The Best Welding Boots

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Welding, like many construction tasks, can be very dangerous if you don’t take the proper precautions to stay safe while you work. When you are welding, it’s recommended to protect yourself by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), including welding pants, welding gloves, a welding jacket, a welding mask, and welding boots. Welding boots are specialized safety shoes that are made with heat-resistant leather and typically feature a steel-toe cap to keep your feet safe from flame, heat, molten-metal spatter, and falling objects.

In order to ensure that you find an appropriate set of welding boots, think about the safety features, available sizes, and construction as well as whether you would prefer laced or pull-on welding boots. Consider this list of some of the best welding boots as you continue reading to learn more about welding boots and how to choose the right pair for your next project.

1. BEST OVERALL: Irish Setter Two Harbors Men’s 83906 Pull-On Boot
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Rockrooster Men’s 6″ Brown Waterproof Work Boots
3. BEST WITH MET GUARD: Iron Age Men’s Groundbreaker IA5016 Work Boot
4. BEST STEEL TOE: Cat Footwear Revolver Steel Toe Work Boot
5. BEST INSULATED SOLE: MooseLog Women’s Steel Toe Work Safety Boots
6. BEST PULL-ON: Dr. Martens Icon 2295 Steel Toe Slip-On Work Boots
7. BEST LACED: Timberland Pro Men’s MetGuard Steel Toe Work Boot
8. BEST PULL-ON FOR WOMEN: Dr. Martens Arbor Women’s Newark Steel Toe Work Boots
9. BEST LACED FOR WOMEN: Timberland Pro Women’s Titan 6″ Alloy Toe Work Boot

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Welding Boots

Don’t make a hurried decision when you are trying to select a pair of welding boots. Take some time to consider the type, safety features, boot construction, and sole construction. When you have found some suitable choices that will keep you safe, further narrow the selection by taking into account the comfort, support, and style of the boots.

Laced vs. Pull-On

There are two main types of welding boots: laced and pull-on.

• Laced welding boots are comfortable, flexible, adjustable, and generally better for user mobility, which is incredibly helpful for those who need to move, bend, or work in difficult positions. However, a major drawback of laced welding boots is that the laces are often vulnerable to fire. To circumvent this problem, use Kevlar laces that are resistant to fire and heat.
• Pull-on welding boots are easy to put on and take off, though they typically require about a week to properly break in. These boots generally extend up past the ankle to provide more protection than laced welding boots. Just keep in mind that the bulky size can make these boots less comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Water, Heat, and Burn Resistance 

The primary purpose for wearing welding boots is to help ensure that the wearer is protected from flames, heat, molten-metal spatter, and more. A quality pair of welding boots is made with tough leather and can resist temperatures of up to 570 degrees Fahrenheit for about a minute.

The soles of the boots also need to be considered because wearing welding boots with insulated soles can help prevent accidental electrocution. Plus, water can be a factor on a busy work site, so welding boots that are waterproof or at least water-resistant can help feet stay dry. This is a matter of comfort, but it also reduces the chance of accidental electrocution by preventing water from pooling in the bottom of boots. If at all possible, completely avoid working in water or while standing on conductive material, like a steel plate.

Boot and Sole Construction

As mentioned above, welding boots need to be made with heat-resistant material to keep the wearer safe. Welding boot manufacturers rely on the durability, insulation, and flexibility of leather to make heat-resistant products capable of resisting temperatures up to 570 degrees Fahrenheit for a duration of 60 seconds. The soles of welding boots typically have a lower heat resistance, maxing out at about 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, this is because the soles are made with an insulating material to protect the wearer from accidental electrocution. An additional layer of protection can be offered with welt construction, which refers to boots that have a leather component between the leather boot and the sole. Just keep in mind that footwear with the sole directly attached to the boot is generally lighter and more comfortable.

Safety Toe

One of the most common additions to a pair of work boots is a safety toe cap. This toe cap can be made with layered leather for a soft toe with mild impact resistance, but it is more commonly made with steel to provide the boot with a solid protective shield. The toe cap in a welding boot will almost always be made with steel because the metal toe cap can handle high temperatures, flame, and molten-metal spatter without a problem.

Alloy toe caps are lighter than steel toe caps, making them a good alternative for those who have to do a lot of walking. However, alloy toe caps don’t have the same durability as steel toe caps. Another lighter alternative to steel are composite toe caps, though these products tend to be bulky and make it more difficult to move. In most cases, a steel safety toe cap is the best option.

Metatarsal Guard

Similar to a safety toe cap, a metatarsal guard, or met guard, is designed to keep feet safe while working. The difference is that toe caps protect toes while met guards sit on the top of the foot, covering metatarsal bones or metatarsus. These guards are typically made with composite steel, alloy steel, aluminum, or stainless steel.

Laced welding boots can come with met guards that sit on top of the laces, providing protection against falling objects and helping to prevent laces from igniting. Generally, pull-on welding boots do not have an exterior metatarsal guard, but some products may have a built-in met guard that extends from the toe cap across the top of the foot.

Comfort and Support 

When standing for a long period of time, comfort and support can be just as important as safety. Ideally, users feel comfortable while wearing welding boots, though it may take about a week for some pairs of welding boots to get fully broken in. This is due to the tough, durable leather that is used to make the welding boots.

After finding a few potential options that are suitable for welding safely, consider the style, comfort level, and available sizes to find a pair of welding boots that suit personal preferences. Calf-length welding boots will typically weigh more than ankle-height welding boots, and these bulky products can also reduce flexibility and mobility.

Our Top Picks

This list of some of the best welder boots was put together based on the comfort, support, construction, type, availability of sizes, and safety features (like metatarsal guards and safety toe caps) in order to give you a variety of choices to find the best welding boot style for your next project.

Best Overall

Irish Setter Two Harbors Men's 83906 Pull-On Boot

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Welding is dangerous. It involves heat, molten metal, and electricity, so welders need a pair of boots designed for welding, like this pull-on set of Irish Setter boots that can keep them safe from the wide range of hazards they deal with regularly. These boots are made of full-grain leather and have an insulated sole that is intended to reduce the risk of accidental electrocution. However, the sole can also withstand high temperatures of up to 475 degrees Fahrenheit, protecting the wearer from heat, flame, and molten-metal spatter.

This pair of welding boots is available in a range of sizes, and the boots have a steel toe cap and a waterproof design for additional protection. However, they aren’t the best option for long-term use because of the bulky size and heavy weight.

Product Specs 

• Type: Pull-on
• Material: Full-grain leather, steel toe
• Sizes: Men’s 8 to 14, men’s wide 8 to 13

Pros

• Insulated sole
• Waterproof construction
• Steel toe cap
• Sole can withstand temps up to 475 degrees Fahrenheit

Cons

• Heavy and bulky

Get the Irish Setter welding boots on Amazon or at Irish Setter Boots.

Best Bang for the Buck

Rockrooster Men’s 6" Brown Waterproof Work Boots

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Choose from a variety of toe-cap options with the laced Rockrooster Work Boots that are available with a soft toe cap, composite toe cap, and steel toe cap to keep the wearer’s feet safe from falling objects. These full-grain leather boots are resistant to heat, flame, and molten-metal spatter. Additionally, they are designed to be waterproof, so users don’t need to worry about puddles forming in their boots.

These boots feature a puncture-resistant Kevlar layer in the soles to prevent a nail or any other sharp object from piercing the bottom of the boot. There is a modest range of sizes available for men, but this boot isn’t currently available in women’s sizes. Just keep in mind that these boots ‌have exposed laces, so it may be a good idea to invest in new Kevlar laces to avoid fire hazards.

Product Specs 

• Type: Laced
• Material: Full grain leather, steel toe (composite and soft toe available)
• Sizes: Men’s wide 6 to 14

Pros

• Affordable option
• Waterproof construction
• Wide-fitting toe cap for improved comfort
• Puncture-resistant sole

Cons

• Laces are vulnerable to flame
• Does not have a met guard

Get the Rockrooster welding boots on Amazon or at Rockrooster.

Best with Met Guard

Iron Age Men's Groundbreaker IA5016 Work Boot

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Frustrating moments happen on the jobsite, like a heavy tool missing the steel toe cap and hitting the top of the foot. However, with this pair of Iron Age welding boots, wearers can at least feel certain that the metatarsal bones are adequately protected by the built-in met guard. These boots also have a steel toe cap so that the entire top and front of the foot is protected from falling objects.

Made of full-grain leather, including welt construction for additional safety, this pair of welding boots is resistant to heat, flame, spatter, and electrical hazards. The boots are manufactured in a wide assortment of men’s sizes. It’s also important to mention that while the met guard covers most of the lace in each boot, the laces are still exposed at the top.

Product Specs 

• Type: Laced
• Material: Full-grain leather, steel toe, metatarsal guard
• Sizes: Men’s 6 to 14, men’s wide 6 to 13

Pros

• Build-in met guard
• Wide assortment of sizes for men
• Slip-resistant and heat-resistant sole
• Welt construction for added safety

Cons

• Semi-exposed laces

Get the Iron Age welding boots on Amazon or at Iron Age Footwear.

Best Steel Toe

Cat Footwear Revolver Steel Toe Work Boot

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Falling tools or heavy objects may not seem like a big deal, but an injury from this type of accident can be severe depending on the weight of the object. To stay safe on the jobsite, it’s necessary to have a pair of work boots with a protective safety toe cap. The Cat Revolver Work Boot features steel toe caps for this exact purpose and moisture-wicking lining to improve comfort.

Pull the welding boots on with the dual-pull handles located on either side of each boot; users won’t need to struggle to grip slippery sides or hold on to a dirty sole. The full-grain leather boot and rubber soles protect the user from heat, flame, spatter, and accidental electrocution. These boots are also available in women’s sizes.

Product Specs 

• Type: Pull-on
• Material: Full-grain leather, steel toe
• Sizes: Men’s 7 to 14, men’s wide 7 to 13; women’s 5 to 11

Pros

• Lightweight and comfortable
• Moisture-wicking lining
• Slip-resistant and heat-resistant sole
• Dual-pull handles

Cons

• Adding insoles can make them more comfortable for all-day wear

Get the Cat Footwear welding boots on Amazon or at Cat Footwear.

Best Insulated Sole

MooseLog Women's Steel Toe Work Safety Boots

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Electricity is a very real hazard on the jobsite and at home, so it’s important to have welding shoes with insulated soles, like this pair of MooseLog Safety Boots. Designed for work in the trades and avid DIYers, these welding boots have puncture-resistant soles to keep the wearer safe from nails, screws, and other sharp objects that could otherwise pierce the bottom of the boot. The soles also insulate the wearer, lowering the chance of accidental electrocution.

A breathable mesh lining inside the boots increases user comfort by improving the airflow to the wearer’s feet to help reduce sweating. These boots are made of full-grain leather with a steel toe cap to protect from heat, flame, spatter, and falling objects, though the low-cut style offers less protection to the wearer’s legs and ankles. A men’s version is also available.

Product Specs 

• Type: Pull-on
• Material: Full-grain leather, steel toe
• Sizes: Women’s wide 6 to 10; men’s wide 7 to 13

Pros

• Puncture-resistant and electricity-resistant sole
• Breathable mesh lining improves comfort
• Slip-resistant for better mobility

Cons

• Low-cut boot offers less protection

Get the MooseLog welding boots on Amazon or at MooseLog.

Best Pull-on

Dr. Martens Icon 2295 Steel Toe Slip-On Work Boots

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If the idea of flammable laces seems like a bad choice for welding boots, then these pull-on Dr. Martens welding boots may be a more attractive alternative. The boots come in a wide range of sizes, including multiple options for both men and women. The sole is made to be slip-resistant to keep wearers safe from slips, trips, and falls while they work. It also provides protection against heat, flame, and spatter, though the boot can feel heavy and bulky to individuals who are used to low-cut work boots or work shoes.

This pair of welding boots features an EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) footbed and padded ankle supports for added comfort, while the welt construction provides an additional layer of resistance and security.

Product Specs 

• Type: Pull-on
• Material: Tumbled leather, steel toe
• Sizes: Men’s 4 to 14, men’s wide 8 to 15

Pros

• Men’s and women’s sizes available
• Slip-resistant and heat-resistant sole
• Welt construction for added safety
• EVA footbed and padded ankle support

Cons

• Heavy and bulky

Get the Dr. Martens Icon welding boots on Amazon or at Ossiné Shoes.

Best Laced

Timberland Pro Men's MetGuard Steel Toe Work Boot

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Pull-on welding boots avoid the problem of laces but can feel uncomfortable and bulky. So, if mobility, flexibility, and comfort are the primary deciding factors in the search for new welding boots, these laced Timberland boots are a great option. The boots are waterproof and have a mid-cut height to help ensure the top of the ankle and bottom of the leg are protected from heat, flame, and spatter.

A steel toe cap and built-in metatarsal guard on the top of the boot protects the wearer from dropped tools and other heavy objects, while the soles provide resistance to abrasion, slipping, and oil. These shoes are expensive, but they may be worth the premium price, especially considering the welt construction with Kevlar thread for additional protection and insulation.

Product Specs 

• Type: Laced
• Material: Full-grain leather, steel toe, metatarsal guard
• Sizes: Men’s 7 to 15, men’s wide 7 to 15

Pros

• Waterproof construction
• Built-in met guard
• Welt construction with Kevlar thread
• Abrasion-, slip-, and oil-resistant soles

Cons

• High price
• Partially exposed laces

Get the Timberland Pro Men’s welding boots on Amazon or at Timberland.

Best Pull-on for Women

Dr. Martens Arbor Women's Newark Steel Toe Work Boots

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It can be difficult to find appropriate safety boots in a male-dominated field, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. These pull-on Dr. Martens welding boots are both comfortable and effective for keeping the wearer safe from heat, flames, molten-metal spatter, and falling objects. The boots feature steel toe caps and an insulating sole to help lower the risk of accidental electrocution.

Comfort is a factor that can be overlooked in the search for welding boots, but wearers can work for hours in these boots because of the waffled memory-foam padding that improves breathability by allowing air to move around the foot. The tumbled-leather boot is heat sealed and welted onto the outsole for additional protection and insulation, though the low-cut style does not cover the top of the ankle or lower calf.

Product Specs 

• Type: Pull-on
• Material: Tumbled leather, steel toe
• Sizes: Women’s 5 to 11

Pros

• Specifically made for women
• Memory-foam padding for enhanced breathability
• Slip-resistant for better mobility
• Moisture-wicking liner to reduce sweat

Cons

• Limited sizes available
• Low-cut boot offers less protection

Get the Dr. Martens Arbor welding boots on Amazon or Zappos.

Best Laced for Women

Timberland Pro Women's Titan 6" Alloy Toe Work Boot

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Flexibility and comfort are important for welders who are on their feet for hours at a time, which is why laced boots, like these Timberland welding boots, are an excellent option for user safety at home or on the jobsite. These boots are made for women and are available in a wide range of sizes from women’s 5.5 to 11 to women’s wide 5.5 to 11.

The full-grain leather boot is resistant to heat, flames, and molten-metal spatter, while the soles protect against electricity and heat. Speed-lacing grommets make these boots easier to put on and take off, but the exposed laces can be a fire hazard, so it’s recommended to invest in fire-resistant Kevlar laces.

Product Specs 

• Type: Laced
• Material: Full-grain leather, steel toe
• Sizes: Women’s 5.5 to 11, women’s wide 5.5 to 11

Pros

• Specifically made for women
• Mesh lining for improved airflow
• Slip-resistant for better mobility
• Heat-resistant and electricity-resistant sole

Cons

• Exposed lace

Get the Timberland Pro women’s welding boots on Amazon or at Timberland.

Our Verdict

The Irish Setter welding boots are a great choice for users who want a pair of durable, heat-resistant pull-on boots. However, if you are looking for a more affordable option or prefer laced welding boots over the pull-on style, then the Rockrooster welding boots may be the way to go.

How We Chose the Best Welding Boots

Any time an item or article of clothing is required to keep an individual safe during a specific task, the primary factor for consideration needs to be the ability of the product to protect the user. With this in mind, we conducted extensive research to find the top choices for this list from more than 35 options. Safety was the priority during the selection process, but it was also necessary to consider the available sizes, types, construction, and any additional features that could help a pair of welding boots stand out from similar products.

The best welding boots needed to be able to protect the wearer adequately from flame, heat, and molten-metal spatter. To achieve this level of protection, the products we selected were typically made with heat-resistant leather and had a safety toe cap. Some welding boots also came with a metatarsal guard to prevent damage to the top of the wearer’s foot.

Laced and pull-on welding boots were both included in the list of the best boots for welding in men’s and women’s options because individuals may have different preferences based on type. While laces can pose a fire risk during welding, making the switch to pull-on boots may not be a choice some people are willing to make.

FAQs

If you’re still unsure about the best boots for welders, take a look below to find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about welding boots.

Q. Why do I need proper welding boots?

While you may be able to get away with standard safety boots for light-duty welding projects, the best shoes for welding need to be resistant to flame, heat, and molten-metal spatter.

Additionally, it’s recommended to have boots with a protective toe and a metatarsal guard. The best met guard boots prevent heavy metal or other objects from crushing the top of the foot, while toes can be kept safe from flame, heat, and falling objects if you rely on a pair of the best steel-toe boots for welding.

Q. What makes a good welding boot?

The best work boots for welders need to be able to keep the wearer safe from flame, heat, and molten-metal spatter. Boots also need to be comfortable and come with a safety toe to protect feet from falling objects. The best welding shoes are typically pull-on or laced welding boots with a metatarsal guard.

Q. How long should a good pair of welding boots last?

The lifespan of a pair of welding boots depends on the frequency with which the boots are worn. If they are only worn every so often for DIY welding projects, then a good set of welding boots could last several years. However, for workers who need to wear their boots every day, the average lifespan of a pair of welding boots is about 1 to 2 years.

Q. Can electricity from welding pass through welding boots?

Even with the best welding work boots, electricity can still pass through the boots, so it’s important to take additional safety measures. Avoid standing in water, on wet surfaces, or working with wet or sweaty hands.

If you need to stand on steel or another conductive material, it’s recommended to place an insulating mat under the welder. Also, never grasp or move the welding electrode holder and the welding return cable simultaneously if the power source is still active.

Q. What should I not wear when welding?

When you are welding, do not wear rings, bracelets, or other jewelry. Also avoid clothing made from synthetic materials or synthetic blends because this type of fabric burns easily, melting and sticking to the wearer. While layers of clothing are great for staying safe and warm, too many layers can lead to heat exhaustion in warm conditions. Additional layers can also cause excessive sweating, which can increase the risk of electrocution.