When working outdoors in all weather conditions, it’s essential to be fully equipped for anything. Wearing suitable workwear is key to a safe and successful day’s work, right? Well, a crucial part of your work uniform is footwear.
Because wearing high-quality, comfortable, and durable shoes is essential for any worker, it’s worth knowing which brands you should check out while shopping. We want to narrow it down for you and give you a list of the companies you should keep an eye out for when you’re looking for the perfect pair of work boots.
If you want to know which companies will produce the best work boots in 2022 and make sure you’re making the right purchase, keep reading.
What to Look for in Work Boots
Before we dig into the nitty gritty, we want to take a quick look at some of the main features you should look for in your work boots. These are some things that make your work footwear appropriate for a long day’s work:
- Steel toes – safety comes first, so make sure your feet are protected from injuries on the worksite, and steel toe protection is an effective way to achieve that.
- Water resistance – there’s nothing worse than having wet feet, so investing in boots that don’t let water through is essential.
- Slip-resistant soles – depending on the terrain you’re working on, you might want to consider boots with slip-resistant soles to stay safe.
- High-quality, durable materials – when investing in shoes, you want to know you’re getting your money’s worth with boots that will last a long time despite harsh working conditions.
- Comfort is essential, so make sure to find out more (what are the most comfortable work boots) and get the shoes you don’t mind spending all day in.
The Best Work Boot Brands in 2022
Now that you know some of the priorities to keep in mind when shoe shopping, let’s check out the brands that should be on your radar if you’re in the market for new work boots.
Carolina
One of the most renowned work boot companies is the Carolina Boot Company which makes footwear designed explicitly for withstanding all sorts of job conditions. They make shoes with industry-required features in mind, ensuring you’re safe and comfortable during the workday.
They use high-end materials that are durable and fit for every heavy-duty job. Some of the main features that Carolina boots boast are:
- Toe protection. In hazardous work environments, avoiding foot injuries is of the highest importance. Carolina makes work boots with different types of protective constructions. Their shoes with reinforced toe boxes can be made of different materials so that you can choose between steel toe, composite toe, and alloy toe, depending on your preferences. Other than that, they also make boots with a metatarsal guard, providing extra protection for your toes.
- Insulation. If you work in cold weather conditions, keeping your feet warm is of the essence. Carolina makes work boots with ThinsulateTM technology, combining comp toe with different insulation material thicknesses. This ensures your feet stay warm and dry even in those far-from-ideal temperatures.
- Water-resistance. No need to worry about wet feet because you can find Carolina boots made of durable, water-resistant materials that have got you covered.
Matterhorn
Another noteworthy company for everyone looking for PPE is Matterhorn. Their boots are made for mining, construction, working with dangerous machinery, and other jobs requiring protective footwear.
Whether it is steel toe or comp toe you’re looking for, Matterhorn has got your back. Choosing the right option for you depends on the features required by your job site.
Steel toe is unmatched when it comes to protection from impact and compression. However, comp-toe boots might be better if you work in colder conditions or prefer more lightweight footwear. Either way, rest assured you’re getting maximum protection, as Matterhorn always surpasses ASTM standards.
Besides safeguarding your feet, Matterhorn work boots also provide comfort that makes work a little bit more manageable. They also offer waterproof options for those who work in a wet environment. So if you want safe and comfortable shoes made of premium materials, Matterhorn is a company you should consider.
Timberland
Timberland is serious about making protective footwear for all hard-working men and women spending their days in hazardous work environments. Whatever characteristics you’re looking for, you can find the perfect pair of Timberland boots for you.
To keep your feet safe at all times, you can choose between a steel toe, comp toe, or alloy toy. On top of that, Timberland reinforces boots with a metguard, which provides extra protection against compression and impact.
Some additional features that you can count on in Timberland boots are:
- Waterproofness
- Insulation
- Puncture-resistant soles
- Slip resistance
So if you need an all-around top-quality work boot that will last a long time and keep your feet safe, take a look at Timberland shoes.
Thorogood
You can never go wrong with a good pair of Thorogood boots. Like the abovementioned companies, Thorogood also offers three different types of reinforced toe: alloy, comp, and steel, keeping your feet fully protected in all three cases. Because staying safe at the work site is paramount.
Most of these top-notch boots are waterproof, keeping your feet dry even in a damp job environment. Not only that, but Thorogood offers different boot widths, ranging from medium to extra wide. This is a great feature as it caters to everyone’s needs and ensures that anyone can stay comfortable in these boots.
One of Thorogood’s main objectives is to make long-lasting boots, so you can count on longevity when buying these work boots. They are made to withstand a lot of wear and tear and survive all heavy-duty outdoor occupations.
Danner
One of the industry’s top work boot companies, Danner, crafts shoes with premium materials and the most advanced footwear technology. When combined, the two guarantee to provide you with a pair of boots that deliver unparalleled comfort and durability in all types of weather conditions and on surfaces.
You’re probably looking for maximum-level toe protection, and you can get that with Danner. Once again, you can choose between steel toe, comp toe, or alloy toe and count on extra protection thanks to the metguard. They also produce shoes with electrical hazard protection, which is crucial for certain occupations. Danner also offers boots in different widths, letting you choose footwear according to your foot size.
Which Ones Will You Choose?
We’ve named and described a few of the most popular and in-demand boot companies that produce top-quality work boots. Because all of these are highly renowned for their longevity, protection, and comfort, you won’t go wrong with any of them.
The key to choosing the right pair of boots for you is focusing on the details. Which kind of reinforced toe box do you prefer? How important is waterproofness to you? Do you need an extra wide pair of shoes? These are some of the questions you can ask yourself to decide more accessible which company’s footwear to go for.