19 Best Work Boots (Review) In 2022

Timberland may have been built with function in mind, but they’ve become one of the most stylistically iconic boots in the world. They put function and flair together for the Boss boot, giving you excellent protection from the 100% leather construction and steel toe box. Timberland’s boss boot, when compared to other brands and user reviews, was found to be the longest-lasting boot that various tradesmen and laborers rely on. With all the praise and adulation these boots deserve, it should be noted that the insole isn’t the most comfortable, and an added layer or replacement should be on your to-do list if you grab a pair. The only area that Timberland fell flat is in pricing: there’s anywhere from 10% to a 90% increase on price depending on size, yet they still remain more affordable than many of their competitors. Make sure you also check our guide to the best winter boots.

Cat’s steel toe work boots raise our expectations, especially when you look at what they’re made of, and the affordable price that they’re asking. With a quick lace-up system and wide-spread aesthetic appeal of an engineer boot, there’s a lot to love about Caterpillar Men’s Second Shift Work Boot, such as the padded ankle collar for enhanced support and comfort. They didn’t extend that padding to the tongue, which was a bit of a disappointment, but did manage to create a more hospitable housing for your feet. There’s a removable sock liner that makes cleaning a breeze, and keeps odors at bay with sweat-wicking technology at the same time. The only aspect that we would say is severely lacking is the quality of the insole, which we recommend replacing after three to six months of daily use with a more padded version.

Thorogood isn’t the first boot brand that comes to mind, but after this, these guys will be on our radar forever. Thorogood designed a boot that suits the laborer, the electrician, basically anybody that’s standing and walking for extended periods of time. The 1.25” heel and rubber footbed aid in shock absorption, working right alongside the removable footbed. For the price and longevity of the boot, we would have liked to see the option of adding a safety steel or alloy-toe cap, but that’s just not an option. After about three to six months of use, you will begin to wear down the traction system on the outsole. Thorogood American Heritage Boots aren’t built for super slick conditions, but do serve as one of the most versatile work boots we’ve ever had the pleasure of testing. If you need nice looking boots,check out our guide to the best Chelsea boots.

It’s hard to ignore Timberland’s presence in the footwear world, and when you pair the quality of the Direct Attach model of their PRO lineup against other brands, well, you need to give credit where credit is due. Thanks to Thermolite insulation, these boots work well for just about any weather condition, and the lack of a steel toe means you won’t be conducting frigid air. Built primarily out of leather and designed with a padded tongue and collar, these are designed to keep your feet comfortable throughout your work day. These boots have an average lifespan of about 2-3 years with most users, on occasion up to 4 years, but rarely more than that. Our only major gripe with the construction is that the insole is very poor quality and should immediately be replaced before even using these boots.

Reasonably priced boots often come with their slew of issues, but Ever Boots doesn’t try to hide their shortcomings with snappy marketing. Ever Boots Tank Edition Leather Construction Boots are not long-term boots, but hold up extremely well for about six months to nine months of use (which is why the warranty is only three months). If your job pace is rough, and the hours are extremely long, Ever Boots and their steel shank fatigue-preventing boots will help you stay on your feet without falling prey to exhaustion. With a comfortable padded collar and decent insole, you’ll feel right at home the moment you slip these on. All-leather construction, comfort and support, all at a quarter fraction of the big league boots: that should be enough to last you for the time being. You may also like to check our guide to the best Chukka boots.

We all remember Skecher’s commercials from the 1990’s, but who would have thought they made top-quality adult work boots for men? Skechers Men’s Verdict Boots are long-lasting, all-leather and designed to withstand the brunt of your workday, which is why they’re made waterproof right up to the collar. On average, these run about half-a-size  too small for most users, and we recommend ordering a half-size up just to be safe. Skechers keeps the price affordable, but confusing, because your size is going to dictate anywhere from a 1.0x to a 2.75x fluctuation in the price tag. Even though these are still worth it at the peak price, it makes the purchase process a bit odd. Stomp out the rubber insole for as long as you’d like, because these are going to last about 2-3 years, and in some cases upwards of five.

Keen’s iconic boots have suited hikers, casual wearers and workmen for years, and their Pittsburgh Utility boot is perhaps one of their greatest advancements yet. With a removable EVA footbed for cleanliness and comfort and a large steel toe box for extra room, there’s a lot of consideration for the working man in terms of comfort. While they’re comfortable and built nice, the heel lock plates could start to rub against your heels as these boots degrade with time. Keen’s average boot life is 2-3 years, but this specific model rarely makes it past a year. The main benefits of this boot are the oil and slip resistant outsole, as well as the Dry-Lex interior to wick away sweat, and prevent that stagnate odor from arising. If you need help breaking in your new boots, check out our guide to the best shoe stretchers.

Irish Setter may not be cheap, but it’s an investment that will long outlast cheap boots any day of the week. Set to last for a minimum of three years, Irish Setter’s 6” work boot comes with a full leather construction, as well as meeting all ASTM and F2413-11 safety standards. From light waterproofing to electrical hazard protection, you could call these armor for your feet, and you wouldn’t be wrong. These are heat resistant up to 475 F, but what they lack on is traction. The outsole is only designed to keep you standing against light duty use, so you won’t find any slip or oil resistance here. Padding is also an issue if you tend to get red around the ankles, because the reinforced leather padding only goes about halfway around the cuff. These will last you for ages with a bit of TLC.

It’s a bit odd to advertise that your boots run half-a-size larger than your competitors, especially when they actually arrive half-a-size too small more often than not. We like Ever Boots, but this pair was a bit odd to review. Ever Boots Ultra Dry Premium Waterproof Work Boot has a solid, durable construction made out of a PU midsole and all-leather exterior, as well as ample padding in the collar and the tongue, all adding to the fully waterproof design that makes these such a viable option. Ever Boots ironically aren’t meant to last forever, but they really sunk low with this warranty: you only have thirty days from the purchase date to activate it, and it’s solely for waterproof features. You’ll experience top-notch traction from the multiple contact points on the outsole, as well as experience the ultralight construction of the entire boot. To keep your boots as good as new, check out our guide to the best shoe protection spray.

It’s rare that you find a diamond in the rough like Kingshow Water Resistant Rubber Sole Boots, but they’re there. This is the most inexpensive pair of boots we’ve been able to find that still bolsters good quality, and as you progress in this list, you’ll be amazed at what brands this cheap boot had beat. For one, there’s a great deal of traction, but only in dry environments. We couldn’t find any confirmed information about waterproofing or oil resistance, but it works well as a day laborer’s boot. The tongue and collar are padded, though they do begin to fray easily after you’ve been using these boots for about a month. These won’t last you forever, but it’s a cheap way to get quality boots on your feet that aren’t going to leave them sore at the end of the workday. Between the rubber midsole and the metal eyelets, it’s built sturdily to help you get the job done.

Thorogood popped out of the woodwork for us, but they’ve proven to be a reliable, quality brand. Their steel toe box provides a ton of room to wiggle around, while the removable shock absorbing footbed allows you to maintain these boots with absolute ease. While the full-grain leather exterior is nice, you will notice that the first sign of wear and tear in these boots will be in the stitching, generally after about six months of use. The odd thing about Thorogood American Heritage Moc Toe Boot is that the laces don’t appear to want to stay closed: you may find yourself adjusting or re-doing them throughout the day. From the fiberglass shank in the midsole to the slip resistance rating, these are great for a one- to two-year boot. Don’t forget to also check our guide to the best slim calf boots.

Carhartt isn’t a brand you hear about very often, but after Carhartt Men’s 6” Composite Toe Boots, you won’t be able to forget them. First and foremost, your size is going to heavily sway the total cost of these boots, so keep that in mind before delving in. Between the cement construction and the Rugged Flex technology at work, these bend and move with your feet to provide a smoother step, and full protection along the way. Despite being made of 100% full-grain leather, the water resistance rating on these is below average, so we don’t recommend them for dirty jobs that tread water. The collar and tongue cushioning feel excellent on your feet, but that’s also accompanied by a very heavy overall weight that will have you dragging your feet at the end of the day. Durable and built for years to come, but not for first-timers.

Timberland Basic Contrast Collar Boot is the yellow boot that started it all. Timberland recommends that you buy these half-a-size down from your normal shoe size, and it’s rare to get that sort of upfront information from a boot company. They put their best foot forward with this design, but it does need to be updated. For one, the eyelets aren’t weatherproofed like the rest of the boot, meaning that they’ll sustain some rust and discoloration after a few weeks of wet work. Pair that with the insoles being of fairly low quality, and it’s a bit disappointing, but there’s still plenty of love about the original yellow boot. You’ll experience traction that keeps you perfectly in place, as well as quality padding on the entire collar for all-day comfort. If you need a year-round boot for multiple jobs, you’ve just found it.

Similar to the model we’ve reviewed in the #4 spot of this list, Timberland’s PRO series continues to amaze and exceed expectations, but this Direct Attach model fell a little flat in a couple of areas. We love the aesthetics of the original yellow boot, but the tongue lacks any sort of padding, and can irritate your shins during long days. You get a great arch with a comfortable fit, though there is a trend of problems in the toe box where it fits narrower than expected. Timberland’s outsole is always spot-on, because it reacts to pressure and grips according to the situation. Between the removable polyurethane sock liner and the immense amount of insulation, these boots are primed for year-round use in just about every work condition, and include electrical hazard protection.

Some people say that the longer it takes to break in a boot, the better it is. That’s not the case, and while Irish Setter’s Ely model is a great boot, it’s very tough to break-in an get used to. The full leather construction is durable, and helps prevent electrical hazards by encasing your crush-proof steel toe box, though you won’t find much in the realm of collar padding and stability. The removable polyurethane footbed allows you to clean these more efficiently, but also have a hard time fitting back into place as they were when you got them out of the box. Most of all, Irish Setter’s V-grip on the outsole is the main reason to grab these, offering some of the best slip resistance that we’ve ever had the pleasure of testing out. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best mountaineering boots.

Now isn’t that a mouthful? Maelstrom’s Zion boot sits at an attractive price, and regardless of what size you choose, that price isn’t going to go up by more than 3%, period. That’s a breath of fresh air compared to leading brands, but the one thing that the Zion boot doesn’t have is footbed support. These are hard on your feet, which is why we recommend grabbing a separate pair of insoles to pad everything out. While there are a few claims against it, our pair of Zions were fully waterproof just as listed, and the shock-absorbing EVA midsole helped out with resistance and sustainability during use. No matter what size you choose, the toe box seems to fit fairly narrow, so if you’re able to you might want a half-a-size larger boot to account for this.

Red Wing’s Heritage premium boots come with an excellent true-to-size fit, but on average they all appear to have a narrow toe box that gives a slightly cramped feeling. That brings the comfort down a notch, but the full-grain 100% leather construction and comfortable collar keep things feeling nice. Red Wing’s Heritage boot doesn’t come with any waterproofing, so a spray will need to be applied before use. Between the quality leather and insoles, these boots only take about two weeks to break in, but on average users reported short 2-3 year lifespans. Our selection of the best hunting boots offers some great footwear so check it out.

Timberland created iconic style for every boot they’ve put out, and the Powertrain boots are no exception. While they look fantastic, that’s not what we’re here for. The Powertrain boot comes with a nearly perfect fit thanks to the cement construction for flexibility, and the ghillie-style lacing system to tighten or loosen based on your personal preference. The main issue is the synthetic exterior and upper construction, which isn’t nearly as durable as leather, even though you’re paying similar price tags. Speaking of price tags, there’s anywhere from a 5% to a 30% price increase based on your size. The mesh antimicrobial interior remains comfortable and breathable, while the polyurethane midsole adds excellent stability and balancing. Check out our buying guide with best welding boots currently available.

Condor is one of America’s go-to boot manufacturers, but it turns out they may be better for casual wear depending on what job field you’re in. There’s absolutely no waterproofing to this boot, which eliminates it as an option for many jobs, but there are plenty of reasons to keep it in the running apart from it’s rock bottom price. Condor Arizona Men’s 8” Steel Toe Work Boots come fully slip and oil resistant, giving you better traction in almost every situation. They’ve also used their proprietary AM-TECH build on the outsole, creating a perfect seam between it and the rest of the boot. With such great attention to detail on the enclosure of these 6” boots, they aren’t very breathable, leading to foot sweat and odor at the end of the day. The padded tongue collar and comfortable lacing system keeps them light on your feet. Be sure to also check out our list of the best wading boots for more great items like this.