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Oct 15, 2024

10 Most Comfortable Steel Toe Shoes, Tested by Gear Editors

Thorogood American Heritage 8" Moc Toe and Wolverine Overpass Carbonmax came out on top in our testing. Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on

Thorogood American Heritage 8" Moc Toe and Wolverine Overpass Carbonmax came out on top in our testing.

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?

WHEN LOOKING FOR an every day work shoe, safety should be your number one concern, but that doesn’t require sacrificing comfort. When it comes to protecting your feet, and especially your toes, the most comfortable steel toe shoes will keep you snug and secure all day. Anyone who spends long hours on their feet knows that the interior of your footwear is just as important as the exterior. Complete protection from every hazard imaginable doesn’t matter if you're left hurting from the waist down at the end of the day. So finding steel toe shoes with proper heel and arch support, cushioning, and flexibility is crucial to getting the job done.

It is important to point out that steel toe shoes cover a category of footwear designed to protect your feet and body from a range of potential hazards faced on the job. Along with having a reinforced built in toe cap, modern safety shoes come equipped with a list of features that protect against everything from slipping on oil slicks to shocks by electric current. Non-slip soles are standard issue for all work boots. The best ones feature tougher materials than dress boots to protect your feet from heat.

A staggering amount of protective footwear is available on the internet. So we tested out some of the highest rated options from many of our favorite brands, like Skechers, Wolverine, and Thorogood, with a focus on longlasting comfort. From old school moc toe boots to cutting edge composite material sneakers, here are the most comfortable steel toe shoes available to keep your dogs safe on the job.

Top grade protection in a traditional package, this steel toe boot from Thorogood will have you looking stylish on and off the job. We love its rich oiled leather, which will only look better with age. The moc toe construction provides a roomy toe box that doesn’t cramp, an extra high ankle provides plenty of support, and a grippy outsole can prevent slipping.

What really won up over with this boot was the removable orthopedic insert that provides exceptional cushioning in the heel and arch. This boot is truly built for a lifetime, as the insole can be replaced when it flattens out, and the outsole can be resoled when it wears out. The rich leather upper just needs a little moisturizing now and again to stand the test of time.

Wolverine packed the Overpass CarbonMAX with seemingly every piece of protective tech available for safety footwear. Built from a combination of tough leather and cutting edge synthetic materials, the outsole and upper are remarkably lightweight and flexible. While the mid length height provides ample ankle support and plenty of padding.

Even though these boots look tough as nails, we were struck with how easily they move. There isn’t much more resistance than a pair of leather athletic sneakers, which keeps you light on your feet all day. A removable OthoLite footbed molds to your feet for optimal cushioning and can easily be replaced if needed.

With four and a half stars from over 17,000 reviews on Amazon, the Second Shift boot from Cat Footwear is one of the most recommended steel toe shoes on the internet. And after testing these boots out for a week, we're happy report that it lives up to the hype. For under $100, you get everything you need out of a safety shoe, with ample comfort on top. A cushioned insole, padded ankle, and super flexible outsole make for all day comfort. We love the mesh lining and quick loop lace ties that allow for ample breathability. Also, the overall weight is extremely light for a safety boot.

If you’re shopping for a steel toe shoe on a budget, this is definitely the way to go. It provides everything you need and meets all ASTM safety regulations. The only drawback is going to be long term durability.

These boots may look like the OG Timberlands, one of the most popular shoes ever made, but they are actually outfitted with way more safety features. To begin with, the composite safety toe meets all ASTM standards. Beefed up traction on the outsole protects against slips on everything from ice to oil spills. While it looks like the trademark Timberland leather, the upper is actually thicker to provide more protection and support.

The padded ankle doesn’t just help set Timberland boots apart visually, it provides extra comfort. There is a molded EVA insole that provides cushioning for the bottom of your feet as well. Most safety shoes don’t pass the style test, which isn’t the point, but it is certainly a bonus when they do. We love the old school streetwear appeal of these boots while still getting all the protection and comfort needed.

You don’t always need the full coverage of a boot on the job. Skechers makes an excellent composite toe sneaker that protects your feet while providing more mobility and breathability than any boot can offer. The slim resistant outsole passes the test for any hazardous work environment, from food service to warehouse operation. Along with the reinforced toe, the tough textile upper protects against liquids and falling objects. An all black color scheme avoids stains from spills and splatters and the fabric easily wipes clean.

Skechers is one of the most dependable brands for workplace footwear. Our style editors have had plenty of experience rocking generic all black safety sneakers in past jobs. What really stood out about these ones is how much you don’t notice the composite toe. So if you can afford to spend a little extra on your work shoes, having that extra layer of protection is helpful and you won’t even notice it is there until you need it.

Wet feet are the worst, especially when you have a job to do. So any time you have to work around water, we recommend invesing in completely moistureproof shoes. Bogs makes some of the best waterproof footwear on the market, including this steel toe shoe with added safety features. It is based on the brand’s signature high boot with an elastic cuff ankle that seals out liquids and locks in body heat. This particular model comes with a reinforced toe box that meets ASTM standards, as well as added traction to prevent falls on any type of slippery surface. Along with being completely waterproof and impact resistant, these boots are remarkably warm.

Our style editors enjoyed wearing these boots way more than they expected because of how cozy they feel. The high elastic cuff hugs your ankle and calf but it is completely flexible. Cushioning from the insole provides plenty of support. All in all, this safety boot wears like a warm cocoon for your feet and ankles.

The funny thing about Blundstone being one of the most popular shoe brands in the world right now is that its Chelsea boots were originally designed purely for function and not fashion. All that comfort, durability, and water resistance has helped make the Australian company so popular. For added protection, there is a steel toe model that also features an upgraded outsole for extra traction. Other than a beefier bottom, the Work Chelsea Boot looks pretty much the same as the ultra trendy slip-on boot that we all know and love.

Blundstone boots are already super functional, which is why we love them just as much as everyone else seems to. So finding a version that passes ASTM safety measures while looking pretty much the same was a pleasant surprise. Despite the added weight from the outsole and steel toe, these felt pretty much exactly the same as the standard models we’ve worn before. So if you’re looking for a boot that works both on and off the job, we highly recommend this one.

Wolverine does old fashioned work boots just as well as cutting-edge protective shoes. With an alpine sole, chunky moc toe, and richly textured leather, these boots are just really nice to look at. A removable footbed provides a ton of cushioning for your feet. The richly treated leather is very flexible, requiring very little breaking in. Even though the ankle is unlined, a padded collar prevents blisters. On top of all that, the classic steel toe reinforcement provides an extra level of protection.

Safety features aside, we love these boots for how comfortable and stylish they are. The wedge shaped alpine sole is made from a polyurethane that provides both cushioning and a little bounce in every step. You can get just as much wear out of these boots off the job as you can on the clock. Best of all, the Goodyear welt allows for resoling, so these boots will last a very long time.

For jobs that keep you out in cold winter weather, you need more than just a reinforced toe box. Look for a high ankle shaft packed with plenty of insulation and a weather resistant outer shell, along with a slip-resistant outsole. Carhartt makes a perfect example with this composite toe boot. The entire vamp is solid rubber to keep out moisture and the cutting edge LiteFire insulation system locks in body heat like a down jacket without all the bulk. No amount of rain, wind, or snow will stand in your way with these bad boys.

Superior traction is probably the most overlooked feature in winter boots. Fortunately, we found the outsole of these boots had plenty of grip on wet surfaces. The tire-like tread is thick enough to trudge through packed snow.

The best steel toe shoes are not only protective and comfortable, but they can take a beating too. Timberland PRO makes a work boot that does all three of those things and looks good, to boot. The Pit Boss is one of the most popular work boots on Amazon with four and a half stars on over 28,000 reviews. Almost all of our testers noted its top-level durability and comfortable fit. The 24/7 Comfort System provides orthopedic level support and cushioning from the insole and outsole.

Looking the part may not make a boot any safer, but it is certainly a feature we all look for. We love these steel toe boots because they look tough but stylish, which is exactly what we expect a work boot to be. Three colors are available, including Timberland’s signature wheat tan. However, we recommend going with the black for most jobs because it will help conceal stains and scuffs.

Safety Rating: Without getting tangled up in technical jargon, we recommend looking for the ASTM F2413 safety rating when shopping for protective footwear. It is an acronym for the American Society for Testing and Materials, which sets the standard for workplace safety features. This rating means that steel toe shoes not only protect from impact, but also from impalement, fire, and eclectic shock.

Cushioned Insole: Just as with any shoe, well cushioned insoles will make all the difference for long term wear. Appropriate heel and arch support will absorb the shock of each step, which is made even more important when wearing hefty gear or carrying heavy materials. A built-in insole is great but a removable insole is even better because it can be replaced over time and allows for customized orthotics to be used instead.

Breathable Material: Breathability is just as important with work shoes as it is with running sneakers. No matter what the job is, your feet will sweat and if that sweat is locked in, it will cause irritation. The best steel toe safety shoes are made of materials that allow moisture of get out and fresh air to get in.

Ankle Support: Not all jobs require steel toe shoes also require ankle support, but it is never a bad thing to have. Having a pair of boots or sneakers that go above the ankle and provide extra stabilization will make just about any physical job easier on your body. Having a high ankle boot also adds a layer of protection, not only from cold weather and moisture, but from impacts, sharp objects, and fire.

While steel toe is the common label for any shoe with a reinforced toe cap built into the upper, many modern options actually use a composite material instead of steel. So which is better? The short answer is that there is no real functional difference between steel and composite toe caps. As long as the shoe comes with an ASTM rating, the toe cap will protect against impact and compression regardless of which material is used.

In general, steel tends to be a little more expensive but some composite materials actually cost more than steel. With any good quality shoe, the difference ends up having little effect on the overall price. Traditional steel toe caps weigh a bit more than composite alternatives, but this difference is negligible compared to the overall weight of most safety shoes. If weight is your concern, looking for modern lightweight materials in the sole and upper will be far more effective.

For the past two years, we consulted with Men's Health's own style and gear editors and writers on the top steel toe shoes for men. Experts including our fashion director, Ted Stafford, and our gear and commerce editor, John Thompson, put dozens of top-selling men's work boots through the wringer to evaluate everything from fit and support to price and durability.

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