When you go to buy work boots, there are certain specific characteristics you’re looking for. The main criteria are durability and comfort. It’s better to make a good investment on boots that will last for years. For certain jobs, you might need added features, such as a steel toe or waterproof materials. Whatever the case, it’s nice to be able to slip them on and off easily whenever it’s time to go out on the shop floor or slop around in the mud.
Here are the 10 best pull-on work boots
Ariat Men’s Workhog Pull-On H2O Work Boot
Ariat is one of the leading companies in the working boots industry. It was founded in 1993 by Beth Cross and Pam Parker. Ever since, it has become the official footwear provider for numerous organizations. This includes sports organizations involved in equestrian competitions. This is the case for the Federation Equestrian International, which has chosen Ariat as the official boots for the sport. This has allowed the company to further expand, and it has also become the official footwear for bull riding. These two highly specific niches have allowed the brand to establish itself in the market.
The Workhog Pull-On H20 is one of our favorite models due to different reasons. First of all, it’s very lightweight, making it very attractive for jobs that imply constant moving around and walking. Thanks to the excellent padding, you’ll be very comfortable throughout the day. In addition, the wide shank ensures that your feet won’t be as fatigued as with other models. They are also impermeable, which protects the boots and your feet from getting wet.
Its anti-slip grip is also an important characteristic to avoid any possible accidents. Something we also like about the Workhog is how fashionable the exterior is. This feature provides versatility to these work boots, making them useful at work and afterward.
RedWing Men’s Irish Setter 83907
This company is located in Red Wing, Minnesota. It was founded in 1905 and quickly became one of the strongest competitors in the market. They were the producers of military boots for American soldiers in both World War I and World War II. The company has traditionally offered options for heavy-duty jobs. However, in recent years, it has expanded its offer to include more athletic footwear, as well as options for jobs that require resistant but lightweight work boots.
The Irish Setter 83907 is completely impermeable to water. This makes it ideal for jobs in which you’re exposed to water or liquids in general. It’s also perfect for going through the snow if this is part of your job description. Furthermore, their specialized sole allows you to be able to have good footage in any condition. The high quality of the leather used to produce these boots makes them a very durable option. Another feature involved in how resistant these boots are is the direct-attach welt construction that’s part of the boot’s structure.
Caterpillar’s Revolver Pull-On Steel-Toe Boot
Caterpillar Inc. is one of the biggest manufacturers for construction products in the entire world. Benjamin Holt saw that tractors had great difficulty plowing through the soft grounds of California in the early 1900s. This motivated him to create wheels surrounded by planks. An English design proved to be even more efficient, and Holt bought the patent for it. After someone observed that the truck moved like a caterpillar, a brand was born. Today, Caterpillar is one of the top 100 Fortune companies. They have expanded their products to include everything from construction machinery to apparel.
The Caterpillar Revolver boot has a simple yet useful design. The double pull handles are an appreciated feature as they make the boots easier to pull on. The durability of this model is guaranteed thanks to the presence of steel reinforcement. The sole is rigged to avoid slipping and falling, and the technology in the boot protects against electric hazards. This way, you can go about your job feeling completely secure. The one thing to keep in mind is the fit.
Since these boots are wider than other models, you might benefit from getting them half a size less than your usual size. However, if your feet are wide, then this model might be just perfect for you.
Justin J-Max Steel Toe Pull-On Work Boots
This company was founded in 1879 in Gainsville, Texas. H. J. Justin went from repairing boots to manufacturing them, after becoming an expert on their construction. He found a way to incorporate stitching that looked as decoration, but it actually reinforced the booth and gave it more strength. Thanks to his wife, Annie, Justin was able to offer self-measuring kits that allowed clients to mail order the boots. This made the small enterprise skyrocket. The company remained as a family company until 2000, when it was sold to Warren Buffett.
The Justin J-Max Steel has interesting features that make it stand out. There’s a sole with anti-slip technology that’s even resistant to oil. However, the key characteristic of these boots is how comfortable they are. Thanks to its gaucho material, your feet will stay warm despite external conditions and it offers great comfort as well. The steel toe serves as the perfect protection if something falls on top of your foot. Additionally, the cowhide material makes it resistant but also adaptable to the shape of your feet, so they would even make a good pair of work boots for wide feet.
Ariat Groundbreaker Pull-On Work Boot
This Ariat model is a very good option for worktime. However, riders and farmers will reap the greater benefit. The double handles make up for the lack of flexible paneling, something present in other Ariat models. The footbed provides sufficient support for comfort even during the longest workdays or a strenuous riding session. Its wider design allows for people with wide feet to be more comfortable. As a consequence, people with narrower feet might find their usual size too big for them. The sole, of course, is anti-slip. However, there’s no steel toe reinforcement. The good news is that despite how stiff this western boot looks, it’s not difficult to break in.
Wolverine Wellington 10-Inch Slip-On Work Boots
Wolverine World Wide is the name of the company that manufactures these high-quality boots. Frederick Hick and G. A. Krause founded it in 1883 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They started out at a small leather shop and steadily expanded to manufacture their own items. As their business grew, they landed important contracts, including one with the U.S. Navy during World War II. As they grew, they started to offer more fashionable items under the brand Hush Puppies. This line was recognized for their high quality, and it quickly became popular worldwide. However, they have continued to offer durable and comfortable boots specially designed for work throughout the years.
The Wellington 10-Inch is a durable model that provides great support and comfort. It’s perfect for jobs in which you have to be standing up for long hours. Thanks to its nylon shank and how flexible the model is as a whole, it can absorb the impacts common in heavy-duty occupations. This is a great way to protect your feet and legs, and let the boots absorb most of any possible impact. The sole provides great grip and protection against slipping.
For more reliable footwear that will save your back, check out our guide on the best zipper work boots.
Martens Icon Industrial Strength Steel Toe Boot
After suffering an injury on a skiing trip, a German army doctor decided to adapt his combat boots to be more comfortable. This led him to design a new boot model, working from the ones he already had. He added rubber soles to make them more comfortable as well as soft leather. After the war, Märtens and a friend started to sell this product to homemakers, and it was an instant hit. They expanded their business and started to sell them in England, where they become popular among construction workers and police officers. The company quickly grew after that.
This boot is much more than meets the eye. The sole protects against electric and slipping hazard, increasing your work safety. It’s a very comfortable model due to the fact that it’s made with synthetic leather. However, despite the stitching made to reinforce the boot, the fact that they’re not made from real leather makes them more prone to tearing. Thanks to certain adaptations, the support is excellent, and the boot will provide you with great comfort throughout the day. The toe reinforcement makes for an additional safety feature that’s perfect for hazardous jobs.
Timberland Pro Helix Wellington Steel Toe Slip-On Work Boot
Nathan Swartz founded this company in the United States in 1928. Although the company also sells other merchandise for outdoor apparel, their boots are their signature item to this day. The company was family-owned until 2007, when a Welsh company, Howies, bought it. However, as of 2011, it has been part of VF Corporation, which includes brands such as JanSport and North Face, all aimed toward outdoor activities.
The Timberland Pro Helix is not only a beauty but also a very comfortable boot for work. Thanks to a built-in membrane added to the interior, it guarantees the dryness of your feet throughout the workday. Their unique Anti-Fatigue feature provides a cushioning effect that will do wonders for your tired feet. It also cushions the impact of any heavy-duty job, protecting your ankles from any additional shock. Another of our favorite features about this boot is the antimicrobial cover. This avoids the development of any odors and the proliferation of bacteria in your boots.
Here are top American-made work boots on the market that will provide protection and comfort. Don’t miss them.
Georgia Boot Athens Work Boot
This company was founded in the United States in 1937 in Atlanta, Georgia. The goal of the founders was to produce high-quality products at an affordable price as the country was going through a recession at the time. As it expanded, farmers and people that worked outdoors became interested in these boots. Their durability and affordability made them especially attractive. One of their greatest innovations took place in 1991 when they introduced the concept of comfort care. These changes involved better ventilation as well as a more comfortable heel. This made their new models very popular.
The Athens Work Boot is one of the most versatile models. Thanks to its design, it can be used at work but will also allow you to head out for other activities afterward. However, it does have some drawbacks. There’s no steel toe feature, and it doesn’t have the technology to protect you from electrical hazards. Despite this, the sole is resistant to oil and water slips. Furthermore, the memory footbed feature makes it one of the most comfortable models. Adding to the comfort is the fact that the material is very flexible, allowing for movement when necessary. Lastly, these boots are coated with weatherproof material, making them water-resistant.
Tingley 1400 Pull Over Galoshes Boots
Charles O. Tingley founded this company in 1896 as a bicycle tire plug manufacturer. They have been responsible for numerous innovations in security outerwear ever since. Thanks to Tingley’s background working with bicycle tires, they were able to design the first rubber overshoes, which completely changed the market. After years of growth and expansion, they now specialize in protective footwear and outerwear.
These boots are very different from the models discussed before. Known as galoshes, they’re designed to be worn over your shoes instead of as your main footwear. The Tingley 1400 is ideal for wet terrain or work that involve going through mud. The great advantage is that they’re easily washable, protecting your feet from humidity and dirt.
Thanks to the material being abrasion-resistant, this is one of the most durable options on the market. And with the wide shaft, it’s not necessary to use your hands to put the boots on nor to take them off. They are also guaranteed to be completely waterproof, which provides an important advantage if your job requires working in a wet environment.