Best Work Boots for Landscaping- Top 2022 Shoes for Farm Yard & Trees

Working around the lawn, garden and other outside areas often means being versatile and proficient at lots of different tasks. Landscapers activities vary and often mean going from one location to the next, often in different work conditions. One day you’re a laying pavers or brick hardscape on a modern walkway and the next you’re scrambling around muddy flower beds on your knees arranging every stalk just so. The best work boots for landscaping are therefore extremely versatile and durable.

Updated October 2022 by Tony Bleak

In a Hurry? The Top Pick:

Both the Mens and Womens Muck Boots, read more to find out why.

Comparison Table

Key Features 

The height and style of the boot need to match the challenges the day holds.

Some landscaping, yard or garden work requires stretching and bending to remove unwanted objects or set new ones in place. Boots for yard work that match that setting will protect your feet and lend you stability while you maneuver and twist. Short lace-up boots are ideal here.

Safety toe and met guard features don’t seem to be as critical in landscaping jobs as they are for ironworkers or heavy construction workers.

There are certainly landscapers who need the protection of a safety toe or a puncture-resistant work boot. However, a sturdy soft-toe leather boot with a moc toe or a thick square toe rubber boot designed for outdoor work generally offers the protection required for many of the recurring tasks. Flexibility and maneuverability are critical in these situations. None of the featured boots have a safety toe.

Landscapers whose job tasks vary from day to day may face the “good news/bad news” boots for yard work conundrum.

Although none of these landscaper work boots are cheap, as a group, they are less expensive than footwear for some other professions. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that the variety of activities inherent in landscaping may require you to have at least 2 different pairs of work boots. One pair may simply not meet all the work situation needs. A boot that is comfortable enough to wear in virtually any situation may not be safe in all work situations. 

The 6 best work boots for landscaping

Our 6 best boots–4 for men and 2 for women–have lots of different features, just like the jobs their wearers have. None of the featured boots have a safety toe. If this is a requirement, you’ll need to consider a similar boot with that feature.

Timberland Men’s White Ledge Mid Waterproof Ankle Boot

Timberland’s White Ledge Mid Waterproof Ankle Boot for men is a classic leather lace up designed to keep your feet dry in muddy weather and still provide flexibility of movement and all-day comfort. The EVA footsole is removable, and the rubber outsole provides great traction on hardscape surfaces.   

PROS

• EVA midsole 
• Removable EVA insole 
• Waterproof

CONS

• Imported 
• Not available in safety toe 

Skechers Verdict Men’s Boot

Skecher’s Verdict Men’s Boot is an inexpensive lace-up leather boot with a padded collar. The thick, slip-resistant, lugged synthetic outsole provides excellent footing in moist or muddy conditions. 

PROS

• Least expensive 
• Water resistant

CONS

• Insole is not removable
• Imported 

Ariat Men’s Groundbreaker Work Boot

The Ariat Men’s Groundbreaker Work Boot is a classic pull-on with pull tabs to help you get them on easily and quickly. With its classic cowboy styling, this boot looks good enough to wear outside work. The 4-layer footbed and lightweight shank provide all-day comfort. 

PROS

• Comfortable 4-layer footbed
• Slip-resistant rubber outsole

CONS

• Not waterproof
• Imported

Muck Chore Classic Men’s Rubber Work Boot

Muck Chore Classic Men’s Rubber Work Boot sound like it should be good in muddy situations, and this one is. The thick rubber sole is extra wide at the heel base to provide greater stability in tricky situations. 

PROS

• Waterproof 
• Mesh lining for moisture control
• Removable footbed

CONS

• Not a safety toe
• Imported

Muck Hale Multi-season Women’s Rubber Boot

The Muck Hale Multi-season Rubber Boot is designed on a last that conforms to a woman’s specific foot design. It’s waterproof, and slip-resistant, with a mesh lining for moisture management.

PROS

• Waterproof 
• Mesh lining for moisture control
• Removable footbed

CONS

• Not a safety toe 
• Imported

Ariat Fatbaby Women’s Western Boot

Ariat’s Fatbaby Women’s Western Boot has a leather upper and a rugged Duratread outsole for stability and traction. The Fatbaby has 4-row stitching and a 4-layer footbed for comfort.

PROS

• Lightweight shank 
• Duratread outsole
• Available in lots of colors

CONS

• Water resistant, but not waterproof 
• Imported

Customer Impression

These boots are good for muddy weather and terrain.

Both pairs of Muck boots receive fabulous reviews as boots that work well in muddy conditions. This isn’t particularly surprising given the styling and height of both the men’s and women’s boots.

The women’s Fatbaby from Ariat and the Timberland and Skecher’s boots for men also get very good reviews for muddy conditions. The Ariat men’s pull-on didn’t get negative reviews for working in muddy conditions, but neither did reviewers mention the boot’s performance in muddy conditions. 

Fit–especially sizing– can be a sticking point

As the chart indicates, a large majority of these boots fit the way purchasers expect them to fit. However, each style received some complaints about fit. The benefit here, though, is that purchasers readily say what they like, or don’t like, about how a boot fits. You’ll be wise to read through the feedback. Search the keyword “fit” to see whether most people think the boot runs large, small or true to size.

You can also search words like “arch” or “blisters” to see what people have to say.  You’re much more likely to get a boot you’re happy with if you avail yourself of these insights. 

These boots are comfortable

Boots that look good and have all the features you need to do your job well still won’t be “great” boots if they aren’t comfortable. The vast majority of purchasers really appreciate the comfort of these boots, even in harsh working conditions or extreme temperatures.

A number of purchasers suggest ways to increase or lengthen the comfort of a boot. These include replacing the insoles periodically and using mink oil to help a waterproof boot retain its waterproofing. Overall, though, customers swear by the comfort of these boots. 

Conclusion

All of these boots are quality footwear that works great for most of the people. The Muck boots for yard work for both men and women have the edge for workers who deal with muddy conditions.

Landscapers need a boot that is versatile enough to handle all your work settings, while keeping your feet comfortable and dry. The best work boots for landscaping, gardening and yard work are the Muck boots.

They’re designed to deal with mud and water, and are tall enough to prevent water from flowing over the top of the boot. If you work in muddy conditions and need to replace your work boot, you’ll probably be very happy with either the Muck Chore Classic Men’s Rubber Work Boot or the women’s Muck Hale Multi-season Rubber Boot.

The best work shoes and boots for these varied settings feature either a:

• 1) short lace-up leather work boot that is relatively lightweight and breathable,
• 2) a taller, leather slip on boot with cowboy styling, or
• 3) a knee-length heavy-duty waterproof rubber or synthetic boot with a modified wedge sole and significantly more color options than black. 

Our recommendations vary significantly from the ones for workers in welding or construction, for good reason. Working on a natural surface like a muddy pasture or a large desert lawn puts different strain on your feet; your work boots need to meet the challenge. 

Good to Know:

If you’re a landscaper, gardener, arborist or perform any other work that requires non slip safety shoes, at the University of California, you might be entitled to a pair of anti slip footwear. Check if you are eligible here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What companies make great rubber boots for farm work?

There are SO many rubber boots available, most of which look attractive, and some of which are definitely fashion statements, especially in women’s styles. However, many of these are just not sturdy enough for farm work.  If you’re looking for a solid rubber boot that you can wear on muddy days—or in muddy places—you might want to start with the offerings by one of these companies:

·         Muck Boots

Boots made by a company with “muck” in the name just sound like they belong on the feet of a farmer who is working hard. Muck makes a whole line of rubber work boots in men’s and women’s sizes. Many receive great customer feedback. Muck boots aren’t cheap, but they hold up well and fit comfortably.

·         Ariat

better known for their cowboy boots and clothing, ARIAT nonetheless makes rubber boots for farm work that customers like and can handle muddy chores. They are comparably priced with Muck boot styles.

·         Croc’s

Some of Croc’s boots fit better into the fashion category, but a few are built to handle chores around the farm. Generally, they are less expensive and not quite are tall as the rubber work boots from ARIAT or Muck Boots.

If I need a pair of boots for tree work, what features should I be sure they have?

Loggers and arborists who do daily work with trees need boots that are really rugged and protective. Falling branches, rough terrain, and lots of slippery, muddy conditions require boots that are really tough. Here are some popular features of boots for tree work:

·         Safety toe

A safety toe (of steel, composite or aluminum) can mean the difference between walking from the job site, grateful for a protective boot, or being hauled to an ambulance hoping you’ll be able to walk comfortably again once your broken toes heal.

·         Met guard

Due to the real danger of falling branches that have sharp protrusions, many loggers opt for extra protection for their metatarsal bones. A met guard makes a boot stiffer and a little more cumbersome, but protects the small bones at the top of the foot.

·         Thick, slip-resistant, lugged sole

People need to be especially sure-footed when working with trees. A rubber, or other non slip, sole designed with heavy lugs to increase traction help loggers on their feet. Thick soles make boots more puncture resistant.

·         Waterproof

Wet feet make you feel miserable. They also make your feet more prone to diseases like athlete’s foot.

·         Insulated

If you work in a cold winter climate, you’ll want a layer of insulation to protect you from the pain of cold feet and the risk of frostbite.

What work boots for muddy conditions?

Boots that are great for working in muddy conditions need thick, lugged soles. They also need to be waterproof not only water resistent. Depending upon your specific work setting, you may need them to be short to provide maximum mobility or tall to cover all of your calf as well as your foot.

You may need a pull-on boot you can get into quickly, or a lace-up boot that fits very snugly around your ankle. The following work boots for muddy conditions rate well in customer satisfaction:

• Timberland White Ledge Waterproof Workboot
• KEEN Utility – Men’s Mt Vernon 6″ (Steel Toe) Waterproof Work Boot
• Timberland Mens 8 Inch Boondock Waterproof Composite-Toe Working Boot
• Skechers Men’s Relment Pelmo Chukka Waterproof Boot
• Wolverine Men’s Floorhand Waterproof 10″ Soft Toe Work Boot
• EVER BOOTS “Ultra Dry” Men’s Premium Leather Waterproof Work Boots Insulated Rubber Outsole
• TideWe Waterproof Muck Boots, Rain Boot 
• Carhartt Men’s CMF6371 RugFlx6inblkcomp-M
• ARIAT Men’s Sierra Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boot
• Servus XTP 15″ PVC Chemical-Resistant Steel Toe Men’s Work Boots
• Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus Ii Suede Waterproof Boot, Breathable with High-Traction Grip