We live in the world of technology and every day we see the release of gadgets that are better than the ones they replace.
Some pieces of technology have rendered traditional ways of human business obsolete. But there’s something that technology cannot eliminate, and that’s the need for the most comfortable work boots that one can stand in for a whole day and not feel discomfort.
This is especially true for workmen who run are responsible for a lot of the jobs that build the backbone of modern infrastructure.
The list contains boots with either hard toes made out of steel, composite or alloy materials. The soft toe shoes do not fall into the category of safety work boots.
What is a Steel Toe Cap Boot?
Boots that come with a steel toe cap are often referred to as hard toe boots.
The reason for that is simple – the steel toe provides a level of durability that is unmatched by comparable soft toe shoes.
The steel toe cap is incorporate into the boot at the time of manufacturing, and is a safety measure to protect your feet against knocks with hard objects.
The steel toe can come in handy against falling objects such as bricks, and there’s also a midsole plate in these boots that will protect the underside of your feet.
To be a good safety work boot, the steel toe should meet certain ANSI/ASTM requirements.
The steel toe is a tried and tested method of protecting the feet of workers for not much extra cost associated with the boot.
There are composite materials that are lighter, but they tend to snap under pressure.
Steel bends so it’s never out of the way of any harm your feet might encounter.
Steel toe cap work boots are however, not recommended for workers that work in environments with electrical hazards, as steel is a conductive material. That’s where composite materials have a case for themselves.
Caterpillar Men’s 2nd Shift 6″ Best Steel Toe Boot
Caterpillar makes some of the most comfortable work boots for men on the market. They’ve established a name for themselves for making industrial-grade products.
They’re more famously known for their diggers, but their shoes are also quite popular with workmen. CAT shoes perform very admirably when pushed to the limits, and are extremely durable.
The Caterpillar Men’s 2nd Shift 6” steel toe boot is a shining example of that. It looks very purposeful and is made to a high standard.
The shoe has the ASTM rating required to be considered a true work boot.
The steel toe in this shoe will guard workers against a lot of hazards that are common in construction jobs. These shoes will guard your feet under crushing sole, so that you can continue working without fear.
The bottom of the shoes features a slip-resistant material that makes sure you won’t fall on wet surfaces. There’s a ladder-safe heel arch as well which make them well suited to construction workers.
There’s really no excuse to exclude a heel arch and it’s good to see CAT incorporating that in these shoes.
The 2nd Shift steel toe boot is a benchmark that other good work boots should be judged against.
Features
- Leather construction
- Synthetic sole
- 25” sole height
- Moisture-wicking internal lining
- Slip-resistant rubber outsole
- 2 lbs weight
KEEN Utility Men’s Pittsburgh Comfortable Steel Toe Work Boot
The KEEN Utility Men’s Pittsburgh Steel Toe work boot exudes a look of toughness. You can tell that this is a serious work boot just by looking at it.
This is a very good work boot that comes with the safety features required from a boot that is likely to undergo a lot of abuse from its user. But more than that, it’s also supremely comfortable so you don’t fall into the uninviting arms of fatigue.
Fatigue is a killer when it comes to manual labor and you definitely don’t want to get it whilst in the middle of a job.
A tired foot will definitely bug you most when you get home and just want to relax after a hard day’s work.
The Pittsburgh work boot features all of the tech you’d expect to find in a world-class work boot. KEEN have gone the distance in making sure it offers great protection to its wearer and it shows.
The boot has a steel toe that should keep your feet out of the way of falling hazards. It can also withstand a lot of crushing force, so you can work fearlessly even in the most daunting of environments.
The shoe also looks quite casual, so it can be worn when you’re not working as well. It really is a versatile shoe.
Definitely one of the best work boots around.
Features
- Slip-resistant rubber sole, effective against oil spills.
- Contour heel lock
- Keeps out rain and humidity
- Breathable inner lining, helps against build-up of sweat
- Arch support
- 2 lbs 1oz weight
Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 804-4200 6-Inch Soft Steel Toe Work Boot
If you’re looking for something a bit stylish that can still cut it when the going gets rough, check out the Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 6-Inch Steel Toe 804-4200 Work Boot.
Unlike some other shoes, this one is 100% made in the USA, so you’re supporting the local workforce and manufacturing when you buy these shoes.
They feature excellent craftsmanship and quality and the company has a lot of experience in making these. This is a shoe of excellent aesthetics and high levels of comfort as well.
In fact, Thorogood has been making high quality shoes like these since 1892.
The shoe’s focus on comfort can be seen through the usage of Poron 4000 Cushion which elevates the level of comfort even further.
On the safety side of things, the shoe comes with a full ASTM rating for its steel toe. That makes it a very good choice if your work includes a lot of things that have a chance of falling onto your feet.
The ASTM rating is a standard so you get good protection against crushing force and falling hazards. The high quality of these shoes means that you’ll be to get a lot of mileage out of them as well.
Despite the dapper looks, these are serious work boots. The shoe also features the Goodyear storm welt construction, and meets the CAN / CSA Z195 electrical hazard protection standards.
So despite having a steel toe in the front, these shoes won’t give you any trouble even if you work in an environment with a lot of electrical hazards.
Features
- Rugged leather construction
- Steel toe cap for safety against hard objects and crushing force
- Poron® 4000 comfort cushion for better protection of feet from sores
- Goodyear® storm welt construction
- Certified for use in environments with electrical hazards
- 2lbs 7oz weight
What is an Alloy Toe Cap Boot?
Alloys are lightweight metals made from the combination of two or more materials. They offer a good compromise between full on steel toe boots and composite toe boots. Alloy toes can be made from a number of lightweight materials such as copper, silicon, iron, magnesium, titanium, zinc, chromium, and aluminum. In some cases, alloy toe caps can be as strong as steel toes. Perhaps the biggest selling point of alloy toe cap boots is that their simply lighter than steel toe boots. And because alloy caps can be as strong as steel, the advantage of weight becomes even better. Heavy steel toe boots can certainly become cumbersome if you’re working for extended periods of time. No one really wants to lug around extra weight tied to their feet, and that’s why alloy toe cap boots are extremely popular.
Here are some of the most comfortable alloy toe capped boots that can withstand the rigors of a hard day’s work. Let’s look at our picks for 2018 alloy toe boots.
- Timberland GripMax PRO Men’s Stockdale Alloy Relaxing Toe Work Boot
- Timberland PRO Men’s TiTAN Best Safety-Toe Work Oxford
- Timberland PRO Men’s Powertrain Mid Alloy-Toe ESD Industrial Work Boot
1. Timberland GripMax PRO Men’s Stockdale Alloy Relaxing Toe Work Boot
Timberland have often set benchmarks when it comes to work boots. Their boots are extremely popular and people even buy them because they look great.
In fact, Timberland boots are often thought of as fashion accessories than serious work boots.
The truth is anything but. These are serious boots and can take a serious beating. There is substance behind all that style.
One of their convenient work boots is the Timberland GripMax PRO Men’s Stockdale Alloy Toe Work Boot. It looks pretty good and has the appropriate safety technology to keep your feet protected in hazardous environments.
The shoe has a lace up closer, so you don’t have to worry about the laces getting tangled in something, which might cause you to trip.
The biggest draw of these shoes is the alloy safety toe. The toe provides a good amount of security for your feet, but unlike steel it’s very light.
So you still get the protection of steel toe work boots but without the weight.
These are perfect safety work boots for someone who wants good protection for their feet but doesn’t want to lug around unnecessary weight.
Features
- Ankle coverage for a complete fit
- Breathable mesh lining which prevents sweat
- Padded lining for extended comfort
- 1lb 9oz weight
2. Timberland PRO Men’s TiTAN Best Safety-Toe Work Oxford
Given Timberland’s reputation for making some of the soft work boots out there, it isn’t surprising that we’re including yet another of their work boots in this list.
Timberland PRO boot that’s got classic looks with the absolute best in protective technology when it comes to alloy toe work boots. These are the Timberland PRO Men’s TiTAN Safety-Toe Work Oxford for the working man.
We really like the understated look of this shoe. The previous shoes listed all look pretty eye-catching, but this looks like a regular old boot.
The truth is that they’re anything but a regular old boot. They’re made from quality materials and feature a lightweight alloy toe to protect your feet when the going gets rough.
They’re ready to be put to the test by even the most demanding professional users. It’s quite easy to be deceived into thinking that this is just another regular office boot, and that’s part of the appeal of it as well.
This boot provides a perfect blend of everything – comfort, durability and protection, all in one great-looking package.
Because they feature an alloy toe, they’re also very light so you won’t be burdened like you would be wearing steel toe work boots.
These are tough shoes that will last you for a long while.
Features
- Powerfit system for better comfort and all-day use
- Made from full-grain high quality leather
- Understated design that doesn’t attract attention
- Wide toe box
- Alloy safety toe cap for light weight
- Slip-resistant sole
- Protection from electrical hazards
- 1lb 5oz weight
3. Timberland PRO Men’s Powertrain Mid Alloy-Toe ESD Industrial Work Boot
Yes, we have yet another Timberland product in our list, but please bear with us. If you want a boot that looks like it has serious street cred yet can withstand the abuse of industrial use, then look no further than the Timberland PRO Men’s Powertrain Mid Alloy-Toe ESD Industrial Work Boot. These provide as much style as they do protection.
To be honest, they look like very trendy shoes rather than serious industrial work boots. But that’s the reason why we decided to include these in our list.
This boot really can do it all. The boot comes with a alloy toe cap to provide you protection against crushing force and falling hazards, and there also ASTM-rated ESD protection that prevents shock.
So if you work in an area with electrical hazards, it’s perfect for use.
These shoes are a good option for electricians.
They look good, provide protection against crushing force and electrical hazards, so you won’t have to worry about becoming part of the electrical circuitry wherever you’re working.
The boot also features a breathable mesh upper which prevents heat from building up inside the shoe which can cause sweaty feet.
Nothing feels worse than sweaty, smelly feet!
Features
- Trendy look
- Alloy safety toe for protection against crushing force
- ASTM-rated ESD protection against electric hazards
- Breathable mesh upper
- Ghillie-style lacing for a secure fit
- 1lb 10oz weight