The 8 Best Work Boots for Men (Construction Site 2024 Edition)

We reviewed and rated the best workboots for construction sites in 2024.

The best work boots for men is a conversation you will often overhear on a construction site. Whether you’re a plumber, an electrician, a labourer or an ironworker a good pair of work boots will be a lifesaver on the jobsite. So what makes a good pair of work boots and what are the best ones? Let’s find out.

What makes a good pair of work boots? What are the main features to consider when selecting a pair?

Protection – the number one reason for wearing work boots is to protect your feet so the level or protection is first consideration when selecting a pair for your feet.

Comfort and Breathability – given that you will be on these for what is atleast eight hours a day, five days a week comfort is critical when selecting a pair of work boots. Features such as weight, material and padding are all something to consider.

Durability – we all put our work boots through alot, so ensuring that they can stand up to a beating day after day is an important factor to consider. The most durable work boots for men are a good pair.

Other Features – other features such as waterproofing (the boots ability to keep water out), weight (noone wants a heavy pair of boots) and lacing systems are all something to keep in mind.

There are other factors to consider when buying a pair of work boots but we will focus on these. Please be sure to read through our review of each of the boots below when considering your purchase.


Best 8″ Work Boot For Men

Carhartt Men’s CMW8200 8 Steel Toe Work Boot

The first of our 8″ ankle boots this boot comes from a very reputable brand. There’s a good chance you’ve worn a pair of Carhartt pants, a coat or a shirt. The quality of these boots matches the quality of the pants.

These boots feature a full leather upper, which means that they are very durable work boots. The soles are made of rubber and feature a ridged design that will help to give you more grip on things like ladders and slippy surfaces.

So what makes these boots so great?

Some folks note that the boots themselves are not the lightest. They are workboots – so take that comment with a grain of salt – it’s tough to make a steel toed work boot safe. The one benefit these do have though is that the ankle has significant padding to provide some additional protection.

Colours: Brown, dark brown

Sizes: Various

Height: 8″

Material: leather, rubber soles

Pros
  • Reputable boot from reputable brand
  • Made of leather means that they will last a long time
  • Durable lacing system and stiching
  • Ridged sole to provide more grip
  • 8″ Ankle
Cons
  • Some people may not need the additional ankle support on offer by an 8″ ankle.
  • Some reviewers not that they fit narrow.

Best Work Boots Made In America

Thorogood 1957 Series 8” Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boots

If you’re looking for an American made work boot, look no further than the Thorogood 1957 Series 8″. This boot is definitely pricey, but the quality of the construction and materials is second to none. I’ve personally owned a pair of these boots, and can testify to the quality that many of the 5 star reviews mention on Amazon.

These boots fit extremely well and are comfortable to wear throughout the day. Their sole is specially designed to flex more than other work boots and similar to a few other boots on this list will protect the user from electrical shocks meeting the ASTM F2413-18 standards.

The boots themselves are made of leather with a durable goodyear stormwelt construction – in english terms this means the boots won’t split or come apart. The upper is made of durable leather which has been treated so the entire boot is also waterproof (handy for those working in fields and wet areas) such as road workers or plumbers.

Overall I would strongly recommend this boot for anyone that works in the construction industry.

Colours: Brown, black

Sizes: Various

Height: 8″

Material: leather, rubber soles

Pros
  • Extremely high quality boot which are made in America.
  • Waterproof and protects the user from electrical shocks.
  • Direct attached sole means they are less prone to splitting
  • Carbon fibre in the sole helps return energy to the user,
Cons
  • These boots are on the pricey side so for someone who won’t be wearing them every day they may not be worth it.

Best 6″ Work Boot For Men / Best Timberland Work Boots

Timberland PRO Men’s 6″ Pit Boss Steel Toe Industrial Work Boot

For anyone who has worked in the construction industry and searched for best men’s work boots, chances are you’ve come across the Pit Boss work boots before. They are regularly featured in the top spot of round ups and best of lists of work boots for any industry. With over 20,000 five star ratings on Amazon alone, they are loved by roofers, drywallers and trademen around the world.

So what makes the Pit Boss so loved?

The biggest stand out feature for these boots is the material. The entire upper is made from a durable, made in america grade leather. The leather is stitched together with a quadruple stick at the seams meaning the joints won’t come apart like you find on some boots.

The laces are made of durable nylon which are intricately stitched meaning they won’t break on you if you pull too hard. The top of the ankle is padded to maintain comfort around your sock or skin.

The price point is also something that benefits these boots. They are a good boot for an relatively entry level price point. They will last for years so you don’t need to buy a new pair every few months.

Colours: Black, dark brown, beige

Sizes: Various

Height: 6″

Material: leather, synthetic materials

Pros
  • Reputable boot from reputable brand
  • Made of leather means that they will last a long time
  • Durable lacing system and stiching
  • Price point is great for people just getting into the industry.
Cons
  • Some people complain of a break in period.
  • Some complaints about these being slightly heavy but in my personal experience they are okay.

Keen, Milwaukee Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boots

A jobsite can have all sorts of obstacles including water and damp areas, meaning having a pair of waterproof boots like these ones from Keen can help to keep your feet dry all day long.

The first feature that draws my attention on these boots is the leather upper. Some boots will be made entirely of vinyl but these boots come made with high quality leather. This helps to ensure that they stand up even after many wears.

Furthermore, the boots feature Keen’s reactive wear, which helps to deliver energy back into your stride with additional padding in the sole. It’s made similar to Nike’s React running shoes (if you’ve ever worn them you know what I’m talking about). This ultimately helps you to feel less fatigued throughout the day.

The comfort in these boots also comes from the soft padding around the ankle, preventing chafing. The boot also features a rugged lace system that guarantees your boots won’t be coming undone throughout the day or your laces won’t be breaking due to too much stress put on them.

One down side to these boots is that they do only come in all black or dark brown. For those that prefer beige boots that might be an issue to some. Furthermore, the boots are only 6″ in height. For those that need the 8″ height, you may be best to look elsewhere.

Colours: Black, dark brown

Sizes: Various

Height: 6″

Material: leather, synthetic materials

Pros
  • Waterproof means that your feet stay dry all day
  • Made of leather means that they will last a long time
  • Keen is a reputable brand in the industry and has been around for a while
  • Keen innovations such as energy return and heat isolation.
Cons
  • Lack of colours may dissuade some from buying
  • 6″ in height means that if your work requires you to wear 8″ boots these will be no good.

Best lightweight work boots

Timberland PRO Men’s Titan 8″ Alloy Safety Toe Waterproof Industrial Work Boot

If you’re looking for a pair of light workboots that feel comfortable and are durable than this pair of work boots may be the best fit for you.

The reviews for this work boot are outstanding with them being one of the highest rated pairs on Amazon. Reviews such as “feels like a slipper”. Many of the reviewers are folks that work in civil work so it’s clear people have put these through their paces.

The boots themselves are entirely (with exception of the sole) made of leather. That gives them durability that other boots won’t have. All of the seams are double and triple stitched meaning they are unlikely to seperate. The soles are made of rubber which gives ensures your feet and legs won’t get as fatigued throughout the day.

This boot features an 8″ ankle – that will provide more protection than some of the other 6″ versions we’ve featured above.

Colours: Brown, dark brown

Sizes: Various

Height: 8″

Material: leather, rubber soles

Pros
  • Reputable boot from reputable brand
  • Made of leather means that they will last a long time
  • Durable lacing system and stiching
  • Lightweight and form fitting
  • 8″ Ankle
Cons
  • Some people may not need the additional ankle support on offer by an 8″ ankle.

Best pull on work boots / Best 11″ ankle work boots

Carhartt Men’s 11-Inch Waterproof Safety Toe Wellington

If you’re involved in work that includes wet areas or with deep mud than you might need a pair of boots that’s taller than the standard 6″ or 8″ ankle. For that you can rely on the Carhartt 11-Inc waterproof wellington. These pair of boots will stand up to even the toughtest conditions.

These Carhartt work boots offer a few really great features that make them a good consideration for your job box. First, the upper is entirely waterproof – this ensures that your feet stay dry even in the wettest conditions. But that’s not the awesome part – the middle part of the boot is a mesh fabric (no clue how they made this waterproof but they did). This mesh fabric keeps the boot breathable and fresh inside.

The second cool feature of these boots is that they are fully certified to all ASTM standards and the toe itself is designed to protect your foot from electrical shock up to 18,000 volts.

The sole is made from rubber and is man made, the upper part of the boot is made from leather and all of the seams are reinforced. These boots are heavier than normal due to their height, but, for the protection you’re gaining that may be a suitable tradeoff for some.

The last feature I wanted to note about these is that they are slip on. For those of you that have owned a pair of slip ons you’ll understand what I mean when I say that this is a blessing and curse. The slip ons save you time in not having to lace them up, however, they can be a bit larger and may not form to your foot as much. This can mean they’ll move around alot if not properly sized.

Colours: Brown, dark brown, tan

Sizes: Various

Height: 11″

Material: leather, rubber soles, mesh

Pros
  • Reputable boot from reputable brand
  • Made of leather means that they will last a long time
  • Durable lacing system and stiching
  • Waterproof
  • Protection from electrical shocks in the toe
  • 11″ Ankle gives them additional height
Cons
  • Some people may not need the additional ankle support on offer by an 11″ ankle.
  • Slip on can mean that they don’t fit perfectly if you don’t fit the right size.

Best affordable work boots

Wolverine Men’s 8 Inch Durashock High Performance Work Boot

If you’re looking for a boot that’s on the unique side and not part of the brand names you see above look no further than the Wolverine Durashock. Despite being an off-brand this boot has a number of things going for it.

The first feature I want to discuss is the durashock component. This provides the boot with additional comfort when walking, returning some of your expended effort back in your step. This can help your legs feel less sluggish at the end of the day.

The boots themselves are fairly inline with the above boots. The upper is made of leather and the sole itself is made of rubber. The seams are all triple stitched and the sole is direct attached. This means that the sole is less likely to detach from the remainder of the boot.

Reviews for this boot are all generally positive with many people commenting that this work boot is an incredible fit and it stands up well to wear and tear. Overall I’d recommend this work boot for anyone in the trades.

Colours: Brown, dark brown, tan

Sizes: Various

Height: 8″

Material: leather, rubber soles

Pros
  • Made of leather means that they will last a long time
  • Durable lacing system and stiching
  • Direct attached sole means they are less prone to splitting
Cons
  • Less well known brand means less history to go on.
  • Not waterproof so if you’re in wet areas could be an issue.

Irish Setter Men’s Wingshooter Steel Toe 8″ Work Boot

The last boot we’re going to review today is the Irish Setter Men’s Wingshoot Steel Toe boot. This boot has some of the best reviews on Amazon and it’s easy to see why. The boot has many different features but one of the best that people love is it’s weight.

This work boot is light weight and features form fitting meaning that your legs and feet will get less tired throughout the day.

The boot is also insulated and waterproof. If you work in an area that includes cold temperatures and wet areas this boot will be a life saver. Conversely, the boot also features a design that protects the user from high temperatures. If you’ve ever worked on a road and had your cheap boots start to melt, this will help you immensely.

The boot itself features a full leather upper construction with a rubber sole. The laces and seaming are well boot and there have been very few reports of the boot coming apart. The boot features a steel toe which means your foot is protected on industrial sites.

Colours: Light Brown

Sizes: Various

Height: 8″

Material: leather, rubber soles

Pros
  • Made of leather means that they will last a long time
  • Durable lacing system and stiching
  • Waterproof and insulated means your foot will stay dry and warm
  • Protects your foot from extreme temperatures.
Cons
  • Fit a half size small so order larger.
  • Some people note that they are a slim fitting boot.


What to look for when buying a pair of work boots for the construction site?

The adverse effects that having a bad pair of boots on your day are many, worsening as time goes by. At different jobsites there will be different types of hazards such as electrical, water and cold, heat, sharp objects and much more.

Therefore, the most trusted work boots should meet various requirements to help protect you from the biggest variety of hazards. Here’s what we advise you to look into when choosing a suitable one for yourself.

What is the best material for work boots?

Work boots come in many different materials but there are some that are better for the construction of workboots than others. When looking at material though it’s important to consider not just the upper boot material but the sole, laces and stitching. A bad material selection in one of these can mean the boot may fall apart.

For the upper material, if you’re looking for an overall work boot genuine leather is typically what you’re looking for. Most of the work boots we’ve recommended above are 100% genuine leather. The jobsite can be extremely rugged and the best material for standing up to that ruggedness is leather. The leather upper ensures that it is light weight, and provides protection against cutting and poking to your foot and ankle.

Alternative materials for the upper can include rubber, nylon and more. If you come across boots with material such as nylon and pleather (leather that is not real) consider avoiding them.

On the sole – the preferred material is rubber although many newer boots are starting to experiment with different innovations. Insoles and carbon fibre plates to help return energy to the user. A rubber sole combined with some of these innovations can help your legs feel less fatigued and feet feel less sore.

For the stitching it’s less about the material and more about the number of stitches. Having a single line of stitching can mean that the line is susceptible to failure. If a single stitch comes undone the seam will fail. Having two or three lines of seams will help to mitigate failure.

What is the best ankle height for a pair of work boots?

In general there are four different types of ankle heights for work boots and work shoes that can protect your feet. Below is a quick summary of each along with the best place to wear them:

work shoe *0

0″ Work Boots – these are typically called work shoes – they offer little in the way of ankle protection and are best used for light industrial buildings or offices.

4

4″ Work Boots – these are the entry level work boots that offer moderate ankle protection. On many residential jobsites a 4″ work boot is acceptable to wear. Many framers and roofers can be found wearing 4″ work boots.

8

8″ Work Boots – these are the status quo for the construction industry. The 8″ work boot provides protection to your ankle that the 4″ and 0″ cannot. Most industrial sites and workers on construction sites can be found in an 8″ boots.

11

11″ Work Boots – if you’re in need of additional ankle protection or need a boot that you can go into deep liquids with an 11″ boot may be your bet.

What are some other features to look for in a work boot?

There are several other features to consider when you’re selecting a pair of work boots:

  • Electrical protection
  • Heat protection
  • Insulated
  • Waterproof

Should You Wear Work Boots when on a construction site?

Yes, you should. In fact, in most locations, wearing a pair of work boots is required by law. Many companies mandate them as part of the health and safety plans.

Even though they may be mandated, as long as you value your feet and legs, wearing boots is important. They can help protect yourself from the dangers of a jobsite.

What are the certifications required for work boots?

CSA standard for work boot in canada

In Canada all safety footwear must comply with CSA Standard Z195-09. CSA-approved safety footwear must have a shield over the top of the foot with sufficient width and height, attached to the shoe or boot that provides protection against impact to the metatarsal area of the foot.

astm standards for work boots

In the United States OSHA required that your work boot must have a leather upper; must have oil resistant and non-skid soles, and must comply with ASTM 2413-05 with a impact resistance rating of 75 and an compression resistance rating of 75.

Conclusion

Needless to say, work boots are critical in protecting our legs and feet from being hurt on a construction site. We can avoid slips, trips, cutting and poking to our feet with a good pair of work boots. Therefore, it is always important to be geared with the best work boots for your construction site.

Hopefully, our guide has already helped you choose a pair of work boots. If you are pondering over two options, you can read more opinions on Reddit, Quora, or other platforms to finalize your pick. Thank you for reading! Remember to work safely!

5 thoughts on “The 8 Best Work Boots for Men (Construction Site 2024 Edition)”

  1. I’m really surprised Carhartt is on here They make very good work clothes but are terrible for boots and anyone will tell you this. I don’t see red wing and I don’t see Carolina’s on this list .where do you gather your info?

    Reply
    • Hey Robert – I’ve personally never worn either red-wings or carolina’s which is why I didnt add them to the list. My experience with Carhartts has actually been pretty good.

      Do you have a model of boot that you like best for either of those and I can grab a pair and add them to the review list?

      Thanks again!

      Reply
  2. Given the low cost of these men’s lightweight work boots, I decided to give Free soldier boot a try, and I was pleasantly surprised! All of the materials used in the work boots are lightweight and breathable, making them ideal for summer. Although they do not have safety toe covers, I believe the reinforced toes and heels will safeguard my feet for outside labor or a motorcycle trip.

    Reply
  3. People buy boots based on where they were made. Many people feel that boots made in Asian countries are not durable, however this is not the case. When you neglect your ultra lightweight safety boots UK or US-made collections, they will break.

    Reply
  4. Great article! As someone who works in the construction industry, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of investing in a good pair of work boots. The comprehensive list provided here is fantastic, covering a wide range of features and styles to suit different needs.

    Reply

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