Best Work Boots for Electricians | Ariat EH Safety Shoes Unbeatable?

If you are looking for the best work boots for electricians according to safety regulations, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve taken the guesswork out of the equation. Below are not only safety approved electrician shoes but we’ve gone a step further and listed them according to comfort levels as well.  Read on to find out about Ariat electrical hazard boots and electrical rated boots.

Updated October 2022 by Tony Bleak

In a Hurry? The Top Pick:

Ariat EH boots – Overdrive XTR Pull-on, Read more to find out why

Comparison Table

What does EH mean on work boots?

The EH label on your work boot shows that the ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) has tested and approved this footwear of protecting against electrocution. The EH stands for Electrical Hazard. 

Electricity is a serious workplace danger and hazard. EH rated safety shoes, amongst other safety gear have been specifically designed and developed to protect people working with electricity to prevent electric shock or electrocution.

EH rated safety footwear are capable of withstanding:

• In dry conditions: 18,000 volts at 60 Hz  
• for 1 minute without current flow /leakage > 3.0 milliamperes 
• WARNING: Not suitable for wet conditions

If the shoe has non conductive composite toe caps, thick rubber soles and leather uppers, they do not automatically make them safe to be worn in an electrical hazared area. The boots must have the EH label affixed to ensure that they have been tested and approved for use in hazardous work environments.

EH approved safety shoes are only intended for dry environments. Dielectric boots are designed and tested to be suitable for protection from electrocution in wet conditions.

OSHA (Occupationsl Health and Safety Administration) require EH rated safety shoes in workplaces that are exposed to electricity hazards such as live wires and other electrical dangers. OSHA’s electrical standards aim to protect people in occupations subject to electrical hazards, including:

• Lineworkers
• Electricians
• Construction workers
• Engineers
• Other professions

Electricity is dangerous, don’t leave yourself vulnerable to to electrical injuries.

Key Features for Electrician Work Boots

Safety and Protection

Safety should be your primary concern when working in a hazardous environment. The main safety features for electric work include: EH rating, Safety toe cap, thick rubber soles. 

EH rating

If you work in any area that might have an electric risk or hazard, make sure you are wearing EH rated safety shoes along with other electrical recommended safety gear.

Toe Caps

Composite safety boots are growing in popularity as they are mostly just as safe as steel cap boots. Additionally thay are lighter in weight and don’t conduct electricity, heat and cold as metal does. 

WARNING: Make sure you check the impact and compression rating as some composite toe cap boots don’t have a rating.

Steel toe caps can still be suitable for EH rated boots although they have a conductive property. Manufacturers ensure that the metal in enclosed in rubber or another non conductive material to make them safe. 

Thick rubber soles

Rubber soles do not conduct electricity and so are a preferred type of sole for people working in dangerous electrical areas. The thicker the better protection but synthetic soles can offer just as much if not more protection if they are specifically designed to be Electrical Hazard compliant. 

A puncture resistant sole quality is important if you work in an area such a construction site that has sharp objects that could pierce your boots sole. This could be anything harder than your sole, such as broken glass, nails stuck in boards facing upwards and other hazards. Soles are puncture resistant thanks to metal or composite layers in the sole.

The best work boots for electricians are either slip resistant or non slip. In winter you want to make sure to have non slip boots and otherwise your choice will depend on the surface you work on. Vibram is a good alternative to rubber sole material and both of these materials are reliably non slip. 

Does your work include climbling ladders? Make sure you have a heel to improve your grip and stability. Non slip soles are important for climbing ladders as well.

Comfort is critical in the best work boots for electricians

If you get a boot because it ticks all the safety requirement boxes but neglects the comfort features, you risk distraction at work due to foot pain or discomfort. Being disracted at work could lead to unneccisary accidents and injuries. Make sure to consider the comfort aspects for your new boots below:

Insoles

If you spend alot of time on your feet, it is worth investing in good quality insoles. Make sure they are suitable for your feet and offer both arch support and anti fatigue qualities.

Ankle support

As an electrician you will occasionally be working in difficult locations now and then. To avoid twisting your ankle, you can wear taller 8 inch boots. These boots provide excellent ankle support and cushioning. 

Waterproof

Although you will not be working with electricity in wet conditions, you might get caught in the rain when wearing your work boots outside work. Waterproofing your boots provides an extra layer of protection for your boots, not just from scuffs but from stains as well. 

Trying to remove an oil stain from boots is no fun and can easily be avoided by waterproofing your boots once or twice a year. Or simply choose a rubber work boot and there will be no need to waterproof them additionally. It’s quick and easy to do, particularly if you combine it with your regular boot maintenance.

Insulation 

If you live and work in a cold climate, choose an insulated pair of winter boots. Cold feet are one of the most uncomfortable feelings during a work day. Usually the insulation material doesn’t add too much weight as it’s a very thin, but dense layer. 

Durability

Avoid cutting corners on these safety shoes. It’s not worth risking injury or daily discomfort. Invest in a decent pair of safety boots that will last you much longer than if you cheap on a discount boot that’ll fall apart before you know it.

One of the best and longest lasting boot construction is the Goodyear Welt Technique. This design is used on many of the best quality boots and increases the boots longevity substantially when compared to other construction types. This type of construction allows for the soles to be resoled without having to replace the whole boot.

Your work boots are one of your most important tools. Luckily there are some great quality options that are affordable and will meet, if not exceed, your company policy for safety wear.

The 3 Best Work Boots For Electricians

1. Ariat electrical hazard boots – Overdrive XTR Pull-on

I love pull on boots. They are easy to get on and off and you don’t have to worry about tedious laces. This boot has a non conductive composite safety toe, full grain waterproof leather and protective ex guards on the toe, sides and heels. It is difficult to find a downside to these boots, except that they do not have a shank. They are pretty much perfect for electrical work otherwise, especially if you appreciate slip on boots.

PROS

• 10 inch boot
• ASTM F2413-11 M I/75 C/75 EH Rated
• Composite Toe
• Waterproof Pro
• 90 degree heel
• Goodyear™ welt construction
• Protective ExGuards™
• Patented U-turn® for easy entry & exit for all foot shapes
• Breathable mesh lining
• ATS MAX footbed anti fatigue technology 
• Supportive heel for ladder climbing
• Oil-and-slip resisting Duratread™ outsole

CONS

• Expensive 
• No shank

2. Timberland PRO 6″ TiTAN Electritian Work Boot

If you prefer lace up boots, this Timberland is a solid choice for any electrician. It provides good ankle support and cushioning and has a 1.5 inch heel suitable for climbing ladders safely. Same as the Ariat, it doesn’t have a shank. It’s made with a cement construction and that means it cannot be re-soled once the sole wears out.

PROS

• 6 inch boot
• Composite safety toe cap
• ASTM F2413-11 I/75 and C/75 
• ASTM F2892-11 EH standards
• Soft leather for reducede break in time, if any 
• slip-resistant, oil-resistant and abrasion-resistant
• OrthoLite footbed and Polyurethane midsole
• Supportive heel for ladder climbling
• 1.45 pounds lightweight

CONS

• No shank 
• Cement construction

3. Carhartt Men’s CMF6366 6 Inch Composite Toe Boot

This is the most budget friendly of the 3 best work boots for electricians. However, the composite toe is not impact or compression rated. Otherwise the quality is not lacking. It’s 100% leather, a solid rubber sole with the all important ASTM 2413-11 Elecrical Hazard rating. Besides not having an impact or compression rating, the other downside is that these boots cannot be re-soled due to the cement type construction.

PROS

• 6 inch boots
• Budget friendly
• Full grain leather
• Oil resistant, slip resistant and chemical resistant
• ASTM 2413-11 EH
• ASTM 2413-17
• OrthoLite insole
• Black rubber sole 
• EVA midsole with cushioned polyurethane insole for support and shock absorbance
• FastDry® lining wicks sweat and fights odors

CONS

• Cement construction
• No composite toe impact or compression rating 

Conclusion

Overall the Ariat and Timberland are both great choices and comes down to if you prefer a pull on, slip on boot to a lace up safety shoe. They can both be considered some of the best work boots for electricians. 

The Ariat electrical hazard boots are irrespirable to people who enjoy a no fuss boot with excellent quality construction that will last them a long time and feel comfortable every day.

If you work anywhere near electricity, review the “what does eh mean on work boots” section to ensure you protect yourself from any risk. The correct safety gear could save your life, even if it’s indirectly.

If you have any sort of foot pain or specifically suffer from heel pain you’d want to consider these EH safety boots from Merrell.