The Best Welding Boots & Shoes
Instead of ruining good pairs of shoes (or worse – your feet!) invest in a pair of welding boots that will keep you safe for years to come. Look for a pair that has a metatarsal guard to protect the top of your foot – as well as the laces – or a steel toe cap to guard against any bumps or knocks you might encounter around your workshop.
1. Dr. Martens Men’s Ironbridge MG ST Steel-Toe Met Guard Boot
The Good
If you’re looking for a rugged pair of welding boots that can stand up to the toughest wear, then these might be your solution.
For starters, they have been made with a tough sole which will prevent you from slipping in wet conditions (or on slippery surfaces like oil and petrol). In addition, these boots feature double stitching, as well as heavy duty eyelets and laces, all of which make these boots extremely durable and ready to stand up to the most intense wear and tear.
The water-resistant, full-grain leather uppers are secure and protective enough to keep the elements out, while the fabric lining wicks moisture away to keep your feet feeling fresh and cool all day long. These boots are surprisingly flexible and the ankle padding and removable insole mean that they’re incredibly comfortable, but they don’t compromise on quality.
Just as you’d expect from a good quality pair of welding boots, they do feature a steel toe cap which protects the feet from impacts without being as heavy as some of the other similar boots on the market.
The Bad
The fact that the soles are fairly soft means that they’re flexible, but this does have a major disadvantage. This softness also results in small areas of the sole melting slightly whenever you step on something that’s very hot, so be careful where you step when you’re wearing these boots.
Conclusion
All things considered, these are some of the best work boots money can buy!
2. Timberland PRO Men’s 53580 8″ Metguard Steel- Toe Boot
The Good
Whenever you’re looking for a pair of welding boots you should pay close attention to the metatarsal guards, as these are usually the parts that offer the greatest protection. Never has this been truer than with these boots from Timberland.
In this case, the metatarsal guards are both hinged and asymmetrical, so they protect all the way down the tops of the feet, even if you’re bending or squatting. They actually conform to fit your natural foot shape, so they’re far more comfortable than you’d usually expect welding boots to be – right from the very first wear!
The Ever-Guard leather is waterproof and the stitching has been done with Kevlar thread, so the quality and durability of these boots is outstanding. They feature steel toe caps which are nice and roomy (which just makes them feel even more comfortable), protecting from heat and impact whether you’re indoors or outdoors.
If you do choose to wear these boots outdoors then the tough rubber sole will prevent you from slipping on wet or oily surfaces, but if you’re indoors it will guard against abrasion.
The Bad
The sturdy, robust nature of these boots makes them fairly heavy, which can be tiring to wear for long periods. Leg and ankle fatigue is a very real problem with these boots, but look on the bright side – wearing them will strengthen your muscles!
However, one other annoying problem that some people have noticed is that the stitching at the back usually starts to come apart after just a few months, so they don’t have quite as long a lifespan as you might expect from a reputable brand like Timberland.
Conclusion
Overall, this is another great set of boots from Timberland which provides more than adequate protection for welding and other construction jobs.
3. Rocky Duty Men’s Modern Paraboot
The Good
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to notice that these boots are significantly taller than most other dedicated welding boots on the market. At 10 inches tall, they protect the bottom part of the legs as well as the feet, which can only be a good thing in a potentially dangerous workshop. However, even though they’re tall, they’re not difficult to put on and take off; they have been made with a side zip which means it’s only a matter of moments before you can get to work.
These boots always look smart, because you can polish the water-resistant full grain leather uppers – and it’s this same material that gives these boots much of their strength, resilience and protection. Last but not least, not only do they look good, but they’re super comfortable too, thanks to a contoured, cushioned footbed. Even at the end of a long day filled with welding and standing on your feet, your feet won’t feel much discomfort at all!
The Bad
First and foremost, there are no metguards, so the tops of these boots (including the laces) are not protected from any spillages or burns.
In addition, they are unlined, so instead of wicking away sweat or moisture they can leave feet feeling hot, sweaty and unpleasant. Some loyal followers of the brand have reported that the quality isn’t as good as it has been in the past, but given that the boots are still really protective, whether or not this is an issue is something that only you can decide!
Conclusion
Perhaps these boots don’t offer quite the same level of quality as in the past, but they’re still a comfortable pair of boots that protects the feet, ankles and lower leg.
4. Caterpillar Men’s Assault Work Boot
The Good
As soon as you put them on you’ll notice that these boots feel really secure and supportive to wear.
The ankles are supported by a padded collar at the top of each boot, which provide comfort instead of rubbing. In addition, the metal lace up front makes these boots feel very secure, so you won’t have to worry about them working loose or starting to slip.
These boots also prevent slippage in another way, thanks to the rubber sole which provides excellent traction, even in wet conditions. If you wear these boots for long periods of time then your feet will remain safe and protected, because the metatarsal guard is really effective at guarding against impact, heat and any minor chemical spillages that you might come into contact with. The genuine leather material that has been used to make these boots is also highly protective, as well as increasing the levels of comfort and durability.
After wearing these boots around the workshop all day, not only will you notice that your feet are still comfortable, but the breathable linings and insoles will keep them fresh and cool, too – which is exactly the sort of high quality that you’d expect from a top name like Caterpillar!
The Bad
These are pretty heavy duty boots, so they do feel quite heavy and cumbersome to wear. If you find yourself crouching a lot in your work then you may experience some discomfort due to the position of the metguard, but minor discomfort is a small price to pay for superior protection.
Some wearers have mentioned that the eyelets are prone to breaking off fairly easily, but a small amount of maintenance can solve this problem very easily.
Conclusion
Just as you’d expect from the big name that is Caterpillar, this is a great, sturdy, protective pair of welding boots.
If you are looking for a new pair of welding bots because you have scars on your feet from sparks and spatter burning through you out sole and laces… Get amongst the Jalas Titan Welding Boot 1848K. No Laced to catch fire but still provides the highest level of protection, comfort and ankle support with a sturdy Velcro fastening. Thisis them
https://www.awsi.com.au/personal-safety-products-ppe/ejendals-tegera-swedish-welding-gloves