Updated 23 September 2018 by James
After years and hundreds of hours of testing & reviewing, we have strong opinions about what makes the best black work boots: full-grain leather upper, comfort and safety functions, breathability.
The Thorogood Men’s American Heritage (On special until end September 2018) has all those features and beats it’s competition hands down. They are the most supportive work boots. They are also comfortable, insulated, breathable and cute. They also offer you excellent traction. The Thorogood Boots are built with extreme craftsmanship and expertise to give you a durable and reliable product. They have the ultra, rugged tobacco tanned leather; thus making them perfect for both working on concrete floors and hustling in the streets.
Top Black Boots Overall
Men's
Well-rounded, great value
✔ High quality
✔ Functional
Our top pick
Awesome value
✔ Moderately priced
✔ Comfortable and slip-resistant
* On special until end September 2018
Women's
Great features
✔ Cushy and roomy toe box
✔ Supportive
Our top pick
Well-rounded, great value
✔ Secure
✔ Insulated
* On special until end September 2018
Select Your Type Of Work Boots
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It had been two years of job hunting without any luck for Mark. He was at a point of depression and hard-core bankruptcy when lady luck finally winked at him; he got a gig as a warehouse associate at the Jack and Jill Warehouse. Mark was a design graduate, but since he had had enough, he willingly accepted the offer and got down to work.
With this compiled list of top ten best work boots, you can weigh the pros and cons of individual products and figure out the perfect boot for yourself or your employees. Our reviews give you honest buying advice that you can trust. We also do provide unbiased Ratings to help you choose the best for your needs.
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One of the requirements at work was having safety gear. So an excited Mark went ahead to purchase some black boots. He did not know head or tail about work shoes, and thus, he opted to get the most fashionable black kicks. After searching from one shop to another, Mark finally landed on his perfect shoes; those that would give him an edge over his colleagues. He was not about to have a ‘meh’ look just because he was working in a warehouse. His fashion-design dream was still in play.
Just three weeks into the job, he started getting irritable and complained about feeling tired all day. His legs were in unbearable pain. His toes were bruised and callused. His arches were also in agony. Thus, he did less than he was supposed to do. He was about to get fired when a fellow employee advised him to get better shoes. He heeded the advice, owing not to care about his fashion sense. Well, maybe a little, but he was not about to get back to work with ill-fitting shoes. So, after getting the shoes and working extra hard, he went on to receive the best employee award the following month.
Just like Mark, we tend to obsess over fashion, while ignoring other important aspects about work boots. Every single detail about a kick goes a long way into giving you a work-shoe that will make your life at work easy. That is the reason why we narrowed down the ten work boots in the market at the moment. These shoes give you not only comfort and style but also safety, durability, insulation, versatility, among other outstanding qualities. So, check it now and your feet will be thanking you!
Get On Your Grind without Sacrificing Style with These Magnificent Work Boots
Sometimes, especially when you are having one of those long days at work, shoes or rather boots, can be uncomfortable and the commutes from place to place, make them more unbearable.
However, it doesn’t have to be that way. You can, as the wise say, have it all….at least when it comes to your working boots. To solve this issue, we combed through user reviews, fashion editor picks and more to bring you the top ten pairs of stylish yet comfortable work boots in black you can wear all day long and to and fro work and at happy hour.
With this compiled list of top ten black boots, you can weigh the pros and cons of individual products and figure out the perfect boot for yourself or your employees. Our reviews give you honest buying advice that you can trust. We also do provide unbiased Ratings to help you choose the best for your needs.
What Are They?
They are a recommendation of the law to those who work in tough and dangerous work environments. Employers require their employees to have them on for their protection. A good example of such workplaces includes the military, agricultural farms, hiking and mountaineering organizations, and construction sites. They cover your foot and ankle, while some cover just a little part of the leg. It is worn to protect your foot from water, extreme cold, mud puddles and hazards such as harsh chemicals. They also have slip-resistance thus giving you added traction.
Various working conditions can expose you to numerous risks. So you need to check out the risks you are dealing with carefully and decide which boot suits you best.
How Do They Work?
They protect your feet and legs from water, extreme cold, mud and other hazards such as chemicals. They also offer you added safety support for strenuous work activities that need impeccable traction requirements like mountaineering.
There are boots with composite toe; made up of a combination of plastic, Kevlar aramid fiber, and carbon fiber, and unlike the steel toe boots, they are lighter. Soft toe boots, on the other hand, are comfortable and flexible but still robust enough to provide you with the protection you deserve. They are the best way to minimize and ensure that there are fewer accidents at the workplace.
Why You Should Trust Us
Considering that there are a large number of incredible work boots in the market, we ranked the best ten to help you choose the best for you.
Our guides are honest and sincere. We provide you with all the information you need. We have compiled their pros, cons, features, reviews, and rating.
So, while writing this guide, we put into account the many features to look out for when comparing work boots.
Durability & Support
First of all, we looked into the durability and support features. These include the full-grain leather upper and Dura-tread sole which also doubles up by providing you with reliable slip-resistance services. The steel shank and Goodyear welt construction which gives you support and stability.
Comfort & Safety
Secondly, we considered comfort and safety functions. These include the padded collars and removable EVA midsole/insole that goes out of its way to provide you with top-notch comfort. Security features include the western stitch-detail, round toe, safety/TPU cap and the six-eye lacing system that features tonal stitching.
Other Considerations for Black Working Boots
Other things considered are the breathability, traction, weight, price, and brand of the work boot.
Thus, if you are looking for top-rated work boots with great features, then you will want to check out our Rubber Work Boots guide.
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Video Review
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Common FAQ’s
Q: How Can You Ensure That Your Boots Meet the OSHA Requirements?
A: OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, ensures that working men and women have safe and healthful working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. It adheres to standards that the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) prescribes. So if your boots are ASTM approved, then they undoubtedly meet OSHA requirements. If your shoes are an older design, you might find them compliant with ANSI standards. In either case, the kicks are safe for you.
Q: What Types of Lacing Systems Are There?
A: There are different varieties of lacing systems designed to assist in keeping your work shoes sturdily and snugly fit your feet. Some of the common types of lacing systems include the traditional eyelets which consist of a grommet-like ring punched out of the leather upper, the D-ring hole that allows for quick lacing, and the metal hooks that enable speed lacing or a combination of all those systems.
It is also important to remember that the type of laces you choose goes a long way to offering you safety and comfort. For instance, if you are a rescue worker, you will require standard cotton laces which are a product of synthetic and waterproof materials. If you work in the factory and you regularly get exposure to high heat, you should consider Kevlar-based laces that resist heat and fire.
Q: Which Outsole Construction is the Most Durable?
A: The Goodyear Welt Construction- it is sturdy and water-resistant. The problem is that it tends to cost a lot more than other outsole constructions. Fortunately, though, you can easily re-sole them or repair them than some outsoles.
Quick Summary
They are worn to protect your foot from water, extreme cold, mud puddles and hazards such as harsh chemicals. There are numerous varieties, from steel toe, composite, slip-on, loggers and rubber options. They ensure you are safe as you move through your working days.
They are mostly a part of a work uniform. Employers require their employees to have them on for their protection. A good example of such workplaces includes the military, agricultural farms, hiking and mountaineering organizations, and construction sites.
To come up with the best ones, we did consider durability features such as the leather upper and Dura tread soles. We have also examined safety, comfort and support features like the steel toe cap/TPU cap, padded collars, and the steel shank respectively.
Have a look at ALL of our in-depth & unbiased Guides.
Our Top Choices For Men’s Boots
To come up with the detailed list of the best choices, we considered comfort, safety, durability and support features.
Our top picks are the Skechers USA Men’s Verdict Waterproof WorkBoot. They are the most lightweight. They are also affordable and have the incredible rubber outsole that is oil and slip resistant to give you excellent traction.
Our Top Choices For Women’s Boots
Our favorites are the Under Armour Women’s Valsetz RTS Military WorkBoot. They are the most comfortable. They have the full-length UA microfoam that turns cushioned landings into explosive turn-offs. They also have the UA Clutch Fit Technology that wraps the ankle with lightweight ‘second skin’ for robust support and a fantastic feel.
We have also done a full review on it. Check out the Under Armour Women’s Valsetz RTS Military Workboot Review Now!
View More Black Boots Reviews
We have considered more Best Work Boots than the ones mentioned here. Have a look at all our ‘Work Boots Reviews.’