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A good pair of work boots is durable enough to hold up to hard working conditions—and they provide support, saving you from foot fatigue. Steel-toe work boots, specifically, can save you from smashed toes (or losing one altogether). Work Footwear
Construction workers and machinists have safety requirements for their workwear, including a minimum threshold of impact and compression their boots can withstand. In order to meet the ASTM F2413-18 standard for safety boots, the toe of your footwear must be able to hold up under an impact force of 75 pounds and a compression force of 2,500 pounds.
In our search for the best steel-toe boots, we consulted Roy Berendsohn, our senior home editor whose expertise includes masonry, carpentry, and blacksmithing (to name a few). “Speaking as a guy who received a broken toe (35 years ago) from a falling sheet of plywood, I can attest to the pain created by such a mishap,” he says. “Heavy work requires footwear that has a steel toe.”
With Berendsohn’s help, we’ve compiled the best steel-toe boots to shield your feet at work. The shortlist is below, but we’ve also included things to keep in mind as you consider which boot is right for you.
All of the boots we recommend meet the ASTM rating for safety footwear and meet or exceed ASTM’s falling and compression tests. While some ASTM-rated boots use composite material, such as kevlar or rubber, for their toe boxes, we recommend steel because it provides the most protection. As Berehndsohn says, “Anyone who gets a broken toe will be hobbling around for quite a while afterward,” so it’s best to choose the most durable material out there.
You might see some other safety ratings on product listings for work boots—these refer to specific requirements for different trades. We’ve noted other safety ratings for each pair such as electric hazard resistance, puncture resistance, slip resistance, and heat resistance. Most work boots have some sort of slip-resistance inherently because of the design of the sole, but certain jobs or job sites—like an oil rig—might require even more slip resistant shoes.
Work boots use durable materials such as burly leathers and lugged rubber to give you the best protection and longevity. Full-grain leather is the highest grade of leather on the market and is the most durable option, but can get hot quickly.
Some boots use both leather and mesh panels for added breathability when temperatures are high. If you work in a warm environment, consider a boot with a lower shaft height for more air flow. Boots with high shafts give you more coverage up to mid-calf and therefore give you more protection around your ankles. (Fun fact: Eight-inch-shaft boots were created to accommodate loggers, who often found their ankles vulnerable to swinging axes and saws.)
Our roundup includes the classic lace-up work boot silhouette, as well as pull-on boots, sneakers, and Western styles. After you determine what safety standards and materials are best suited to your work, decide which style is most comfortable and appropriate for your line of work.
Being on a job site all day means you can stomp around in a beat up pair of pull-on boots, but you may want a more versatile option if you’re in and out of the office or meeting clients. Generally speaking, you can opt for steel-toe boots that align with your preferences for non-work boots.
We researched work boots that are constructed with durability in mind and meet the minimum ASTM F2413-18 safety requirement of providing toe protection. We found the best steel-toe boots by consulting Berendsohn and combing through his recommendations, including the boots he’s owned and brands he trusts. We further researched both expert and customer reviews to determine which boots deliver on their promises of comfort and longevity. All of the boots we recommend have steel toes to keep you protected and on the job.
The moccasin-toe style work boot has been a staple at job sites since the 50s, giving workers the protection and comfort they need during a long day’s work. The design gives you extra room in the toe box so you won’t feel constricted, and the 6-inch shaft provides coverage at the ankles. Speed hooks and a pull tab at the heel help for easy on-and-off.
These boots have a wedge sole and are well suited for construction and building sites—the flat soles and absence of a heel mean they go up ladders easily, won’t get caught on uneven surfaces, and won’t snag while you step over building materials. They require a break-in period but customers report these are comfortable after a couple of wears.
Thorogood makes these boots in the U.S. with both U.S. and globally sourced components. You can send them to the company to have them re-soled and repaired. Berendsohn has had a pair of his Thorogood boots rebuilt and insists they’re “good boots that, even under daily wear, will give years of use.”
The Lansing boots topped our list of the best breathable work boots because of their mesh panel venting and slew of safety features. The steel toe is wrapped in a rubber guard for added abrasion-resistance and durability. They have a waterproof membrane that keeps your feet dry and comfortable by allowing moisture to escape—and you can hose them off after a dusty or muddy work day.
The boots are roomy enough to add custom insoles and don’t require a break-in period thanks to the leather and mesh uppers. This also makes them more flexible than an all-leather boot which can feel stiff.
Some may prefer a higher shaft for added ankle protection, but this will get the job done for most people who want safety features in a low profile boot.
This pair has the service boot silhouette that’s versatile enough to be worn from field to warehouse to office. The full-grain leather uppers are oiled and treated to handle puddles and splashes, but note these aren’t fully waterproof.
The 6-inch shaft and padded ankle collar provide extra protection and speed hooks help with easier lacing up or kicking off after a long day. There’s a steel shank in the foot for added support and stability, but these might feel stiff the first couple of wears.
Customers report that these have excellent traction thanks to the lugged soles and they’re comfortable even after 10 to 12 hours on your feet. The welted construction allows you to resole them when needed or swap out the soles if you want even more traction.
I have a pair of steel-toe CAT boots that are heavy-duty and more comfortable than I’d expect from a steel-toe boot. It’s only been a year, but they’re holding up great.
The Floorhand steel-toe boot is a pull-on boot with an 11-inch shaft to give you maximum protection (and let you tuck in your work pants for any dirty jobs). Full-grain leather uppers are treated to be waterproof so you can hose them down when they need to be cleaned. The soles are cemented instead of sewn, so you can’t resole them, but this does make them lighter than welted boots.
There’s a moisture-wicking lining to help keep your feet dry, though some customers found it wore it faster than expected. Still, this is a comfortable pair of pull-on boots that meets safety standards and you could wear all day long.
Timberland beefs up its signature boot for serious work. Along with traction and electric hazard rating, these soles are heat and puncture resistant, providing maximum protection. The tall shaft and padded ankle collar gives you more protection and make it easier to tuck work pants in for messy jobs or bad weather.
The boots are quadruple stitched to bolster durability and are great for the cooler months as they have 400 grams of insulation. Since the soles are glued instead of stitched, these can’t be resoled, but they’ll last awhile thanks to their thickness.
Still, this is a durable, waterproof boot that’ll keep your feet warm and dry on any job.
Cowboy boots have their origins in hard work, and Ariat updated the famous silhouette with the industry standard protection of modern day. Full-grain leather uppers can take a beating and the wide square toe give you a comfortable fit. The rubber sole provides traction as well as heat resistance. Its 11-inch shaft provides protection up to the mid-calf.
Pull tabs help to easily pull them on and take them off. Stitching details on the toe and shaft give them their classic Western style. These boots are unlined and are only water-resistant, so if you’re out in the cold or wet conditions you should look at other options.
Berendsohn suggests sneaker-style shoes like the Invader for those working in a warehouse where you want steel-toed protection in a lighter, less bulky form factor.
The leather panels on the uppers are PU coated to be weather resistant and the nylon provides more breathability than an all-leather boot. The lugged outsole extends up to the toe for an extra layer of protection and good traction.
These trade a steel shank for an EVA midsole to keep them light and flexible, and customers report there is no break-in period required. The ankle-height shaft won’t protect your legs like a classic boot, but the low profile is worth it if you need something lightweight.
Danny Perez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.
Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.
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