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Since its inception in 2020, Brunt Workwear has offered a variety of boots and apparel for a broad swath of people in construction and trades. Now, the startup is rolling out a new line of boots for people in the toughest jobs.
“We have heard from thousands of customers and people that have wanted to try the brand that there’s definitely a desire for heavy duty products in that market,” explained Brunt founder and chief executive officer Eric Girouard in an interview with FN.
In response, Brunt has launched its first line of “heavy-duty” work boots that offer even more stability and protection for people in the most demanding jobs. Both boots in the line, the Marin Welted and the Mulder Welted, are made with Goodyear welted construction, a method meant to increase durability, stability and safety. They also both feature a slip and oil-resistant outsole, though the Mulder has a protective toe tap and more aggressive tread for gripping, making it the heavier duty option of the two models. The Marin’s outsole is resistant to temperatures up to 572 degrees Fahrenheit.
Like Brunt’s other shoes, the two new models are named after people in the trades — and friends of Girouard. The Marin is named for Matt Marin, a superintendent at a drywall company, and the Mulder for Andy Mulder, who runs his own landscaping and outdoor design company.
“It’s natural to name it after them,” Girouard said, noting that he worked with Andy to develop the shoes. “It’s also to help honor them and what they’re doing in the trades and the impact that they’re making in their communities.”
Both boots offer better traction on uneven surfaces like rocky terrains, construction sites, ladders and scaffolding. The types of people wearing these boots might spend their day in excavation, pouring foundations on rock bases or walking on steel rebar.
The Marin Welted is available in a soft toe version starting at $169 and a comp toe version starting at $179. The Mulder Welted starts at $189.
“A lot of the more dominant welted boots in the market are well over $200,” Girouard said. “We wanted to price them as sharp as we possibly could to give our customers a great value, but so they also understand what goes into these products so they are willing to pay a little bit more.”
Girouard said Brunt could potentially expand its new heavy duty category beyond the two models, depending on how the launch goes.
The boots will be available on the company’s website, as well as via wholesale, a channel Brunt just entered in February. Both new styles will be available in 23 different retailers, including Saf-Gard, Shoeteria, Vanderloops, Haney Shoes, Blue Collar, Trav’s Outfitter, Chuck’s Boots, Workwear Safety, starting in August.
In 2024, Brunt is projecting revenues to double for the fourth year in a row. The company has added several high-profile leaders to its team in the last year and recently hit its milestone of selling its millionth pair of boots.
