How to Find the Best Work Boots

After eight years of helping people find the right boots for the job, I’m often asked, “What are the best work boots?” The truth is, there is no best work boot. It all depends on the job. Is a 24-ounce framing hammer the best hammer? Not if you’re installing trim. Every tool has a purpose. So do your boots.

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Step 1: What kind of work do you do?

A roofer, a linesman, an electrician, and a warehouse worker all put different demands on their footwear. Someone working in mud and dirt all day probably doesn’t need as much cushion in their boots as someone working on a concrete floor, but they do need an aggressive sole that will give them good grip on natural terrain. Someone working on a factory floor probably doesn’t need eight inch boots with a lug outsole. But they do need something that will provide the cushion and support to fight the foot fatigue that comes from standing on concrete all day. The kind of work you do will tell a lot about the kind of demands you’ll put on your boots and help in selecting the best pair.

Step 2: What are your expectations in a boot?

Sure, an 8-inch logger boot will hold up to tons of abuse. But a pair also weighs about 5 pounds. Do you expect to be zipping in and out of a truck all day making deliveries? Sure those heavy boots will do the job and last a long time, but maybe your back and legs will thank you at the end of a long shift if you look for something a little lighter weight and lighter duty. Do you expect to be as comfortable as possible in your work boots? Heavy boots can be very comfortable, but sometimes it’s worth considering more than just how much abuse a boot can take when making your selection.

Step 3: What are the right features?

Do your work boots have to have a steel toe? Do you need something waterproof? Do your boots have to be anti-slip or rated for electrical hazard protection? Do you need insulation for working outside in cold weather? Establishing the most important features and also thinking about which features you really don’t need will help narrow the selection so you can find the right work boots for your needs.

Step 4: What’s your budget?

It’s important to be considerate of your budget, but don’t let a couple bucks scare you. One of the biggest mistakes I see time and time again is someone compromising on comfort and features because of $20. With daily wear (Every. Single. Day.) the average work boot has a life of 10 months to 2 years. 10 months at 5 days a week is over 200 days on your feet. That extra $20 for a more comfortable boot is costing you less than $0.10 per day. Still think it’s not worth it?

Step 5: Is it a good fit?

Finding the best work boots is all about finding the best work boots for you. And it’s amazing how many people I’ve seen complain about the way a boot fits and then not even ask a sales person to check their foot size. Every boot and boot maker can fit differently. And on top of that everyone’s feet change in size over time. From when I was 25 years old until I was 31 years old my feet changed a whole size up! If I had just stuck with the same size shoe I’d always worn I’d be uncomfortable in everything and just attribute it to shoes not being wide enough, getting older, or just wearing my feet down from years standing on them. That’s not the case at all though. I just need bigger shoes because of the effect of years and gravity on my feet. Make sure you get your feet measured if you want to get the most comfortable fit in your work boots. If the sales person doesn’t offer, ask for it.

To wrap things up, there truly is no best work boot. And anybody that tells you that a certain work boot is the best is either a) lying to you, or b) leaving out the context of why it is good for them or someone they know. To find the best work boot you don’t have to do a lot. Just visit your local boot store and keep an open mind to trying one or two things on.

Shop: Men's Work Boots | Women's Work Boots