The importance of the correct steel toe work boots is not just for looks but for maximum safety on the worksite. They can protect your feet from a range of hazards such as heavy objects falling on to your feet, electric shock and more.
The best steel toe work boots are the Timberland PRO Pit Boss Boots, which are designed for safety, comfort and looks with the reputable Timberland durability.
As with any shoes, there are a range of different styles to suit the most savvy person. Steel toe work boots are no different with a variety of designs such as slip-on’s, waterproof, sporty, high top and many more.
Table of Contents
Best Steel Toe Work Boots
| Steel Toe Work Boots | Colors | Speciality |
|---|---|---|
| Timberland PRO Pit Boss | 5 | Comfortable |
| Caterpillar Steel Toe | 2 | Comfortable |
| KEEN Utility Pittsburgh | 5 | Flat Feet |
| Dr Martens Steel Toe | 6 | Slip On |
| Sketchers Relaxed Fit | 5 | Cheap |
Finding the most comfortable steel toe work boots are often heavily padded with additional room. However, many brands will often reduce the overall protection with less hardened material in order to accomplish sheer comfort. Be sure to ensure the overall safety of the boot is not compromised for additional comfort.
There are a range of ways to prevent your toes getting squashed from steel, aluminium and composite toe protection materials. Steel is the most popular choice but in the colder temperatures, the alternatives offer more heat.
Upgrading your current footwear to the latest construction boots is highly recommended and can make a big difference. Below is a list of the best steel toe work boots that provide maximum safety but remain comfortable to wear.
Timberland PRO Pit Boss Steel Toe
Timberland is a huge brand worldwide and have a great reputation for using high quality materials that are highly durable. The Pit Boss is one of their most popular steel toe work boots that they offer and they are available in 5 different colors and the sizes range from 7 to 12.
The construction work boot is made up of a waterproof leather, rubber sole, cast metal top hooks and polyurethane midsole. The Pit Boss design focuses upon comfort with additional padding on the top collars and are one of the most comfortable work boots.
The steel toe construction meets the ANSI safety standards and the toe box is much larger than many of the alternatives for additional comfort.
Timberland have been are a premium brand but these work boots are very reasonably priced considering the craftsmanship and quality. They are the best steel toe work boots for the money and they are safe to wear, durable and comfort, which is everything you want in your work boots.
Check it OutCaterpillar Second Shift Work Boot
Caterpillar (also known as CAT) are a huge brand in the construction industry and they produce a range of clothing designed for construction workers. As with the Pit Boss by Timberland, it is made from a rugged leather with a rubber sole for maximum durability. It is a very similar design to the Timberland work boots but it only has two colors to choose from but the sizes range from 7 to 14.
The Caterpillar work boots are popular due to the durability, comfort and low cost of the boot. Comfort in a work boot is critical as many workers will be standing on concrete for the majority of the day but this style by CAT is by far the most comfortable work boot they offer.
Overall, they are a work boot that will take on the toughest of conditions for many years to come. They are also slightly cheaper than the Timberland alternative but many people may prefer the design and brand of the Pit Boss work boots.
Check it OutKEEN Utility Pittsburgh Steel Toe Work Boot
The KEEN Utility Pittsburgh work boots are a different style compared to the Timberland and Caterpillar work boots. They are not as heavy duty as the above boots but this means they are able to be more of a snug fit and are great for walking.
They are also great work boots for summer thanks to a clever membrane that lets vapor out and is breathable but is still waterproof. This steel toe work boots also feature a metatomical footbed design, which is an internal support mechanism that provides arch support and cradles the natural contours of your foot. In short, if you have flat feet, these are work boots are ideal.
In terms of the availability, these work boots are available in 5 different colors and the sizes range from 7 to 15. Overall, they are the best steel toe work boots for flat feet and are great for those who suffer sweaty feet whilst at work.
Check it OutDr Martens Slip On Steel Toe Boot
For those that hate doing their laces constantly and want a slip-on steel toe boot, the Dr Martens are ideal. They are available in 6 different colors and sizes range from as small as size 3 and all the way to size 14.
The shoe itself is made from a leather construction with a synthetic sole and PVC outsole, which is highly durable and slip resistant. As with all major work boot brands, the steel toe is ANSI rated and OSHA approved.
Dr Martens are a worldwide brand that don’t just make work boots but a range of different types of footwear. They are known for producing very sleek and attractive footwear, which these slip-on steel toe work boots certainly are. For those that find slip-on boots hard to put on, these have been intuitively designed with two pull tabs that make getting them on and off very easy.
Overall, the Dr Martens are the best slip on steel toe work boots, which are comfortable, look great and protect your feet on the jobsite.
Check it OutSketchers Relaxed Fit Construction Boots
For those that want cheap steel toe work boots because they will rarely use them, the Sketchers Relaxed Fit work boots are ideal. They are priced low but still maintain qualities that are found on the more expensive boots.
They are a leather construction with a rubber sole with 5 different colors to choose from with sizes ranging from 7 to 16. As the name of the shoe suggests (relaxed fit), they are a very comfortable work boot and even include a memory foam insole for additional comfort.
These shoes will never match the quality of the more expensive work boots above but for the price, its hard to complain. They are cheap work boots for those that may only go to the jobsite on rare occasions.
Check it OutSteel Toe Work Boot Buying Guide
Wearing the required shoes to a job site is important for reasons other than looks. In fact, workers who must use them because its part of their safety code policy know that there are work boots that have some of the best quality and design tailor-made just for those workers who need to protect themselves from dangerous work areas.
Work has to be a safe place to be at and when it comes to employee protection from harm or injury, safety matters ten-fold. Actually, not that many people around the world can safely say that they work in a safe environment and with what is available to them. Thinking of your safety is important and protecting yourself regardless if a safety meeting was skipped or if PPE isn’t enforced, wearing proper work clothes before going to work is the smart thing to do.
Wearing work shoes such as steel toe work boots are some of the safest work clothes for any employee whose job requires him/her to be in dangerous or high-risk work sites. At any rate, you’re not going to see construction workers at a road construction site near a forklift in action with tennis shoes on. You’ll more than likely see him with steel toe work boots on and a hard hat. It’s required by law or the US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
Safety Standards (OSHA)
The safety standards for all construction workers in the industry will admit to violations for not having the proper work equipment and work-clothes required by OSHA in the USA. It’s for the safety of all workers on specific job descriptions.
All employers must make sure employees use the protective footwear when working in hazardous and dangerous areas. Such things that can happen when working in such areas are nails which have a tendency to lay everywhere around a construction home building site. Nails and other sharp objects can easily pierce through the soles of shoes and many other areas of the feet or toes.
Your feet are important when working so if preventing injuries by wearing protective boots to work helps them, then they wear them! Other things that can cause injury are “rolling objects or falling objects” to the foot area as well as simply bumping your foot on a large concrete block.
Using “protective footwear will protect the affected employee from an electrical hazard, such as a static-discharge or electric-shock hazard,” according to OSHA. Additionally, the criteria for protective footwear is as follows.
Work Boot Types
On another level, when industries, such as the food or restaurant sector, kitchen workers must wear non-slip shoes. In the construction industry, superintendents need their workers to wear steel toe work boots. In other words, employees wearing the right work boots cut the chances of a foot accident or a foot injury, plus being fined by the employer who hired you.
There are many people who would rather not wear steel toe boots because of the discomfort they may feel at first. Stiff, hard, and heavy, but through time, you’ll be able to adjust once you break them in. Remember it’s for your protection if you work on a job site that requires heavy equipment, tools, sharp nails, and various other type of accessories and tools. A safety mindset should always be the first priority.
With the various work boots on the market, wearing the “high-top” style helps support the ankles as well as the feet and toe area. Most types such as this one have a firm, but comfortable interior for those who constantly bend, kneel, or come in contact with objects on the ground. The worse thing is to feel something puncturing, hitting, bumping, or touching your ankles while your trying to work. Wearing high-top style work boots are a great investment for this sole purpose.
In addition, there’s also the weather-proof work boots which are notably very popular in the restaurant industry as well as security offices. They naturally help protect your feet from chemicals, water, mud, and other moisture-environments which can cause infections because of the moisture and basically standing on your feet all day. With tied up lace and soles thick as 1 inch to 2 inches, its more than enough support for those all-weather work related jobs.
Socks for Steel Toe Work Boots
There’s socks for steel toe boots which are common when selecting work boots. Investing in various styles until you get the right fit and comfort is recommended when shopping for them. When you invest in work socks for your work boots, quality-made fabrics should be considered.
There are specially made material used for protecting the feet and keeping them odor-free. When you are out in the sun working, for instance, all the hours of work you put on your feet daily can cause your feet to be sore and painful.
Unless They’re supported by durable properties made for steel toe boots. Hence, wearing socks for steel toe boots adds comfort to your work day while protecting your sensitive (and valuable) feet!
All in all, the work boot that do have steel toe interiors are considerably the safest in foot protection and recommended by almost all safety superintendents or supervisors. Saving your body and yourself from the agony and pain of becoming a statistic in one of OSHA’s monthly safety reports on PPE is not what you want.
Benefits of Steel Toe Work Boots
- protect ankles and feet if high-top styled
- protect your toe toes
- more grip on slippery surfaces
- protect from exposed nails
- warmer for cold temperatures
- protection from electrical charges
- longevity makes it less expensive
Waterproof Work Boots
The importance of work boots with waterproof features whether working indoors or outdoors will lessen their chances of slipping and falling at work if liquids are involved in the work site. When it rains, those chances of a fall without waterproof work boots is high for workers on the job site.
On the contrary, some work boots that have waterproof properties in the outside, may also have a thick and comfortable cushion inside. This design provides lasting comfort. In fact, it’s mainly for foot protection from harsh chemicals, water leaks, flooded work areas, or any other type of liquid exposed to your feet and toe area.
Many work boots and work shoes are crafted with lightweight materials. There are waterproof, steel toe work boots that are heavy duty and available in various styles, colors, and designs.
On another level, rubber work boots or weather proof boots offer protection from the various elements that moisture brings into the boots. Offering the protection needed such as repelling moisture from the outside, allows air from inside the work boot to leave, or escape.
There are many boots that are constructed this way. Consequently, having weather-proof work boots can be a life-saver, literally, since they repel moisture.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
For workers who need to protect themselves with while at a job site, knowing about Personal Protective Equipment is as important at any employee will reduce chance of being hurt on the job. Wearing work boots to protect the feet and ankles is extremely important. Choosing the best work boots should be key when shopping for them on the market.
There are many things to consider, such as the material, the purpose, the manufacturer, and especially how the boots fit. For instance, if a laboratory has a chemical lab which may have “infectious disease materials” for testing, wearing protective boots is critical.
One type of PPE such as rubber and waterproof work boots are recommended for this type foot protection. So, one of the things you may want to look for are rubber work seamless rubber work boots for this type of work.
With that in mind, the feet and legs are two of the areas most prone for accidents such as slip/falls, lacerations, sprains, …etc. and if a worker isn’t not wearing the proper PPE. Generally, protection areas considered high risk in a job site will have this sign hung somewhere in the area employees are working. If a work place has a PPE sign on the back of a door or break room, it stands for Personal Protective Equipment.
Taking Care with PPE
To forget about your body while at work is to ignore the very element that put you there. You couldn’t do the job if you can’t use your feet, especially if you need to stand, walk, climb, or drive while you work. Therefore, protecting your feet is part of PPE safety practice.
Safety comes in many forms. In this case, protecting your feet from heavy duty objects or having something land on your feet by accident can cause injury. If your job requires you to use your feet, legs, hands, and arms, then you should be extra cautious with those parts of your body. You don’t want to lose any of them. This is why having the mentality of “safety first” is so important.
With the “safety-first” mindset, you’ll be extra cautious even though you may never have had an accident or injury. Wearing work boots, for instance, in a construction site or outdoorsy type of job, safety should always be a priority.
Those who work in industries where safety is a concern daily are public servants, bus drivers, mechanics, and landscapers. They are posed by risky scenarios which require foot protection. The weather, chemicals, or sharp objects can pose a threat at certain worksites too. Additionally, they can obstruct your day or night work duties.
Workers who have the mentality such as this saying goes, “If they don’t tell me to wear safety boots or steel toe work boots then I won’t,” can see a thin line of safety while at work. Naturally, they don’t worry about it until something bad happens to them. On the other hand, if it is required, then it should be enforced.
Comfort
The overall reason why you would want to wear work boots is because of the comfort you’ll get. Walking around in comfort provides a better work place environment while helping you in your daily routine.
If you have a job that calls for standing and walking, comfort is always important, especially in an area where there may be equipment or tools laying around. A good fit for work such as steel toe work boots are ideal.
Consider your comfort level when investing in them. Since there’s various work boots which help the level of comfort while working, supporting your feet and ankles are considerably important when wearing them. Due to standing all day or night in them, consider trying on several types of work boots or work shoes before making a decision.
Slip-on and Non-slip-on boots
Slip-on and non slip-on boots are welcome in all industries. Some workers do admit wearing one over the other. In fact, there are plenty of workers whom would rather slip on their boots or work shoes because of time constraints.
They like them because they don’t want to deal with lacing up their shoes. As long as they’re comfortable and wearing their work shoes, that’s all that really matters.
At least there’s options when it comes to slip-on boots or work shoes. With the slip-ons, there are some that go up to the knees, mid-calves, and ankles. With leather, rubber, and with synthetic soles, you’ll find a variety of slip-on work boots at major department stores or online.
Comparably, work boots with non-slip on features naturally have laces or Velcro-straps. There’s many styles with these type of work boots or work shoes. These non slip-on boots are available with tie-ups or laces made with various thick rope-like material.
Laces on the boots should be adjustable as well as durable. The ones on the market such as what Wolverines and Sketchers are made of have top-quality material that last a lifetime. In fact, these are prime examples some of the non slip-on work boots out on the market. Of course, there’s many other “brands,” but what is important is simply wearing them for foot and toe protection.
Summer v Winter Work Boots
High quality steel work boots, weather proof work boots, slip-ons, and non -slip on work boots are equipped with safety in mind because manufacturers know the importance of fine quality workmanship through material and design in them must weather the toughest jobs out there.
All types of leather should be treated through time so they’ll last longer in the summers and winters. During the summer time, it’s important to treat them so they don’t crack or weather too much, but mainly to protect the leather material.
For winter, the steel toe work boots must support your feet even through snow, cold rain, and even when it freezes. Treating them in the winter is important just like the summer. With high-quality type work boots worn in winter, you’ll have more wear and tear because of harsher weather compared to the summer time.
Conclusion
Every consumer knows by now, you pay for what you get. In this case, buying or investing in good quality steel toe work boots is the what you’ll get if you know what you want. Since there are various elements to consider when buying work boots for various seasons like winter or summer, the material and design are important. Since comfort is important. Steel toe work boots for the summer may sound uncomfortable.
Although, boots surviving through the toughest weather, hot and cold, will last long if they’re made with the right materials. Leather material treated right is some of the best material for work boots. They should have the air soles like Doc Martens has, for instance.
These work boots are strictly “lifetime” guaranteed because of the fine leather used. Made in Europe, they aren’t only work boots because of the highest quality material use, but they’re able to last through the toughest terrain (i.e. rain, snow, watered parks, hot gravel,…etc. In other words, they’re long-lasting by way of surviving through the harshest summers and winters.
Finally, when you decide its time to shop for your steel toe work boots, weatherproof work boots, slip-ons or non slip-ons, consider the pros and cons when it comes to protecting your feet at work. Make sure you research the reviews from customers buying the ones you are interested in or plan on ordering from.
Consequently, if you find the perfect work boots, remember to not rush your buying impulses. Better yet, think of the benefits you’ll have instead of knowing you can walk because you have two healthy feet and all ten toes! Unless you’ve had an injury or lost one already, then that’s another story.