The 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.