Best Work Boots For Men & Women – Work Boot Reviews Of The Best On The Market
You’re a hard-working man (or woman!), and in your line of work, things can sometimes get messy.
Since you spend a fair amount of time on your feet, you’ll need to make sure they are out of harm’s way, and comfortable- because there is no time for injury, you’re here to get the job done, right!?
A hard working man need a hard working boot to support him, however…
finding that perfect pair of work boots, can be a damn tough job in itself!
Good news…
We’ve done the hard yards for you and put together this resource; a one-stop, all-inclusive guide to help you find the RIGHT boots, that have got your back.
Keep in mind that the industry you are in will greatly influence which features of your boots are most important. For example, john the miner needs the most comfortable boots out there, while Sam the logger needs a boot with maximum ankle support.
Browse the table below to sort through and find some awesome work boot reviews.
- [easyazon_link identifier="B000XF0RE6" locale="US" tag="workbootcri09-20"]Timberland Pro Pitboss[/easyazon_link]
- Durability + SafetyStrong Point
- (4.9 / 5)
- $$
- [easyazon_link identifier="B001QJ2GHE" locale="US" tag="workbootcri09-20"]Thorogood American Heritage[/easyazon_link]
- ComfortStrong Point
- (4.9 / 5)
- $$
- [easyazon_link identifier="B000CDLC3Y" locale="US" tag="workbootcri09-20"]Caterpillar 2nd Shift[/easyazon_link]
- PriceStrong Point
- (4.6 / 5)
- $
- [easyazon_link identifier="B0023RSKNW" locale="US" tag="workbootcri09-20"]Caterpillar Diagnostics[/easyazon_link]
- SafetyStrong Point
- (4.8 / 5)
- $$
- [easyazon_link identifier="B002ASAJW4" locale="US" tag="workbootcri09-20"]Timberland Pro Endurance[/easyazon_link]
- Safety + ComfortStrong Point
- (4.8 / 5)
- $$
- [easyazon_link identifier="B000WG25SC" locale="US" tag="workbootcri09-20"]MuckBoots Original Hi-Cut[/easyazon_link]
- WaterProofStrong point
- (4.8 / 5)
- $$
- [easyazon_link identifier="B000VX6Y2O" locale="US" tag="workbootcri09-20"]Timberland WhiteLedge[/easyazon_link]
- WaterProof + GripStrong point
- (4.8 / 5)
- $
- [easyazon_link identifier="B003F24DRQ" locale="US" tag="workbootcri09-20"]Chippewa Super Logger[/easyazon_link]
- LoggerStrong point
- (4.9 / 5)
- $$$
- [easyazon_link identifier="B001IOGMTA" locale="US" tag="workbootcri09-20"]Red Wing Iron Ranger[/easyazon_link]
- QualityStrong point
- (4.8 / 5)
- $$$$
- [easyazon_link identifier="B0002KYXGK" locale="US" tag="workbootcri09-20"]Wolverine Gold[/easyazon_link]
- InsulationStrong point
- (4.8 / 5)
- $$
They will keep you safe
25% of disabling workplace injuries result from foot injuries, that’s a crazy high figure! 10% from punctures, crushing, sprains, lacerations, and 15% from slips, trips and falls.
Don’t become a statistic. You keep the other parts of your body safe without thought, and your feet are equally important.
Apart from avoiding a life threatening slip or fall, you can avoid those nasty common problems associated with poor footwear, such as calluses, corns, blisters, and flat feet (Yes, poor footwear can cause fallen arches AKA flat feet)
You’ll feel….great!
The old saying goes “When your feet hurt, you hurt all over”.
When wearing a quality pair of boots you will notice that your whole body feels better! Fatigue will not set in as fast, and you will feel more energetic- all because you took a little care of your feet.
You WILL perform better at work
When your confident that you’re safe, and you’re not worrying about feeling tired and sore, you have less to worry about, and you can perform better on the job…
…did someone say pay rise?
They will last longer than you think
Choosing the right pair for your work environment will mean you’re using them for what they are engineered for.
It’s not uncommon for a pair of boots to last you for years, if picked for the right situation.
At the end of the day, that means more hard earned money in your pocket…..hell yeah!
So, what are the right boots for me?
You don’t just want a pair of good work boots, you want the best pair you can find…
Maybe your looking for the most comfortable work boots?
or maybe your looking for the best waterproof work boots?
How about a pair of great lightweight work boots?
Could it be that your after the best work boots for men? or maybe your just here looking for the best insoles for your work boots?
If you were to ask me, I can’t go past a pair of the best pull on work boots (it’s because i’m lazy)
Whatever feature is at the top of your list, you must first start by looking at a few important factors…
When shopping for a pair of work boots, the main factor you need to consider is your work environment.
Listed below are common work environment situations that will determine which features matter most when choosing your work boots:
Its Cold
If you often find yourself in cold environments, choose a boot with extra insulation to ensure your feet stay warm.
Don’t make the mistake of trying to find the warmest pair of socks instead- this will just make your feet sweat more, without keeping them warm.
Its wet
Is there a good chance you’ll get a little wet during your day to day tasks?
Look for a pair of boots with a high waterproof rating. Nobody want to spend the rest of their day with wet feet.
You’re looking for the best waterproof work boots, or possibly the best waterproof cream, which you may find here.
If you’re just looking for some advice on how to make your work boots more waterproof – check out our guide to waterproofing your work boots.
Its slippery
If you often find yourself on slippery, hard floors, or if there is a good chance that there will be oil around, Choose a boot with extra traction on the soles- it could save your life.
Most boots these days come with great sole traction, but just in case you need the BEST OF THE BEST when it comes to sole traction, check out these winners from Timberland.
You work at heights
Spend a bit of time up on ladders? Or maybe you do a lot of climbing around?
You need a boot with that allows you to move around easily; it needs to have a defined heel and have great sole traction.
A lightweight and comfortable work boot will probably do wonders for your fatigue, so be sure to have a look at these winners in the comfort department.
Your constantly moving over uneven terrain
If your job requires you to move around often, and the surface your covering is unpredictable, go for a boot with extra ankle support. If this describes you, there is a good chance you will prefer a boot that has all of the good features of a logging work boot. We review the best logger work boots on this page, so be sure to check it out.
Your shifts are long
Doing a lot of overtime?
Our feet weren’t designed to support us all day, so choosing the most comfortable work boots should be your number one priority. Your back and legs will thank you.
If your shifts are long, AND dangerous, there’s a good chance you’ll be searching for both: the most comfortable steel toe work boots perhaps?
You are most likely looking for the best work shoes/boots for standing, and we have an awesome guide on this topic for you, here.
Your feet are being attacked from all angles
If there Is a high risk of injury through nails, rubble, concrete, sparks, falling objects etc, go for a boot built for ultimate protection. This is the most common situation when you work in construction, so for the best rated construction work boots, check out our reviews here.
Your boots need to be tougher than you- You need a steel (or composite) capped toe, anti-puncture lining, ankle support, and an extremely durable outer skin.
How are your work boots made?
It seems irrelevant, but knowing about the various methods of construction of work boots can help you in choosing the right pair. This is because the way a work boot is made will determine which features it shines in. The two main method of construction include the direct attach (cement construction) and Goodyear welt construction.
Cement construction – Also known as direct attach, this method involves the upper part of the work boot (also know as the ‘uppers’) being stuck, or cemented to the sole part of the boot with a special boot cement. Cement construction work boots result in a highly flexible and lightweight work boot, which means high levels of comfort as the boots molds to the shape of your feet quite easily. If you are looking for extreme levels of comfort in your work boots, this method of construction is the best choice for you!
Goodyear welt construction – this is the most popular choice of construction and it involves a welt, which is a tough strip of leather, rubber or plastic, that is stitched to the upper part of the work boot and also the sole of the shoe. It acts like a tough anchor, holding the boot together. This welt is then enclosed by being cemented and stitched to the outsole. The obvious advantage of using this method to make work boots is durability – they are almost unbreakable. You also have the option of having the boot resoled if it ever becomes badly damaged (you can read more about this here)
Long story short – if you’re looking for comfortable and lightweight boots, cement construction work boots are for you. If you are looking for tough, long lasting boots, go for something made with Goodyear welt construction.
Our picks for the 5 top rated work boots around
So, which work boots are right for you then? Take a look at the following 5 for our recommendations on some damn good work boots.
All of these work boots are great buys- hell, we wouldn’t be talking about them if we didn’t think they were. At the end of the day, it comes down to your job, and your preference. For more details and awesome reviews, check out our work boot reviews page, here.
The Timberland Pro Pit boss: the Best all-rounder
It’s no secret that the timberland Pro range are regarded as some of the highest quality work boots in the market, and the Pit boss is no exception.
This boot is a great all-rounder, and it looks pretty mean, right? It has extra sole traction to keep you steady, and electrical hazard protection so you don’t get fried. Your feet are untouchable through the anti-puncture lining and steel capped toe protection. For such a tough looking boot, it’s actually very comfortable. An extra wide toe space defines the front of the boot, while inside you’ve got a removable sock liner which helps avoid those nasty blisters you can get while working long shifts. ‘Breaking in’ of the boot can take up to a few weeks, so the more you wear the them, the more comfortable they become.
With All those features, these boots must cost a fortune right? Wrong, the Pitboss is surprisingly reasonable at around $120
The pit boss: an extremely tough all-rounder which is guaranteed to last the test of time.
Rated as number 1: best work boots for men.
The Timberland Pro Titan: Lightweight and comfortable
This boot is regarded by many as the Beez Neez of work boots, and you would hope so since a pair Starts at roughly $120. Timberland have definitely did not mess around when engineering these boots- they don’t only meet testing standards, they blow them out of the water!
What are so special about these bad boys? Waterproof technology means your feet will stay dry, and the lightweight alloy-titanium toe shield will keep you light on your feet. The Timberland pro sole which is slip, oil and abrasion resistant will ensure your safe no matter where you tread, and did we mention they electrical shock resistant? On top of all of this, you get one of the most comfortable boots around- made from premium soft full-grained leather which means a faster ‘break-in’ time and superior levels of foot-pleasure.
The titan combines safety, practicality, and comfort, to deliver one awesome pair of work boots. There is one disadvantage of a boot like this: you may never want to put on another type of boot again!
The Timberland direct attach soft toe boot: A long time favourite
If comfort is important to you and you don’t want to wear your slippers to work, we have just the boot for you. You may be asking yourself what a boot like this is doing on the list. One word. Comfort. Timberland have made this boot with ultimate comfort in mind, without sacrificing the advanced features that come standard in the timberland pro range.
Don’t worry, you’ve still got water repelling technology, non-slip rubber soles and high quality leather protecting your feet. These boots have been constructed without a steel toe and with lightweight, quick-drying insulation, providing one of the most comfortable, and lightweight boots around.
So if your not often in such harsh environments, and you want comfort without sacrificing quality you should definitely not look past this pair of boots.
Muckboots original Hi cut boot: The king of Waterproof-ness
Getting down and dirty at work? Is water, mud, gravel, rubble, or even snow threatening to ruin your day? The original Muckboots have got you covered, yo.
These are built to deal with the absolute worst your job can dish out, and they are still damn comfortable- its not wonder so many customers rave about them.
100% waterproof, high insulating, triple reinforced toe AND heel, steel shank for ankle support…its hard to believe they are still comfortable with all that toughness, but they are! You have a stretch fit top line (which basically means they will mold to your leg size, and keep the warmth in), breathable air mesh lining, a wide heel and an ever so handy kick rim to help get them off fast.
Caterpillar men’s second shift work Boot: best value work boot on the market
Caterpillar is the worlds leading manufacture or construction and mining equipment, and you can literally find there construction gear all around the world. They are the best at what they do, which is build tough things for tough industries. For this reason, its no surprise that their work boots have made it into the top 5.
These Boots truly tick all the boxes, they have so many features so I don’t know where to begin. They are built tough so they will last you years- You may likely wear the sole down from so much use before the boots become apart. Comfort is a huge feature of this boot, built with superior features which boast all day comfort, water repellent and insulation from all conditions from freezing cold to sweaty hot. They are a lightweight boot which adds to the comfort, but you also can choose between soft-toe if your looking for less weight, or a reinforced steel toe if your looking for more protection.
As with most of the tough-made boots They Do require a break in period of a few weeks, but once broken in, you can then expect them to stick with you for the long haul.
When it comes to great value, these are some of the best steel toe boots around.