Ever Boots Tank Review: The King of the Bargain Basement

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by  William Barton | Last Updated: 
ever boots tank review

Wondering if Ever Boots are any good? The price seems right, but are they just going to fall apart on you a few months in?

In this Ever Boots review, I’m taking a look at their most popular boot: the Tank, and I’ll answer every question you have so you can decide if this brand is right for you.

Image/Icon Image Sourse: Amazon
Ever Boots Tank

Bottom line: The Ever Boots Tank is surprisingly good for the price, but if you can budget about twice the amount a pair of Ever Boots would cost, you can get a boot that will last much longer and be much more careful. I think Ever Boots is the king of extreme low cost boots, but that’s not a category I recommend shopping in.

Ratings: The Adult Man Image/Icon  Design The Adult Man Image/Icon  Quality of Materials The Adult Man Image/Icon  Value for Money The Adult Man Image/Icon  Craftsmanship The Adult Man Image/Icon  Customer Service
Pros:
  • The nubuck leather is 2mm thick and quite resilient
  • They have a wider fit in the toes, which helps make them more comfortable
  • They’re inexpensive
Cons:
  • The fabric lining on the inside won’t last long
  • The insole has a strange bump at the heel that’s annoying

Ever Boots is one of the most popular work boot brands on Amazon. So if you’re in a pinch and need a new pair of work boots fast, I’m sure they were one of the first to pop up on your radar. 

I wanted to see if this budget friendly brand could actually withstand a full day’s work, so I picked up the most popular model: the Tank.

By the end of this review, you’ll be ready to decide if they’re worth picking up to bring to the job site. 

What Is Ever Boots?

Ever Boots Tank closeup on leather detail

Ever Boots is one of the most popular work boot brands on Amazon. They’re a Chinese brand, and the boots are made in China, which is one of the main reasons the boots are so affordable. 

Ever Boots has a range of work boots, including a wedge-sole moc toe, a lineman style boot (extra leather around the ball of the foot), some steel toe options, and some 8-inch boots if you need more ankle support. 

Not to spoil my in-depth review here, but this probably comes as no surprise: Ever Boots aren’t that good. 

And if I didn’t run a workwear site, I wouldn’t have bought them. 

That said, the Tank surprised me with how many features it has for a boot at such a low price. I’m calling it the king of the bargain basement. I have some other recommendations down below that I think offer better value for your money. 

Ever Boots Tank

The Ever Boots Tank is the king of the bargain basement. The Goodyear welt construction is reassuring, the nubuck leather is decently thick, and the steel shanks offer support for if you’re climbing anything while working.

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Things to Consider Before Buying from Ever Boots

Ever Boots Tank on stairs

If you’re going to be working a job or a site for anything longer than three months, you should invest in a better pair of boots. 

Ever Boots are solid for three months, but I wouldn’t expect them to go much further beyond that if you’re planning on working five days per week or doing any sort of difficult job. 

I think if you’re able to save up for a boot twice the cost, you can get something that’ll last you a year or more. So in a way, while you pay more up front, you’ll spend less over the course of a year. 

Ever Boots Tank Review

First Impression

Ever Boots Tank on model

The Ever Boots Tank looks like a solid, basic work boot. There’s nothing special about it, and that’s just fine. 

I got the Dark Brown Nubuck version, which I prefer to the Light Tan color—darker leather hides stains and scuffs better (and I tend to beat up my work boots). 

I’m impressed that Ever Boots actually makes these with a Goodyear welt. Now, usually a Goodyear welt is leather, and this one is plastic, but still—that makes for good assurance that the sole won’t separate immediately. 

There are five eyelets and two speed hooks, so these are easy to get on and off. I don’t know about you, but that’s a pretty important feature for me because my back is stiff and sore in the morning and when I’m done with work—not having to struggle with my boots is important.

Leather Quality and Care

Ever Boots Tank front view on steps

The leather is surprisingly good for a boot at this price. Ever Boots uses a nubuck leather, which is basically a genuine leather hide that’s had the top layer sanded down. 

It’s chrome tanned and has a decent amount of oils and waxes, so the leather is quite resilient against water and mud. 

It’s also 2mm thick, which is solid. I’d trust these boots if I was walking near sharp sheet metal. You might cut into the leather, but you likely won’t encounter anything that’ll cut straight through the leather in one go.

Ever Boots Tank mesh lining in boot

As for care, I haven’t treated the leather with anything. Because it’s nubuck, it doesn’t need much attention. 

But if you’re working in the rain or mud a lot, you may want to give it a coat of mink oil or Huberd’s Shoe Grease. These will help add more water resistance to the leather.

Ever Boots Tank top down view

That said, it’s important to note that this boot isn’t waterproof. It’ll keep your feet dry in a bit of weather, but if you’re in a seriously muddy situation, you’ll probably get wet feet. 

Probably the biggest downside to this boot is the fabric lining. It’s not a great material—it’s thin, and I can see this wearing through in a matter of months. 

Sole Quality

Ever Boots Tank sole tread detail

The outsole is decent. As I mentioned, it’s Goodyear welted with a plastic welt, so it’s secured with a stitch and cement: better than just the cement. 

Ever Boots claims the rubber outsoles are oil slip resistant. I wasn’t able to test this out, since I was wearing mine more in muddy situations rather than in a shop. 

Ever Boots Tank insole insert

There’s a removable insole, which is great if you have your own custom orthotics. You can just pop your own right in. 

Ever Boots Tank sole detail walking up stairs

The insoles that come standard with the boot are decent—they’re not especially good or comfortable, but they get the job done. 

The footbed is entirely fiberboard, so it’s quite important that if your boots get soaked, you get them fully dried out. Fiberboard can easily turn to mush or get moldy if your boots stay wet for two or three days. 

Fiberboard footbeds aren’t ideal, but it’s what you can expect from any boot this price. 

I’m happy with the steel shank, though. If you’re climbing ladders or anything where you depend on the arch of your foot for support, then having a steel shank is a must. They keep the arch stiff so the boot doesn’t bend in the middle and pinch your heels. 

It’s a nice feature, and one that not every boot in this price range offers. 

Fit and Sizing

author william barton wearing Ever Boots Tank

Ever Boots fit true to US men’s standard sizing. So if you wear a size 10 in most sneakers, then a size 10 will be perfect for you in Ever Boots

This is different than how heritage brands size their boots—-brands like Red Wing tend to run a half-size larger. 

So if you’re switching from an American Heritage brand like Timberland, Red Wing, or Wolverine, you’ll have to adjust your sizing. 

But if not, just choose the size that’s most common in your closet. 

I’m a size 10.5 with a standard width foot and the 10.5 is a perfect fit for me. 

Break In Period

There’s not much of a break in period. Because the Tank is made with chrome tanned nubuck, the leather is quite easy to crease and break in. 

I’d say the most you’ll maybe need to do is wear a thick pair of socks. My favorite brand is Camel City Mill socks. They’re expensive, but they last such a long time, and they really help keep my feet dry throughout the day. 

Camel City Mill Lightweight Wool Work Sock

Made with Ironside Merino wool, these work socks feature compression through the calf which promotes better bloodflow and helps your feet recover after a long day. Plus, because they're Merino wool, they're breathable and completely knock out foot-sweat.

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What do Other Reviewers Say About Ever Boots?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGqmexhjPIj/

You get what you pay for is a common thread through reviews for Ever Boots. A lot of folks mean that in a good way. And some folks also mean that in a negative sense. 

A lot of reviewers seemed to have trouble with the laces after a few weeks. Those that wore their boots five days a week on tough job sites report getting between 3-6 months of wear from them. 

Ever Boots Alternatives

Timberland 6” Premium Waterproof Boot

Timberlands are about twice as expensive, which I understand can be a dealbreaker. But I recommend the Timberland 6” Premium Waterproof Boot over the Ever Boot Tank because I think you’ll get four times more use from the boot. 

Yes, it costs twice as much, but you’ll only need to buy one pair this year. If you go with Ever Boots (and you wear them five times a week), you’ll likely need to buy two or even three pairs this year. 

So while the Timbs might seem more expensive now, in the long run, I argue they’re not. 

The Premium Timberland is waterproof, so it’s also a great fit for muddy conditions. It’s a classic boot and it’s stood the test of time for a reason. 

Timberland 6” Premium Waterproof Boot

Ah, the iconic design of the Timbs. Beyond being instantly recognizable, these are 100% waterproof and their Primaloft insulation make them an excellent rainy winter boot. The biggest downside is these are cemented sole construction rather than Goodyear welt, but you're getting style over longevity at this price point.

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Merrell Moab

The Merrell Moab is actually more of a hiking boot, but a lot of guys I know love to wear them for work. 

They’re certainly comfortable, and they offer a lot of support and protection on the job. 

The one downside to the Moab is that part of the upper is mesh fabric. That can be a no-go if you need a boot that’s entirely leather (i.e. you’re around electrical or sparks). 

But if you’re working something more in the general contracting space, the Merrell Moab is an excellent value for your money, and it’s similar in cost to the Ever Boots Tank

Merrell Moab

The Moab is more of a hiking boot, but a lot of guys I know love to wear them for work. They’re certainly comfortable, and they offer a lot of support and protection on the job. Just note that the upper is mesh and so they're a no-go if you work around electrical or sparks.

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My Thoughts Overall On the Ever Boots Tank

What I Like

  • The nubuck leather is 2mm thick and doesn’t need any care.
  • They have a wider fit in the toes, which helps make them more comfortable.
  • They’re inexpensive.

What I Don’t Like

  • The fabric lining on the inside won’t last long.
  • The fiberboard footbed needs to be dried completely if you ever soak your boots, because it can get mushy or moldy if left wet for two or three days.

Who Is Ever Boots for?

Ever Boots are worthwhile if you only need a work boot for the occasional odd job. While I wouldn’t use them as an everyday work boot, the price is right for something you just want to beat up and wear when your chores are too tough on your regular boots.

The Verdict

The Ever Boots Tank is the king of the bargain basement.

They’re surprisingly good boots considering their price.

The Goodyear welt construction is reassuring (the sole isn’t going to immediately become separated), the nubuck leather is decently thick and doesn’t need much care, and the steel shanks offer support for if you’re climbing anything while working.

There are some major drawbacks—the biggest in my opinion is the fabric lining. It’s thin material and I can’t see it lasting more than three months if you’re wearing your boots four to five times per week.

And the footbed is fiberboard. So if your boots get soaked through, you’ll have to really try to dry them out thoroughly, or else you’ll be looking at a moldy pair of boots with a warped footbed.

If you can, I really recommend saving up and getting the Timberland 6” Premium Waterproof Boot. It solves a lot of the issues the Ever Boots Tank has and I think it’ll serve you better for longer.

Ever Boots Tank

The Ever Boots Tank is the king of the bargain basement. The Goodyear welt construction is reassuring, the nubuck leather is decently thick, and the steel shanks offer support for if you’re climbing anything while working.

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If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

FAQs

Where are Ever Boots made?

Ever Boots are made in China.

What is the best work boot money can buy?

The best work boots are made by Nicks Handmade Boots. They cost around $600, and they’re insanely durable. 

Do Ever Boots run big?

No, Ever Boots don’t run large. They fit true to standard US men’s shoe sizing. The toe box is a little wider than on most shoes, so your toes might have a bit more room, but I wouldn’t change your pick of sizing based on that. 

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