This is a list of the best 5 Thorogood boots for electricians. I’ve ranked these boots based on their comfort, outer-sole durability, leather quality, insole, and overall quality.
Thorogood is known for their American made boots, both work boots and casual. They’ve also put their best foot forward to produce the highest quality boots you can buy on the market with attention to detail when it comes to their insoles, leather, and boot construction. This list is specifically for electricians who need work boots and are considering the Thorogood brand.
If you’re looking for more information about other brands or styles check out my Best Electrician Work Boots article.
Thorogood Work Boots
What to Look for in Electrician Work Boots
Electrical Hazard – Pretty self explanatory why electricians need electrical hazard protection from their work boots. The last thing you want is to be vulnerable to electrocution through your boots and for this reason all of the boots on this list are electrical hazard rated.
Defined Heel – Electricians should wear boots with a defined heel because most jobsites will require a defined heel and it gives better stability when climbing ladders. The heel can catch the rung of a ladder providing safety as you climb. It also helps to keep your foot from slipping on wet surfaces or uneven ground.
Good insole for comfort – Electricians should choose slip-resistant footwear that is durable, comfortable, easy to clean, and has good traction. They need to be able to stand up all day long without discomfort. A well designed boot provides support and cushioning while keeping feet dry and warm. Comfort of a boot can often be made better through purchasing of a new insole, I suggest the Anti-Fatigue insole made by Timberland. Thorogood is known to include quite good insoles so I would test them out before purchasing a new insole.
Water Resistance – Electrical contractors are exposed to water during their job duties so they must have waterproof shoes. Having wet socks can be a major day ruiner so having a waterproof boot or a boot that can be made waterproof is very important. Waterproof shoe soles help prevent moisture build up inside the boot which could cause blisters. This type of protection is especially important if working outdoors where there may be standing water around electrical equipment.
Good Outer-Sole – The outer sole, bottom of the boot, protects against sharp objects such as nails, screws, and can be one of the first areas your boots break down. Having a good outersole means your boot will last and it can protect against object piercing of the boot.
Safety Toe – Either a steel toe or a composite toe that meets ASTM standards. it is important to have a safety toe boot because most job sites will require them to stay compliant with OSHA regulations and they provide additional protection against sharp objects like nails and screws.
Slip Resistance – All work boots on this list are slip resistant so no need to worry there. Also, all steel toe boots will be slip resistant as well. To make sure you can look at the sole of the boot and it’ll usually have “Slip Resistant” on the bottom, you can look at the boot box which usually has the features of the boots, or the descriptions of the boots if you’re shopping online from either the manufacturer or the seller.
| Insole | Outer-Sole | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
GREAT |
GREAT |
NO |
Coming in as the best Thorogood work boot for electricians is the Thorogood American Heritage safety toe boot. These boots are also #2 on the my list of the best work boots for electricians!
These boots come in both a Moc toe and a traditional toe. Moc toe is the stitching in the toe area and a traditional toe is no stitching, a solid piece of leather. Other than that there is no difference between the two.
Thorogood is makes their boots in the USA so you can rest assured these boots are made with the best quality. This is genuine leather that will last for years, none of that pleather, along with stretching to your feet. These rugged, easy-to-wear work boots feature a Maxwear™ slip-resistant outsole, a comfort-enhancing orthotic in the heel and a durable, full-grain leather upper.
The outer-sole is one of the best on the market, providing long lasting durability. So after months of going up ladders, walking across gravel, grating, and concrete you can be confident these soles will last.
The insole of these boots is surprisingly good. I always recommend the Timberland Anti-Fatigue insole but Thorogood has given them a run for their money. The ultimate shock insole is probably the closest insole in terms of comfort and quality. The thickness is more than most work boots’ so you’ll have a hard time walking holes into these and not to mention the softness is extremely nice.
They are not waterproof out of the box but because they are leather you can simply make them waterproof through Sno-Seal or mink oil. You’ll want to condition the boots with one of those products anyway to keep the leather in peak condition. The good thing about them not being waterproof out of the box is that there is no waterproof liner on the inside of the boot, which is less heat trapping insulation for your feet. Waterproof liners tend to trap heat and cause your feet to sweat more than those without.
| Insole | Outer-Sole | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
GREAT |
GREAT |
YES |
At #2 best Thorogood electrician work boot is the Thorogood 1957 Series.
This boot is very similar to the the #1 boot above. Almost everything about the two are the same except two ares.
One being that these boots are inherently waterproof through the water liner stitched into the inside of the boot. This liner is going to make the boot hotter but you won’t have to worry about water soaking through and getting to your socks.
The second area is that the sole of the boot is black instead of white. These boots have a black sole meaning there is a chance for them to leave skid marks while the #1 boot above has a white sole which does not leave marks. If this happens it’s usually only noticeable when wet.
I’d say if you’re more concerned about your boots being waterproof these would be the better choice although as an electrician you’re probably not going to be working in water day in and day out.
#3 American Heritage – 8″ Tobacco Safety Toe
| Insole | Outer-Sole | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
GREAT |
GREAT |
NO |
The American Heritage 8 inch Tabacco safety toe boots are our choice as #3 on the best Thorogood work boots for electricians. The height of these boots give you extra ankle support for going up and down ladders, walking the job site, etc.
The leather on these boots is quite a bit more soft than the two previously mentioned. The softness of the leather will provide a quicker break-in period and allow your foot to get used to wearing the boots right away. It also means that the boots will feel softer over time and form to your feet quicker.
The outer sole of these boots are the MAXWEAR90 rubber outsoles. These are some of the strongest on the market even outside of the Throgorood brand. (same outer sole as #1 and #2)
These boots also come with the Ultimate Shock Absorption insole, the same as number one and number two on the list. This insole is quite soft and durable, and is comparable to the Timberland Anti-Fatigue insole. I’ve had mine since 2012 and still use it today.
The down side of these boots is that they are 8 inches tall. They’re going to trap more heat than the 6 inch counterpart and have a few more lace loops for you to make when putting them on in the morning. Overall they are good boots for electricians and deserve your consideration.
#4 Thorogood Men's American Heritage 11" Wellington Round Toe
| Insole | Outer-Sole | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
GREAT |
GREAT |
NO |
The Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 11″ Wellington Round Toe pull on work boots are a deviation from the lace-ups that have filled this list so far. These boots come with the same great MAXWEAR90 outer-sole that withstands wear and tear needed from a good work boot.
They are also full grain leather meaning they’ll last much longer than a fabric competitor. These boots are not inherently waterproof but because they are fully leather you can use Sno-Seal to make them waterproof.
This of course come with the Ultimate Shock Absorption insole for comfort throughout the day.
Because these boots are pull-ons that means no lacing them up in the morning and no untying them after a long day. You’ll also never have to worry about buying new laces.
#5 American Union Series Safety Toe
| Insole | Outer-Sole | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
GREAT |
GREAT |
Yes |
The Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 11″ Pull-on Wellington Moc Toe pull on work boots are a deviation from the lace-ups that have filled this list so far. These boots come with the same great MAXWEAR90 outer-sole that withstands wear and tear needed from a good work boot.
They are also full grain leather meaning they’ll last much longer than a fabric competitor. These boots are not inherently waterproof but because they are fully leather you can use Sno-Seal to make them waterproof.
This of course come with the Ultimate Shock Absorption insole for comfort throughout the day.
Because these boots are pull-ons that means no lacing them up in the morning and no untying them after a long day. You’ll also never have to worry about buying new laces.