contrast, Nubuck leather has been buffed on the top grain, which is the side on which the animal’s hair grew. The buffing process makes the Nubuck leather softer. While Nubuck is more durable than suede, it is less durable than full-grain leather.
As you can see, it is possible that Timberland boots are actually less durable than Wolverine boots. This is due to the fact that Wolverine boots tend to be made of Nubuck, while Timberland boots tend to be made of full-grain leather.
There is another side of the coin that wanted to mention. It is the fact that some customers is said that the laces on the Wolverine boots tend to be a bit flimsy. Also, the eyelets have a tendency to detach themselves from the boot. We are unsure whether this happens to many people, but there have been some that of reporting this.
Comparing The Most Popular Models: Timberland Pro vs Wolverine Raider
It is very difficult to compare Timberland Pro vs Wolverine because many of their models come with various options depending on what you’re looking for. So we have decided to compare to the most popular from each of these companies: the Wolverine Men’s W02421 Raider Boot and the Timberland PRO Men’s Pitboss 6″ Steel-Toe Boot.
Wolverine Men's W02421 Raider Boot Review
Wolverine boots are made to be highly durable, yet comfortable. Even though they use full-grain leather for their boots, they strive to make it at an affordable cost. Generally speaking, Wolverine boots are more expensive than the Timberland Pro boots. This is likely due to the fact that the leather is premium grade.
In particular, the Raider boots are highly popular for looking for work boots. The Raider boots seem to have everything that you would need in a work boot. They absorb shock using special compression pads on the outsole. They are also slip-resistant and abrasion-resistant. If you’re going to be working in oily conditions, they resist slipping and oil.
They are made of a lightweight PU midsole and have a full-cushion insole. Many people have touted the fact that their Wolverine Raider boots are very comfortable. They also have a flexible contour welt construction that makes them feel more supportive and cushiony.
Timberland PRO Men's Pitboss 6
The Timberland Pro Pitboss boots are very similar in features to the Raider boots. They are slip-resistant, as well as providing plenty of traction in oily conditions. They have plenty of abrasion resistance and provide protection against electrical shock. These particular boots come with a steel toe that meets ANSI safety standards. One great feature of the Pitboss is the fact that they have a very roomy toe box for extra comfort.
Like the Raider boots, the Pitboss boots have a comfortable suspension system that reduces foot fatigue. They also have a removable sock liner and collar guards that protect against rubbing. This helps to reduce the possibility of blistering and the feet. They come with contoured shock plates that disperse the pressure on impact. This provides more stability for the foot.
The inner liner of the boot is treated with antimicrobial properties to help prevent against orders. Check out our review of Timberland’s other high-quality working boots like the Timberland Flume and White Ledge.
Timberland Pro vs Wolverine: Comparing the Prices
Generally speaking, the Wolverines are the most expensive of the two. They do have a bit more durability than the Pitboss due to the grade of leather used. If you’d like to compare the current prices for the Wolverine and Timberland Pro models, please see below.
The Verdict
If we were to make a generalization, Wolverine boots may be more durable than Timberland Pro boots due to the type of leather used. However, Wolverine boots to take some break in time. But after they have been broken in, there are very comfortable to wear. If you have any issues with the comfort of the Wolverine boots, they do, with a 30-day Comfort Guarantee.
It is difficult to decide between these two brands because they both offer wonderful quality. If just going by cost, the Wolverine boots are a bit more expensive than the Timberland Pro boots. The choice is up to you.
Which of these boots do you think you would prefer? Please leave us a comment below and begin a conversation with us.
Wolverine has a tendency to use fullgrain leather for the majority of their boots’ uppers. Timberland tends to use Nubuck leather
This is due to the fact that Wolverine boots tend to be made of Nubuck, while Timberland boots tend to be made of full-grain leather.
Ok, someone missed this one. I have had Wolverine before and they lasted a long time until the glue let loose. I think I will just order the Wolverines.