Hey there. Welcome to my list of the best brands of work boots. It’s going to be a long ride so if you want to skip around first and see what’s going on, I’ve created a table of contents below to make it easier to find what you’re looking for.
What's Inside?
To bring you this article we’ve researched over 83 websites, looked at 58 different work boot brands and models. Additionally, the brands mentioned in this list always come up in the majority of the conversations people have about work boots on different social media platforms.
Overall the team and I spent over 118 hours looking into all of these work boots brands to bring you the most important information for each boot.
This article will help you find out what are the top brands of work boots and skip going through hours or days of browsing through a website like Amazon, Boot Barn, Zappos, etc.
These online stores have hundreds of different boots, small and big brands, widely popular brands, and also brands that no one heard about, and you will get overwhelmed with the number of choices available.
This is even more true if it’s the first time you have to wear work boots in order to do your job.
Let’s get right into it. Here’s a helpful table in which I’ve listed all these top-rated work boots brands for easy digestion.
My list of the best brands of work boots on today’s market
Here’s a quick table if you’re curious about which work boots brands I’ve included in today’s round-up. Most of these boots I wore myself, some I still wear and others I’m interested in buying myself.
The brands are listed alphabetically so they’re not ranked based on one brand is better than the other. The last one on this list could be as good as the first one on the list.
1. Ariat
- American brand
- Founded in 1993
2. Blundstone
- Australian brand
- Founded in 1870
3. Carhartt
- American brand
- Funded in 1889
4. Caterpillar
- American brand
- Founded in 1988
5. Carolina
- American brand
- Founded in 1962
6. Danner
- Not waterproof
- Founded in 1932
7. Franks
- American brand
- Founded in 2016
8. Georgia
- American brand
- Founded in 1937
9. JK Boots
- American brand
- Founded in 1994
10. KEEN
- American brand
- Founded in 2003
11. NICKS
- American brand
- Founded in 2003
12. Red Wing
- American brand
- Founded in 1905
13. Skechers
- American brand
- Founded in 1992
14. Timberland
- American brand
- Founded in 1952
15. Thorogood
- American brand
- Founded in 1917
16. Wesco
- American brand
- Founded in 1918
17. Wolverine
- American brand
- Founded in 1883
18. White’s
- American brand
- Founded in 1853
Learn more about these top brands of work boots
Below you’ll find a bit more info on each one of the work boots brands in this list such as where are they based when they’ve started doing business, popular models, and more.
Shout out to my buddy Slow Rabbit (leatheandcamera on Instagram) for sharing his cool pictures of some of the boots in this round-up.
1. Ariat
The Most Popular Work Boot
Model From Ariat
Although Ariat makes a few different types and models of work boots, most people when they hear Ariat, they’ll think of western-style work boots or cowboy boots.
So much so that Ariat is one of the world’s largest equestrian footwear and apparel brands.
Having said that, many people wear Ariat boots not only when working at the ranch or riding horses but also they are used by construction workers, truckers, landscapers, and workers in other industries.
This brand of work boots is fairly new to the market if we compare it to some of the OGs in this list coming on the footwear market in 1993 and they quickly become a very popular work boot brand.
First within the horse and bull riding world and then slowly expanded into other industries.
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| Pull-on square toe | Groundbreaker | See in-store |
| 8″ steel toe lace-up | Cascade | See in-store |
| 8″ comp toe lace-up | Rigtek | See in-store |
| Logger/Linemen style | Powerline | See in-store |
| 6″ lace-up soft toe | Groundbreaker | See in-store |
| 6″ lace-up comp toe | Turbo | See in-store |
| 6″ Chelsea steel toe | Groundbreaker | See in-store |
| 6″ lace-up wedge sole | Rebar | See in-store |
| Boa system | WorkHog XT | See in-store |
What industries are Ariat boots good for?
- Warehouse workers
- Construction-related trades
- Home renovation services
- Retail
- Delivery drivers and truckers
- Machinery operators
- Office workers
- Farming
- Agriculture
- Equestrian related
- Landscaping
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2. Blundstone
The Most Popular Work Boots
From Blundstone
Blundstone or Blunnies it’s an Australian work boot brand based in Tasmania. This boot company has been making work boots since 1870 so they’ve been around for some time and they know what they’re doing.
Some people in my industry (construction) will avoid buying these work boots because they look dressy (or at least that’s what some construction men say). I’ve personally had the Blundstone BL990 steel toe boot and it’s a very rugged boot. Nothing dressy about it.
But I understand where they’re coming from. In the last decade, Blundstone boots became kind of a fashion boot. And that makes people hesitant, especially when working in heavy-duty industries.
Trust me though, I’ve talked to a lot of professionals in the construction industry. Many wear Blundstone work boots, especially carpenters and fixers.
This brand is particularly focused on Chelsea slip-on type of work boots. So if you are looking for a pair of lace-up work boots from this Australian work boot brand, you won’t find many.
You should definitely have a look at their catalog if you’re into this style of work boots.
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 6″ slip-on soft toe cap | 550 | See in-store |
| 6″ lace-up steel toe cap | 143 | See in-store |
| 6″ slip-on steel toe cap | BL990 | See in-store |
What industries are Blundstone boots good for?
- Warehouse workers
- Construction workers
- Home renovation services
- Retail
- Delivery drivers and truckers
- Machinery operators
- Office workers
- Landscapers
These are my Blundstones BL990 steel toe cap
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3. Carhartt
The Most Popular
Work Boots From Carhartt
This is another very recognizable brand of work boots on today’s list. Carhartt does not only make work boots. It’s a company known for making also heavy-duty working clothes.
Whether it’s a jacket or a beanie, I always spot a colleague wearing something with the Carhartt logo on their clothing.
It has been founded in 1889 by Hamilton Carhartt and still to this date this is a family-owned company that makes good work boots for us to wear. Initially, Carhartt was not a brand known for its work boots.
They started by making clothing for laborers and as things were going very well they started to expand their line of products to make durable clothing for railway workers and many years later, work boots.
What I like about Carhartt is that they have a huge catalog of work boots so no matter what your style is, there is a big chance you will find a boot you’d like from this brand. Below you can find some examples…
You can check out our Carhartt work boots reviews page if you want to find out more about this brand their boots.
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 4″ Moc Toe, Soft toe | CMX4023 | See in-store |
| 5″ Chelsea, Steel toe | FW5233 | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Wedge, Soft toe | CMW6095 | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Steel toe | Traditional Welt | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Comp toe | CMF6356 | See in-store |
| 6″ Hiker style, Steel toe | CMH4251 | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Composite toe | CME8355 | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Steel toe | CMW8200 | See in-store |
| 8″ Logger style, Comp toe | CML8369 | See in-store |
| 10″ Wellington Comp Toe | CME1355 | See in-store |
| 11″ Wellington Steel toe | CMP1200 | See in-store |
| 11″ Pull-on w/ Metguard | CMF1721 | See in-store |
What industries are Blundstone boots good for?
- Warehouse workers
- Construction workers
- Home renovation services
- Retail
- Delivery drivers and truckers
- Machinery operators
- Office workers
- Landscapers
- Forestry related work
- Good work boots for mechanics
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4. Caterpillar
Most Popular Work
Boots From Caterpillar
I’ve always associated Caterpillar as a brand with work, construction sites, and machinery. Even since I was a child. That’s probably because of the toys I was getting as a little boy with the black and yellow CAT logo.
Everybody I know has heard about Caterpillar as a brand and probably every person that wants to buy a reasonably priced work boot, one of the first brands that come to mind is Caterpillar.
Actually, one specific boot model from Caterpillar, the Caterpillar Outline, made it to my list of the best affordable work boots you can buy without breaking the bank.
This brand started like many other brands on this list and that is by providing totally different products than work boots.
Caterpillar Inc is the result of the merging of two companies, Holt manufacturing Com, and C.L. Best. These mainly were making tractors for the agriculture and road construction industries.
This was happening around 1925. Almost a century later Caterpillar continues to grow and nowadays not only makes machinery but a lot of other products taking advantage of their already mega-known brand.
Below you’ll find a list of some of the most popular work boots from this brand…
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 6″ Lace-up, Steel toe | Outline | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Comp toe | Hauler | See in-store |
| 6″ Comp toe, Goodyear welt | Excavator | See in-store |
| 6″ Chelsea, Steel toe | Wheelbase | See in-store |
| 6″ Rubber, Steel toe | Stormers | See in-store |
| 6″ Insulated, Steel toe | Diagnostic | See in-store |
| 5″ Alloy toe, Lace-up | Provoke | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Steel toe | Salvo | See in-store |
| 11″ Wellington, Soft toe | Revolver | See in-store |
What industries are Blundstone boots good for?
- Good for warehouse workers
- Construction workers
- Home renovation services
- Retail
- Delivery drivers and truckers
- Machinery operators
- Office workers
- Landscapers
- Good for painters that need steel toe boots
- Electricians
These are my Caterpillar Outline steel toe work boots
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5. Carolina
Bruno: One Of Carolina’s
Most Popular Work Boots
Carolina Shoe Company is one of the most know work boot brands for those of you doing heavy-duty jobs. It’s part of a group of work boots companies that I’m sure you’ll recognize:
- Double-H
- Justin Boot
- Tony Lama
- Chippewa
- Corcoran
Carolina boots and all the above work boots brands are owned by HH Brown which is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. They make all sorts of styles of work boots and I’ll share in the table below some of their best-selling work boots and what style it is.
Carolina makes durable and comfortable work boots for a reasonable price. Many people ask where is this company based and the answer is Martinsburg, Pennsylvania right next door to Double H.
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 6″ Lace-up, MetGuard | CA3630 | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Steel toe | CA3526 | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Composite toe | CA5520 | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Wedge sole | CA7002 | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Logger Style | CA8824 | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Insulated | CA5821 | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Composite toe | CA8521 | See in-store |
| 8″ Wellington, Comp toe | – | See in-store |
What industries are Carolina boots good for?
- Warehouse workers
- Good for construction workers
- Home renovation services
- Retail
- Delivery drivers and truckers
- Machinery operators
- Office workers
- Landscapers
- Painters
- Electricians
6. Danner
Bull Run – Danner’s Most
Popular Work Boot
Danner is a work boot brand that’s more widely known within the logging industry. Loggers like these work boots because they’re high quality, durable, and made for the outdoors.
That’s how the company was started in 1932. Charles Danner started to make Danner work boots originally in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin but soon moved his production to Portland, Oregon.
Danner quickly became a very well-known brand of work boots and they even win a contract with the US Government to produce boots for the US troops fighting in WWII.
This brand is also one of the few work boots brands that still make boots in the USA. So if you’re after high-quality work boots made in the US, this brand is definitely worth looking into.
Below you’ll find some of the best-selling work boots from this American boot brand…
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 6″ Lace-up, Steel toe | Bull Run Moc Toe | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Side Zip | Scorch (Military, Tactical) | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Insulated | Vital | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-Up, Tactical | Tachyon | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Plain toe | Arcadia | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Waterproof | Bison | See in-store |
| 8″ Laceup, Vibram sole | Quarry | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, High heel | Logger | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Non-insulated | Rain Forest | See in-store |
| Wellington | Bull Run | See in-store |
What industries are Danner boots good for?
- Security officers
- Bodyguards
- Military and tactical related tasks
- Delivery drivers and truckers
- Machinery operators
- Landscapers
- Painters
- Loggers
- Linemen
- Forestry related work
More related content
7. Franks
Commander: One Of Franks’s
Most Popular works Boots
You guessed it. The brand was founded by a guy called Frank. What you might not know is that he used to work for NICKS (another top-quality work boot brand that you’ll find below).
Frank worked for Nicks as a general manager from 1995 until 2016. Working at this Nicks he acquired a lot of knowledge related to making high-quality boots and how a footwear business works in general.
After a couple of decades of working at Nicks in Spokane, Washington something big would happen that would change Frank’s life forever.
Nicks decides to move its boot production to a different location!
That was the moment when Frank Petrilli pulled the trigger and decided to take this opportunity and create his own brand of boots called Franks.
When it comes to handmade work boot brands people will often recommend Franks for the quality and craftsmanship that goes into these boots.
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 6″ Office worker boot | Wilshire | See in-store |
| 8″ Versatile work boot | Front Range | See in-store |
| 8″ Wedge crepe sole | Ground Pounder | See in-store |
| 10″ Low heel boot | Ground Pounder | See in-store |
| 10″ Caulked Soles | Clearcut | See in-store |
| 10″ Fire-rated boot | Fire Commander | See in-store |
| 10″ High heel & arch | Fire Stomper | See in-store |
| 10″ Logger heel | Lace-to-toe | See in-store |
What industries are Franks boots good for?
- Off-grid truckers
- Machinery operators
- Landscapers
- Loggers
- Wildland firefighters
- Forestry related work
- Farmers and ranchers
- Construction workers
- Gardeners
- Diesel mechanics
8. Georgia
Logger: The Most Popular
Work Boots From Georgia
Georgia likes to say they built America’s Hardest Working Boot and many workers will agree with this statement.
Georgia Shoe Manufacturing Co was founded in Atlanta, USA, in 1937, and since then, they’ve produced high-quality footwear for workers in all industries, more specifically though for people working outdoors and in the woods.
That’s one of the reasons you’ll see most of their popular work boots are 8inches tall. Although you can find some 6inches models as well as you’ll see in the table below.
At the time I’m putting together this list of work boots brands, Georgia Boots is a brand that’s owned by Rocky Boots which is a shoe-making company that started making footwear in 1932 in Nelsonville, Ohio.
They still to this day operate from the same location in Ohio and they own several other work boots brands that you might have heard of:
- The original – MUCK boot company
- Durango
- Servus
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 6″ Lace-up, Alloy Toe | ReFLX | See in-store |
| 6″ Chelsea, Soft toe | EAgle one | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Wedge Sole | G6152 5 M | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Composite toe | Rumbler | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Steel Toe | Lace to toe | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Insulated | G8040 8 M | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, High heel | GB00236 | See in-store |
| 10″ Wellington, Wedge sole | G5153 | See in-store |
| 10″ Pull-on, EVA sole | GB00349 | See in-store |
| 11″ Cowboy style | GB00224 | See in-store |
| 11″ Leather + Rubber | Muddog | See in-store |
What industries are Georgia boots good for?
- Delivery drivers and truckers
- Machinery operators
- Landscapers
- Loggers
- Forestry related work
- Farmers and ranchers
- Construction workers
- Gardeners
- Zoo keepers
9. JK Boots
Superduty – Very Popular Boot Within The Firefighting Community
JK Boots is one of the most expensive work boot brands in this round-up. That’s because the boots are made by hand and in small batches. Even though this is an expensive brand of work boots, the quality is 100% there.
JK Boots, it’s a family-owned business. Dad (John Khadzhi) started making boots in 1994 and it was a dream come true. This is the real American Dream coming true for this Bulgarian hard-working man that came to the US with a dream of creating a business of his own.
The beautiful thing about this story is that now, a few years after John started JK Boots, the whole Khadzhi family works in the boot-making business.
John’s sons, William, Tim, and Jason have joined the business and all three of them are now bootmakers. John’s wife, Natalie is a professional seamstress working together with the boys to create these great-looking and durable work boots.
JK Boots are recommended for linemen, firefighters, loggers, farmers, and similar workers that spend a lot of time outdoors in the wilderness.
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 6″ Lace-up, Wedge Sole | FOREFRONT | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Wedge sole | FOREFRONT | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Met Guard | IRONHIDE | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Caulked sole | LOGGER | See in-store |
| 10″ Lace-up, 100 Lug Sole | SUPERDUTY | See in-store |
| 10″ Lace-up, Insulated | ARCTIC NO.1 | See in-store |
| 12″ Lace-up, Steel Toe | CLIMBERS / LINEMAN | See in-store |
What industries are JK boots good for?
- Landscapers
- Loggers
- Forestry related work
- Farmers and ranchers
- Firefighters
- Gardeners
- Diesel mechanics
10. KEEN
Lansing: One Of The Most
Known Boot From KEEN
KEEN is an iconic footwear brand, especially for those that like to hike and do a lot of outdoor activities. They first started with sandals (KEEN Newport) in 2003 and since then they’ve expanded to make other types of products.
KEEN has experienced a very fast growth as a brand and they became one of the best brands of work boots. I personally wear a pair of KEEN Lansing steel toe boots since they come with breathable uppers and they’re cooler when I’m working in summer.
I’ve also bought for my supervisor as a gift a pair of the KEEN Cincinnati work boots since they seem to be a good pair of work boots for bad knees (he has problems with his knee caps).
The KEEN Utility product line is exclusively dedicated to workers in all sorts of industries. KEEN makes many types of work boots and as you’ll see in the table below, some have safety toe caps, and some don’t.
It’s one of the most recommended work boots brands for those that want to spend between $150 to $250 on a pair of good and comfortable work boots.
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 5″ Lace-up, Soft Toe | Targhee II | See in-store |
| 5″ Lace-up, Steel Toe | Flint | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Alloy Toe | San Jose | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Composite Toe | Red Hook | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Steel Toe | Milwaukee | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Wedge Sole | Cincinnati | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Insulated | Philadelphia | See in-store |
| 6″ Slip-on, Insulated | Anchorage | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Met Guard | Louisville | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Steel Toe | Coburg | See in-store |
| 10″ Wellington, Comp Toe | Philadelphia | See in-store |
What industries are KEEN boots good for?
- Landscapers
- Construction workers
- Warehouse workers
- Forestry related work
- Farmers and ranchers
- Gardeners
- Delivery drivers
- Truck drivers
- Mechanics
- Electricians
These are my KEEN Lansing work boots
More related content
11. NICKS
Builder PRO: One Of NICKS
Best Selling Work Boots
Every time I talk to people on social media platforms about high-quality work boots, NICKS Boots always comes up in the conversations. Especially when we talk about firefighters, loggers, and linemen.
This brand makes handmade boots so the boots are not cheap at all but many of the professionals I’ve mentioned above are always looking to get the highest quality of work boots on the market in terms of durability and comfort.
This brand started to make work boots in 1964 and originally was known as Nicks Custom Boots. Later when Steve Mowe purchased the company, the brand changed its name to Nicks Handmade Boots.
NICKS makes work boots in the US, in Spokane, Washington to be more precise so if you’re after an American brand that makes work boots in the USA, this one is a great choice.
The downside is that the lead time on a pair of NICKS is a few weeks, sometimes months if they don’t have what you’re looking for in stock.
Let’s see some of their most popular models…
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 6″ Lace-up, Soft Toe | Robert Predator | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Soft Toe | Urban Logger | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Soft Toe | Office Boot | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Soft Toe | Ranger | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Crepe Sole | Traveler | See in-store |
| 10″ Lace-up, Steel Toe | Builder PRO | See in-store |
What industries are NICKS boots good for?
- Landscapers
- Loggers
- Forestry related work
- Farmers and ranchers
- Firefighters
- Gardeners
- Hikers
- Heavy machinery operators
12. Red Wing
Iron Ranger: Red Wing’s
Most Popular Work Boots
Red Wing is another top work boot brand that comes up in all my discussions with colleagues in my industry (construction).
This work boot brand was established in 1905 by Charles Beckman and they were supplying work boots for people working in industries such as farming, mining, logging, and similar.
Red Wing, it’s one of the first brands to make purpose-built boots. So instead of making generic work boots, Red Wing made boots that fit the demands of a particular job.
One particular famous boot that put Red Wing on the work boots map was The Oil King model. This boot was built specifically for people working in the oil and gas industry.
Was a very robust built boot and very tall so it can protect workers’ skin from getting in touch with oil and chemicals.
Since then Red Wing has added a lot of different styles of boots to their catalog and I’ll share with you some of the best-selling boots from this brand in the table below…
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 6″ Lace-up, Wedge Sole | Classic Moc Toe | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Soft Toe | Blacksmith | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Composite Toe | 2260 (KING TOE) | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Met Guard | 3534 (BRNR XP) | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Steel Toe | 2412 (SUPERSOLE 2.0) | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Wedge Sole | 10877 (TRACTION TRED) | See in-store |
| 9″ Lace-up, Soft Toe | 219 (LOGGERMAX) | See in-store |
| 9″ Pull-on, Wedge Sole | 866 (TRACTION TRED) | See in-store |
| 11″ Pull-on, Steel Toe | 4441 (SUPERSOLE) | See in-store |
What industries are Red Wing boots good for?
- Landscapers
- Loggers
- Forestry related work
- Farmers and ranchers
- Firefighters
- Gardeners
- Hikers
- Warehouse workers
- Truck drivers
- Delivery drivers
- Oil and gas workers
13. Skechers
Burgin Tarlac: Most Rated
Work Boots From Skechers
Maybe when you think of the Skechers footwear brand you think more of sneakers and skate shoes instead of work boots but Skechers is a good brand of work boots, especially if you are on a small budget.
Skechers footwear brand was founded in 1992 by Robert Greenberg and their first products were indeed utility-style boots and shoes for skaters. It’s an American shoe company with its headquarters in Manhattan Beach, California.
Nowadays they make all sorts of clothing-related products and it ranks as the third-largest athletic footwear brand in the whole United States. They’re not that highly ranked as a work boot footwear brand though.
But if you want a decent pair of work boots without breaking the bank and if you work in a light-duty industry then you should definitely consider this brand.
If you want to know more about Skecher’s boots, you can read reviews of the best Skechers work boots here.
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 5″ Lace-up, Soft Toe | Burgin-Sosder | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Hiking Style | Relment Pelmo | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Tactical | Wascana-Benen | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Steel Toe | Workshire | See in-store |
| 6″ Slip-On, Chukka Boot | Resment Korver | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Wedge Sole | Pettus | See in-store |
| 6″ Rubber + Leather Upper | Radford | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Logger Style | Cascades | See in-store |
| 11″ Wellington, Steel Toe | Ruffneck | See in-store |
| 12″ Much Boot | Weirton Farous | See in-store |
What industries are Skechers boots good for?
- Gardeners
- Hikers
- Warehouse workers
- Delivery drivers
- Retail workers
- Factory workers
14. Timberland
Pit Boss: The Most Sold Work
Boot From Timberland PRO
Timberland LLC is an American manufacturer that produces all sorts of apparel such as clothing, leather goods, glasses, and more but their main focus is footwear. The company was founded in 1952 by Nathan Shwartz.
Timberland is probably, the most popular work boots brand in this round-up. The fact that hip-hop artists were wearing Timberland boots during the 80s and 90s greatly impacted the popularity of Timberland boots and the brand overall.
I’ve had several pairs of Timberland work boots and I was happy with my boots. You can check out my review of the Pit Boss steel toe boots if you want or read this round-up review of the best Timberland PRO work boots.
Timberland is a brand that’s famous for making very good-looking work boots but also durable and comfortable using the latest technologies available in the footwear space.
Below you’ll find some of the best-selling work boot models from this brand.
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 5″ Athletic Style Boot | Drivetrain | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Nubuck Upper | Direct Attach | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Composite Toe | Boondock | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Alloy Toe | Titan | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Wedge Sole | Wedge Moc Toe | See in-store |
| 6″ Wedge Sole, Soft Toe | Gridworks | See in-store |
| 6″ Puncture Resistant Sole | Endurance | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Met Guard | 40000 | See in-store |
| 8″ Side Zip, Composite Toe | Valor | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Steel Toe | Rigmaster XT | See in-store |
| 11″ Wellington, Steel Toe | Rigmaster | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Logger Style | Cascades | See in-store |
| 9″ Lace-up, Logger Style | Rip Saw | See in-store |
| 10″ Pull-on, Met Guard | True Grit | See in-store |
| 11″ Wellington, Steel Toe | Ruffneck | See in-store |
What industries are Timberland boots good for?
- Warehouse workers
- Delivery drivers
- Retail workers
- Gardeners and landscapers
- Hikers
- Construction workers
- Home maintenance services
- Forestry related workers
- Farmers
- Mechanics
- Office workers
Here’s what goes inside a pair of Timberland work boots
15. Thorogood
Thorogood’s Most Popular Work Boots Are These Moc Toe Wedge Sole Boots
Thorogood is one of the oldest brands of work boots on this list. The brand was created by Albert Weinbrenner who initially opened a cobblery in 1892 with a partner in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Although that’s how Weinbrenner Shoe Co (the company that makes Thorogood’s boots) came to life, Thorogood as a brand was first introduced to the American market in 1917 as work boots designed to meet the needs of specific jobs: mining, farming, oil well drillers, etc.
They didn’t get into creating safety work boots until 1938 when the company was looking into expanding its reach and attracting more customers.
Fast-forward to today, Thorogood work boots are at the top of the list of any worker looking into buying a new pair of high-quality work boots.
One of the reasons people like this brand of work boots is simply because it’s an employee-owned brand. Also, it’s an American brand that makes boots in the USA, more specifically in Wisconsin which is something I know many of you appreciate.
They make work boots with steel toe caps like the one I owe, the Thorogood 804-4200 steel toe model but also soft toe work boots for those of you that don’t need the extra protection.
Anyway, in the table below I’ll share with you some of their most popular styles of work boots…
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 6″ Heeled sole, Steel Toe | 804-4375 | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Composite Toe | 804-3236 (V-Series) | See in-store |
| 6″ Slip-on, Composite Toe | 804-3166 (Thoro-Flex) | See in-store |
| 8″ Waterproof, Steel Toe | 1957 Series | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Soft Toe | 814-4201 | See in-store |
| 8″ Waterproof, Comp Toe | 804-4303 (Infinity) | See in-store |
| 8″ Side Zip Tactical Boot | Flex 2 | See in-store |
| 8″ Pull-on, Safety Toe | 804-4440 (Flex 2) | See in-store |
| 11″ Wellington, Wedge Sole | 814-4208 | See in-store |
| 11″ Pull-on, Steel Toe | 804-3231 (Oil Rigger( | See in-store |
What industries are Thorogood boots good for?
- Construction workers
- Firefighters
- Public safety professional
- Lineman
- Gardeners
- Hikers
- Warehouse workers
- Delivery drivers
- Retail workers
- Oil and gas workers
Here is how my Thorogood steel toe boots look on the inside
16. Wesco
Boss (Engineer Boots): Wesco’s
Most Popular Boot Model
Wesco has been building top-quality work boots since 1918. That’s the year John H. Shoemaker founded West Coast Shoe Co.
This is a family business and Wesco is still owed by the Shoemaker family even though the founder went through a tough period during the Great Depression when he lost everything.
The only thing he did not lose was the machinery used to make and repair boots. This helped him get back in business later on and start over again resuscitating this great work boots brand.
Today, as when it started in 1918, Wesco makes high-quality handmade work boots from the same location. The Scappoose, Oregon.
They have SOME boots in stock but if you want to order custom-made to order boots make sure you don’t need them ASAP since there’s a long waiting period when buying custom-made boots.
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| Versatile lace-up boot | Jobmaster | See in-store |
| Climbing boots | Highliner | See in-store |
| Firefighters boots | Firestormer | See in-store |
| Logging boots | Timber | See in-store |
| Linemen | VoltFoe | See in-store |
| Outdoor & riding boot | Packer | See in-store |
What industries are Wesco boots good for?
- Construction workers
- Firefighters
- Lineman
- Loggers
- Climbers
- Arborists
- Gardeners and landscapers
- Forestry related work
- Oil and gas workers
17. Wolverine
1000 Mile Boots: Wolverine’s
Iconic Work Boots
Wolverine is yet another work boot maker that has been around for ages. The company was founded in 1883 by G.A. Krause who initially bought a small leather shop together with Fredrick Hirth.
The company had a few names over the years and in 1964 the company changed its name one last time to Wolverine World Wide, Inc. This is the name they still use to date.
As I was doing research for this article I found out that this company is licensed to make CAT boots and Harley Davidson boots just to mention a few.
Pretty cool as I buy Cat boots myself but I didn’t know they were made by this company. . The company is much bigger than I thought.
I’ve had work boots from Wolverine myself and I was very happy with the quality and the comfort of the boots I bought. You can check out my Wolverine Overpass review here if you want to learn more about the boot and my experience.
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 6″ Lace-up, Composite Toe | Overpass | See in-store |
| 6″ Lace-up, Wedge Sole | Loader | See in-store |
| 6″ Chelsea, Soft Toe | I-90 | See in-store |
| 10″ Pull-on, Square Steel Toe | Rancher | See in-store |
| 10″ Wellington, Steel Toe | Floorhand | See in-store |
| Linemen | VoltFoe | See in-store |
| Outdoor & riding boot | Packer | See in-store |
What industries are Wesco boots good for?
- Construction workers
- Firefighters
- Lineman
- Loggers
- Climbers
- Arborists
- Gardeners and landscapers
- Forestry related work
- Oil and gas workers
These are my Wolverine Overpass work boots
18. White’s
Smoke Jumper: White’s
Most Popular Work Boot
White’s boots it’s another American shoemaking brand that started making boots for loggers, linemen, and wildland firefighters (smokejumpers) in PNW. The brand was founded by Edward White who started a one-man shop in 1853 before Civil War.
This work boots brand passed from father to son for a few generations and there are some inspirational stories that go along with the creation, survival, and growth of this shoemaking company.
The company is based in Spokane, Washington and that’s where they’re making their handcrafted work boots from. Just like the other work boots brands that produce handmade work boots.
White’s boots are not cheap at all but according to customers, the quality is there.
Due to the high-quality materials used in the making of these boots plus the highly skilled boot makers working on these boots, you can expect them to last many, many years. Some people had their Whites for more than a decade.
Type of boots this work boots company makes
| Style | Model | More info |
| 6″ Lace-up, Crepe Sole | Foreman | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Crepe Sole | Journeyman | See in-store |
| 8″ Lace-up, Logger Heel | Farmer/ Rancher | See in-store |
| 10″ Lace-up, Caulked Soles | Spring Heel Logger | See in-store |
| 10″ Lace-up, EH rated | Lineman PRO | See in-store |
| 16″ Lace-up, Fire & Ice Sole | Stormchaser | See in-store |
What industries are Wesco boots good for?
- Construction workers
- Firefighters
- Lineman
- Loggers
- Climbers
- Arborists
- Gardeners and landscapers
- Forestry related work
Which one of the above is the best brand of work boots?
Well, it depends on who you’re asking. If you ask this question on any social media platform you’ll quickly realize how some people like to push a brand more than others.
And no matter what type of work you do, no matter what environment you’re working in, or what specific things you need from a pair of boots…they’ll always recommend the same boots.
Here’s how I look at this though. There’s no such thing as THE best brand of work boots.
Mostly because not all brands are making the same types and styles of work boots so you can’t really compare them.
To me, the best brand of work boots is the one that…
- makes boots that you like
- make boots that come with the right features for the type of work you’re doing
- make comfortable work boots
- have a good post sale customer service
Last words
Just keep in mind that questions like who makes the best work boots for men or women or what is the best safety boot brand, etc … are questions that can’t be answered without having a bias.
For example, I’ll always recommend work boots based on my own experience wearing the boots.
So if I had a good experience I will always recommend them whereas someone that might’ve had a bad experience with a particular brand they’ll always talk negatively about the brand.
Personally, I don’t like to trash brands because of my bad experience but I will be sincere in my evaluation of a particular boot of any brand and share my experience with the boot.
In this list, you’ll definitely find a brand of work boots you’ll like. It’s just a matter of looking at the different brands and see which one ticks the most boxes for you…
- do you like the style of the boots?
- do they have the right features for your industry?
- are they within your budget?
- do they have good post-sale customer support?
- do you like their brand message or mission?
Good luck my friend. If you want to add anything to this list just drop a comment below…
Team Members Working On This Page
Victor Adrian – Editor And Webmaster
Construction Professional, driver, crane operator, cleaner, head chef … these are just some of the jobs I did in the past. Working in all these different environments taught me that having good footwear to protect your feet from different dangers at work IS PARAMOUNT for any worker! On this website, I aim to share all my knowledge and personal experience in dealing with different footwear and foot care issues, and hopefully, you can get something out of it. Enjoy!
Jessica Flynn – Writer And Researcher
Love technology, going to the beach, taking care of my body, and writing (amongst other things). You’ll see my face around here a little bit since I’m responsible for part of the research and writing of some of the articles you’re reading on BestForMyFeet.com. I hope you’ll find our content helpful and enjoyable! See you around, thanks for reading!
