Safety boots are a necessity for all men and women who work in hazardous environments such as construction sites and manufacturing facilities. Going to work wearing dependable steel-toe boots lets you focus on the job at hand knowing you’re well-protected from the feet up.
There are three qualities a work boot must have in order to be considered good: protection, comfort, and durability. Work boots need to be tough enough to negate the impact of heavy falling objects, insulated enough to dampen electrical currents, and sturdy enough to survive continued use. The challenge is, in addition to all this resilience, they should also be gentle on your feet.
Thankfully, all the recommended steel toe boots below possess these three qualities in spades.
Top Men’s Steel Toe Boots
It’s safe to say that there are more men who need the protection of work safety boots, and it should be easier to find amazing ones at different price points. We’ve intentionally selected only those that are $100 or less to showcase the excellent quality you can get without going overspending. Here are the best men’s steel toe boots under $100:
Comparison Chart
Timberland PRO Men’s 6″ Pit Boss Steel-Toe Boots
Highlights
- 100% leather with high-traction rubber sole
- Meets ANSI safety standards
- Comfort Suspension technology reduces fatigue
- Fits as expected 80% of the time
Timberland’s top-selling Pit Boss boots are a safe choice in many ways. Its steel toe easily upholds the impact safety standards set by ANSI, and its rubber sole is proof from open currents and slippery floors. It’s also designed to be comfortable no matter how long you’ve been wearing it, so each step is well-cushioned and foot fatigue is dramatically lessened. Best of all, they’ll hold up through rigorous wear like a champ, making them perfect for the hardworking man.
Caterpillar Men’s Second Shift Steel Toe Work Boot
Highlights
- 100% nubuck leather with nylon mesh lining
- Steel toe and shank for improved stability
- Goodyear welt construction
- Fits as expected 82% of the time
The Caterpillar logo commonly seen on numerous heavy equipment symbolizes honest, hard work. Well, their men’s steel toe boots pretty much represent the same ideal of being dependable in any environment. The rugged design of the Second Shift boot doesn’t take away the comfort it offers, making it outstanding for long hours on the job.
Skechers For Work Men’s Workshire Relaxed Fit Work Steel Toe Boot
Highlights
- 100% full-grain leather
- Certified to meet ASTM requirements
- Improved support from Relaxed Fit design
- Fits as expected 82% of the time
Take serious labor seriously with these tough steel safety toe boots. Though the brand is best known for its sneaker line, Skechers for Work offers some pretty high-quality models that don’t strain the budget, like these Men’s Workshire boots. Its Relaxed Fit design provides sufficient arch support and fabric padding to get you through the day without killing your feet. It also ably passes electrical and impact hazards, so you can carry on unimpeded.
Top Womens Steel Toe Boots
There aren’t too many safety toe boots for women, making shopping for them a bit of a challenge. Though you could resort to simply buying a men’s work boot and calling it done, you’ll get a drastically better fit from those specifically designed to match the generally slimmer contours of female feet. Here are the best womens steel toe boots under $100:
Comparison Chart
Adtec Women’s Work Boots 9″ Steel Toe Logger
Highlights
- 100% crazy horse leather
- Oil-tanned and water-resistant
- Goodyear welt construction
- Fits as expected 80% of the time
Not only does this logger look great, but it’s also as tough and comfy too. The oil-tanned saddle leather upper has an antiqued luster that looks better the longer you wear it. You’ll hardly need any time breaking these in since the material is supple and its insole cushions well. Trust these to stand up to the test of heavy physical labor without leaving blisters on your feet.
Skechers For Work Women’s Workshire Peril Steel Toe Boot
Highlights
- 100% buffalo crazy horse leather
- Soft fabric lining and memory foam footbed
- Oil and skid-resistant outsole
- Fits as expected 70% of the time
Skechers for Work brings its top comfort innovations into these safety steel-toe boots for women. You get a lot more room around your toes while its soft boot lining and padded interior cushion your feet quite snugly. Wearing these all day at work won’t be punishing at all, thanks to its memory foam insole and gel-infused footbed. With its oil-resistant and shock-absorbing traction outsole, you also don’t need to worry about falling behind anyone at work.
Safety Girl GS003-Lt Pink-8.5M Steel Toe Work Boots
Highlights
- Nubuck leather uppers
- Waterproof and oil resistant
- Rubber outsole
- Fits as expected 83% of the time
Don’t mistake its light pink exterior for frailty or simple cuteness. These women’s steel toe boots from Safety Girl are tough as nails, able to protect your feet from rolling or falling equipment as well as any in this list. The dual color rubber outsoles provide impressive grip on slick surfaces and its roomy interior accommodates your ankles and the bottoms of your feet nicely.
Men’s and Womens Steel Toe Boots:
Getting the Right Size
One of the most challenging aspects about ordering footwear online is getting the right size for your feet. In addition to the different sizing systems used for men and women, it’s not easy to tell how well any given pair will fit the shape of your feet without trying them on.
Aside from simply following the size recommendations, each brand provides for every boot model, by far the safest method is choosing to err on the side of a slightly larger size since it’s much easier to get the fit you like using thicker socks instead of trying to cram your toes into a smaller boot.
Each safety toe boot included in this list fits as expected at least 70% of the time, based on responses sent by actual owners, so you have an excellent chance of getting boots that fit just right.