The best work boots for men are no longer reserved for weather-beaten railroad workers, with hands like sandpaper and a cigarette surgically attached to their bottom lip. American-inspired, utilitarian clothing for work has been making its way into closets in recent seasons. And with its ability to lay tracks somewhere between form and function, it’s not difficult to see why.
Obviously, there’s a line; we’re not saying you should start striding around town, emulating Kanye’s infamous ‘binman chic‘, but there are certainly some workwear elements that can (and should) have a home in your wardrobe. The best men’s work boots are a great example of a stylish piece.
With the fashion world’s seemingly endless appetite for appropriation and the world of menswear’s thirst for anything vaguely heritage, it was only a matter of time before the humble work boot went from functional workwear stomper to must-have footwear staple. Couple this with its ties to hip-hop royalty and you’ve got boots that are made for trending.
The Best Workboots for Men
The best work boots for men might cost you a pretty penny, but they’re durable enough to last a lifetime. The best work boots that will last you for many years are listed below.
Red Wing
When you hear the words ‘American work boots,’ it’s impossible not to think of Red Wing. The century-old Red Wing company has a rich and varied history. It was the largest supplier of footwear for the US Army in World War I.
Today, the brand’s expertly crafted boots are just as popular with the style set as they are workers. The Red Wing work boot for men has a cult-like following among denim heads because they look so good with a pair dark jeans.
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Sorel
If you’re looking for a pair of work boots to keep your feet warm throughout the winter months, ask any Canadian for their advice and they’ll no doubt point you in the direction of Sorel and their line of moc-toe boots.
The Ontario brand, which was founded in 1985, is known for its rugged rubber-toed boots with thick linings that can take on the snow during winter. It has expanded to offer a range of styles suitable for any weather condition.
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Grenson
If it’s heritage you’re after then Grenson will will not disappoint. William Green began hand-making boots in a Northamptonshire warehouse in 1866. His company quickly became one of the most prestigious shoemakers.
The brand produces work boots with features like a commando sole that provides excellent traction in all weather conditions.
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ASOS
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, the high street offers a good place to start.
Menswear grandaddy ASOS is one of the best when it comes to affordability-meets-quality, and with a broader range of styles than most retailers, you can’t put a foot wrong.
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Tommy Hilfiger
Work boots probably aren’t the first thing that spring to mind when you think of preppy American label Tommy Hilfiger. It turns out that the New York brand produces some of the most stylish work boots available for men.
Granted, Tommy Hilfiger’s offerings err on the side of form as opposed to function, but who cares when they look this slick?
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Viberg
Ed Viberg founded the Canadian boot company in 1931. Today, it is in its third-generation and still entirely family owned. Today, things are overseen by Glen Viberg, who carefully inspects each and every pair of boots that leave the factory’s doors.
Of course, that level of dedication comes at a price, and while Viberg’s are some of the best work boots for men, they are also definitely at the upper end of most budgets. You get what you paid for.
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Cat
A company that has been creating heavy machinery for over a hundred years will be an expert at designing work boots for males. Rugged, durable, and functional, Cat’s range of footwear comprises some of the best around.
Expect to see a lot of classic styling, with no bullshit. There are also a few comfort elements added in. Are you still not convinced by their credentials? You can check out the local construction site to see how many pairs of shoes you can find.
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Moncler
Having nailed the outdoors with its range of down-filled jackets, Italian luxury label Moncler (an abbreviation of the French Alpine town Monestier-de-Clermont) turned its attention to waterproof work boots built for the outdoors.
While it may not be what the label is best known for, Moncler’s sturdy all-weather footwear isn’t short of all the usual features and finishing touches that fans of the brand have come to expect. We’re talking premium materials, next-level craftsmanship and, of course, that Iconic tricolor branding.
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Timberland
Arguably the byword for work boots, Timberland’s iconic 6” boots have gained a loyal and diverse following over the years – from builders to Biggie, crane drivers to Kanye, all have made themselves known as fans. And it’s easy to see why.
As well as being a fashion statement, the brand is packing functional technical features to boot, meaning they’ll have a place in wardrobes for many years to come.
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Tricker’s
One of the oldest shoemakers in Britain, Tricker’s has been crafting quintessentially English footwear to exacting standards for almost 200 years. Northampton-based Tricker’s has established itself as a leading name in boot-making during that period.
You can expect superior quality, traditional styles, and boots with personality.
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River Island
River Island, a high street favourite, is a great place to go if you’re looking for optimum style, variety and value. The retailer’s great-looking and affordable work boots are no exception.
Classic colorways and minimal branding make it hard to separate the range from pricier options at a glance, and they’re as kind to your wallet as they are to your eyes.
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Thorogood
It’s an odd thought to buy a pair of work boots that will quite possibly outlast you, but that’s what you get with Thorogood. The Milwaukee-based firm was founded in 1855, and it produces some of most durable, custom-built workboots money can buy.
Buy from them and you’ll be met by a classic moc-toe construction, iconic rubber sole unit, and shock absorption footbed, all resulting in boots that are second to none.
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Kurt Geiger
Kurt Geiger is a brand that has been synonymous with the best men’s work boots since the 1960s. They have created upscale shoes and added their own twists and tweaks on silhouettes.
Buy your work boots here and you’ll leave with something timeless, but not without a dash of modernity, all served up at a price point that won’t leave you high and dry.
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Officine Creative
Officine creative is much more than a shoemaker. The items crafted by the Parisian brand in its Montegranaro ‘laboratory’ fall somewhere between apparel and art.
Expertly rendered in hand-polished Italian leathers and brushed suedes, with flawless attention to detail – Officine Creative’s work boots are the number one choice for any well-heeled footwear connoisseur.
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L.L. Bean
L.L. Bean is an industry leader in workwear. Their infamous ‘Bean Boots’ have a place in many winter wardrobes around the world, and their line of other just-as-sturdy work boots are not to be ignored, either. This is quality at a price tag you can’t find in many places.
Plus, L.L. Bean provides a lifetime warranty on all of their products in the event that anything is defective.
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Work Boots: How to Care for them
Let’s forget about the work boot’s credentials as a fashion icon for a second and take a look at it for what it really is at its core: that is, one of the few real ‘buy now, wear forever’ essentials.
“Work-related brands are popular today because there is a growing interest in quality,” says the design team at American heritage boot maker Red Wing. “These brands already have durability [built-in] This is a great feature. This means as a consumer you know what you’re getting, and in a few years you’ll still have a product that is up to date.”
Work boots that are reassuringly durable can last a lifetime owing to the strength of the material and the timeless design. However, you must take care to maintain them.
A work boot is only as good as the leather it’s made from, so you’ll want to invest in some leather oil or a good conditioner, as well as some leather protector to keep it in perfect shape.
How to clean work boots for men
Start by cleaning any dirt that may be present with a soft-bristled brush and a cloth soaked in warm, lukewarm water.
Use a dry, clean cloth to rub the conditioner or oil into the leather using small circular motions.
Spray the boots with protector to provide an invisible shield against the elements.
The boots should be re-applied every two to three weeks. Of course, looking after the leather doesn’t mean having to keep them pristine.
“Some like clean, polished boots and some just put oil or cream on if when leather turns dry,” says the team at Red Wing. “It comes down to what the owner of the boots feels comfortable with.”
What are the best work boots for men?
What are the most comfortable boots for work?
Timberland Red Wing L.L. Bean and more brands on this list offer comfortable, durable work boots for men. These brands, including Timberland, Red Wing, L.L.
What is the best work boot for durability?
Work boots of the highest quality are available from Red Wing, Grenson Viberg Sorel Thorogood, and heritage brands. Brands like L.L. Bean and Timberland, which are both durable brands, are also good choices.
What is a moccasin foot?
When we refer to a ‘moc-toe,’ or moccasin toe boot, it means work boots with stitching around the toe. The stitching gives the boots the appearance of moccasins, hence their name. This type of stitching is found on many of the best quality men’s work boots.