I was hoping that the soles would be kind of soft.my first day my foot was in a lot of pain. I was going to return them but I tried some very good insoles instead. I  bought some Profoot custom orthotics insoles and my chronic foot pain went away.These boots are ok but I  am on the heavy side 284 and concrete floors at work. I am going to try a different kind of hiker steel toe boot next time.