Best Work Boots of 2022
The results are in, and our list of the best work boots of 2022 is here. Check out cutting-edge, industry-leading styles from top brands to be sure you’re lacing up with the very best.

Best Soft Toe Work Boots
No safety toe needed? Keep light on your feet with our pick for the year's best soft toe work boots.
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Best Wellington Work Boots
Pull 'em on and throw 'em off: the best wellington work boots of 2022 are designed for top-level performance.
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Best Safety Toe Work Boots
We take safety seriously, and our selection for best safety toe work boots will act like a fort for your feet.
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Best Soft toe Work Shoes
This is as light as it gets, but these soft toe work shoes still come with all the heavy-duty features you need.
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Best Western Work Boots
Better than the rest and best in the West: 2022’s best western work boots have style without sacrificing safety.
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Best Met Guard Work Boots
Your metatarsal bones are fragile, but our pick for best met guard work boots are anything but.
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Best Best Safety Toe Work Shoes
Athletic agility meets job site stability. For a bit of everything, try out the best safety toe work shoes of 2022.
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Best Wedge Work Boots
The wedge boot is a classic look, and this year’s best wedge work boots do it better than all the rest.
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Best Insulated Work Boots
Keep your toes toasty with our selection for the best insulated work boots of the year.
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Best Waterproof Work Boots
The best waterproof work boots of the year are the perfect choice for working in wet conditions.
View Our PickBest Soft Toe Work Boots
The Carhartt Lightweight Wedge boots are a staple among WorkBoots.com customers (seriously, it's hard to keep them on the shelves). It’s not difficult to tell why, either. Just look at them — they look like great, classic, all-around work boots. They function that way, too: with slip-resistant outsoles, cushioned insoles and oil-tanned leather uppers, you just can’t ask for a better pair of soft toes. No wonder they have dozens of five-star reviews.
Pros
Premium oil-tanned leather uppers
Moisture-wicking lining
Foam cushioned insole
Cons
No extra-wide option
Lack of water protection
No insulation
Best Wellington Work Boots
Wellingtons are great, aren't they? No laces, simple pull-on tabs, calf-level protection — you just slip them on and get to work. And no style has your back better on the job site than the Georgia Homeland boots. They come built with an ASTM-rated steel safety toe box that protects against 75 foot-pound impacts. They're also waterproof, electrical hazard safe and made with a steel shank, so they can offer the safety standards you need, no matter your industry.
Pros
Protective steel shank
Steel toe cap
Waterproof uppers
Electrical hazard protection
Cons
No odor protection
Potential for long break-in time
Lack of breathability
Best Safety Toe Work Boots
The Timberland PRO Pit Boss boots are just that: the boss. That's why they’re our pick for the best safety toe work boots of 2022. While composite, aluminum and alloy toe boxes are lightweight, nothing can touch the steel toe boxes trusted by those who built America. The fun doesn't end there, though; these boots are engineered with nylon shock-diffusion plates, nubuck leather uppers and padded ankle collars for extra comfort. If it's safety you’re after, it's hard to beat the boss.
Pros
Electrical hazard protection
Padded ankle collar
Odor-resistant
Cons
Eyelets may pop out
Potential for long break-in time
Heavy, even for a safety toe boot
Best Soft Toe Work Shoes
Moving down into the featherweight class, the Grabbers Friction shoes are our pick for the best soft toe work shoes of 2022. Don't let their lightweight construction fool you, though — these shoes are made for work. Their slip-resistant outsoles will keep you upright while you're treading on slippery surfaces. Their leather uppers will resist everyday wear and tear. Their EVA cushion inserts will keep your feet feeling fine while you work. As soft toe shoes go, the Grabbers Friction beats 'em all.
Pros
Slip-resistant outsole
EVA cushioned insole
Padded ankle collar
Cons
Low level of impact protection
No electrical hazard protection
Not waterproof
Best Western Work Boots
Everybody has a little cowboy in them, and the Double H Wayne boots are pure cowboy. Just take a gander at those chocolate, gator print vamps — it doesn't get any better than that. And even setting style aside, these western work boots have plenty to offer. They feature a steel toe safety cap, electrical hazard protection, and cushioned Frelonic insoles (Frelonic is the stuff yoga mats are made from. Talk about comfort.). If western boots are your thing, the Double H Waye boots are king.
Pros
Steel safety toe
Gator print vamp
Electrical hazard protection
Cons
Not waterproof
No extra-wide option
Best Met Guard Work Boots
Not everyone's job requires a met guard, but if yours does, the Avenger Foundation boots are a no-brainer. This style features an internal met guard to ensure the delicate bones on the top of your foot stay protected and intact. That's not all, either — these boots are waterproof, and they come with a composite toe box as well. In a word, these boots are heroic; they are “Avengers,” after all.
Pros
Composite toe cap
Full-grain leather upper
Oil-resistant outsole
Non-metallic
Cons
No insulation
Lack of breathability
A bit heavy
Best Safety Toe Work Shoes
Reebok is the undisputed king of safety toe work shoes, and their All Terrain style is our choice for the best of the year. They're made with breathable mesh to ensure your feet aren't stifled while you're working hard. They come with a neoprene lining to help optimize the way they fit on your feet. Throw in a steel toe cap, slip resistance and electrical hazard protection, and you're left with some of the best work safety shoes money can buy.
Pros
Electrical hazard protection
Slip-resistant outsole
MemoryTech footbed
Neoprene lining for a precise fit
Cons
May run large
No water protection
Best Wedge Work Boots
There's nothing like a good wedge boot, and there's no boot brand like Thorogood. It should come as no surprise, then, that the Thorogood 1957 Moc Toe boots took the spot for best wedge boots of 2022. They come with a premium price tag, but you get a premium performance as a result: the wedge outsoles are slip-resistant, the Briar Pitstop leather uppers are waterproof, and they're made in the USA to boot (pun very much intended). If you can swing the cost, these boots will be your go-to style for years to come.
Pros
Made in the USA
Waterproof
Memory foam footbed
Cons
No safety toe
Big price tag
No extra-wide option
Best Insulated Work Boots
Staying warm when you're working out in the elements simply comes down to preparation. Gloves, pants, outerwear, headwear — you're only as warm as the clothing you bring along. The same goes for footwear and, as far as we're concerned, the Avenger 7264 boots are as good as insulation gets. Featuring 200 grams of Thinsulate insulation, these boots are like a blanket for your feet. They're waterproof, too, which should help keep out all that pesky rain and snow.
Pros
Waterproof
100% metal-free
Slip and oil-resistant outsole
Cons
Composite toe cap isn’t as protective as steel
Lack of breathability
Might run small
Best Waterproof Work Boots
And, finally, our best waterproof style of the year: the Wolverine Floorhand boots. These things are comfortable, protective and very well-reviewed. Not only are they waterproof, but they’re also abrasion, oil and slip-resistant. They come with a steel toe cap, a nylon shank and electrical hazard protection. Basically, they do it all, and for a very reasonable price. They'll keep your feet dry, and they'll provide plenty more protection to keep up with even the most demanding jobs.
Pros
Pull tab for easy on/off
Padded ankle collar
Moisture-wicking lining
Cons
Steel toe cap is heavy
Tend to run small
Not metal detector-friendly