The Best Steel Toe Hiking Boots
Hiking steel toe boots are a great option for most people who need to wear safety toe boots. They are comfortable, long lasting, easy to break in, offer great ankle support, and are easy to put on or take off.
Over the years of helping people find their best work boot I’ve noticed a few boots that stand out from the rest. In this article I’m going to detail which steel toe hiking boots I recommend and why.
Included in this guide will not only be steel toe hiking boots, there will also be composite toe hiking boots because they are for the most part interchangeable and 95% of the time you wouldn’t notice if you were wearing one or the other unless someone pointed it out.
Table of Contents
How These Steel Toe Hiking Boots Were Ranked
I know you’ll probably scroll right past this section, but it should be noted how these steel toe hiking boots were ranked because some boots will be better for some jobs rather not others.
The way I ranked these steel toes is based on comfort while wearing the boot, how long they last, how heavy they are, price, and features like waterproof etc.
I put more weight into comfort while wearing the boot than anything because no matter how long the boot lasts, how heavy or light they are, or what extra features they might have if they aren’t comfortable they aren’t worth the money. At least in my mind.
Having said that lets now get into the list of the best steel toe hiking boots.
List of the Best Steel Toe Hiking Boots
#1 Timberland PRO Men's Helix 6" Alloy Safety Toe Waterproof Industrial Boot
Timberland : Six inch steel toe hiking boot Stock #85994
| Comfort | Durability | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
BEST |
GREAT |
YES |
My #1 choice is the Timberland steel toe 6″ hiking boot. I love these because they are an all around great work boot, waterproof, full leather, and Timberland included a “anti-fatigue” insole that is truly best in class.
Being 100% leather, aside from the tongue, means its going to last a long time if conditioned about once a month. This boot also has a waterproof liner, which is basically a layer in-between the cloth padding and the leather of the inside of the boot.
This is one of the most effective ways to waterproof your steel toes, though I would also waterproof/ condition them with Sno-Seal like any other leather work boot.
The sole of the boot is also a high grade rubber that lasts much longer than most work boots. Its of course slip resistant, electrical hazard rated, and has a steel toe.
This is one of those steel toe hiking boots that once someone had bought them they would almost always come back for the same boot without even looking at the other options. They are just that good and they are just that comfortable.
Some jobs these boots are good for: Yard Worker, Electricians, Machinists, and anything that really isn’t around fire or sparks.
Types of jobs these boots aren’t recommended for: Anything around fire and office workers who need something just to walk across the yard. These boots are made to have miles put into them so if you’re at a desk for most of your day they are going to be a bit overkill.
Cons:
They can get hot. Most boots that comes waterproof are going to get pretty hot because of the waterproof liner. Additionally the cloth on the inside that is put there to keep your feet comfortable is also going to trap a lot of heat. These are some really nit picky things because almost all steel toe hiking boots are going to get hot but in this case I believe its totally worth it.
#2 Wolverine Tarmac Steel Toe Hiking Boot
Wolverine Tarmac : Six inch steel toe hiking boot
| Comfort | Durability | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
GREAT |
GREAT |
YES |
Coming in at #2 on the list is the Tarmac by Wolverine. This 6″ steel toe hiking boot is the lightest leather steel toe I’ve ever seen. When you’re wearing this boot it really does feel like wearing tennis shoes, it is just that light.
On top of being extremely light, these boots are 100% leather meaning they aren’t going to peel like those pleather boots out there. They are also waterproof which is always a big plus not having to worry about getting your socks wet.
These also have an added bonus of a reflective strip on the bottoms and on the back of the heel. Although it’s not going to win any fashion contests it’s nice to have that little bit of extra safety.
The outer-sole, bottom of the boot, has a good amount of traction. Its slip resistant, oil resistant, and the treads have a decent depth to them. They aren’t going to be the deepest of treads but do quite nicely for most jobs that require walking on wet metal floors, stairs, grating, etc.
The inner sole on these boots is not the greatest and like almost all steel toe boots I recommend buying a separate innersole for complete comfort.
My recommended insole is the Timberland Anti-Fatigue insole, which comes in the #1 boot above. Keep in mind if you do purchase an innersole, especially the one I recommend, to buy your boot a little large. The insoles the manufacturers of 99% of boots are paper thin which affects how your boot is going to fit.
The insides do have a nice cloth lining that isn’t overly thick. This means that as you’re walking for miles and miles you’re boots won’t rub your legs and cause sores. They also aren’t so thickly lined that your feet are going to burn up. If anything its a thiner lining than most boots get.
Who this boot is great for:
These boots are great for people who are putting in a lot of miles walking throughout the day. How lightweight these boots are is going to bring your feet major happiness at the end of the day. They are waterproof so if you’re outside these are going to be 100% worthwhile.
Jobs this boot is good for:
Electricians, Truckers, Yard Workers, Warehouse Workers, Laborers,
Who Should Avoid These Boots
Machinists should probably avoid these boots, their outer-sole (bottom of the boot) isn’t the greatest for metal shavings. The bottom will eventually be eaten up by them and you’ll be looking for your next boots.
If you’re an office worker who is professional and has to keep up a good appearance these boots probably aren’t going to do you any favors. The reflective strip at the bottom is somewhat noticeable, especially in an office.
Timberland : Eight Inch Steel Toe
| Comfort | Durability | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
BEST |
GREAT |
YES |
Coming in at #3 on the list is the Timberland Pro Rigmaster. This 8″ steel toe hiking boot is one of the most durable leather steel toe boots I’ve seen. the leather is thick, the soles are thick, the insole…. also thick.
I love this boot because it simply outlasts most others in its category. The boot comes with its own toe protector type of material on the toebox meaning you’re not likely to rub through and expose the steel. Not to mention being waterproof halfway up your shins is pretty nice as well.
The waterproof liner on these is quite effective, I’ve never seen them returned or anyone complain about water leaking through. With these you can rest assured water will stay out.
The outer sole, bottom of the boot, has a good amount of traction. Its slip-resistant, oil-resistant, and treads have a decent depth to them. They aren’t going to be the deepest of treads but do quite nicely for most jobs that require walking on wet metal floors, stairs, grating, etc.
The innersole on these steel toes is top of the line in my opinion. these come with the honeycomb style Timberland Anti-Fatigue insole. The insoles most boot brands include out of the box are paper thin and you end up having to buy a new one anyway.
When it comes to the fabric liner this boot has it can be a bit much. There is a good amount of fabric all the way up to the top of this 8-inch boot. Meaning in the summer this boot is going to be quite hot, especially because of the waterproof liner and being black in the toe area.
Who this boot is great for:
These boots are great for those working in colder temperatures, offshore, or inside. They’re going to be very heavy duty and last a long time in most jobs. The only major downsides this boot has are being 8 inches tall and quite hot in the summer months. If those two things don’t bother you this will be a great steel toe boot for you.
Jobs this boot is good for:
Offshore Workers, Yard Workers, Laborers, construction workers
Who Should Avoid These Boots
Office workers should definitely avoid this boot, it’s going to be way more boot than you’re going to need sitting at a desk most of the day. Truckers should also avoid this boot, it’s quite stiff, hot, and hard to put on and off with all the lace loops.
Again this boot is quite thick and gets very hot during the summer months. If you’re not in an area that gets a lot of rain and temperatures get quite high, this boot can be a sauna on your feet.
| Feature | Rating |
|---|---|
|
Waterproof |
Best |
Carolina: 6 Inch CA5520 Composite Toe Work Boots
| Comfort | Durability | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
BEST |
GOOD |
YES |
#4 Goes to the Carolina CA5520.
These boots combine comfort with quality. They are completely leather and have as few stitches as possible (meaning less places for the boot to fall apart), waterproof, and with a pillow cushion. Can’t ask more for a composite toe work boot.
My absolute favorite part of these boots would be the pillow cushion they put beneath the insole. This is literally pillow material underneath the insole, not that “pillow insole” marketing bs. even after you wear out the insole Carolina provides you can then replace it with a better one and the best part is the pillow cushion stays inside because it is glued to the bottom. Double the insole means double the comfort.
Waterproofing
As with most waterproof boots, these come with a waterproof liner, meaning there is going to be an extra layer of fabric between your feet and the leather. This will contribute to the boot being a little hotter but in my opinion, if you’re working around water it is well worth that little additional heat. let’s face it, this is a leather boot and is going to get hot either way. Might as well keep your feet dry anyway.
Outer-sole
The outer sole, bottom of the boot, has a fair amount of traction and is fairly durable. I’m not going to say this is going to last you 5 years working in the yard or machine shop but it does its job.
Composite Toe
These boots are composite toe, meaning the safety toe is a mixture of materials that are nonmetal. Usually a mixture of kevlar, fiberglass, and plastic. This gives these work boots additional electrical hazard protection, more so than steel toes. Although the likelihood of the steel toe of your boot being exposed is low, it is still a slight risk. These boots don’t have that to worry about. Also, the composite toe won’t set off metal detectors, if you’re walking through them multiple times a day these should serve you well.
Fabric Liner
The fabric liner is somewhat thick, although not overly thick. It is a nice cushion between your foot and the rough leather.
Who this boot is great for:
These boots are an overall good boot for jobs that require safety toes and aren’t around chemicals. The price is reasonable, the outer sole is durable, and the cushion is great. If you’re working outside in construction, an electrician, working at an airport, warehouse worker, or the hybrid office and field worker these boots are great for you.
Who should avoid these boots:
People working offshore or in regular contact with salt water. Saltwater tends to dry this leather out, eventually cracking it. Machinists should also avoid these boots. The outer sole is good but not great, the metal shavings are going to eat this boot up quite fast so probably another option would be a better choice.
| Feature | Rating |
|---|---|
|
Waterproof |
Best |
#5 Thorogood American Heritage 6-Inch Steel Toe
| Comfort | Durability | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|
|
GOOD |
GREAT |
NO |
#5 Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 6-Inch Steel Toe 804-4375 Work Boot
These 6-inch steel toe hiking boots are American-made, fully leather, and a great option for most jobs that require safety toe boots. The leather on these boots is very soft making for a relatively quicker break-in period. These boots are extremely comfortable, the insole is quite comfortable and much thicker than most other brands meaning after a 12 hour day they’ll still be comfortable.
Is the Thorogood 804-4200 Steel Toe Boot Waterproof?
No the Thorogood 804-4200 steel toe boots are not inherently waterproof. Having said that the boots can be made waterproof quite easily, I recommend Sno-Seal waterproofing. This is a beeswax paste that does take some time to apply but it’s the best waterproofing on the market.
Outer-sole
The outer sole is quite durable on this boot, and being wedge sole they are great for construction workers. Keep in mind Thorogood does make a very similar boot with a defined heel.
Steel toe
These boots are steel toe, meaning they do have the drawbacks of being steel, such as transferring heat more so than comp toe and setting off metal detectors. With that being said being steel toe they do have a higher grade of safety than comp toes.
Fabric Liner
The fabric liner of the 804-4200 Thorogood is very thin. This has the benefit of trapping less heat than boots with thick fabric and won’t tear out.
Who this boot is great for:
These boots are an all around great work boot for constructions workers, electricians, yard workers, warehouse workers, generally those who are not around fire.