Why settle for anything but the best? We laid out the definitive list of the best work boots of 2021. Browse tried-and-true favorites from popular categories and slip on some of the best boots on the market.
Best Safety Toe Work Boots
For the best protection money can buy, our best pair of safety toe work boots has you covered.
View Our PickBest Soft Toe Work Boots
Stay comfortable and light on your feet with our pick for the best soft toe work boots of 2021.
View Our PickBest Safety Toe Work Shoes
Prefer the mobility of tennis shoes with safety toe protection? You need these safety toe shoes.
View Our PickBest Met Guard Work Boots
Metatarsal safety is important, and our finest pair of met guard work boots is up to the challenge.
View Our PickBest Soft Toe Work Shoes
If you want to be fleet of foot, the best soft toe work shoes of the year are what you're looking for.
View Our PickBest Made in USA Boots
Nothing beats American ingenuity, and these made in USA work boots are the best of the best.
View Our PickBest EH Safe Work Boots
Ohms and amps have nothing on our pick for best electrical hazard safe work boots of the year.
View Our PickBest Insulated Work Boots
Cold feet are a problem, but not when you're wearing the best insulated work boots of 2021.
View Our PickBest Waterproof Work Boots
The best waterproof work boots of the year are the perfect choice for working in wet conditions.
View Our PickBest Wellingtons
A lot of people like the slip-on style, and if you do, you'll love our best pair of wellington work boots.
View Our PickThe Timberland PRO Direct Attach boots simply have that classic work boot look. As if that weren't enough to get them on your feet, they feature a steel toe box which meets and exceeds ANSI and ASTM standards. They're also waterproof, and they come built with a padded ankle collar for some extra comfort. Simply put, you won't find a better pair of safety toe footwear at a better price.
Pros
Steel toe cap
Waterproof
Durable rubber lug outsole
200g insulation
Cons
Steel toe cap is heavy
Boots may squeak as you walk
Not good for summer use
You could argue that quite a few pairs of boots deserve the title of best soft toe, but to us, the Wolverine Floorhand boots take the cake. For starters, their full-grain leather uppers are ridiculously durable, and even waterproof. Their outsoles are slip, oil, water and abrasion-resistant, and they feature a sturdy, nylon shank. But don't take our word for it; try them on yourself. You'll understand straight away why they're our pick.
Pros
Full-grain leather uppers
Slip, oil, water and abrasion-resistant outsoles
Moisture-wicking mesh lining
Electrical hazard protection
Cons
Leather uppers don't breathe as well as synthetic
Eyelets may pop loose over time
Heavy, even for a non-safety toe
Some categories on this list are highly competitive. This one, however, is not; the Reebok Sublite Cushion work shoes are, hands down, the best safety toe work shoes of the bunch. Their lightweight alloy toe offers great protection without weighing you down. The MemoryTech Massage footbed simply feels heavenly, especially through a long, tough day of work. If safety toe work shoes are your thing, the Reebok Sublite Cushion is the only choice for you.
Pros
Ultra-light (12.35 oz. per shoe)
Lightweight alloy toe box
MemoryTech Massage Footbed
Cons
Not as protective as a steel toe
Limited slip resistance
If you want to take your protective footwear one step further, nothing beats a good met guard boot, and the Iron Age Ground Breaker is the very best we have to offer. Not only does it feature an external metatarsal guard, but it also boasts a steel toe box, electrical hazard protection and a slip-resistant outsole. These things are essentially foot fortresses designed for protection against virtually every potential on-the-job danger.
Pros
External met guard
Steel toe box
Electrical hazard protection
Slip-resistant outsole
Cons
Heavy
Leather uppers don't breathe as well as synthetic
Run a bit wide
It doesn't get much lighter than this. The Georgia Giant Romeo shoes, with their unique take on the romeo-style, soared into our best soft toe work shoe spot with ease. Their oil and slip-resistant outsoles feature a Goodyear welt construction for the best in durability. These shoes even have a steel shank to ensure arch support and, despite the shanks, each shoe clocks in at a featherweight 20 ounces. Give them a try — their price tag is excellent, too.
Pros
Full-grain leather uppers
Oil and slip-resistant outsoles
Goodyear welt
Cons
Low level of impact protection
Can be difficult to put on/take off
No electrical hazard protection
American workers everywhere prefer boots made in the homeland, and the Thorogood American Heritage Wedge boots will make you proud to be from the USA. Even from a visual perspective, the rich, premium, tobacco-colored leather is simply striking. Looking closer, the craftsmanship, design and stitching of these boots are unparalleled. Once you get your feet in them, you'll find that the comfort is just out of this world. No one makes footwear like the United States, and no one in the United States makes footwear like Thorogood does.
Pros
Vibram rubber wedge outsole
Premium oil-tanned leather construction
Dual density shock absorption footbed
Lightweight composite shank
Cons
No extra wide option
No safety toe box
Electrical hazards are no joke. The right pair of footwear can mean the difference between complete safety and a dangerous shock. As the second Groundbreaker on our list, the Ariat Groundbreaker boots offer great protection against electricity. Their steel toe box, optimized tread and easy-to-use pull-on style also helped them stand out from the competition. The honorable mentions are great too, but these boots are simply on another level.
Pros
Steel toe box
Premium, full-grain leather uppers
Pull straps for easy on and off
Lightweight, stabilizing shank
Cons
Tall leather uppers don't breathe well
Relatively heavy
There's nothing worse than cold toes when you're working through the winter months. Our pick for best insulated work boots takes care of that problem though — and plenty more. With 400 grams of Thinsulate insulation, the Chippewa Arador boots can handle the cold. Not only that, but they also come equipped with a steel toe box, a Vibram rubber outsole, and they're waterproof. When you put on the Chippewa Aradors, you're putting on the best insulated work boots of the year.
Pros
Steel toe box
Waterproof
Electrical hazard protection
Made in USA
Cons
Relatively heavy
Not good for summer use
You didn't think we'd go the entire list without including a Carhartt work boot, did you? Carhartt came close in many other categories, but their Moc Toe Wedge Waterproof boots take the number one spot here. Not only are these boots waterproof, but their waterproof membrane is breathable, which is a huge plus. The oil-tanned leather uppers stand out, and the dual-density rubber outsoles are especially durable. This one was an easy choice.
Pros
Goodyear welt construction
Oil and slip-resistant outsole
Oil-tanned leather upper
Cons
No safety toe box
No pull tabs
And, last but not least, the wellingtons (pull-ons vs. lace-ups is a debate we'll save for another time). Despite heavy competition, the Double H Roy boots edged out all comers to grab our best wellington work boots spot. Rated for electrical hazard protection, these boots have it all: waterproof leather, a composite toe box, a fiberboard insole and much more. If you prefer pull-ons, add this wellington to your list.
Pros
Composite toe box
Waterproof membrane
Electrical hazard protection
Cons
Relatively heavy
Leather uppers don't breathe well