Table of Contents
If you’re in a job that involves heavy machinery or falling hazards, you wouldn’t want to wear your casual slip on shoes but that doesn’t mean you need uncomfortable, heavy, stuffy boots. So, if you are planning to buy steel toe shoes to keep your toes safe, comfortable and airy, here are the best work boots for sweaty feet.
Updated June 2022 by Tony Bleak
In a Hurry? The Top Pick:
Thorogood American Heritage Work Boots, read on to find out why.
The Best Work Boots for Sweaty Feet
Sweaty feet tend to either scare people out of your vicinity or attract frowny faces. No matter how handsome or pretty, if your feet smell when you take your work boots off, no one will want to come near you.
However, there are a few ways to prevent this issue: first, you need to wear clean absorbent socks. You can find high-absorbent socks available in stores. They are thicker than usual but lightweight. These socks keep your feet cool and will stop excessive sweat from accumulating in the work boots. This will, in turn, reduce the chances of your feet smelling terrible.
The second way to deal with stinky feet is by using the right pair of work boots. If you work in places that have high temperatures, you should wear shoes that provide your feet airflow to help them breathe and ventilate.
Your feet sweat a lot because your boots get hot quickly. So, consider replacing them with these specialized steel toe shoes that are more breathable, porous and specifically designed for hot weather:
Timberland PRO Pitboss
Timberland is the boss when it comes to the best work boots for sweaty feet. For any demanding job, for logger work, welding, ironworker or construction jobs. The PRO Pitboss is literally a beast. It’s one of the highest quality safety boot that you will ever come across.
When you go to buy work boots, you should keep two things in mind: first, whether they have comfort suspension technology. This will help prevent smelly feet. And second, if they meet ANSI safety standards. This pair ticks all those boxes. Plus, it comes with steel toes. So, no matter how horrific your workplace is, they will meet any conditions with ease.
Men who are into construction often have to deal with falling materials and debris. There is a chance of foot injury at anytime. But, thanks to Timberland PRO Pitboss, you don’t have to worry about such injuries. The steel toe will prevent your feet from injuries as they fit snugly inside, well protected by padded collars.
They also have electronic hazard protection that can keep you safe from onsite electrical injuries. Moreover, they are slip-resistant. So, come hail, sleet, snow, mud, flood or even sunshine; no matter what challenge you throw at it, this toughie will face it head-on.
Everyone wants to feel comfortable when putting on their work boots. You shouldn’t feel as if you are walking with bricks attached to your ankles. That’s where the PRO Pitboss works shines as well. It is lightweight so that you don’t feel any inconvenience while working. That is another reason why it feels so comfortable.
Pros
- It is made using 100% leather.
- The comfort suspension technology keeps your feet with good amount of air movement avoiding your feet overheating and developing any smell.
- It has unparalleled traction to keep you from slipping at work.
Cons
- The best things in life come at a price. This pair of shoes is the best in the business, and don’t come cheap.
Customer review: Those who already used this pair of shoes share that they have never come across a better pair. They believe this is the most comfortable pair of work boots ever and have no issue with foot smell.
KEEN Utility Flint Mid Work Boots
If toe protection is your priority along with avoiding sweaty feet, then you shouldn’t think twice before getting these.
Flexing your toes will ensure your feet don’t restrict blood flow. Otherwise, when you take those work boots off, you will see that your feet have turned white.
The ergonomic design of this pair makes it more comfortable and if you’re into looks, this work boot doesn’t look like work at all. Instead, they look like hiking boots. So, if you want to use them outside work, they will blend in just fine.
Imagine for a moment, wearing a work boot that cramps your toes and fingers. There’s hardly any room for them to breathe. This is one of the reasons why men have more smelly feet than women. Women have smaller feet and work shoes tend to have a slightly bigger fit.
That’s where the Flint comes in and is such a life-saver. It has an asymmetrical design with square toe space in front to give enough room for man-sized toes to move and breathe more.
Another factor that keeps this pair of boots among the top 5 contenders is its breathable mesh panels. They help deter any moisture accumulation.
If you are searching for the best summer work boots, then this is the one. They are appropriate for hot weather conditions. The significant toe space, ergonomic design, mesh panels, and extended padded collar make it a perfect choice as one of the leading breathable work boots.
Pros
- Extended padded collar provides superior comfort when you put the boots on.
- The ergonomic design gives your toes enough room to breathe.
- The moisture-wicking fabric doesn’t allow your feet to smell.
- The reinforced steel toe design prevents onsite feet injuries.
Cons
- They don’t look like a typical work boots.
Customer review: Users consider this pair as the best work boots for sweaty feet because they are not too heavy and it provides enough room for your feet to breathe. That helps to keep your feet from smelling.
Thorogood American Heritage Work Boots
Do you love those old-school tanned leather shoes, but think they are not available as work boots? Well, you just got surprised by Thorogood American Heritage Work Boots. They are the most attractive work boots you will ever come across. With evocative oil-tanned 100% genuine leather, complements will be come flying.
And don’t just go by its looks. This pair has a cushioned rubber insole that you can remove and wash. The insole is odor resistant and the sole is non slip. So, your feet can feel comfortable while they are inside.
What makes this pair even more desirable for men is its moccasin style foreboot. This will help to keep unwanted objects from pricking into the shoe. Thanks to the tight, rubber sole, this pair is fully puncture resistant unless you drill a hole through.
And although you might be thinking the leather will cause your feet to sweat a lot, don’t worry, the extra padding on the sides and on the sole absorbs any moisture so that you don’t get smelly feet.
And on a rainy day, the oil-tanned upper will keep your feet dry. Whether you are an ironworker or into welding activities, you have to deal with different temperature conditions all the time.
Well, this one of the best work boots for sweaty feet that will keep your feet dry and at a comfortable temperature, no matter if it’s the hottest summer day since the 1970s or a heavier rainfall than the monsoon.
If you think of all the best features that a work boot should have, this one will check all those boxes. Lightweight, stylish, comfortable, sufficient foot and toe space, odor-resistant, genuine leather, and generous ankle support. Everything!
Pros
- It has a 6-inch upper that provides comfortable ankle support.
- The steel toe protects your feet from injuries.
- It is one of the most stylish work boots, ever.
Cons
- It weighs 3 pounds which is slightly more than its competitors.
Customer review: Customers love this pair wholeheartedly. They can’t seem to find any flaw because of the perfect combination of all the features.
Red Wind Heritage Roughneck
Whenever you think of a high-quality work boot, you expect excellent mobility, comfort, and a stylish profile. You almost take it for granted that the pair will be more expensive than your regular boots. But, the Red Wing Heritage Roughneck is one of the rare work boots that not only satisfies all the quality features but also fits your budget.
You don’t have to think of spending a fortune when you find this pair. But, price is not the only upside here. What you want is a breathable, summer weather steel toe safety shoe, right? This one has all those qualities.
It is waterproof, value for money, and good looking; a combination that you may not always find when it comes to work boots. At a time when most brands are looking to hike their prices along more complex shoes designs, Red Wing has stuck to its old pricing scheme and not neglected quality in the least. And, when it comes to blending comfort along with style, this one in in the top list. This is undoubtedly one of the more stylish lace up shoes around. You may even have a temptation to wear this pair to a party. Yes, it is that stylish!
But, don’t think this one only pays attention to style. It is also a very comfortable pair of shoes that you can wear at any worksite. The front is highly padded so that your toes are safe from injuries.
You can safely work at any construction site wearing this pair. Also, this pair has one of the best rubber soles. This keeps your feet comfortable even when you are working on rough terrains. They come with genuine Vibram soles that specialise in anti-fatigue design.
Pros
- This is a stylish pair that you can wear to work and at parties.
- They have heavy-duty laces and Vibram soles that can stand the test of time.
- The snug fit gives enough space for your feet to breathe comfortably.
Cons
- It is slightly on the heavier side.
Customer review: Users say that if you don’t want your work boots to look like typical work boots, but a step up from a regular shoe, this is the model to buy.
Carhartt Composite Work Boot
Two of the most essential features of any work boot are affordability, durability and safety. If an average person can’t buy a pair of high-quality work boots, they will have to compromise with the regular ones. But, this pair won’t let that happen. They are both affordable and durable, making it one of the best budget work boots of this decade. Carharrt always focuses on affordability along with quality.
This pair is slip-resistant, beautifully designed, protects your feet from all types of hazards, and also doesn’t support perspiring feet. It means you now have a final solution for those smelly feet that everyone always complains about.
The impact-resistant composite material protects your toes from worksite injuries. It’s almost as if you are wearing your regular shoes to work; the only difference is, this one provides a lot more comfort and reduces your feet from smelling. They are also completely weather-resistant.
Those who want their work boots to weigh as light as possible…
…this is the pair you should get. They weigh only two pounds. You can’t imagine how lightweight they are until you wear them. This is ideal for those long work days and the padding makes them suitable for walking on cement floors.
Its ergonomic design is another factor that keeps it ahead of the others. The front is almost like a square. Your toes will have sufficient space to breathe. They won’t feel restricted in any way once you put these shoes on.
Pros
- Extremely light at 2 pounds
- Budget-friendly, lightweight, and impeccably designed.
- The heavy-duty hoops and eyelets help you tie the shoes tightly.
Cons
- None
Customer review: This is undoubtedly one of the most comfortable shoes around because of its lightweight and thorough padding inside.
How to keep feet from sweating in work boots
Now that you know which shoes protect your feet from excessive sweating and smelling, you can turn a new page and start enjoying your work day more. No more dreading your feet overheating and the overwhelming smell at the end of the day. These are both mens and womens best work boots for sweaty feet and are highly recommended, both by the experts and also by users.
I like the Thorogood American Heritage Work Boots as the overall winner covering all potential work boot requirements and at the same time designed to alleviate your feet from sweating.