For every worker in every industry, the right work boots make all the difference.



Before you can even begin your search for the right work boots, you have to know what you're up against. OSHA 1910.136 (a) requires employers to conduct a workplace risk hazard assessment, so that's a good place to start.

Will live electrical wires be a hazard? How about chemicals, impact, punctures or freezing temperatures? Industrial Safety and Hygiene News suggests that this assessment narrows the field and puts you on a clearer track toward the right work boots. Once you have that information, you're ready to work through all of the possibilities in safety work boots for any industry.

Leather Breathes to Keep Feet Dry Year Round

There are a lot of interesting materials on the market, but it's hard to beat leather. Because it's a natural hide, it breathes. That means dampness can evaporate, and feet stay dry in summer and winter. Consider waterproofing treatments carefully, says ISHN, as they seal the leather pores which negates breathability.

Cold weather requires more insulation, and you can get that from special socks. Polypropylene, for example, wicks away moisture, which can make you feel colder. Layer on another wool sock and you have a protective barrier against harsh elements that keeps breathability intact.



Bricklayers need extra cushion to protect against the impact of hard surfaces underfoot.

Certain Industries Demand Certain Features

Women's and men's work boots should fit not just hazards of a job but the job itself. That's why EHS Today lists a host of the most common occupations where work boots are a must and the key elements that workers should look for. Here are just a few:

• •Bricklayers / Masons: 6-to-8-inch lace ups that protect ankles, cushioned outsoles for working on hard concrete, and oil-tanned leather for resistance to lime and calcium.


• •Miners: Higher lace up boots are key to prevent ankle rollover. Insulated boots are good in both extreme cold and heat. Soles with a wider and thicker sole will provide steadier footing and better balance.


• •Carpenters: Welt outsole, supporting shank and a defined heel that makes ladder climbing safer. Waterproofing might be beneficial when working in harsh weather.


• •Construction workers: Tight-grain leather, oil tanned, and hard soles with defined tread.


• •Electricians: Electrical hazard protection, welt sole, supporting shank, defined heel for climbing and a cushioned outsole.


• •Pipefitters and Plumbers: Waterproof leather, supporting shank, defined heel. Plumbers might also prefer flat soles and pipefitters could benefit from heat hazard protection.


• •Project managers: Full-grain leather that's appropriate indoors or out.

Answering the Safety Toe and Metatarsal Question

Depending on the industry and inherent hazards, the right work boots might have a safety toe, metatarsal guard or both. Steel toes are still very popular, but composites, such as fiberglass, are lighter and still protect against impact. As for metatarsal guards, they make boots much safer where falling objects and compression are a risk, says EHS Today. But they decrease the boot's flexibility.

Heavy industrial work, such as steel production, typically calls for toe and metatarsal protection. Add heat and chemical protection, and you have a well-rounded boot. For light industrial work, such as warehouses and manufacturing, a safety toe might not be warranted. A lighter boot with slip resistance protects against slippery floors. And electrostatic dissipating properties protect against static shocks. Electrical hazard protection is perfect for working with live circuits.

There are specialty or niche environments, too. Loggers fit here, and so do certain construction jobs. The environment dictates which features are best. For example, EHS Today explains that a logger's work boot usually has a 90-degree taller heel and steel shank.

No matter your industry, chances are there's a combination of comfort and protection that will work right for you. With so many innovations in protective footwear, the hardest part might be narrowing down all of the great choices.

Be sure to get the correct boots for the job. 
We have a huge variety of boots to fit your needs.