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While everyone benefits from properly fitting footwear, for those who work on their feet, it can make or break the day. The best work boots for men are comfortable, supportive, grippy, protective, and in some cases address existing issues, like flat feet or plantar fasciitis, to make an eight-hour day feel comfortable.
“Boots that don’t fit well or are low quality are more likely to cause pain and discomfort,” explains Dr. Alex Tauberg, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania chiropractor. “Boots that don’t provide the proper support increase the risk of injuries to the foot, ankle, knee, and possibly even the back.”
The world of work boots for men is vast, ranging from more fashion-forward Chelsea boots to rugged work boots you’ll find on every construction site in the country. While men’s dress shoes and work boots can both feature handsome leather, that’s usually where the similarities end. Sleek, everyday, or dress boots can sometimes be waterproof but offer little protection from cold, slipping, falling objects, and they tend to have a narrower, more elegant toe box.
True work boots are burlier in their build to withstand the rigors of a job site where the footwear is often required to meet specific safety standards. The toe box is almost always generously rounded to encourage movement while providing the space for a safety toe to protect against falling objects. The price for this all-day comfort and protection? Work boots are usually heavier than their fashion-forward counterparts. And the outsole is always much thicker, which is a feature sought out by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania chiropractor Dr. Brian Meenan. “It doesn’t matter how well the boot fits if you are going to be falling on your butt because the outsoles don’t grab the ground enough,” Dr. Meenan explains. “I like rubber outsoles that have thick rugged tread pattern.”
Advancements in protective workwear have come a long way from the humble beginnings that started with a wood block. Sometime in the early 1700s, protective shoes called sabots were introduced to workers in Europe. Often hollowed out from a chunk of wood, these shoes protected feet from stepping on sharp objects, but also from ones that fell, or the wayward trample of a farm animal’s hoof. It wasn’t until World War II that a steel toe was added to the boots for soldiers.
Today there are a few brands that make the best work boots for men, including Timberland, Wolverine, Red Wing, Ariat, and Keen, with many of these brands manufacturing other styles of hard-working footwear, like hiking boots or cowboy boots, where they can mix and match technologies so work boots remain comfortable to wear for long stretches of time. Some of the pricier boot brands offer models that can be resoled so you can get several years out of them.
You can find the best work boots for men in nearly any combination of key attributes: insulated, waterproof, slip-proof, and with an impact-resistant toe. Modern work boots have generous widths, especially in the toe box, and while they are still tougher than your average Chelsea boot, they cut a more modern silhouette, and always come with a grippy outsole to keep you upright in the harshest conditions. Manufacturers offer waterproof boots, usually with a liner next to your foot to prevent moisture from seeping in, and options stuffed with synthetic insulation to keep feet warm in extremely cold conditions.
For the opposite — working in very hot or humid environments — you can find breathable versions that prevent moisture from accumulating around the foot, often with a lightweight build that’s easier to move around in. Safety toe options come in a range of materials, too, from classic steel to newer composite and alloy materials. These work boots for men can also accommodate a range of existing foot issues, like wide feet.
To help you find the best work boots, we did the research to find what experts like Dr. Tauberg, Dr. Meenan, along with chiropractor Dr. Peter Hinz and podiatrist Dr. Suzanne Fuchs, value in a good pair of boots. Then we researched the most reputable work boot brands to produce a list of well-reviewed models.
Colorways Available: Brown or black
Materials: Full-grain leather upper, fiberglass shank, EVA midsole
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Dick’s Sporting Goods Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
An exterior fiberglass spline running up the heel adds support that won’t slump in on itself over time while the curved moc style toe adds generous room in a medium or wide size. The moc style, short for moccasin toe, is the boot version of the footwear Native Americans would wear, designed for hunters and farmers who would appreciate the extra wiggle room in the toes the rounded front provided. Wrapped in full-grain leather with a moisture-wicking lining inside to keep feet dry, these boots will age with their fair share of lumps and scuffs on the job.
What testers say: “I wear the boots every day to work. Comfortable to wear all day. They are casual with jeans and I wear them out on weekends.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $149.95
Colorways Available: Brown
Materials: Nubuck leather upper, fiberglass shank, Thinsulate Ultra insulation, polyurethane midsole and outside
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
DSW Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.9/5 stars
What testers say: “I drive a big rig delivering food products to restaurants and I’m pleased with these boots. I have tried several brands over 20 years of delivery experience. They are a nice soft leather that needs zero break-in time, they are ready to go straight out of the box.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $109.99
Colorways Available: Brown, tan, and black
Materials: Full-grain leather upper, composite shank, waterproof lining, flexible outsole, rubber outsole
Zappos Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
What testers say: “These are by far the best lasting and most comfortable boots I’ve ever owned. I’ve had them for a year now, working outside in dirt, concrete, gravel, mud and water puddles (very waterproof). They’ve held up extremely well under abuse and unlike other boots, my heels haven’t worn down, they still look relatively new.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $199.95
Colorways Available: black
Materials: Abrasion-resistant synthetic upper, nylon shank, mesh liner, polyurethane footbed, slip-resistant rubber outsole
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “Perfect fit and light for a work boot. Comfortable to wear for a full shift.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $125.00
Colorways Available: brown and black
Materials: Waterproof leather upper, steel shank, memory foam insole, composite toe, rubber outsole
What testers say: “Have had them for 2 weeks now and very comfortable and easy to break in. Feet don’t get hurt from climbing wind turbines and don’t lose grip on slick areas.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $179.00
Colorways Available: Brown
Materials: Waterproof leather upper, composite shank, Thinsulate insulation, removable polyurethane footbed, composite toe, rubber outsole
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “I have never owned a pair of Thorogoods and thought every man should try a pair before he dies. The fit and quality of these boots are amazing. I have only worn them in 22-degree weather and am sure they will be okay down to 5 or 10 degrees with a good pair of socks.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $149.95
Colorways Available: Black, Dark Earth, Slate Black
Materials: Leather upper, TPU shank, sprayed on durable water repellent, removable PU footbed, electrical hazard rated, steel toe, rubber outsole
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “These boots feel good right away. I have suffered through days of painful feet problems like blisters, etc. with high-end boots because they need breaking in so long. I had a pair before that lasted 5 years, but finally died to the point I was getting burned while welding and cutting, so I tried several pairs of boots…All of them killed my feet. I broke down and bought another pair of these Milwaukee boots and they felt great right away.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $195.55
Colorways Available: Brown
Materials: Full grain leather upper, waterproof, foam midsole for cushion, flared outsole for debris release, elastic sides
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Ariat Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
What testers say: “If you have wide feet these are for you they fit great and are very comfortable.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $199.95
Colorways Available: Black and brown
Materials: Leather upper, composite shank, composite safety toe, orthotic insole with arch support, EVA midsole, slip-resistant outsole
What testers say: “Worn from day one without any break-in! I’ve had more expensive boots, but none as comfortable!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $139.95
Colorways Available: Brown
Materials: Neoprene construction lined with insulation, steel toe, molded outsole
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “Going on the third season in these boots and I’m pretty happy. This is my second pair and I wear them every day pretty much for our 7 month winters here in Wyoming. Only boot I can do hard work in deep snow and creeks without getting wet, and snowmobile in all in the same week.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $129.95
What to Look for in the Best Men’s Work Boots
While a work boot once was a stiff combination of leather and rubber designed to last, manufacturers have turned their attention to making the footwear for job sites more comfortable. That means there are more work boot options to choose from today than ever before and finding the right pair depends on your foot, the job, the site, and the weather. Still, there are a few key elements you should evaluate in any work boot.
- Grippy treads: An outsole that grips is important in any shoe, but it’s vital in a work booth since the conditions of a jobsite vary: indoors and outside, wet surfaces and dry ones, smooth floors versus climbing over rocks. This is especially important if you’re working on a ladder, roof, or climbing a tree.
- Custom insoles: If you have a favorite pair of insoles that help with a specific condition for your feet, say supination insoles or plantar fasciitis insoles, stick with them. “I do like insoles, especially for work boots since the surfaces you might be on will be very hard and you will probably be moving around a lot. The generic over-the-counter style insole can be OK, but you might as well spend the extra money and get a customized version that you know is good for you,” says Dr. Meenan. In some cases that means planning for the extra room if the boots don’t have removable insoles. “If it’s a larger insole that needs to be the only insole present, make sure that the boot has a removable insole,” says Dr. Tauberg.
- Arch support: Look for boots to have a comfortable level of arch support, whether you have flat feet or not. This is one issue where an aftermarket insole can help increase a boot’s comfort in the long term. “I have seen many cases where the wrong footwear has created problems for individuals who spend long hours standing or walking,” says Dr. Hinz. “One of the most common issues is lower back pain, which can be caused by wearing shoes without proper arch support.” Arch support can also help prevent plantar fasciitis. “This is a painful condition caused by inflammation of the band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes,” explains Dr. Fuchs. “It can be caused by shoes that don’t provide proper arch support.”
- Generous toe box: You don’t see many work boots with a narrow or square toe box for a reason — your toes appreciate the room. “Some boots, especially some cowboy style boots, can get very narrow at the toe box,” says Meenan. “A narrow toe box is never good but especially in a work boot when you will probably going to be going over different terrain, up and down hills. This would cause your toes to jam up even more against the toe box.”
- Cushioning: From standing on concrete to walking across varied terrain, your feet take a pounding inside a pair of work boots. Cushioning is an important element in how your footwear feels hours into the day. “Look for shoes with a well-cushioned footbed to reduce strain on the feet and back,” Dr. Hinz says. “Also, choose shoes with good shock absorption to protect your joints from impact.”
How We Selected the Best Work Boots for Men
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis, and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
To create this list of the best work boots for men, we consulted with podiatrists and chiropractors, all of whom have worked with patients who’ve had foot and body issues related to improperly fitting work boots. Customer reviews and footwear market research helped to round out our selection of top work boots for men. We made sure to include options for different work places and job sites, so you can shop with confidence. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Alex Tauber is a Pittsburgh-based chiropractor specializing in alleviating pain. Dr. Tauber has years of experience and is also a certified chiropractic sports practitioner, strength and conditioning specialist, and emergency medical responder.
Dr. Brian Meenan is a chiropractor and the founder of Pittsburgh-based Premier Chiropractic in 2019 to serve the South Hills Pittsburgh area. Dr. Meenan has worked with all types of people from NFL athletes to elderly seniors who do not like the typical chiropractic adjustment. He believes that the quickest results come from modern soft tissue techniques, rehabilitation exercises along with traditional chiropractic techniques.
Dr. Peter Hinz is a chiropractor based in Franklin, Tennessee. Dr. Hinz advocates for all components of living a healthy life from the inside out. He is an Eagle Scout, a crossfit athlete, and is also certified as a crossfit level 1 coach. His passion for healthy living and natural care has been shared during time serving the community abroad in Vietnam, as well as for the past six years here in Franklin.
Dr. Suzanne Fuchs is a podiatrist based in Jupiter, Florida, who specializes in sports and regenerative medicine at LuxePodiatry. She provides hands-on customized care for lower extremity conditions, taking a holistic approach to treatment in order to get to the root cause of foot-related problems.
Meet the Author
Sal Vaglica is a freelance writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience across home, tech, kitchen, and outdoor gear products and trends. Vaglica‘s writing and editing has been published in the Wall Street Journal, Serious Eats, Men’s Journal, Fatherly, Men’s Health, This Old House, USA Today and more. Vaglica applied his expansive knowledge of shopping trends and his expertise in men’s gear to pen this article on the best work boots for men.
