The 10 Best Work Boots For Electricians
This wiki has been updated 16 times since it was first published in May of 2020. Finding the right pair of work boots is always tricky, but shopping for boots for electricians can be uniquely challenging. The appropriate selection depends on your personal priorities, but whether you're most concerned with arch support, warmth, durability, or protective features, the following options offer significant value and are all ASTM-rated for safe electrical work. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Caterpillar Second Shift
2. Timberland PRO Hyperion
3. Carhartt CMF6366
Editor's Notes
October 16, 2020:
When shopping for work boots for electricians, safety is the number one concern. Each of the selections on this list meet or exceed ASTM standards for electrical work, but some also incorporate additional protections. For instance, if you're working on especially hazardous job sites, the integrated puncture-resistant steel plate on the Timberland PRO Endurance can protect against stray nails or shards of metal.
The construction of the boot is also something worth considering. Goodyear welts like the ones found on the Caterpillar Second Shift and Irish Setter Ashby are reliable, long-lasting, and allow them to be resoled over time. Cement construction boots like the Timberland PRO Titan and Irish Setter Ely, though ruggedly made, must be replaced completely once worn out.
Durability is also tied to the toe of the boots. Soft toe boots like the Irish Setter Ashby tend to be more flexible and comfortable, but the protection offered by a steel toe on boots like the Caterpillar Second Shift not only keeps your appendages safe but helps maintain the structural integrity of the boot, too. Though ASTM-rated steel toes are safe for electrical work, aluminum alloy toes like those on the Timberland PRO Hyperion or composite toes like those seen on the Carhartt CMF6366 provide a still tough but lighter barrier between your feet and the world.
Because electrical work can have you on your feet all day long, comfort plays a major role in picking the right boots. The Wolverine Overpass makes waves in this category thanks to a trademarked design that provides the feel of wearing gym shoes while keeping your feet protected. The Timberland PRO Hyperion and Carhartt CMF6366, on the other hand, utilize pressure redistribution designs to limit strain on your joints and back. In most cases, though, you can swap in an orthotic insert if you prefer.
It's worth your time to try these boots out before buying, though, if only because your comfort is directly tied to the fit of the boots. The Ever Boot Ultra Dry and Timberland PRO Endurance, for example, tend to run quite small, requiring you to order between one to two sizes up for a proper fit. It's important to think about how you'll be wearing the boots when evaluating the fit, too. A boot that feels fine with a pair of ankle socks in the summer may feel very different when you're wearing thick woolen socks during the winter.
Special Honors
Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP Though most work boots are already water-resistant, layering an additional sealant on top of your leather footwear can not only keep your toes drier for longer but extend the overall life of your boots. Originally developed for wildland firefighters' boots, Obenauf's blend of beeswax and a propolis suspension formula offers legendary protection from the elements. obenaufs.com
Bombas Men's Work Boot Calf Socks Just as important as the shoes you put on your feet are the socks you cover them with first. Bombas offers thick, comfortable socks specifically designed to be worn with work boots, and will donate a pair of socks to the homeless community for each one purchased on their site. bombas.com
4. Irish Setter Ashby
5. Timberland PRO Titan
6. Timberland PRO Boondock
7. Wolverine Overpass
8. Ever Boot Ultra Dry
9. Irish Setter Ely
10. Timberland PRO Endurance
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.