This is a list of the best Ariat work boots for welders and we’ve taken careful consideration when putting this list together. We’ve ranked the boots based on durability, comfort, and material quality. Below you’ll find a table with the recommended boots for welders along with their rating and price. If you’d like to read a more indepth review of each boot scroll down the list.
The boots on this list do not come with a toe protectant which can be very important for welders. This is why I suggest an aftermarket toe protectant, that is way better than any toe protectant manufacturers make, is the Tuff-Toe. It comes in both black and brown and will outlast the boot itself before you wear a hole in it. Honestly I’ve never seen any ever make a dent in the toe protectant.
#1 Ariat Workhog
Sole: GREAT
Comfort: GREAT
Quality: GREAT
Overall: 5/5
#2 Ariat VentTek Safety Toe Square Toe
Sole: GREAT
Comfort: GREAT
Quality: GREAT
Overall: 5/5
#3 Ariat Men's Groundbreaker Pull-On Steel Toe
Sole: GREAT
Comfort: GREAT
Quality: GREAT
Overall: 4/5
#4 Ariat Men's Workhog Pull-on Composite Toe Work Boot
Sole: GOOD
Comfort: GOOD
Quality: GOOD
Overall: 4/5
#5 Ariat Groundbreaker Square Toe Work Boot
Sole: GOOD
Comfort: GOOD
Quality: GOOD
Overall: 3.5/5
#6 Ariat Groundbreaker Chelsea Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boot
Sole: GOOD
Comfort: GOOD
Quality: GOOD
Overall: 3/5
Sole: GREAT
Comfort: GREAT
Quality: GREAT
Overall: 5/5
Sole: GREAT
Comfort: GREAT
Quality: GREAT
Overall: 5/5
Sole: GREAT
Comfort: GREAT
Quality: GREAT
Overall: 4/5
Sole: GOOD
Comfort: GOOD
Quality: GOOD
Overall: 4/5
Sole: GOOD
Comfort: GOOD
Quality: GOOD
Overall: 3.5/5
Sole: GOOD
Comfort: GOOD
Quality: GOOD
Overall: 3/5
$214.95
| Insole | Outer-Sole | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
GREAT |
GREAT |
NO |
The Ariat WorkHog Wide Square Toe steel toe work boots are the best Ariat work boots in our opinion. They have an outstanding work sole called the Duratread outer sole. it is oil and slip resistant and can withstand miles and miles of wear a day.
Outside of the sole these boots are completely made out of leather which will stand up to sparks, spatter, and just about anything else you can throw at it. You can also make these boots waterproof with sno-seal thanks to the leather.
When it comes to comfort, Ariat does leave a little to be wanted. The insoles are not terrible but they can definetly be better. I would recommend replacing these insoles with something like the Timberland Anti-Fatigue insoles or something thicker seeing as though you’ll be on your feet 90% of the day.
These boots also come with steel toes so you’ll be covered for OSHA and job site requirements, along with these boots being electrical hazard rated.
$219.95
| Insole | Outer-Sole | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
GREAT |
GREAT |
NO |
The Ariat VentTek Safety Toe work boots are some of the most unique steel toes and are a great choice for any welder.
One of the things that stands out with these boots is the venting technology in the boot’s upper. This is Ariat’s Dri-Freeze technology but you can think of it as vents on the top of the boots that fans air in and out of the boots. The only drawback with this is that the vents are cloth which are susceptible to burning. As long as you don’t wear your pants within your boots you’ll have nothing to worry about.
When it comes the these boots’ insole, it is a gel insole which can withstand the punishment welders put their boots through.
Overall the boot leather is what you can expect with Ariats, which is very good. Although the leather itself isn’t waterproof you can of course make it waterproof. You should also be conditioning the boots regularly anyway so a waterproofing agent can accomplish both.
Of course these boots are safety toe, ASTM and OSHA compliant, and electrical hazard rated. They’ll meet job site requirements for almost any job including welding.
| Insole | Outer-Sole | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
OKAY |
GOOD |
NO |
These Ariat steel toes have been described as ” Good, cheap, comfortable and durable.” with “very little break in time” by welders with first hand experience wearing these boots. So you can tell these boots are comfortable and durable along with being made with a high grade leather. The only downside, if you can even call it that, is that the outer-sole is not as great as the previously mentioned boots.
The tread is quite good and doesn’t bread know quickly, though I just prefer the previously mentioned boots.
When it comes to the insole it is very good and has said to last quite long while being very comfortable.
Having said that, these boots are more than solid for welders an will last you a long time without punishing your feet.
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Read More $168.95
| Insole | Outer-Sole | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
GOOD |
GOOD |
NO |
These round toe composite toe Ariat work boots come in at #3 of the best work boots for welders.
They have the same great outer-sole as the number one boot on this list, the main differences with this boot are the toe shape being round toe along with these having a “saddle”. A saddle, when it comes to boots, is when the leather on the top of the foot is stitched together instead of being one solid piece of leather.
The saddle provides nothing other than a different look in comparison to a traditional solid piece of leather. As a welder though you’ll need to keep in mind that the saddle is stitched together which means can be vulnerable to burning. I’d recommend waxing the stitching regularly with sno-seal or other protectants for additional protection.
These boots also come with a composite toe instead of a steel toe. They still meet OSHA and ASTM requirements but composite toes do transfer less heat or cold to your feet in comparison steel toes.
Of course these are completely made out of leather which is great for welders, the more fabric a boot has the more chances of it burning.
overall these are great work boots but I’d prefer one of the two previously mentioned Ariats in comparison.
$129.95
| Insole | Outer-Sole | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
GOOD |
GOOD |
NO |
At number 5 is the Ariat Groundbreaker Square Toe work boots. These are very basic square toe steel toe boots that can withstand the beating welders go through. They are not waterproof out of the box but they are full grain leather which can be treated with mink oil or other products to be made waterproof very easily.
The leather itself is strong and flexible. It is going to stretch to your feet and flex when you need kneel on one knee without tearing over the course of a couple of months.
The insole is Ariat’s own 4LR insole, which is made completely of foam and is not quite the best insole on the market. It is removable so you can replace it if you so desire and you’ll notice the most amount of cushion is in the heel and it thins out going moving closer to the toes. The toe area is quite thing and can be worn through pretty quickly. I’d recommend replacing these insole with something you’re familiar with or with a Timberland Anti-Fatigue insole.
When looking at the bottom of the boot, aka the sole of the boot you’ll notice it is slip and oil resistant and seems pretty solid. If you examine the boots from the side you’ll notice the soles are made up of multiple layers with the bottom layer being the hardest and strong and the middle layers are softer and provide more cushion as you walk.
$150.00
| Insole | Outer-Sole | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
GOOD |
GOOD |
YES |
At number 6 of our best Ariat work boots for welders is the Ariat Groundbreaker Chelsea Waterproof Steel Toes. These boots are very interesting and are a great alternative for those that were looking for lace-up work boots. You won’t have to deal with the tall western style boots rubbing against your legs and the difficulty of pulling on those tall boots. These also have the benefit of not having laces, so you’re essentially getting the best of both worlds.
These boots do come as waterproof so no need to worry about water soaking through to your socks, although as a welder you probably shouldn’t be working around too much water anyway.
The outer-sole of the boots, bottom of the boot, is pretty good and is made from a strong rubber. As a welder you won’t have trouble with these soles holding up for a long time.
When looking at the insole it is the 4LR insole made by Ariat. The same one with the thick heel and thin toe cushioning. My insoles tend to wear through in the beels and in the balls of my feet, so having a good thick cushion on both ends is important for me and these insoles don’t offer much in the front portion of the feet. I’d recommend going with a replacement insole.
What kind of shoes do welders wear?
Welding can be dangerous, which means it requires protective gear like gloves, goggles, clothing, and boots. You'll want to make sure your work boots are leather, have a defined heel, and are safety toe. It is recommended that you wear pull-on work boots although lace-ups can work.
Lace-Up or Pull-On Boots for Welding?
You can wear either lace-up or pull-on boots for welding although there are pros and cons to both.
Overall I believe the better choice is pull-on boots because they will not catch sparks or spatter and you will not have to worry about purchasing new laces because yours burned through. You'll also not have to purchase a tongue cover as you would with lace up boots. Overall pull-on boots are preferred for welders for these reasons along with the added benefits of easy on and off before and after a long day.
The boots can get hot although you're going to find the same issue with lace-up boots.
Should I get work boots with steel toe caps?
I often see welders trying to find loopholes for not wearing steel toe boots, from buying the soft toe version of the same work boot to adding a toe protectant like Tuff-Toe to make it seem as though there is a steel toe.
These of course are simply bad ideas. If your boss or the safety man finds out you're not wearing steel toes you're going to be sent home and will have to purchase steel toes for your next day of work. Not to mention you're also putting yourself at risk, the steel toe is to protect your toes from heavy falling objects that could cause injury.
Other Brands Welders Should Consider
While Ariat are some of the best boots for welders you may want to consider looking at these other great brands:
- Thorogood
- CAT
- Irish Setter
- Justin
- Double H
- Timberland
- Durango
- Wolverine