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If you have been looking for a suitable work shoes for construction work, particularly involving cement, then read on to find the best work boots for pouring concrete.
Updated October 2022 by Tony Bleak
In a Hurry? The Top Pick
Timberland PRO Men’s Pit Boss Steel-Toe, Read on to find out why.
Solid work shoes for concrete
There are some brands of rubber boots that mold to the exact shape of your foot. This makes them very soft and comfortable, providing easy movement around the construction site. Unlike other concrete boots, they are not lace up.
Also, they are easy to wash compared to other concrete boot; and easily cleaned with a dry cloth. This means that if you work on the construction on a daily basis, you would be able to turn up to work with spotless boots every day.
The work shoes for concrete are very lightweight and they would not affect the speed of your operation. The sole plate and underfoot are also made to handle traction to some extent; they are slip resistant and are also relatively cheap.
Rubber Boots
Rubber boots are made pretty simple with a standard fit. They are comfortable, lightweight, and overall provide traction, which make them perfect for pouring concrete. Today, rubber boots for concrete are of modern tech, designed in the most seamless way possible.
Unlike leather, they do not have any stitching, but depending on the brand, there could be noticeable texturing like internal support to add structure in the upper part of the boot without taking away from the softness and flexibility.
This feature is also seen in the internal fit mesh liner that runs from the forefoot into the toe box area.
From a performance standpoint, rubber boots have everything going for them when it comes to concrete pouring.
With the perfect size, they fuse through the midfoot as well as across the top of the foot.
This really does create this unique sensation of great comfort and a sock-like feel through the midfoot with also above average lockdown that you wouldn’t necessarily expect given that there isn’t a lot of extra reinforcement elements within the design apart from just rubber or rubber related material which is great in regards to fit.
Steel Toe Boot
This is probably a favorite go to type of boots for a lot of construction workers, one that for the most part pretty much gets everything right. Obviously being the heavy-duty boot and for durability it offers, you can be sure that it protects your foot from a lot of construction hazards while pouring concrete.
The better part of the boot is made of leather. They are very strong leather. The toe part of the boot includes a steel piece over the toes, hence the name; steel toe boot.
The upper external part of the boot is made out of strong leather. The inner part is foam material, this is always a mesh-based synthetic that is soft and comfortable.
They are more tight-fitting than a lot of work boots, and the extra weight from the steel toe, could easily wear the legs out and cause foot fatigue earlier than a lighter pair of boots. This might shorten your work day prematurely or cause you discomfort and pain. If you really need steel toe work boots but are prone to foot fatigue, consider a composite toe boot instead as they are lighter in weight and protect your feet from work site hazards as well.
Leather Boots
Choosing the right leather boot has a lot to do with the value and how well it can be used for construction operations. This is because there are so many leather boots that are expensive because of the brand rather than purely based on value and boot quality. So it is important to know how to choose the best leather boots for work activities according to features vs brand.
Good quality leather boots do not scratch easily and are usually either black or dark brown. In the sunlight, they may look browner and when covered with a wax finish, it makes them highly resistant to a lot of elements. They are also usually insulated.
The leather for work boots is very thick to avoid cracking or breaking with daily use. Most leather boots are stylish and have a classic look. They are resistant to water and dust, which means they are ideal for concrete work on construction sites.
Leather boots are a really good combination of grip, comfort, and durability. They are one of the most comfortable work boots and are more versatile. This versatility is the main reason people gravitate towards them. They can fit into most situations: not just the pouring of concrete but also casual outings.
The upper part of leather boots are a combination of synthetic through the midfoot and heel area. Some brands offer puncture resistant soles.
Steel toe shoes for walking on concrete
Steel Toe shoes are one of the best for working in concrete and a lot of related construction work. Brands like Timberland, Wolverine, Caterpillar, Danner, Carhartt and Thorogood are some of the most popular for this type of boot.
In most construction, welding, ironworker and logger work you need a reliable work boot that meets multiple safety requirements. Mainly, you will need a slip resistant, Electrical Hazard rating, safety toe and shock absorption features.
Our top boot that meets all of these expectations is the 6” all rounder Timberland PRO Men’s Pit Boss Steel-Toe. This boot is budget friendly to alternatives and looks professional in black. It is also available in Brown and Tan.
Once you tie the laces tight, the boot will become responsive on your feet, which is exactly what you need. The boots heel lockdown is excellent.
As far as the soleplate and underfoot pattern are concerned, you are safe from slipping due to the traction.
If you need a good all round steel toe shoes for walking on concrete with all of the qualities the Timberland Pit Boss has, but is also waterproof, the Thorogood 1957 Series Men’s 8″ Moc Toe is the boot for you.
These smart looking boots have it all. Your feet will be as comfortable and protected as can be. Enjoy!
Rubber boots for concrete work
Rubber boots are ideal for pouring cement and are one of the best work boots for pouring concrete . They are easier to clean and protect more of your calf. They are more budget friendly vs leather work boots.
Good quality rubber boots are very comfortable and lightweight. And not only are they easier to clean but they’re also easier to put on and take off since they are slip on or pull on without laces that need tying. Rubber boots give you a nice snug to fit across the entire foot.
And as far as the finishing on the sole is concerned, it has this slightly gripping texture into it. That on its own is more of a performance boost and a unique aspect of this particular boot.
This boot combines both comfort and reliability you want and need on long days on the job site. It bends and flexes with you, standing, walking and working, all day. The boot feels cushioned and supportive due to its contours. Construction sites, wet cement, and slippery surfaces are easy to navigate with the lugged slipping abrasion-resistant rubber outsole.
Best boots for concrete workers
Tngley has a lightweight, breathable, chemical resistant, insulated, non slip, composite toe, EH rating boot that meets most work environment requirements. The Tingley Rubber Safety Toe Boots looks professional for any work place. It is also suitable for metal detecting as the composite toe will not set off metal detector sensors. It is also budget friendly.
If you are looking for a rubber boot for concrete work with additional stability and breathability: thanks to a steel shank and an air mesh lining, the Classic Muck boots will meet your needs. However, they have a steel toe that makes them a bit heavier. These are suitable for winter subfreezing temperatures.
The 3 best work boots for pouring concrete
There are a number of mens and womens unisex boot brands that developed specialised boots designed for concrete work. The top picks are:
· Timberland
Timberland boots are both waterproof and light, keeping your feet comfortable, warm and dry. These are great men’s and women’s work boots. The Timberland PRO Direct Attach is seam sealed waterproof vs the Pitboss that isn’t.
· Wolverine
They are the classic do it all work boot. The sturdy rubber wedge sole gives durable friction while the waterproof type leather keeps your feet dry and comfy. These boots maintain the arch and less foot fatigue while reaching the most rigorous concrete pouring operations.
It features composite safety toe protection, an EH safety rating and seam sealed waterproof features. The leather uppers promote durability and dryness. And the top comfort and mesh lining with antimicrobial treatment for smell and relaxed feet make this a fantastic boot.
And best of all, they are slip on so you don’t have to mess around with laces.
· Red Wing
Red Wing features a handsome leather moc toe work boot. The larger toe box allows your toes to breathe and expand outwards; it provides room to move.
The internal anatomically engineered support mechanism cradles the natural contours of your foot. The comfortable snug heel fit combined with the spacious toe-box, creates a unique safety shoe. These boots will need leather care and maintenance with leather oil or mink oil conditioning.