The Best Work Boots of 2022

The Wolverine 6-inch Raider steel toe work boots went through just about every test we threw at them with flying colors, performing nearly as well as our ultimate winner. Right out of the box, the shoes were very comfortable, and grew even more comfortable as I wore them. The rubber soles and arches provide plenty of support for a full day of working. The cushioned ankle collar cradles your leg while still providing the flexibility to move around easily.

In terms of safety and performance, the Wolverine Raiders excel as well. The steel toes showed no sign of damage after our drop tests, and I was able to stand right up on our dummy roof. The leather construction feels durable, and shows no sign of wear after all of our testing. I would imagine these boots will be able to make it through even some of the toughest jobs out there. This is an excellent pair of boots for anyone who needs quality footwear to keep them on their feet day after day.

It’s no surprise that a company known for rugged, heavy-duty working machinery produced a rugged, heavy-duty work boot. The Caterpillar Second Shift steel toe boots meet the ASTM safety standards for impact, compression, and electrical hazard protection, keeping you safe on even the toughest job sites. The slip-resistant soles have excellent traction, allowing me to stand up and stay on our test roof.

All of that safety comes with good quality and decent comfort. The leather material is durable and heavy-duty, while the insoles are breathable and don’t get too hot, even in a waterproof boot. They provide great support with solid comfort through the foot and heel. My biggest problem with the boots is that the collar that wraps around the ankle never softened up. My calf ached after any multi-hour wearing session. They didn’t hurt while I was wearing them, but it was a relief to get them off at the end of the day. But if you don’t feel that same pressure, this is another high-quality boot worth trying on.

Timberland is one of the top names in working footwear, and the Pit Boss steel toe work boots are a good example of why. They’re made of high quality, durable leather, provide plenty of support, and meet ANSI, ASTM, and F2892 standards for safety. What’s more, they’re one of the lighter pairs of heavy duty work boots that we tested, and never got uncomfortably warm. The antimicrobial footbed and odor-resistant interior help keep your feet fresh even after a long day at work.

Right out of the box, they’re quite stiff, and require several days to break in before they are truly comfortable. The padded, v-shaped collar provides plenty of ankle support while letting your legs breathe a bit, but it is actually one of the major drawbacks of this boot. After only an hour or two, that collar really made my calves ache every time. In addition, this was one of the few pairs of boots that gave me blisters during breaking in. These are both of course issues that your feet might get used to over time, but I prefer boots that fit comfortably within a day or two of unpacking.

The Rocky MobiLite steel toe work boots started out great. They felt like high-quality material, with a comfortable fit, especially after a few hours of wearing. They provide lots of support, while still being flexible enough to break in relatively quickly. The comparably low collar and ankle support make them great for walking around, with comfortable footbeds and cushioning to keep your feet feeling fresh. And of course, they are ASTM rated against impacts and compression, so you can rest assured that your toes will be safe.

There were a few drawbacks to these waterproof work boots, however. Every time I wore them for more than an hour or so, my knees started to ache. What’s more, their traction on our test roof was quite bad. I was never able to actually stand up on the 45-degree pitch without slipping back down to the ground. Finally, after only a few days of wear, I noticed the leather in several places already starting to peel. These are probably fine for many homeowners looking for occasional-use boots, but they’re not a pair I would trust to get me through a full day on the job site—particularly not at this price.

The Brahma Raid steel toe work boots are the least expensive that we tested, and unfortunately, that low price came alongside some sacrifices. Right out the box, it was clear that the boots were not of the highest quality. Stitches were starting to pull, and the faux leather was scratched. When I tried them on, the quality didn’t improve much. There wasn’t a lot of cushioning in the sole of the foot—it felt like standing directly on top of the rubber sole. And those soles don’t provide much traction. I wasn’t able to stand on our test roof at all in these shoes.

All that said, these boots are steel toe, at a price that’s very hard to beat. If you need an affordable pair of steel toe boots to wear for a few hours on the weekend, then these are worth a look. However, these likely won’t stand up to the rigors of a regular work day.

The first thing to know about the Danner Bull Run steel toe boots is that they do not look like work boots at all. They look like a pair of moccasins with a high ankle and a thick toe. Which is fine, if that’s an aesthetic that you’re looking for. Unfortunately, the performance of the boots did not make up for the non-traditional look.

Right out of the box, they were uncomfortable. The tongue dug into the top of my foot and ankle, and I was never able to find a position where it didn’t hurt. The soles didn’t feel like they had much in the way of support, and my feet ached after only a few minutes wearing them. While they did pass our drop testing as well as any other pair, and did OK in our rooftop grip test, there simply isn’t enough good in these boots to justify the expense.

With the Hudson Classic work boots, Lugz seems to be trying to straddle the line between fancy dress boots and work boots. Unfortunately, it seems like they leaned a bit too hard toward the dress boot side. These boots are extremely light, which can be a plus. However, they simply don’t feel like they’re going to offer much protection, or have the kind of long-term durability that a good pair of work boots should have. They don’t have a steel toe, so they’re not meant to stand up to the rigors of a real job site. However, I also question whether they will stand up to home use.

What’s more, they’re about as comfortable as my dress shoes—and I don’t own a comfortable pair of dress shoes. There’s just not much to them in terms of stability or support. If budget is your number one criteria, then there are other, higher quality boots in this price point.