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Work boots are crucial footwear for jobs and projects requiring foot and ankle protection, but they don’t all offer the level of support that Ariat work boots provide. Recently, I recruited my husband, a contractor and outdoorsman, to try out two pairs: the Ariat Rebar Lift work boots and the Ariat Turbo Chelsea work boots.
He wore each pair of Ariat boots to work for 2 weeks, climbing ladders, navigating roofs and slippery surfaces, and spending long hours on his feet. Keep reading to discover how these work boots performed and whether one of these styles might be right for you.
Ariat Rebar Lift: At a Glance
Our rating: 4.8/5
| Specs | |
| Style | Lace-up |
| Materials | Premium full-grain leather, Smartlite sole |
| Safety Toe | No |
| Heel Height | 1.25 inches |
| Shaft Height | 5 inches |
| Special Features | Waterproof, breathable, lightweight, ASTM F2892 EH, ASTM F3445 SR |
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like | |
| Comfortable out of the box | No safety toe | |
| Durable top-grain leather uppers | Pricey compared to some other brands | |
| Electrical hazard protection | ||
| Good ankle support and flexibility | ||
| Water- and slip-resistant |
Ariat Turbo Chelsea: At a Glance
Our rating: 4.5/5
| Specs | |
| Style | Pull-on |
| Materials | Premium full-grain leather, high-density TPE sole |
| Safety Toe | Yes, carbon |
| Heel Height | 1.5 inches |
| Shaft Height | 6 inches |
| Special Features | Waterproof, breathable, cushioning midsole, ASTM F2413 M/I/C EH, ASTM F3445 SR |
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like | |
| Comfortable with flexible elastic insets | Less ankle support than lace-up styles | |
| Waterproof yet breathable | Pricey compared to some other brands | |
| Electrical hazard protection | ||
| Lightweight; carbon safety toe | ||
| Good traction on wet and oily surfaces |
Testing Ariat Work Boots
In addition to wearing the boots, we subjected both pairs to a handful of extra tests to see how well they performed, including for water resistance, slip resistance, puncture resistance, and comfort. We also impact tested the boots with a safety toe (Ariat Turbo Chelsea) to assess if their carbon toe reinforcement would collapse under heavy dropped weight.
We assessed each pair of boots for build quality and awarded points based on their performance and our observations. Ultimately, both pairs of Ariat boots fared well, with the Rebar Lift boots earning a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars and the Turbo Chelsea boots scoring an admirable 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Size and Fit: Comfort Is Key
No matter how good boots look or how well they protect your toes, they’re useless if they’re uncomfortable. You can’t focus fully on the task at hand if you’re cringing with every step because your boots are creating blisters.
Fortunately, Ariat—founded in 1993 by two women passionate about making better boots—field-tests all its footwear, so you’re unlikely to end up with ill-fitting boots as long as you measure and order correctly.
My husband commented that both pairs of Ariat work boots were among the most comfortable work boots he’d ever worn right out of the box. He gave a slight edge to the Turbo Chelsea boots due to their elastic side insets that provide support yet offer a higher degree of flexibility. However, by day three, he felt both pairs were equally comfortable.
Material Matters: Built to Withstand Tough Conditions
If your job involves climbing, walking over unpredictable terrain, or working in hazardous conditions, durable work boots aren’t a luxury—they’re a necessity. Both Ariat boots for men are expertly crafted. The uppers are constructed with premium top-grain leather that resists wear and tear, and the seams are triple-stitched for durability.
Many high-end work boots (and western boots) are made from top-grain leather because it forms to the wearer’s feet over time, creating a custom fit. This type of leather is also easier to clean, which we experienced when wiping down both pairs after they’d been through muddy puddles during water-resistance testing.
The soles on the Rebar Lift boots are made from Smartlite, a high-quality thermoplastic material that offers anti-slip traction without adding undue weight to the boots. Even when testing the boots on a wet tile floor, my husband got good traction.
The Turbo Chelsea boots offered even more traction on the wet floor test. They’re made from dual-density thermoplastic urethane (TPU), which provides a high level of slip resistance for water- and oil-based spills.
Safety Features: Protecting Your Feet
The Turbo Chelsea boots feature a safety toe, while the Rebar Lift boots do not. This is an area where you want the boot to match the type of work you do. Safety-toed boots are worth their weight in gold if you accidentally drop a heavy item on your foot. We tested the Turbo Chelsea safety toes—made from lightweight carbon instead of steel—by dropping a 10-pound bench anvil on both (empty) boots from a height of about 3 feet. The anvil didn’t bend or damage either carbon toe, which we found impressive.
Safety is more than just protecting toes, however. The Rebar Lift work boots provide exceptional ankle support yet offer a measure of flexibility for projects that require walking on inclines, like roofing. These Ariat lace-up boots are also certified to protect the wearer against electrical hazards, making them good boots for linemen or anyone who works around electricity.
The Turbo Chelsea boots also protect the wearer from electrical hazards, and since they don’t lace up, you can remove them quickly if necessary. Both pairs of boots offer ample protection for various work-related hazards.
Ariat Boots for Work: Quality Footwear at a Premium Price
As of this writing, the Ariat Rebar Lift work boots run about $180, and the Ariat Turbo Chelsea work boots cost about $160. Both of these price tags are in the upper price range for most work boots. Still, for many professionals like my husband, these boots represent a solid investment in comfort, durability, and safety.
All styles of Ariat heavy-duty work boots sell for about $120 to $200, similar to Timberland Pro and Brunt work boots. If you’re looking for budget-friendly options that still protect your feet, check out Carhartt, Dickies, and Skechers—brands that all offer some lower-priced styles.
While Ariat boots are relatively costly, they tend to run slightly less than many styles of Danner and Redwing boots. If you insist on the quality of a good pair of Ariat work boots but are not thrilled with the price, consider waiting for traditional sales days, such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Manufacturers will also frequently reduce prices at the end of the summer and winter seasons to make room for new inventory.
Buy the Ariat Rebar Lift work boots at:
Buy the Ariat Turbo Chelsea work boots at:
Product Comparisons
| Ariat Rebar Lift | Ariat Turbo Chelsea | Wolverine Overpass | Carhartt Chelsea | ||
| Price | $179.95 | $158.35 | $119.97 | $149.99 | $350.94 |
| Type | Lace-up | Pull-on | Lace-up | Pull-on | Lace-up |
| Shaft Height | 5 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches | 5 inches | 5.5 inches |
| Safety Toe | No | Carbon | Composite | No | No |
So, Are Ariat work boots right for you?
Before buying any work boots, including the two Ariat work boots we tested, carefully consider your job needs. The Rebar Lift boots offer solid ankle support and protection against electrical hazards, making them well-suited boots for electricians, roofers, and general construction workers. Their lace-up style provides a secure fit, and they rate very well in the comfort department with little or no break-in period. However, these boots don’t offer a safety toe, so they may not be the best option for work environments that pose a risk of dropping or falling heavy objects.
The Turbo Chelsea boots provide excellent toe protection, with the added benefit that the carbon safety toe isn’t as heavy as a steel safety toe. This feature makes them an optimal choice for warehouse workers or anyone who needs extra toe protection. Their pull-on design makes them quick and easy to remove, but they don’t offer as much ankle support as the Rebar Lift boots.
Ultimately, both pairs of Ariat work boots provide excellent comfort and durability. In our hands-on testing, the Rebar Lift boots scored slightly higher because they are more traditional work boots with strong ankle support. However, if you don’t require a high level of ankle support, the Turbo Chelsea boots may be more to your liking.
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a product tester and writer specializing in the construction, remodeling, and real estate industries. She tests a wide range of power tools as well as other home improvement, household, and lawn-and-garden products.