I make ALOT of deliveries everyday at work so I needed a work boot that was comfortable, light weight, waterproof, look good & easy to clean. These boots did all that and then some! I own several pairs of Merrell dress shoes and really like them so I figured their work boots had to be the same. The black material is made of a rubber-like material that is soft too so it won't crack easily. Usually with other brand of work boots, I have to wear the boots for a good week to break them in before they quit hurting my feet! Not with these boots....day one, my feet feel like I didn't have them on! Your feet will stay bone dry----all day long! The boots are so lite, my flip flops weigh as much as these boots!!! Well worth every penny!