When buying the best pair, you must consider two essential parts of welding boots. The metatarsal guard protects the top part of your foot from heavy objects.
Metatarsal guards can appear on the outside of the boot or the inside, although ones on the outside help keep the laces from catching fire or melting.
The second aspect is the sole of the boot. If a sole is too soft, it may melt if it comes in contact with temperatures needed for welding. Melted soles can lead to a terrible day for a welder.
Remember a few safety rules to keep in mind. Even though a sturdy pair of welding boots may make working conditions safer, you should still exercise caution and maintain safety standards as closely as possible.
Review contents
Best Welding Boots – Guide and Review
Welding can be dangerous if you don’t follow the property safety protocols, so keep work spaces neat, clean, and moisture-free as much as possible.
Considering these factors, here are five of the best welding boots on the market today. See what you think.
Timberland PRO Men’s 53530 8″ Metguard Steel-Toe Boot
Who knew that Doc Martens made work boots in addition to the fashionable footwear that made this company famous in the 1990s?
The Ironbridge ST steel-toe met guard boot is an excellent choice for welders due to its artistry and protection, although it does have one drawback.
Keep the laces tight around your lower calves to prevent the work boots from slipping off. The leather is waterproof, while the rubber soles protect against slipping on wet surfaces.
The eyelets are heavy-duty and raise away from the surface of the boots, so you can easily tie and untie these work boots in a pinch. Timberland touts Kevlar laces that resist catching on fire.
Timberland PRO Men's 53530 8" Metguard Steel-Toe Boot,Black,12 M
$161.95 in stock
Timberland PRO Men's 40000 Met Guard 6' Steel Toe Boot,Black/Black,10.5 M
$152.42 in stock
Timberland PRO Men's 85516 Internal Met Guard Work Boot,Black,10.5 W US
This entire boot is fireproof, although the soles may melt under sweltering conditions. Double stitching means these boots won’t fall apart easily. The inside of the shoes has padding for comfort and fabric that moves moisture away from your socks.
These boots may be more expensive than others on the market, but they are worth every penny. Each boot weighs three pounds but may not feel heavy because part of it reaches your lower calves.
Pros
- Maximum safety and comfort
- Fireproof stitching
- Anti-slip and heat-resistant soles
- Waterproof leather
Cons
- Heavy
Dr. Martens Men’s Ironbridge MG ST Steel-Toe Met Guard Boot
Who knew that Doc Martens made work boots in addition to the fashionable footwear that made this company famous in the 1990s?
The Ironbridge ST steel-toe met guard boot is an excellent choice for welders due to its artistry and protection, although it does have one drawback.
The central part of the boot is made of leather, which is just about as fire-resistant as it comes to materials. The leather is also water resistant for when you work outdoors.
Inside the boot, a fabric lining wicks away moisture, including sweat and water, so you feel more comfortable throughout your work day.
A pad on the inside is removable if you prefer less padding, although the extra place helps when you’re on your feet for eight to 10 hours per day.
The met guard, which sits outside the boot, looks like it belongs in a baseball catcher’s gear.
Double stitching keeps everything firmly in place, and heavy-duty eyelets contain touch laces that stand up to the toughest of work conditions.
Heavy-duty protection adds up to boots weighing 38 ounces each, so you may feel like you move a little slower in these welding boots.
Despite its downsides, this is one of the best welding boots for the price. The soles are anti-slip rubber for water, oil, or grease underfoot. The one downside to soft rubber is that it may melt under sweltering conditions.
Dr. Martens Ironbridge ST Black UK 10 (US Men's 11, Women's 12) Medium
Dr. Martens Work Ironbridge NS, Black/Industrial Grizzly, UK 3 (US Women's 5) Medium
Dr. Martens Ironbridge - Internal Metguard Teak Industrial Trailblazer UK 6 (US Men's 7, US Women's 8) M
Pros
- Feet and toes protection
- Shock absorbing
- Anti-slip soles
- Very comfortable
Cons
- Soles may melt
- Boots weigh three pounds each
Read Next – The Best Welding Boots for the Job
Caterpillar Men’s Assault Work Boot
Whereas other Caterpillar work boots might look more stylish, the Assault work boots are one of the toughest-looking welding boots on the market.
These are made entirely of leather, so they stay waterproof in almost any condition.
The thick rubber sole lays flat and resists slips, while double stitching keeps these welding boots together for a long time.
Tighten or loosen the met guard with the laces that run through the top part of the guard. Massive eyelets let the laces run quickly up and down the face of these welding boots.
Thick padding along the ankles creates both comfort and protection from drops simultaneously. Proprietary insoles keep your socks as dry as possible for extra comfort throughout the day.
These boots are lighter in weight than similar models from Timberland and Dr. Martens, so you might consider these if you want less energy to walk. The downside is that this pair may not stand up to heavy-duty use as well as heavier boots.
Caterpillar mens Second Shift Steel Toe Work Boot, Dark Brown, 10.5 US
Cat Footwear Men's Hauler 6" Waterproof Composite Toe Work Boot, Dark Beige, 10.5
Cat Footwear mens Second Shift Work Boot, Dark Brown, 10.5 US
$105.00 in stock
Pros
- Waterproof leather
- Comfortable boots
- Met guard
- Lighter weight
Cons
- Rubber soles may melt
- Lighter weight may not stand up to more demanding conditions
Read Next – Best Welding Tools And Accessories For You in 2022
Timberland PRO Men’s Excave External Met Guard Work Boot
Timberland, unlike Dr. Martens and Caterpillar, specializes in work boots. The Excave external met-guard work boots are a great addition to your accessories.
Arched soles help you maintain your balance while taking pressure off the middle of your foot as you stand all day.
The soles are made of synthetic materials, which means they might not melt as readily as those made with natural rubber. The soles are slip-resistant
On top of these welding boots, the met guard can loosen or tighten based on the laces that go through the top part of the external guard. This gives you total control over your comfort. The padded collar makes the boots feel better around your ankles after you lace them up.
Double stitching stands up to heavy use, while heavy-duty eyelets keep the laces in place. Mesh lining on the inside keeps moisture away from your feet during scorching jobs.
As with most work boots, these come with steel toes. Similar to the Dr. Martens boots, these weigh around three pounds each which might make them feel heavy by the end of the day.
Timberland PRO mens Pit 6 Inch Steel Safety Toe Industrial Work Boot, Brown/Brown, 10.5 US
$101.50 in stock
3 used from $97.44
Timberland Men's Boondock 6 Inch Composite Safety Toe Waterproof 6 CT WP, Black: Black, 10.5
$165.67 in stock
3 used from $158.61
Pros
- High-quality artistry
- Met guard
- Comfortable
Cons
- Heavy boots for long days
Caterpillar Men’s Revolver Pull-On Steel-Toe Boot
Caterpillar is another name you may not think of when it comes to the best welding boots, but the heavy equipment manufacturer also makes heavy-duty work boots to go along with heavy-duty equipment and style!
Whereas the Dr. Martens boots are high-tech, the Caterpillar steel-toe boots are more traditional because they slip over your calves rather than tie around your ankles.
Coming up to your calves is a critical feature of work boots for several reasons, but it also has a drawback if you’re outside in the mud while welding; these boots may keep muck and moisture from seeping into your socks to make for a very uncomfortable day.
The high calves also protect your legs against heat and fire, which is something lower-hung welding boots can’t do. The downside to this is if your feet get stuck in the mud. You may have to leave your boot behind if you can’t move.
There is no met guard here, but there aren’t any laces that could catch on fire, either. The rubber soles are slip-resistant, much like the Dr. Martens boots, which means they could melt.
Leather boots are the most fireproof material you can get without the boot’s weight becoming too cumbersome. These boots have single stitching and may fall apart sooner than double-stitched boots. Despite the drawbacks, this is still a good pair of boots.
Cat Footwear Men's Revolver Pull-on Soft Toe Work Boot, Brown, 10
Cat Footwear Men's Core ST Revolver Pull-on Steel Toe Work Boot, Dark Brown, 9.5
Cat Footwear mens Wheelbase Steel Toe Work Boot, Clay, 14 US
Pros
- No laces to catch on fire
- Easy on, easy off
- Slip-resistant soles
- Steel toes
- Lighter weight than other boots with met guards
Cons
- No met guards
- No extra features for comfort
- Boots may come off if they get stuck
Read Next – What To Look For In The Best Welding Helmet
Final Verdict
The best welding boots out of these five are the Timberland PRO 53530 work boots. They have the best possible protection for your feet due to the higher shaft that goes up your calves.
Timberland specializes in work boots, and these boots indeed show that Timberland is the brand to beat.
The Dr. Martens pair of work boots come in a very close second, followed by the Caterpillar Men’s Assault Work boots.
The Caterpillar slip-on boots may seem stylish, but they should be used for lighter jobs, not heavy-duty ones.
Timberland PRO Men's 53530 8" Metguard Steel-Toe Boot,Black,12 M
$161.95 in stock
Timberland PRO Men's 40000 Met Guard 6' Steel Toe Boot,Black/Black,10.5 M
$152.42 in stock
Timberland PRO Men's 85516 Internal Met Guard Work Boot,Black,10.5 W US
Dr. Martens Ironbridge ST Black UK 10 (US Men's 11, Women's 12) Medium
Dr. Martens Work Ironbridge NS, Black/Industrial Grizzly, UK 3 (US Women's 5) Medium
Dr. Martens Ironbridge - Internal Metguard Teak Industrial Trailblazer UK 6 (US Men's 7, US Women's 8) M
Caterpillar mens Second Shift Steel Toe Work Boot, Dark Brown, 10.5 US
Cat Footwear Men's Hauler 6" Waterproof Composite Toe Work Boot, Dark Beige, 10.5
Cat Footwear mens Second Shift Work Boot, Dark Brown, 10.5 US
$105.00 in stock
Timberland PRO mens Pit 6 Inch Steel Safety Toe Industrial Work Boot, Brown/Brown, 10.5 US
$101.50 in stock
3 used from $97.44
Timberland Men's Boondock 6 Inch Composite Safety Toe Waterproof 6 CT WP, Black: Black, 10.5
$165.67 in stock
3 used from $158.61
Cat Footwear Men's Revolver Pull-on Soft Toe Work Boot, Brown, 10
Cat Footwear Men's Core ST Revolver Pull-on Steel Toe Work Boot, Dark Brown, 9.5
Cat Footwear mens Wheelbase Steel Toe Work Boot, Clay, 14 US
Cat Footwear Men's Threshold Waterproof Soft Toe Work Boot, Black, 12
$89.77 in stock
Q: What are the key features of the best welding boots?
A: The best welding boots typically have a steel toe cap or composite toe for protection, are durable, made with full-grain leather, and have welt construction for added strength.
Q: Do welding boots have toe caps?
A: Yes, most welding boots have toe caps, either steel toe or composite toe, for protection against heavy objects or accidental impacts.
Q: Are welding boots waterproof?
A: Some welding boots are designed to be waterproof, offering protection against water and other liquids that may be present in the working environment.
Q: What is a met guard in welding boots?
A: A met guard is a protective feature in some welding boots. It covers the metatarsal area of the foot, providing extra protection against impacts and compression.
Q: Are there any waterproof steel toe welding boots available?
A: Yes, welding boots are available that combine steel toe protection and waterproof construction, providing both safety and comfort in wet conditions.
Q: What is the importance of choosing the best welding boots?
A: Choosing the best welding boots is essential because they offer protection against potential hazards in the welding work environment, such as heavy objects, sparks, and hot materials.
Q: What are the advantages of wearing steel-toe boots for welding work?
A: Steel toe work boots protect heavy falling objects and accidental impacts. They also have a reinforced toe cap that meets safety standards, ensuring the wearer’s safety.
Q: Are there boots designed explicitly for welders?
A: Yes, there are boots designed explicitly for welders that offer features such as heat resistance, electrical hazard protection, and specific materials that withstand sparks and hot debris.
Q: What materials are the best welding boots made of?
A: The best welding boots are typically made of durable full-grain leather, which protects against heat and sparks. They may also have additional features such as waterproof lining and met guards.
Q: Are composite toe boots suitable for welding work?
A: Yes, composite toe boots are suitable for welding work. They offer protection similar to steel-toe boots but are made of non-metallic materials, which can be advantageous in specific work environments.
