Work boots are essential whether you work at a construction site, as a gardener, in a machine shop, as an electrician, in the oil and gas industry, or if your work mainly involves walking through snow and other unfavorable conditions. In any case, they need to be as comfortable as possible.
Without comfortable work boots, you will be at a greater risk for accidents since you are likely to focus on the discomfort on your feet rather than at your work. Furthermore, it will make your feet feel fatigued at the end of the day. That’s why we’re suggesting some comfy work boots below.
How to choose the best comfortable waterproof work boots
So, how do you choose the best and most comfortable waterproof work boots? Here are some pointers to remember:
Waterproofing
To ensure that your work boots have waterproofing capabilities, they should have insulation and a secure lining. This will keep your feet dry and comfortable throughout the day.
Safety standards
A good pair of waterproof work boots should conform to safety standards, such as the ASTM. The most common work boots you’ll find that are made for jobsite use often include safety toes (usually either composite or metal). Aside from that, some of these boots have EH (electrical hazard) protection.
Cushioning
When it comes to comfort, a removable insole or footbed is a good feature to look for in a pair of work boots. The cushioning level should not only make your feet feel comfy throughout the day but should also keep you dry from the elements and safe from too much impact.
Durability
We like waterproof work boots that were constructed with durability in mind. Usually, leather boots are the way to go when it comes to all-around durable boots. However, if you need to work in a facility with frequent chemical spills, we recommend PVC material, which is chemical-resistant.
Ease of wearing
Most work boots have a rear pull loop or tab that helps you wear the boots almost instantly – great for working on the go and if you’re running late. This will help save valuable time for you to go ahead to your jobsite.
Best comfortable waterproof work boots
Here are our picks for the best comfortable waterproof work boots:
Timberland PRO Men’s Boondock Work Boot
Made with leather construction and thermoplastic urethane for the outsole, the Timberland PRO Men’s Boondock Work Boot is a good choice for industrial needs thanks to its rubber toe cap, which is suitable for construction work for safety purposes.
With a 10-1/2-inch boot opening, it comes with a comfortable collar lined with padding to keep you focused on work and not on an awkward pair of work boots.
The closure has a lace-up design so it stays tied even in difficult situations. What’s more, it is both waterproof and insulated so it will withstand rain and snow. We also like its Goodyear welt and cement construction for the heel part.
WOLVERINE Men’s Overpass Work Boot
Yet another rugged choice we would like to suggest is the WOLVERINE Men’s Overpass Work Boot. With a 5-inch measurement of the shaft from the arch, it has resistance to the elements, as well as to chemicals, making it suitable for dirty jobsite work.
The contour welt has enough flexibility to keep you working comfortably throughout your shift. This is important if you need to bend and position your feet at an awkward angle. Another addition to comfort is the presence of an ortholite cushioned footbed (which is also removable).
Its toe-cap weight won’t drag you down since it is made with carbon max. This design is also ASTM-approved for jobsite standards.
Carhartt Men’s Soft Toe Work Boot
Bearing a wedge design, the Carhartt Men’s Soft Toe Work Boot is waterproof for bad weather conditions and has a rubber outsole coupled with a durable leather construction. If you have flat or wide feet, these boots will best suit your needs due to their design.
The boots have a soft toe design so they are suitable for workers not on a construction site, such as gardeners and the like. With a 7-inch arch to shaft measurement and 10-1/2-inch boot opening, it also conforms to ASTM f2892-18 EH standards.
With two color choices (tan and brown) and many size options, the boots are also durable thanks to the Goodyear welt construction.
Georgia Boot Men’s Logger Boot
With an 8-inch height, the Georgia Boot Men’s Logger Boot is waterproof and comes with a steel toe – perfect for construction work or in any field requiring safety against accidents. The boots come with a lace-up closure and a rear pull loop for convenient wearing.
The rubber outsole was constructed to be resistant to abrasions for industrial use. Moreover, it has an ankle lock that works well if you are stepping on uneven ground, such as those with rocks and logs.
Furthermore, it is quite stable against snow and sand thanks to its good traction, making it a suitable work boot for construction workers, plumbers, electricians, and the like.
Related post: Best Work Shorts for Hot Weather
KEEN Utility Men’s Pittsburgh Work Boot
With a steel toe and a rubber outsole, the KEEN Utility Men’s Pittsburgh Work Boot is made with pure Nubuck leather, which makes it durable against tough weather conditions. There’s also an EVA footbed that will keep you comfortable throughout the day for awkward positions.
Measuring 12 inches around the boot opening and 6 inches from the arch to the shaft, the boots have locking metal laces for stability so you can pay more attention to your work than your boots.
Made for medium-duty use such as in construction work, landscaping, masonry, maintenance, and driving, it has superior torsion stability and Keen Key-Tech technology to protect against too much impact.
Thorogood American Heritage Safety Toe Boots
Conforming to ASTM F2413-18 safety-toe standards with its steel toe, the Thorogood American Heritage Safety Toe Boots are suitable for construction work where falling debris are likely to happen. With two colors (black and tobacco), the leather is full-grain and oil-tanned for quality and protection.
The footbed insole of the boots, which has shock-absorbing properties, is also removable and has enough cushioning to keep you comfortable for all-day work. That’s thanks to its open-cell design, which also makes the boots moisture-resistant – perfect for humid and/or cold weather.
Whether you work at a machine shop or a construction site, these work boots have sufficient durability with flexibility thanks to the fiberglass shank construction.
Timberland PRO Men’s Rigmaster XT
A pair of work boots that work well for slippery environments, such as if you’re working with oil and gas tankers, is the Timberland PRO Men’s Rigmaster XT. The boots are waterproof and also shock-absorbent due to their comfort system.
Measuring 6 inches from the arch, the boots are built with leather and a synthetic outsole. It also comes with a steel safety toe that conforms to the ASTM F2412-11 and F2413-11 standards so it’s suitable for construction work.
Meeting other ASTM standards, such as for EH (electrical hazard), blood-borne pathogens, and waterproof protection, it also has antimicrobial odor control to protect your feet against diseases and to keep them smelling fresh.
Carhartt Men’s Ruggedflex Work Boot
Constructed with leather and a rubber outsole, the Carhartt Men’s Ruggedflex Work Boot has a composite safety toe (conforming to ASTM F2413-18 standards) so if you need something lightweight or don’t need a steel toe but need protection, this work boot for you.
Likewise, the work boots also conform to ASTM F2413-18 EH standards so they’re good for electricians and the like. With an 11-inch boot opening and 8-inch shaft measurement from the arch, it features 400gm 3M Thinsulate material so it’s also a great pair for the winter season.
Furthermore, the leather boots have a removable insole to keep you comfortable for a variety of weather conditions and work positions.
Built with a high shaft of 15 1/2 inches from the arch and 17 3/4 inches for its boot opening, the Muck Chore Classic Work Boots is good for harsh environments where you don’t want most of your legs to be exposed, such as when working around tall grass.
Made with neoprene and rubber for the outsole, it has a 1-inch heel and a 3/4-inch platform. Thanks to its breathable air mesh lining, even though you’re wearing high boots, you won’t feel uncomfortable.
The outsole has a convenient design that allows for easy cleaning without losing traction while you’re stepping on snow. It also comes with a kick rim to easily the boots off.
Constructed with polyblend PVC for its upper material, the Dunlop 8908610 DURAPRO Boots feature a Sureflex outsole that’s good for a slippery environment. It also comes with a steel toe (meeting ASTM F2413-11 standards) for a dangerous work environment. Likewise, it has a comfortable TPU insole.
If you work in the oil industry, these boots are resistant to such substances, as well as other chemical spills. Therefore, the boots are also suitable for those working in dangerous environments with harsh chemicals, solvents, and the like.
The bottom traction is fairly good thanks to the canal-lined design (safety-loc), which is suitable for hazardous surfaces. As it is chemical- and oil-resistant, it is also waterproof.
Conclusion
As a whole, getting a pair of comfortable waterproof work boots is important to keep you productive and safe throughout your shift. With any kind of work that you do, you need something comfortable to maintain your focus so that all of your attention goes into your job and not on your feet.