Gear guide
Best steel toe work boots ranked on fit, build and resoleability
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Top picks at a glance
Compare all picks
Closest match for the job
Ariat Sierra Shock Shield 10" steel toe, Goodyear welt
Steel toe meets ASTM F2413 for safety toe and EH, plus F3445 slip resistance.
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Most for the money on paper
Irish Setter Mesabi 8" steel toe logger, 475F sole
Meets ASTM F2413-18 M/I/C and EH, plus ASTM F3445-21 SR, per the listing.
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Most complete listing
Danner Bull Run 6" steel toe, recraftable stitch-down
Steel toe meets or exceeds ASTM F2413-18 I/75 C/75 EH, per the listing.
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Steel is still the most common safety toe, and for good reason: it is thin, strong and usually the least expensive way to meet a safety toe rule. The differences between steel toe boots come down to three things. First, the stated rating, ideally ASTM F2413 with I/75 and C/75 impact and compression. Second, the toe box shape, since a cramped steel cap is what makes a boot painful. Third, the build: a Goodyear welt or stitch-down boot can be resoled, while a cemented or direct-attach boot usually cannot. This guide compares seven steel toe boots priced $150 and up on the rating each listing states, EH rating, waterproofing, construction and height. Facts come from the Amazon listings only, and we flag anything a listing leaves out.
Compare the picks
- Ariat Sierra Shock Shield 10" steel toe, Goodyear welt
- Steel toe rating
- ASTM F2413
- EH rated
- Yes, ASTM F2413
- Waterproof
- Not stated
- Construction
- Goodyear welt, resoleable
- Irish Setter Mesabi 8" steel toe logger, 475F sole
- Steel toe rating
- ASTM F2413-18 M/I/C
- EH rated
- Yes
- Waterproof
- Yes, UltraDry
- Construction
- Goodyear welt
- Danner Bull Run 6" steel toe, recraftable stitch-down
- Steel toe rating
- ASTM F2413-18 I/75 C/75 EH
- EH rated
- Yes
- Waterproof
- No, oiled water-resistant leather
- Construction
- Stitch-down, recraftable
Thorogood American Heritage 8" steel toe moc, MAXWear wedge- Steel toe rating
- ASTM F2413-18
- EH rated
- Yes, ASTM F2413-18
- Waterproof
- Not stated
- Construction
- Not stated
Irish Setter Ely 6" steel toe, direct attach, waterproof- Steel toe rating
- ASTM F2413-18 M/I/C
- EH rated
- Yes
- Waterproof
- Yes, UltraDry
- Construction
- Direct attach
KEEN Utility Pittsburgh 6" steel toe, roomy toe box- Steel toe rating
- ASTM F2412/F2413 I/75 C/75
- EH rated
- Not stated
- Waterproof
- Yes, KEEN.DRY
- Construction
- Not stated
Carolina 8" steel toe logger, waterproof, EH- Steel toe rating
- Not stated
- EH rated
- Yes
- Waterproof
- Yes
- Construction
- Not stated
| Pick | Steel toe rating | EH rated | Waterproof | Construction | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariat Sierra Shock Shield 10" steel toe, Goodyear welt | ASTM F2413 | Yes, ASTM F2413 | Not stated | Goodyear welt, resoleable | - | Amazon |
| Irish Setter Mesabi 8" steel toe logger, 475F sole | ASTM F2413-18 M/I/C | Yes | Yes, UltraDry | Goodyear welt | - | Amazon |
| Danner Bull Run 6" steel toe, recraftable stitch-down | ASTM F2413-18 I/75 C/75 EH | Yes | No, oiled water-resistant leather | Stitch-down, recraftable | - | Amazon |
| Thorogood American Heritage 8" steel toe moc, MAXWear wedge | ASTM F2413-18 | Yes, ASTM F2413-18 | Not stated | Not stated | - | Amazon |
| Irish Setter Ely 6" steel toe, direct attach, waterproof | ASTM F2413-18 M/I/C | Yes | Yes, UltraDry | Direct attach | - | Amazon |
| KEEN Utility Pittsburgh 6" steel toe, roomy toe box | ASTM F2412/F2413 I/75 C/75 | Not stated | Yes, KEEN.DRY | Not stated | - | Amazon |
| Carolina 8" steel toe logger, waterproof, EH | Not stated | Yes | Yes | Not stated | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · ARIAT
Ariat Sierra Shock Shield 10" steel toe, Goodyear welt
See price on AmazonAn unlined western work boot with a steel toe, Shock Shield heel cushioning, an Energy Max insole and a resoleable Goodyear welt on a 10 in. shaft.
What the listing offers
- Steel toe meets ASTM F2413 for safety toe and EH, plus F3445 slip resistance.
- Shock Shield technology diffuses heel impact, and the Energy Max insole is removable.
- Resoleable Goodyear welt and a heat resistant Duratread outsole.
Limits to know
- Unlined leather and no waterproofing are listed.
- Steel toe adds weight compared with Ariat's composite options.
Pick 2 · Irish Setter
Irish Setter Mesabi 8" steel toe logger, 475F sole
See price on AmazonAn 8-inch steel toe logger with a Goodyear welted, heat-resistant HRO logger outsole rated to resist melting at a minimum of 475F. Waterproof and EH rated, at a mid-range price.
What the listing offers
- Meets ASTM F2413-18 M/I/C and EH, plus ASTM F3445-21 SR, per the listing.
- Goodyear welt logger sole and full-grain leather for long service life.
- UltraDry waterproofing and an HRO sole heat resistant to at least 475F.
Limits to know
- The logger heel is aggressive, which suits rough ground more than smooth shop floors.
- The listing does not describe the width of the steel toe box.
Pick 3 · Danner
Danner Bull Run 6" steel toe, recraftable stitch-down
See price on AmazonA 6-inch Bull Run moc toe with a steel toe, non-marking wedge outsole and recraftable stitch-down construction. For carpenters and indoor trades on smooth floors who need a safety toe.
What the listing offers
- Steel toe meets or exceeds ASTM F2413-18 I/75 C/75 EH, per the listing.
- Recraftable stitch-down construction and a non-marking slip-resistant wedge outsole.
- Removable three-density OrthoLite footbed.
Limits to know
- Oiled leather is water resistant, not waterproof.
- The wedge sole is built for smooth surfaces, not mud or rocky sites.
Pick 4 · Thorogood
Thorogood American Heritage 8" steel toe moc, MAXWear wedge
See price on AmazonAn 8-inch steel toe moc toe boot made in the USA, with a MAXWear Wedge outsole rated for ASTM F3445-21 slip resistance and EH protection to ASTM F2413-18.
What the listing offers
- Steel toe and EH resistance both meet ASTM F2413-18, per the listing.
- MAXWear Wedge outsole meets ASTM F3445-21 slip resistance on wet and oily surfaces.
- Made in the USA with a removable dual-density polyurethane shock absorption footbed.
Limits to know
- This listing does not describe the construction, so check resoleability before buying.
- Waterproofing is not stated, and it is one of the pricier steel toe options.
Pick 5 · Irish Setter
Irish Setter Ely 6" steel toe, direct attach, waterproof
See price on AmazonA 6-inch waterproof steel toe boot with direct attach construction, which the listing says makes it more flexible and lightweight. ASTM F2413-18 M/I/C EH rated. The lowest price steel toe here.
What the listing offers
- Meets ASTM F2413-18 M/I/C and EH safety standards, per the listing.
- Direct attach construction is described as watertight, flexible and lightweight.
- UltraDry waterproofing and a non-metallic composite shank for underfoot support.
Limits to know
- The listing does not state that the direct attach sole can be resoled.
- No slip resistance standard is named for the outsole.
Pick 6 · KEEN Utility
KEEN Utility Pittsburgh 6" steel toe, roomy toe box
See price on AmazonA 6-inch waterproof steel toe boot with Keen's roomier asymmetrical steel cap and a full-length TPU torsional plate. Reflective webbing adds visibility.
What the listing offers
- Asymmetrical steel toe design gives a roomier toe box, per the listing.
- KEEN.KEY-TECH FLEX full-length TPU plate for underfoot support.
- Reflective webbing and locking metal lace hooks.
Limits to know
- The listing does not state an EH rating.
- Steel is the heaviest toe option in the Keen lineup, and no slip standard is cited.
Pick 7 · Carolina
Carolina 8" steel toe logger, waterproof, EH
See price on AmazonAn 8-inch waterproof steel toe logger with a triple-rib steel shank, Pillow Cushion memory foam footbed and EH protection. Aimed at linemen and outdoor work.
What the listing offers
- Waterproof construction for wet outdoor work, per the listing.
- Triple-rib steel shank adds support for climbing and uneven ground.
- Electrical hazard protection is stated on the listing.
Limits to know
- The listing does not name an ASTM standard for the steel toe, so confirm the rating on the listing.
- Construction method and outsole slip rating are not stated.
Read before you buy
- Work boot sole separating: repair or replace?Why work boot soles come off, how to glue a small separation, when a cobbler can resole the boot, and when a separating safety boot should be replaced.
- When are safety toe boots required? What OSHA saysOSHA's foot protection rule, the ASTM standards it points to, which jobs need safety toes, and who decides on your site. Plain-English guide.
- Thorogood vs Irish Setter work bootsThorogood vs Irish Setter work boots compared on safety toes, soles, welts and listed price, plus how the Irish Setter work line fits under Red Wing Shoes.
- Steel toe boots hurting your toes? Causes and fixesSteel toe boots that hurt usually are too short, too narrow or have a low cap. How to tell which problem you have and what actually fixes it.
- Should you size up in work boots?When going up half a size in work boots helps, when a wider width is the real fix, and how steel toe boots should fit compared with sneakers.
More gear: Safety toes and ratings
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