If you are a builder, electrician, laborer, factory worker or police officer, safety footwear is important. When you consider how many hours a day you have to spend standing, walking or climbing, wearing the right work boots can make all the difference to your working life.
So if your work boots need replacing or you have just started an apprenticeship in a trade that requires specific footwear, here are some tips on how to find your perfect fit.
The 7 Best Work Boots
- Caterpillar Men’s Second Shift 6″ Steel Toe Boot
- Timberland Pro Men’s Direct Attach 8 inch Work boot
- Irish Setter Men’s 83800 8 Inch Aluminum Toe Work Boot
- Danner Men’s Super Rain Forest Work Boot
- Timberland PRO 26388 Women’s Titan 6 Inch Work Boots
- Safety Girl II Women’s Work Boots
- Wolverine Women’s Harrison Safety Boot
Our Top Pick for Men
Timberland Pro Men’s Direct Attach 8 inch Work boot
These boots are made from high quality, premium grade leather that will protect your feet in all types of hazardous working conditions, while also giving you a solid and adaptable fit.
Check the price on AmazonOur Top Pick for Women
Timberland PRO 26388 Women’s Titan 6 Inch Work Boots
Although the boots for women have an aluminum toe box as opposed to the steel toe box for the men, this does not compromise their safety. Timberland has constructed a pair of tough and durable work boots that are well known for their overall high-level performance. And they look great too.
In April 2015, the Bureau of Labor Statistics updated their work-related injury data, which resulted in a whopping amount of 2,905,900 cases in the United States. These statistics are indeed disturbing, and while workplace injuries seriously affect your productivity at work, they can also be extremely costly for you and your workplace.
Check the price on AmazonThe Importance of Finding The Right Type of Work Boots
Having the right type of safety footwear is an essential part of staying safe in your workplace. Here are some of the benefits of wearing the right kind of work boots. They can:
- Protect your feet from being crushed by heavy objects or pierced by sharp instruments.
- Improve traction and stability on slippery or unsteady surfaces.
- Protect you in extreme hot and cold weather conditions.
- Give you much-needed comfort when you are walking or standing for long periods.
How to Choose the Best Work Boots
What risks do you face on the job, and what are your unique requirements? Let’s look at points to consider when choosing the best boots:
1. Workplace Safety Requirements
Before you start looking for the right pair of work boots, you need to know what the particular safety-gear regulations are for your workplace. If you are unsure, consult your Occupational Safety and Health Administration Officer, Foreman, or HR manager to familiarize yourself with the safety-gear requirements that are specific to your job, project or industry.
2. Comfortability
Because you will most certainly be spending most of your workday on your feet, comfortability will be a major factor in your choice of footwear.
Another important thing to remember when you are thinking about comfortability is to remember that a leather boot will stretch a little and conform to the shape of your foot, but a steel toe will never stretch and will always be tight.
- Size Does Matter
When it comes to choosing the right work boot, size does matter! If your feet suffer, the rest of your body will too. Besides back problems, other problems can arise like ingrown toenails, corns or blisters, and other serious foot ailments.
You also have to consider that you will be wearing socks, and probably thicker socks, which will take up extra space in the boot, so this may also contribute to your need for a slightly larger size for all-day comfort.
- Exceptional Feet
An important factor to consider is do you have exceptional feet such as flat feet, wide feet, or a certain medical condition such as plantar fasciitis?
Shoe size is relative and not all standard sizes fit all types of feet, so if you have flat feet or certain medical conditions like plantar fasciitis, choose a work boot that is half a size bigger than your normal shoe size, or use shoe inserts to give you extra support.
Many people find that some work boots are too big for their feet, so read the fine print, and if the manufacturer says that the boot is ideal for people who have wide feet or the size is larger than normal boot sizes, then you may have to choose half a size down or even up from the advertised size.
3. Construction
How a work boot is constructed relates to the material it is made out of and will ultimately affect its flexibility and long-term performance.
- Leather
Most good quality work boots are made of leather. Full-grain leather or tough deer hide is a hard and durable material that makes a rugged work boot that will be long-lasting. Boots that are constructed from leather offer you very good protection for your feet against heavy or sharp objects, but it can make the boots heavy and bulky.
- Goodyear® Welt Construction
Goodyear® Welt Construction adds extra strength to the work boot. The upper and inner sole is stitched together with a leather strip or ‘welt’, and then the sole is stitched through the welt. This process not only ensures that the boots provide you with long-lasting durability, but it allows the boot to be re-soled or repaired.
- Cement Construction
Cement construction refers to the boot’s sole, where the sole is cemented directly to the upper part of the boot. This construction makes the boot more lightweight and flexible, but unlike Goodyear® Welt Construction, the boot cannot be re-soled.
4. Outer Soles
If your workplace is prone to a lot of slippery or uneven surfaces, look for a boot that has a slip or oil-resistant sole that can help to prevent any accidents.
Most work boot soles are made from thick rubber, and in particular, Vibram® is a high-performance rubber that can provide maximum traction on both wet and dry surfaces, and can give you that extra support when you are walking on hard surfaces like concrete. Thick rubber soles can also protect you from any punctures.
5. Insoles
When you are looking for comfort, look for flexible and cushioned insoles. Work boots that have a combination insole board also include a shock diffusion plate that disperses the force of a heel strike and significantly reduces any pressure.
6. Foot and Ankle Support
Nylon shanks will give you extra support and stability under the arches of your feet, and soft padded material around the ankle will stop any uncomfortable rubbing against your skin. Some work boots have a full-cushion removable footbed that also gives you extra support for the ball of your foot
7. Water-resistant versus Waterproof
Some work boots are water-resistant, which means they can withstand small amounts of moisture like a light shower, but waterproofing means they can keep your feet dry in almost any type of weather. While waterproof boots are specially designed to protect your feet in very cold temperatures up to -55 degrees, they can make your feet hot in the summer months.
8. Breathable Liners
Wearing work boots for long periods in hot summer conditions can make your feet sweat and smell. Nylon mesh lining can help to expel any sweat and GORE-TEX® (GTX) liners are 100% waterproof and breathable.
9. Safety Toes
If you work in construction or another type of hazardous workplace, safety toes are an extremely important footwear requirement.
There are three different kinds of safety toes available:
- Steel Toes
Whether you are working on a construction site or on a roadworks team, steel toes are shatterproof and they will protect your feet from heavy or sharp objects. The only downside of steel toes is that they make the work boot very heavy, and they do not provide very good insulation in cold weather.
- Aluminum Toes
Aluminum toes are also a good choice for protecting your feet. The main benefits of the aluminum toes or caps are that they are about 30-50% lighter than steel toes, and they are slightly thinner than the steel caps, so they give you more space in the toe box.
The disadvantages of aluminum toes are that they can be more expensive than steel toes, and they can set off metal detectors.
- Composite Toes
Composite toes are made from three kinds of materials: plastic, carbon fiber, and rubber. They are very lightweight and provide a good level of resistance and durability, and they do not set off metal detectors. But for the best protection, look for work boots that have steel or aluminum toes.
10. Metatarsal Guard
Metatarsal guards are usually combined with a safety toe. It is an extra flap that can be either incorporated internally or externally onto the work boot. The metatarsal guard is situated over and behind the toes where the small bones in your feet are, which are especially prone to injury.
Boots that have a metatarsal guard is an extra safety feature, which is ideal for someone who works in especially hazardous conditions, like a heavy construction worker.
11. Electrical Surge Protection
There are two types of work boots that are ideal for when you are for working around electricity; electrical hazard and static dissipation work boots.
- Electrical Hazard Work Boots
This kind of boot has a sole that is made from nonconductive materials that reduce the risk of an electric shock.
- Static Dissipation
These kinds of boots are made with a conductive insole that is designed to prevent the buildup of static and dissipate an electrostatic charge.
5 Handy Work Boot Tips
Whether you are looking to “try before you buy” or want to know how to maintain your work boots, here are five handy tips.
- If you want to try out a pair of work boots before you buy online, shop for boots in the afternoon or early evening as feet tend to swell throughout the day. Take a pair of socks that you would probably wear with work boots. Trying the boots on with your socks will give you a better idea of the final fit.
- Work boots that are made out of leather can be stiff and uncomfortable at first, so use some saddle soap and they will be more flexible.
- To protect your boots, use a leather treatment or beeswax to keep the material supply and extra resistant to water.
- Store your boots in a clean and dry place to reduce odors and to preserve the leather.
- Although a lot of work boots have thick soles that can give you very good support, Dr. Scholl’s gel inserts can give you that extra support when you are standing on your feet for long periods.
7 Best Work Boots – Product Reviews
With so many work boots out there for you to buy, we have found seven of the best work boots for both men and women.
Work Boots for Men:
1. Caterpillar Men’s 2nd Shift 6″ Steel Toe Boot
Caterpillar (CAT) is one of the most trusted manufacturers of high-quality work boots, so if you are looking for strong boots that are also comfortable, then the Caterpillar Second Shift Work Boots are a great choice.
They are made from full-grain leather with Goodyear® welt construction for added strength, and the nylon mesh lining can expel any sweat during the summer months while the climasphere insole keeps your feet warm during the winter.
When it comes to the all-important safety features, Caterpillar has you covered with steel toes that have one of the highest ASTM ratings – F2413-11 I/75 C/75 – which means they are super strong against impact and compression. The boots are also made from specially designed electrical hazard construction in the soles that will protect you against open circuits up to 600 volts in dry conditions.
Caterpillar has your comfort in mind with ladder arch, padded ankle and collar support, and slip and oil resistant rubber soles that have unique sole traction. The boots are available in black or tan and they come in a wide range of sizes from 7 to 14.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Solid leather construction
- Good ankle support
- Steel toes
- Slip-resistant
- Water-resistant
- Comfortable
Cons
- Not insulated
- Laces can fray easily
2. Timberland Pro Men’s Direct Attach 8 inch Work boot
Timberland has designed a rugged work boot from high-quality materials that will provide you with that much-needed comfortability for when you are working long hours.
The sealed leather uppers have been specially treated to give the boot waterproof properties that can cause any liquid to bead up and be shed from the surface. The lightweight blown-thermal plastic midsole gives you flexibility in movement, which is ideal for when you have to climb ladders, and the oil-resistant rubber lug outsole provides you with excellent traction.
The steel toe will protect you from any impact and compression as well as complying with electrical hazard standards in case you stand on any live electrical circuits or energized conductors. The combination insole board includes a shock diffusion plate that disperses the force of a heel strike to significantly reduce any cumulative underfoot pressure and provides extra support for your heel and midfoot area. The top collar is padded to protect your ankle, and the quick-drying, moisture-resistant Thermolite® insulation keeps your feet warm in any kind of weather.
One of the highlights of these work boots is their “open-cell polyurethane” footbed that has antimicrobial treatment, which also helps to control any nasty odors.
Although these waterproof work boots can keep your feet warm and dry, it is recommended that you use a waterproofing spray before using them as they are waterproof for only up to one inch of water, so if you submerge them in water, moisture can seep into the boot.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Sturdy
- Very comfortable
- Good insulation
- Good looking boots
- Ideal for wide and hard-to-fit feet
- Steel toe ASTM compliant for I/75 and C/75 impact resistant
- ASTM Electrical Hazard (F2412-11, F2413-11, F2892-11)
Cons
- Not completely waterproof
- No boot hook, so the boots are hard to put on
3. Irish Setter Men’s 83800 8 Inch Aluminum Toe Work Boot
These handcrafted Irish Setter work boots are a great choice for construction workers and laborers as they are designed to withstand extreme working conditions. They are made from top-quality U.S. raised steer hides, which means they are made from durable and strong leather and the ULTRADRY™ waterproofing system combines a moisture management lining with waterproof components for long-lasting performance.
The safety toe is made from aluminum, so as well as giving you the protection you need, it also makes these boots very light compared to boots that have steel toes. The removable insole and the combination rubber and polyurethane outsole give you that much-needed support for all-day comfortability.
If you are working with electricity, these boots are also compliant with ASTM standards to reduce the risk of an electric shock as the sole is made from nonconductive materials.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Very comfortable
- Solid work boot
- Lightweight
- Aluminum toes
- Waterproof
Cons
- Not insulated
- The outer sole is not very thick
4. Danner Men’s Super Rain Forest Work Boot
These super stylish all-purpose work boots from Danner are designed for flexibility and comfort. Whether you are a policeman or a plumber these boots will give you the protection you need for working long hours in hot and cold conditions.
The boots are superbly handcrafted from the strongest and most durable full-grain rain forest leather, with double layers of industrial-strength leather across the top of the foot for extra protection. The GORE-TEX® (GTX) liners are 100% breathable and can eliminate any sweat or moisture, while the high-performance insulation keeps you warmer in extremely cold weather conditions.
Each boot is designed with a deep-lugged Vibram rubber sole, and in combination with Danner’s legendary triple stitch-down construction, will give you increased stability underfoot and improved traction on any surface.
The boots comply with ASTM regulations for electrical hazard protection as they have non-conductive electrical shock resistant soles. Although the boots can fit most feet quite snugly with ample room for the toes, you may need to buy a larger size if your feet do not conform to regular sizes.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- High-quality construction
- Smart looking
- Lightweight
- Thick leather
- Waterproof
- Very comfortable
- Made in the U.S.A
Cons
- Not ideal for construction sites
- Plain toe
- Boots are a bit narrow
Work Boots for Women
5. Timberland PRO 26388 Women’s Titan 6 Inch Work Boots
Whether you are an electrician working on a construction site or part of a road work crew, the Timberland Titan Pro work boots are a very comfortable boot with a host of safety features.
The boots are made from full-grain, premium leather, which is designed to give you a solid and adaptable fit, and the polyurethane midsole with the shock-absorbing high-rebound cushioned heel insert and nylon diffusion shank provides you with that extra support for your heel and arch. If you are standing for long hours on the factory floor or climbing ladders, the padded collar protects your ankle and stops the skin from chafing from the material, and the rubber outsoles are abrasion, oil, and slip-resistant.
In addition to the extra protection of the very roomy aluminum toe box and the ASTM electrical hazard rating, the contoured open-cell polyurethane footbed and the mesh lining allows the boots to breathe, which will keep your feet fresh and dry from any build-up of bacteria.
These boots are very lightweight as opposed to steel-toe boots, and although they may feel a little tight for some women, if you purchase half a size up from your normal shoe size, they should you give you a nice snug fit. You can also purchase the boots in both brown and black.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Good quality
- Flexible material
- Shock-absorbing heel
- Abrasion, oil, and slip-resistant
- Good ankle support
- Aluminum toe box
- ASTM Electrical Hazard Compliant
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty workplaces
- Not very waterproof
6. Safety Girl II Women’s Work Boots
Whether you work on a construction site or in a warehouse, these high-quality boots from Safety Girl will give you the protection you need for those long hours spent on your feet.
These beautiful and stylish boots are made from strong and durable Tan nubuck leather upper that is super soft to the touch, and synthetic sheepskin lining with a waterproof membrane will keep your feet cool, dry, and comfortable throughout your workday.
The double color rubber outsole gives you the support you need and the steel toe will protect your feet from falling objects up to 2500 lbs or sharp blades that can pierce through the boot.
The Safety Girl Boots are also oil-resistant and meet ASTM workplace safety standards, which are required for many industrial workplaces. The boots are available in a range of sizes from 5 to 12, but to get the best fit, it is recommended that you purchase half a size up from your normal shoe size. Although the boots are not waterproof, you can protect them by spraying them with a waterproof sealant.
Pros
- Good value for money
- High-quality construction
- Attractive
- Durable
- Steel toes
- Very comfortable
- Good fit
Cons
- Not enough support for the ankle
- Not waterproof
7. Wolverine Women’s Harrison Safety Boot
For all-day comfort and protection, these rugged and well-designed boots by Wolverine are a great choice for those ladies who work in demanding industrial workplaces.
The boots are made from genuine full-grain leather upper that is strong and durable but is also very lightweight, and the material is very supple and will conform to the shape of your feet very quickly. Your feet will be kept cool and dry as the breathable PK mesh lining will eliminate any sweat. The full-cushion removable footbed and nylon shank will provide you with that much-needed support when you have to stand for long hours.
The boots are designed to meet strict ASTM standards with a non-conductive steel toe that will protect your feet from heavy falling or rolling objects, as well as complying with electrical hazards regulations for open circuits up to 600 volts.
If you have a high arch or instep, the nylon shanks will give you extra support and stability under the arches of your feet, and the soft padded material around the ankle stops any uncomfortable rubbing against your skin. The thick rubber outsoles will give you extra support when you are standing or walk on hard surfaces like concrete, and they are abrasion, water, chemical, oil, and heat resistant and will provide you with excellent traction on slippery surfaces.
Although these boots have a wider width, to get the best fit it is recommended that you choose half a size smaller than your normal shoe size.
Pros
- High quality
- Durable
- Very comfortable
- ASTM rated-steel toe and electrical hazard compliant
- Good ankle support
- Ideal for wide feet and high arches
Cons
- Leather can get scuffed easily
- Sizes are larger than the advertised size
Our Top Pick for Men
Timberland Pro Men’s Direct Attach 8 inch Work boot
These boots are made from high quality, premium grade leather that will protect your feet in all types of hazardous working conditions, while also giving you a solid and adaptable fit.
Check the price on AmazonOur Top Pick for Women
Timberland PRO 26388 Women’s Titan 6 Inch Work Boots
Although the boots for women have an aluminum toe box as opposed to the steel toe box for the men, this does not compromise their safety. Timberland has constructed a pair of tough and durable work boots that are well known for their overall high-level performance. And they look great too.
Check the price on Amazon
