There has been an ongoing competition between pull on work boots and lace-up work boots in the area of safety footwear. The best lace up work boots provide a reliable, secured fit with excellent ankle support, whereas pull-on ones are easier to wear but might lose their shape with time.
Is choosing a proper pair of lace-up work boots daunting for you? Let’s explore the following top choices for your safe, productive work environment.
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Top 7 Best Lace Up Work Boots 2022
Review On 7 Top Rated Lace-Up Work Boots
#1 Red Wing Heritage Men’s Classic Moc 6″ Boot – Best Non Steel Toe Lace Up Work Boots
First appeared in 1907 by Red Wing, the Red Wing Heritage has been an all-time iconic model in fashion. It is also known as one of the best lace up work boots that can withstand the most demanding work environments.
What’s notable first about this most famous American work boots is that it contains no steel toe. In other words, it features a moc toe construction aiming to protect the area around your toes while working on construction sites or outdoor environments.
This pair of work boots also feature Goodyear welt – a popular term for high-quality shoes. This construction connects the upper and the sole, thus maintaining better water resistance than one with Blake Stitch. Moreover, it is easier to resole once it wears out without changing the.
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#2 Carhartt Men’s 6 Inch Waterproof Wedge Soft Toe – Best Waterproof Lace Up Work Boots
While not appearing heavy-duty as a traditional lug sole, this Carhartt wedge is safe to work on wet surfaces, like snow removal, landscaping, or mowing, or rainy working days.
Not only protecting you from debris, but this boot model also prevents you from electrical hazards, falling, and any risky working conditions.
The primary advantage of this wedge is that it has a larger surface than traditional boot design, running the entire length of the outsole. Thus, it provides great traction with less potential shock to the food, especially when standing or walking on hard surfaces.
Moreover, this boot covers a superior waterproof Storm Defender membrane, keeping your feet always dry and comfortable.
Carhartt solved a common problem of lace-to-toe work boots – breathability. Equipped with Fast Dry technology, this Carhartt boot model allows better airflow inside the shoes, thus avoiding annoying odors and sweat buildup while maintaining excellent comfort for your feet.
There are two small pitfalls of this work gear model. First, it doesn’t provide enough traction in areas with too much water or even causing slippery – as reported by some buyers. Second, since it is a wide fit, you should pick a half size down for better fitting.
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#3 Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 8″ Round Toe
This pair of Thorogood Boots includes all safety features for protecting your feet while working in most extreme industries like heavy construction, steel working, logging.
This pair of boots features steel toes with ASTM F2413-05 M/I/75/C/75 standard, meaning that it can protect your toes from a maximum impact of 75 foot-pounds and a compressive load of 2,500 pounds.
Moreover, this pair of boots also offer you excellent traction thanks to its MAXWEAR wedge outsole, along with the large toe and heel pads and shallow zig-zag patterns. With its extra traction, you don’t have to experience slipping or falling, even when working on rainy days.
This top-notch gear is also a must-have for electricians surrounded by live wires, slippery doors. It can keep you away from hazards while providing you the comfort you need to stay on your feet.
Its electric shock-resistant soles and heels can withstand a maximum Voltage of 18,000 Volts at 60Hz in 1 minute with no leakage.
When it comes to fitting, this Thorogood work gear is true to fit. Its insole, midsole, outsole are armed with ample cushioning and shock absorption to avoid any back or knee problems.
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#4 ROCKROOSTER Work Boots For Men Composite Toe – Best Composite Toe Lace Up Work Boots
This shoe model from ROCKROOSTER has an appropriate amount of comfort and safety for all kinds of jobs, including heavy-duty construction, landscaping, gardening, and outdoor hiking.
First, this shoe model is made from nubuck leather – a tougher material that can stand against moisture or oil better while lasting longer than suede. However, it is a little bit more expensive than suede shoes and looks imperfect due to its sanding surface.
But the main reason making this ROCKROOSTER shoes a top pick for those working in factories or construction is that it features slip-resistant, lightweight footbeds for better traction.
The inside mesh linings using Coolmax Technology to always maintain a cool and dry environment. This lining design, along with a wide profile, helps maintain a good blood flow to massage your feet while walking and reduce foot fatigue at the end of the day.
You should frequently clean the gear so that it can stay with you longer. Use a soft cloth and leather cleaner to wipe away dirt from the shoes, and then use a nubuck spray to protect its surface from any damage.
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#5 Timberland PRO Men’s 6″ Pit Boss Steel Toe
The Timberland PRO line comes up with the Pit Boss steel toe work boots that are an ideal pick for electricians or HVAC working around open circuits.
First, the Timberland Pit Boss model comes with a spacious steel toe that meets ANSI standards to protect your feet from falling objects or compression.
In addition, there is a removable sock liner with a padded collar, so you don’t have to experience blistering or rubbing even when walking or moving around all day with these shoes. This liner is breathable and includes an antimicrobial application for better airflow.
However, you likely have to purchase extra insoles for better support. The metal rings and hardware are easy to pinch if you don’t wear tall socks. The sock liner is not durable compared to the rest.
To prolong its lifespan, you should choose the appropriate size for your feet or wear thicker socks.
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#6 Ariat Groundbreaker 6″ Work Boot – Best For Plantar Fasciitis
This Ariat steel-toe work boot model is widely known as one of the best lace-up work boots for plantar fasciitis and other severe foot pains. With a lace-up construction, this Ariat shoe model delivers better stability and security compared to its pull-on version.
A 4LR (Four-Layer-Rebond) technology with a 90-degree heel offers stunning shock absorbency and support. Moreover, it features a classic wide round toe profile that meets ASTM 2892-11 EH for extra protection and comfort.
Besides, the Duratread outsole provides a strong grip and traction against oi, grease, water, and wet areas.
Additionally, the mesh lining provides a better airflow inside to keep your feet dry and cool and avoid annoying odors, mold, and bacteria growth.
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#7 Georgia Boot Men’s Loggers G7313 – Best For Ankle Support
Are you feeling dread wearing low-quality shoes? Let’s explore the Georgia Logger – one of the best lace-up work boots for ankle support.
This orthopedic work gear includes necessary medical components to prevent foot and back pains and other health problems.
Its natural-shaped toe box and great outsole allow you to work from 10 to 12 hours without serious problems like plantar fasciitis.
Your weight and the load you carry are evenly distributed along the shoe’s width during your working hours. Its great abrasion-resistant outsole gives you the finest stability and grip when walking on uneven grounds.
Besides, this shoe model is designed with Goodyear Welt. This method involves a canvas strip stitching the boot’s construction, ensuring that the shoes are built to last for years under daily heavy use. In other words, this construction made the Georgia Logger a valuable work gear in the long run.
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FAQs about Lace Up Work Boot
1. Are lace-up work boots better than pull-on?
The answer to this question depends on the requirements of your job. Both Lace-up and Pull-on work boots have their strengths. Pull-on work boots are convenient to put on and take off, while Lace-up ones provide better support for your ankles.
Based on the job requirements and the safety & comfort of your feet, choose one of the two types above.
2. Should work boots be tight or loose?
Your feet will need some space to get comfortable, but don’t let your boots get too loose.
When the work boots are loose, their protective role will be significantly reduced. Your feet will also move uncontrollably in the gaps in the boots. Not to mention the easier it is for you to slip due to the boots being too loose.
However, if the boot just fits or is tight, your feet will feel uncomfortable. Your toe tips and the heels will be very painful when wearing the boots. Even some fracture problems will occur if you use tight boots for a long time.
3. How should lace-up work boots fit?
To test whether work boots fit or not, you should first wear boots on both feet with socks. Then try walking and check for the following signs:
- Is your heel protruding or rubbing against the back of the boot?
- Do your toes maintain a distance of 1″ from the toe of your boots?
- Is there any pressure on either side of your foot that causes discomfort or pain?
- Will your feet slip while wearing boots?
If all your answers are NO, your work boots fit perfectly. Let’s wear it to work!
4. Is your boot size the same as your shoe size?
Since shoes and boots look different, you’ll need to learn how to measure the correct size for each type before you buy. Usually, the size difference between shoes and work boots will be about 1.5 – 2, depending on the size chart of each brand. This measurement can be applied for both man and woman size.
5. Should you buy boots a half size bigger?
As we said above, buying work boots with a moderate width will make your feet more comfortable during use. We usually wear boots and thin socks in the summer, while we almost wear quite thick socks in the winter. A pair of boots with some free space will allow your socks to fit snugly when you put them on.
For the most convenience, you should buy a half-size bigger boot in lace-up form. Because the shoelaces will help adjust the boot size if it is a bit too wide for you.
6. How to lace up work boots?
You can tie up your work boots the way the manufacturer illustrates – Standard Crisscross. You just need to cross the laces until all the holes in the shoe are pierced, and your feet fit.
If you want your string to look better or more solid, you can refer to some ways of lacing, such as X lacing, Bar lacing, and Ladder lacing.
My Top Pick
With the above reviews and notices, I hope that this article has offered you the best lace up work boots that suit your needs, so you don’t have to waste time doing research on your own.
The 6-inch Classic Moc from Red Wing Heritage is the greatest option for all general working environments. This pair of boots provides you a perfect balance between safety and comfort with Goodyear welt design and solid, indestructive construction.