Dominique has been wearing Bekina gumboots for 10 years! Read his review below:
Farmer Dominique Van Simaeys confirms in his review that Bekina boots score better than regular rubber or PVC gumboots. Bekina is a Belgian family company that designs and produces gumboots for different sectors, with farming being one of the largest. The boots are not traditional rubber, but are made of NEOTANE. This high-quality polyurethane offers several advantages in terms of comfort, thermal insulation and durability.
“I’ve been wearing Bekina Boots for farming for almost 10 years,” says Dominique in his review. “And I mean it when I say that I’ll never have to change my boots again!” We asked Dominique a few questions about his profession and how Bekina gumboots help him.
Farmer Dominique: “The comfort of Bekina work boots for farming is truly unbeatable.”
Hi Dominique! Can you tell us more about your farm?
“I have a farm in Deinze (BE) together with my parents. We focus on livestock for fattening and dairy cattle. We maintain a total of about 350 to 400 cows. In addition, we cultivate some 64 hectares of crops, including maize, maize meal, winter barley, legumes, winter field beans and grass clover.”
You work together with your parents. Is your farm a real family business?
“Yes, we’re one of those typical Flemish farms.” (laughs) “My parents took over my grandparents’ farm in 2001. In 2019, I formed a farming partnership with my parents so that I can help them grow and in turn take over the farm from them.
People used to think of a farmer simply as a farmer, but in fact we’re really entrepreneurs. In addition to the operational work in the stables and on the fields, I’m also a representative of our business. So I’m not only busy on the farm, I’m also out and about a lot.”
What do you like about your job in farming?
“That I can work and be close to nature. That combination is fantastic. I can work with my hands in the fresh air, but I’m also free to engage in business.”
When did you start wearing Bekina boots?
“How I came to know Bekina Boots is quite a funny story. Our family is actually from Ruien, close to Kluisbergen where the Bekina Boots factory is located. So we drove by there quite often and were already very familiar with the name Later, some 8 to 10 years ago, we bought a pair of Bekina gumboots, and we’ve not worn anything else since: Bekina Boots really are the best for farming!”
Why? What do you like about Bekina gumboots?
“For a farmer working all day in the barn or in the field, comfort is the most important thing. With Bekina gumboots, I can work for a whole day, even days, without getting sore feet or heavy legs. I never experienced that with other gumboots. The comfort of Bekina work boots is truly unbeatable.”
Do you have a favourite gumboot?
“The men here wear the StepliteX SolidGrip with steel toe cap. I find these the most comfortable, because they have a wide shaft so that you don’t feel trapped when wearing jeans and overalls in them. In addition, they’re very easy to clean and don’t allow dirt to creep in, which is important in our profession.”
What can you say about the safety and slip resistance of the gumboots?
“The outsole is extremely slip resistant, and that safety isn’t reduced the longer you wear them. I also wear Bekina boots with a steel toe cap, because when I walk among the cows I can’t risk them stepping on my feet with their heavy hooves. I do get kicked every once in a while though!”
How long does a pair of Bekina gumboots last?
“I wear them in the barn, in the field and even throughout the day. I even got married in them.” (laughs) “I take good care of them and they last at least a year and a half despite intensive use, so much longer if you only wear them occasionally.”