It goes without saying, the most important part of your work outfit is your footwear which gives you the confidence to walk on tough rigs at work. Ironworkers are always at the risk of getting cuts, falling while lifting heavy loads, or handling electric appliances. But nothing is worse than slipping off the iron rig while fixing building structures.
Thus, ironworkers must be extremely careful when choosing their ironworker boots or footwear to save their life from fatal incidents at the worksite. No other boots are better than wedge soles that offer protection against slipping and falling due to better traction over narrow surfaces.
Hence, I have made a review for ironworkers boots that workers can wear without any doubts of safety. All the boots mentioned in the product reviews are well equipped with features such as slip resistance, traction, waterproof leather, etc. If you are a hardworking ironworker who's looking for work boots, then this is the best place to refer.
LIST OF THE BEST IRONWORKERS BOOTS
No. | Brand Name | IMAGE | RATINGS |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Timberland PRO |  | |
2 | Carhartt |  | |
3 | Red Wing |  | |
4 | Irish Setter |  | |
5 | Wolverine |  |
10 BEST IRONWORKERS BOOTS REVIEW
1. TIMBERLAND PRO PIT BOSS - BEST IRONWORKING BOOTS
Features
The Pit Boss is a safe and comfortable Timberland ironworker boot that you can consider buying if you are a hardworking construction site worker looking for a reliable pair of work boots. These shoes meet the ANSI standards for safety, meaning they are constructed with high-quality material and have abrasion resistance, slip and oil resistance, etc.
The PRO PIT BOSS boots can provide 24 hours comfort to the wearer due to their suspension technology that involves arch and heel support. You can wear these boots 7 days a week without worrying about them getting damaged by external barriers. The fabric used in making these boots is 100% full-grain leather that can offer durability and better stability while walking on iron bars or cement. These shoes also have padded top collars that offer good protection and comfort.
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2. CARHARTT WEDGE - BEST SOFT TOE WORK BOOTS FOR IRONWORKER
Features
Wedge-style boots are quite popular when it comes to job site wear. Carhart has introduced wedge boots with the intention to give style and comfort at the same time. This waterproof wedge boot offers a soft toe which is of absolute importance if you work as an ironworker at a construction site. There's always a possibility that you will encounter something awful at work that can put your life in danger.
Thus, it is appreciable that these wedge boots come with a soft safety toe. Electrical hazard protection is another good feature that this boot poses. It protects you against fatal contact with electrical circuits of Volt 18K or above( only under dry conditions). The Carhartt has a line of PU foam, which is used in these boots for cushioning.
The Goodyear Welt Construction with Carhartt Rubber outsole makes a strong and durable combination for the longevity of these boots. If you want to buy a pair of ironworker shoes, then go for Carhartt's Waterproof wedge boots.
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3. RED WING IRON RANGER - BEST LEATHER BOOTS FOR BLACKSMITHS
Features
The Iron Ranger is the best Red Wing ironworker boots that you can buy for your tough jobs. You know what you cannot just wear them at your job sites but also wear them casually for outings. This tells us these are some sturdy and stylish pairs of boots that you shouldn't ignore. The construction is similar to timberland but with more cushioning and comfort. The full grain, oil-tanned leather with Goodyear welt construction makes a good combination of durability and high performance under tough conditions.
Being an ironworker is not easy, you may face hassles every day but these Red Wing boots will ensure you are protected from hazards at all times. These boots have a voluminous cap toe that protects your toes from falling objects or impacts. All you have to do is buy these boots, and you will be rewarded with exceptional comfort and manly boots that can last for decades with minimal maintenance.
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4. IRISH SETTER WINGSHOOTER - BEST HIGH-TOP BOOTS FOR IRONWORKER
Features
If you are looking for a fresh pair of ironworker boots, then this is what you can consider buying. Irish Setter's shoes are made in the USA and come with great warranty service. Surprisingly, these boots are lightweight yet come with a metal shank that protects your feet from hard falls and impacts. These boots feature the Ultra dry Waterproofing System that keeps your boots dry and clean 24/7 without much cleaning.
The soles have Goodyear Welt construction that ensures intact stitching and no loose ends even after the break-in period. If you have wide feet, then these boots can be your savior. These come in various width sizes and usually are 7 inches in height, sufficient enough to tuck in your loose pants.
In these boots, you can remove the polyurethane footbed, so whenever you are not in the mood to go for a long walk, you can detach the footbed. I highly recommend these boots because they are waterproof, comfortable, and extremely lightweight.
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5. WOLVERINE LOADER - BEST STEEL-TOE WEDGE BOOT FOR IRONWORKERS
Features
These moc-toe Wolverine boots keep your feet comfortable and protected at all times. The upper used in this wedge boot has fatigue-fighting properties. In addition, the Goodyear welt construction lets you mold your feet in whichever way you want. These Wolverine Men's boots are constructed to sustain tough jobs such as construction sites, power plants, etc.
Ironworkers who would wear them will not feel fatigued at the end of the due to their cushioned and breathable construction. The leather used in the upper making is genuine full-grain leather that makes these boots ideal for any conditions. These boots are also reinforced with a padded collar at the top, so you do not feel the heat even on the hottest days.
The boots have removable full-cushioned footbed and PU wedge outsoles that provide good traction and leave no traces due to their non-marking outsoles. This is a good buy if you search for affordable, sturdy iron working boots.
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6. GEORGIA - BEST WORK BOOT FOR BLACKSMITHS
Features
The Georgia Men's work boot is at your service to provide ultimate comfort and performance for your toughest jobs. These wedge boots are best due to their flat bottoms and long shaft length, making them ideal for casual wearing and also suitable for job sites.
When you wear them, you will understand the build quality and the leather compared to other boots on the market. These boots have great abrasion and remain unaffected by chemical spills. It means you can wear them in chemical plants where even by accident, any acid falls on the feet.
Neither your feet nor your boots will be affected. The steel shank gives you better stability and arch support than many other work boots lack to provide. The poly wedge ultra-outsole provides good cushioning and stability, letting you walk around sharp objects without getting injured. So, if you are a man with huge feet, these 6-inch Georgia boots are best for you.
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7. ROCKROOSTER - BEST INDUSTRIAL BOOTS FOR IRONWORKERS
Features
These boots from RockRooster are everything you need for your feet' safety at the Jobsite, especially if you are an ironworker looking for some tough, durable pair of wedge boots. Rockroosters understand the importance of having work boots; hence they have featured everything they could in this boot.
The full-grain leather here is very comfortable and breathable that does not let your feet feel dead down there even after 8 long hours of wear. The boot has a composite moc toe that not only protects your toe from sharp objects but also provides comfort.
As far as safety is concerned, these boots come equipped with plenty of features such as carbon fiber moc toe, Kevlar puncture-resistant plate, and EH protection that meets all the ASTM standards. The Coolmax technology manages to keep your feet clean and cool by keeping the moisture and water out of the boot. Overall, these are the best ironworker steel toe boots for tough hard working ironworkers.
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8. THOROGOOD AMERICAN HERITAGE - BEST FULL-GRAIN LEATHER BOOT FOR IRONWORKERS
Features
Want the best Thorogood ironworker boots? This is what you should buy. These premium full-grain saddle leather boots are designed to provide the wearer maximum comfort and flexibility to work around tough conditions.
These boots have a vintage look but modern safety features that make them suitable for work and casual wear. These boots have EH resistance and steel toe to keep your feet light and impact-free all the time. The removable ultimate shock absorption footbed has good cushioning and moisture retention properties.
The Poron comfort cushion insoles are there to absorb shock and give you a comfortable feel without compromising on safety. The Goodyear welt construction provides wear resistance and moisture lock in the upper and midsoles giving long-lasting durability. Thorogood is a good brand for manufacturing reliable, tough, and lightweight work boots.
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9. AZXPROT - BEST SAFETY BOOT FOR IRONWORKING
Features
Export is a famous brand in the work boot category. This manufacturer delivers exceptional performance and comfort through their 6" soft toe, waterproof work boot that can last for decades with minimal upkeep. The good thing about this work boot is its non-slip lightweight rubber sole that provides sneaker-like comfort and support like a premium work boot.
When you have this boot, you can walk on almost any type of terrain without realizing fatigue due to their shock-absorbing outsoles. Goodyear Welt Construction is hard to break because the manufacturers use wax mark thread that never disappoints the wearer.
The soles have a water-resistant lining that is lightweight and also breathable that does not let water enter the boots. Being an ironworker, you need reliable work boots such as Azxprot 6" waterproof boots. So without much thinking, go buy these ironworker boots.
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10. KEEN UTILITY CINCINNATI - BEST WEDGE BOOT FOR BLACKSMITHS
Features
If you are looking for versatility in your boots then Keen Utility's 6" wedge work boot is worth considering. With this boot, you get a combination of good looks and safety as well. The upper is full grain leather that does not fade away even after vigorous use.
On the other hand, these boots have specialized air-infused KEEN Luftcell midsole contributing to all-day comfort and support to the wearer without causing any blisters or cramps on the feet.
The outsoles used in these boots have oil and slip-resistant advantage along with non-marking bottoms that leave no footprints on the ground. Wearing boots all day can induce bad odor thus preventing this, the boots have been incorporated with Cleansport NXT Technology which controls sweat and odor in the boots.
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BUYER’S GUIDE - BEST IRONWORKERS BOOTS
The best steel worker boots should have special features that will help workers be safe at the worksite and durable for years. Here are some key features you must know that your ironworker boots should integrate.
Safety Toe
As we all know, ironworkers work under difficult circumstances, risking their lives by handling heavy steel loads thus, I recommend hunting for boots that have safety toe features in them as they will protect your toes from any hard falling object that can damage your feet if your boots don't have safety toes.
Working under the construction site, you will be exposed to heat and water all the time, thus your boots should be waterproof so that water or sweat does not bother you at work. Thus, make sure your boots have both a water-resistance feature and a safety toe.
Fitting and Right-Sizing
Correct size is all you need for maximum comfort. Ironworkers cannot sit all day; they have to do all the physical work therefore they need utmost comfort. If the boots are too loose, your feet won't stay in place, giving an unstable fit, whereas if the boots are too tight, there's a chance your feet get blisters and injuries if you wear them for a longer time. Thus, make sure you buy the exact size of your foot to get a comfortable and stable feel.
Adequate Insulation
If you find yourself working around electric hazards, you need shoes that have proper insulation. Ironworker boots should have steel construction. The best boots that go well with electrical resistance safety are made of rubber that prevents you from worksite shocks and impacts.
Traction
Falling and getting injured are the two biggest risks that ironworkers have to deal with. traction is the most important factor that determines your safety at work. The soles that your boots have should be slip and oil-resistant because such soles have better traction on the ground. If your boots have good traction there is no chance you will fall.
FAQ
1. Do ironworkers wear steel-toe boots?
Ironworkers wear steel-toe boots as they provide better protection from falling or lifting heavy iron rigs. The steel toe caps can withstand the impact of 75 pounds or higher. Steel toe boots are best for construction sites and related workspaces.
2. Are wedge soles good for ironworkers?
Wedge outsoles are best for ironworkers because it helps them walk comfortably on iron bars. Obviously, heeled boots cannot sustain the conditions. Wedged soles have flat bottoms thus they are much more comfortable as compared to heel boots.
3. Why do ironworkers tuck their pants in their boots?
The simple reason why ironworkers tuck their pants in the ironworker boots is that they don't want to get distracted by the pants as they can get stuck at the bottom of the boots which also can cause tripping. Therefore, tucking pants inside the boots is recommended.
CONCLUSION
I hope this detailed review was up to the mark and sufficient enough to help you with your buying decision on the best ironworker boots. Before making a blind call, ensure you see all the features that the boots have, especially EH protection and traction. You can compare various ironworker boots for better judgment.
Jeffrey has a Master of Science degree in sports science and a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. Jeffrey has worked in sports medicine clinics, corporate wellness facilities and rehabilitation clinics. He/She is an exercise physiologist and fitness consultant who has been writing about sports equipment and training techniques for athletes and fitness enthusiasts for over a decade.