Best welding boots: heat-resistant soles and met guards compared

What the listing offers

• The Duratread outsole passes hot contact tests at 300C/572F on the 90-degree heel, the clearest heat figure in this group.
• Resoleable Goodyear welt construction on a 10-inch shaft gives good coverage against slag dropping into the boot.
• Meets ASTM F2413 for safety toe and EH, plus ASTM F3445 slip resistance, per the listing.

Limits to know

• No metatarsal guard, so check whether your shop requires met protection before choosing it.
• The leather is unlined, which the listing states; that helps breathability but adds no insulation for cold shops.

What the listing offers

• Heat resisting Vibram outsole is listed specifically for hot surfaces, which suits foundry and mill floors.
• Internal metatarsal guard plus a steel toe tested to ASTM F2413-18 impact and compression standards.
• Electrical hazard rated with a steel shank for support, and a memory foam cushion insole.

Limits to know

• The listing does not state an Mt rating number for the met guard, so confirm it meets your site rule.
• Waterproofing is not mentioned, so plan on a leather treatment in wet plants.

What the listing offers

• Combines a non-metallic safety toe with an internal metatarsal guard, meeting ASTM F2413 I/C, EH and SR per the listing.
• The 11-inch shaft is the tallest here, which helps keep sparks and slag out of the boot.
• UltraDry waterproof lining protects against wet shop floors and outdoor work.

Limits to know

• The listing states the outsole is heat resistant but gives no temperature figure.
• Forefoot uses cement construction with a welted heel, so full resoling is not stated on the listing.

What the listing offers

• Pull-on design removes laces from the equation, a common failure point under falling sparks.
• Internal SKYDEX met guard and CarbonShield composite toe are both listed.
• Goodyear welt construction and a waterproof membrane under full-grain leather.

Limits to know

• EH rating and ASTM standard are not stated on this listing, so confirm them before buying for a rated site.
• Shaft height is not listed, and no outsole temperature figure is given.

What the listing offers

• HRO sole is stated to resist melting at a minimum of 475F, a specific number you can compare.
• Meets ASTM F2413-18 M/I/C and EH plus ASTM F3445 SR, per the listing.
• Welted construction allows resoling, and a steel shank sits in the EVA midsole for arch support.

Limits to know

• No metatarsal guard is listed, so it will not meet a met-guard requirement on its own.
• Waterproofing is not stated on the listing.

What the listing offers

• Wide toe construction is called out in the listing, useful for feet that find most met boots tight.
• Heat resistant outsole and a steel shank support stable footing on hot, rough floors.
• EH rated for secondary protection around live circuits.

Limits to know

• No Mt rating number is stated, so confirm it meets your employer's requirement.
• The listing says nothing about waterproofing or lining.

What the listing offers

• The listing states both the steel toe and the met guard meet ASTM F2413-18 impact standards.
• Heat-resistant rubber outsole with slip, oil and abrasion resistance.
• Ever-Guard leather is described as highly abrasion resistant, which helps around grinding and stock handling.

Limits to know

• An EH rating is not stated on this listing, so confirm it if needed.
• No outsole temperature rating and only a 6-inch shaft for slag coverage.