What’s so special about electrician work boots? Well, these boots need to contain excellent protection features. If you are an electrician or working in an environment with electrical threats, and want to know what is the best work boots for electricians, then this article may help you in choosing the right work shoes.
An electrician work boots can withstand electric shock up to 18000v per minute. ASTM, OSHA is leading safety agencies to measure these boots protection capabilities like EH rating. These boots are necessary to prevent the electricians from electrical threats in the workplace.
Thick soles are another protection feature of these boots to insulate from the power lines. These thick soles pass the electrical charge to the ground Polyurethane, plastic, carbon fiber, rubber, etc are used as insulators in these boots.
Table of Content
- Editors Top Picks
- Review of 10 Best Work Boots For Electricians
- 1. Timberland PRO Men’s Powertrain Alloy Toe Work Boot
- 2. Reebok Men’s Rapid Response Rb8894-m Boots
- 3. Ever Ultra Dry Men’s Premium Leather Waterproof Boot
- 4. Ever Protector Steel Toe Boots for Men
- 5. Skechers Men’s Tarlac Steel Toe Boot
- 6. Timberland PRO Men’s 26038 Direct Attach 6″ Steel Toe Boot
- 7. Dr. Martens Men’s Ironbridge Steel Toe Heavy Industrial Boot
- 8. Wolverine Men’s Hudson W02194 Work Boots
- 9. Rockport Work Men’s RK6640 Work Boots
- 10. Rockport Men’s Rk6628 Work Boots
- Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Work Boots for Electricians?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Word
Editors Top Picks
| Product Name | Strength | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Timberland PRO Men’s Powertrain Alloy Toe Work Boot | Best Overall | 4.6 |
| Reebok Men’s Rapid Response Rb8894-m Boots | Runners Up | 4.6 |
| Ever Ultra Dry Men’s Premium Leather Boot | Also Good | 4.4 |
| Skechers Men’s Tarlac Steel Toe Boot | Budget Friendly | 4.1 |
Review of 10 Best Work Boots For Electricians
For electric work, an electrician needs special boots to prevent electrical hazards. Sometimes it is confusing to choose the best boots for yourself. Here we discuss 10 best work boots for electrical work. After reading this blog, it may be easier for you to choose the right electrician work boot.
1. Timberland PRO Men’s Powertrain Alloy Toe Work Boot
Timberland Pro integrates excellent technological features with their boots, and you can easily adapt to any workplace wearing this footwear. The premium quality leather is durable and comfortable. With the ripstop nylon upper in these boots, your boot can endure heavy-duty industrial environments.
The breathable mesh fabric of the upper has the finest microfiber, which will keep your foot away from suffocating in hot and humid temperatures. The shoes have a great look with nice attention to details, which makes them ideal for running, jogging, and doing any kind of exercise.
Timber Pro Powertrain shoes provide maximum support and comfort to your feet with their anti-fatigue technologies. The non-metallic and PU midsole, outsole provide structural support and necessary shock absorption. The alloy safety toe of shoes meets ASTM standards, and also EH rated to protect your feet from electrical hazards.
2. Reebok Men’s Rapid Response Rb8894-m Boots
The Reebok Rapid Response RB8694 Tactical Boot is made with ballistic nylon and leather upper. It offers incredible resilience to wander easily through both urban landscapes and rugged terrain.
EVA midsole of the boot has a shock eliminator cushion. It keeps your feet away from straining too much and also reduces the risks of feeling joint pain when you can’t sit for extended periods. Electrical hazard protection feature offers you necessary protection from electrically charged equipment and open wires or circuits.
TXTR brand composite safety toe cap of the boot provides lightweight protection from compression and impact, without conducting electricity, heat, or cold. The rubber outsole features provide superb traction in any type of terrain with more flexibility to move freely and naturally.
The composite toe cap of the boots offers additional toe room to keep your feet comfortable. The moisture-wicking nylon mesh lining of the boot can keep your foot dry and comfortable in wet conditions. The lining also absorbs sweat, which keeps your feet in comfort and keeps away bad odors.
The gel pads in insoles can absorb the impact when the heel strikes the ground and also reduces the risks of having injuries while navigating challenging work conditions.
These boots do the most efficient job of keeping your feet dry. These boots are probably the most comfortable waterproof work boots available in the market.
The tanner leather with black rubber outsole only shows a hint of the aesthetics of the boots. The reinforced back heel part uses a direct seal construction that makes the boot more durable and more weather resistant.
The waterproof lining inside makes the boot more breathable. There is also a polyester lining for insulation. The rubber material of the outsole has excellent traction and shock absorbing qualities. The anti-fatigue polyurethane inner soles do a commendable job of reducing fatigue when you need to stand all day at work.
As these boots have excellent waterproof membranes, they are ideal for wet and muddy construction sites. Also, moisture-wicking insulated liner solves the moisture-related problem and keep your feet dry at the end of the day.
4. Ever Protector Steel Toe Boots for Men
The main components of these boots are designed to protect your feet in all types of work environments. The steel shank of the boot can alleviate pressure at the ball of your foot. The steel shanks also enable the balance of your feet while walking on uneven or concrete surfaces.
The multilayer outsole can easily absorb shock and also alleviates pressure on the arch of the foot. The sole also will enable you with a lot of flexibility as you move and bend your foot.
The steel safety toe of this boot can protect your feet from being compressed under heavy objects. The boot’s electric hazard protection aligns with the ASTM standards. For this electric hazard protection feature, the boot lessens work-related risks within contact with electric circuits.
The rubber outsole has oil and slip-resistance. These boots are ideal for mechanics, electricians, warehouse workers linesmen, plumber, etc.
5. Skechers Men’s Tarlac Steel Toe Boot
These boots are the right choice for anyone who cares about wearing a work boot with a nice design. Black embossed leather and brown embossed leather both are available in sizes of 7 to 14 with wide variants.
These work boots are also built with premium material choice, which makes them very durable. The great quality leather complements the nice design of the boots.
This boot can provide the necessary protection when working in the field. The steel toe and electrical hazard protection feature further ensure safety from challenging working conditions. The memory foam inside the boots can make your feet more relaxed as you move around.
6. Timberland PRO Men’s 26038 Direct Attach 6″ Steel Toe Boot
If you’re looking for a boot to adapt all kinds of work in a job site, these boots might be the right choice for you. Timberland PRO Direct Attach boots have a 6-inch steel shank with waterproof leather. Seam-sealed direct-inject construction is used to attach the upper to the outsole.
The mesh lining of the boots wick moisture and also reduces odors. Rubber lugs of the outsole make this boot slip, abrasion, and oil resistant. Laminated ThermoLite of the boots will keep your foot dry and warm. The comfortable padded collar and tongue of the boots prevent debris from entering.
The seven eyelets industrial lace-up assembly allows for tightening the boot, which shut out the cold. The open-celled well-ventilated polyurethane footbed also provides antimicrobial treatment for odor control.
There is a secondary underfoot protection feature that provides protection from electrical hazards and punctures. An electrician will be safe against conductors, live wires, apparatus, and other electrical parts. These boots align with the ASTM standards for puncture, impact, and EH-resistance.
7. Dr. Martens Men’s Ironbridge Steel Toe Heavy Industrial Boot
The Ironbridge is a pair of work boots that are primarily designed towards people in the service industry. The lightweight comfort and slip resistance makes it perfect for any general work environment. This work boot is constructed with oiled and tumbled water-resistant leather. This rugged soft-toe work boot has a nice 8-tie, lace-to-toe style.
The insole has an antibacterial SmartMask feature. The padded collar and tongue of the boot increase comfort. The moisture-wicking properties of the lining keep the foot dry and odor-free.
Dr. Marten’s classic PVC air-cushioned sole is resistant to oil, fat, petrol, and alkali. This property will reduce the risk of slips and falls on hazardous surfaces. Additional insulation of the boots provides protections from electrical threats.
Although this work boot comes with a soft toe, it still provides impact protection and resistance to compression. The soles perform well in absorption and cushioning. The Ironbridge also shows great traction, which can protect you from falling on a dangerous surface.
8. Wolverine Men’s Hudson W02194 Work Boots
The Wolverine men Hudson W02194 work boots can overcome various safety issues that persist in different work environments. It can provide maximum protection of your feet, especially if you are working at the construction site or if your feet are exposed working around electrical components.
These work boots for men have a suede leather upper. The suede leather upper is available in a variety of colors, and black seems to be the most sold color. This work boot does a commendable job in keeping with feet dry as their upper consist of a mesh that keeps your feet from getting wet. Addition of nylon shank, padded collar make the boots really comfortable to use.
The Wolverine Fulton Lug Rubber Cup outsole protects your feet from while working in slippery surfaces. It can help to stabilize your foot in uneven or slippery surfaces. It can also help to keep the balance your feet on slippery snow and oil slicks.
The steel toes feature can protect your toes from abrasions and hard strikes on the ground in your work environment. It has an EH (electrical hazard) rating ASTM F2413-11 M I/75 C/75 EH.
9. Rockport Work Men’s RK6640 Work Boots
These boots have a nice look with waterproof full-grain leather. The composite toe is ASTM certified for compression. You won’t be bothered at the airport by the metal detector as these boots are non-metallic.
You can efficiently work around open wires and circuits without worrying as these boots are also EH rated. This footwear is especially ideal for electricians, construction workers, and anyone needing extra protection from electric threats.
The waterproof features of these boots are efficient in keeping your feet cool and comfortable all day long. The boot has moisture-wicking nylon mesh to absorb sweat away from your feet. The heel and rebounding forefoot pads of the boots can absorb the shock from hard strikes on a cement floor.
Also, the dual-density, direct attach PU midsoles can give an extra layer of cushioning. These boots are slip, oil, abrasion, and chemical-resistant. The XTR brand composite toe will give an excellent footwear experience.
10. Rockport Men’s Rk6628 Work Boots
If you want quality and stylish modern design at the same time, Rockport Work Men’s RK6628 Work Boots might be the right boots for you.
These composite toe boots with waterproof full-grain deer tan leather uppers will give a pleasant breathable experience. Inside the boots, there is moisture-wicking nylon mesh to keep your feet nice and comfortable.
Their hydro defense technology on waterproofing these boots are praiseworthy. If you are thinking about comfort, polyurethane midsoles that are dense, durable, and super stable will give you a great experience.
The rubber traction bottom of the outsoles will not only provide you nice traction with oil, slip resistance but also prevents the soles from degrading. These non-metallic boots are EH rated, and composite toes meet I/75 and C/75 for impact- and compression resistance.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Work Boots for Electricians?
Your boots can be stylish with excellent looking premium leather from any well-known brand, but if you are an electrician, protection should be the priority. Before jumping into buying an electrician work boot’s, you need to check if your boots meet some necessary vital standards.
Electric Hazard Protection
A work boot can have so many cool features, but it’s worthless for an electrician if it can’t give protection from electrical threats. Check for certification from personal safety agencies like ASTM, OSHA for protection against electrocution. Check to see if the boots are EH-rated and designed the give electric hazard protection up to 18000v in dry settings. We would usually recommend carbon fiber and composite toes, but steel toes can give you necessary protection as long as you don’t come with contact with the metal part.
Thick Rubber Sole
If you are a lineman, you often need to climb a ladder. Your footwear must have a thick rubber sole. Polyurethane and rubber, these two materials are mostly used to make good soles. Rubber outer layer can make your boots abrasion, oil, gas, chemical resistant. Your outsole should also be debris releasing and insulated. Look for excellent traction features in work boots to keep your balance on an uneven surface.
Comfort
Comfort depends mostly on the upper, middle, and bottom soles of the work boots. Check the insoles, see what the manufacturer is claiming to provide with their boots. The inside part of the work boot is more important for your comfort than the outside elements of your boots. So, check what kind of fiber is used in making the boots.
Waterproof
Either you are working outdoors or indoors, water-resistance of a work boot is a must. There is always a chance of rain, flood, snow in your workplace. The dry feet will keep your feet safer from electrocution. Also, waterproof boots can keep feet dry, which keeps your feet odor and moisture-free. Also, look for moisture-wicking lining in work boots.
Resistance
There are certain features in a boot that will ensure abrasion, slip, oil, and chemical resistance. Maybe you want all those features in the same boot, but you need to make sure your boots are abrasion and slip-resistant.
Abrasion Resistant
Abrasion-resistant boots can prevent your feet from hurting, itching, while working on an uneven surface for a long time. So, this feature is crucial for the health of your feet.
Oil Resistant
Oil resistance is a kind of fluid resistance. The oil-resistant sole performs reliable traction and grip when it comes in contact with oil. Silicone rubber, PVC, neoprene, chloroprene, nitrile rubber are the materials you will find in an oil-resistant sole.
Slip Resistant
The slip-resistant feature of a boot enables you to resist sliding or slipping on any slippery surfaces. This feature can protect against mud, dust, soot, water, oil while working and keep you away from any accidents.
Chemical Resistant
It is the ability of the material to resist any chemical reaction with harmful chemicals. Chemical resistance sole will not let the boots to absorb any chemical or does not degrade while in contact with typical toxic chemicals.
You can also look for the heat and gas resistant feature in a work boot because you may face heat or gas exposure in your workplace.
Toe Protection
When choosing the best work boots for electricians, you will come across several safety features in terms of toe protection. The main boot types include steel toe, alloy toe, composite toe, and soft toe work boots.
Steel Toe Work Boots
Steel toe work boots are designed to offer incredible impact resistance. Amongst different work boot types, these boots can withstand the most force. Additionally, they are favored for their low cost.
However, steel toe work boots come with the disadvantage of being heavy and somewhat bulky; making them less comfortable to walk on for hours. Furthermore, steel toe work boots don’t offer as much breathability and air circulation as other boot types such as composite toe work boots.
Composite Toe Work Boots
Composite toe work boots are made from a non-metal material such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, plastic, or Kevlar. These particular boots are perfect for job sites that involve possible contact with electricity or metal detectors. Thus, for electricians and engineers, they are a perfect choice.
Unlike steel toe work boots, composite toe boots are much lighter and comfortable to work in for long periods. Due to their high and low temperature resistance, they are more comfortable to wear in any weather condition, unlike steel toe boots that easily conduct low temperatures.
Alloy Toe Work Boots
Alloy toe work boots on the other end are made from alloy material such as titanium, aluminum, or a combination of more than one alloy metal. Compared to steel toe work boots, alloy toe work boots tend to be lighter – up to 50% more. They are more comfortable to walk on as they offer more toe room as well. However, they are slightly more expensive than steel toe work boots.
Soft Toe Work Boots
Whilst they don’t integrate any protective elements such as steel, alloys, or composite materials, soft toe work boots are still a viable option for electricians. These types of boots feature the same material as the rest of the upper part of the boot.
They are especially an ideal choice if you don’t plan on working in areas that have a risk of impact or falling objects. Generally, these boots offer enough protection thanks to their rugged upper material. Plus, they are favored for their lightweight, flexible, and more comfortable profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are some questions that arose in mind when it comes to buying the best work boots for electricians. Here are the most common questions and their answers.
How Much Electricity Can Kill You?
In general, we know that high voltage shock is much more severe than low voltage shock. But this is not so! The intensity of an electric shock is measured based on the current. When a person is affected by electric shock, there is no way to know how much current is going through his body organs.
The harmful effects of shock depend on body resistance. Above 10 ma current can give you a painful shock. 100 to 200 ma electric shock is lethal. Above 200 ma electric shock can burn your body and even cause of unconsciousness, if the affected person is not given immediate treatment, it can lead to death.
What is Electric Hazard Protection Boots?
The electric hazard protective boot will protect you from electric shock. This boot is perfectly designed by non-conductive materials. As a result, any kind of electric current can not pass through the boot. According to the American society of testing and materials In dry environments, electric hazard protection boots can protect you from up to 600 volts.
Should Electricians Wear Steel or Alloy Toe Work Boots?
It depends on the circumstances. Typically, according to OSHA regulations, steel or alloy toe work boots are not hazardous for electricians as long as the steel part doesn’t come in contact with the foot and is not exposed to the exterior part of the boot. However, to keep safe, many electricians prefer to opt for composite or soft toe work boots.
What Makes The Best Electrical Hazard Boot?
Generally, the best electrical hazard boot should be ASTM tested and certified against electrical hazards. An EH rating of at least 600 volts in dry conditions is acceptable.
What Is ASTM Standard For Electrician Boots?
Good quality electrician boots should bear an ASTM F2413-18 certification and EH rating to offer optimum protection. ASTM F2413-18 certification means that your boots offer adequate impact and compression resistance. EH rating on the other end protects your feet against electrical hazards of up to 18000 volts in dry conditions.
What Is The Difference Between ASTM F2413 11 And ASTM F2413 18?
ASTM F2413-11 is an old certification that has now been replaced with the newer ASTM F2413-18. However, you will still find boots that are labeled with an ASTM F2413-11 rating as it will take some time for vendors to sell the stock. This doesn’t mean that the ASTM F2413-11 boots are no longer of good quality.
Final Word
Work boots are one of the most essential accessories if you are an electrician or need to work in an environment with electrical threats. There are so many brands and so many features. Remember to prioritize protection than comfort and style. Go to the store, if possible, inspect to boots by yourself. Put them on to find out if you are comfortable wearing them for a long time.
You can use a work boot for a long time, and the right work boot can become an asset for an electrician. We hope this article can help to choose the best work boots for electricians. Have a safe and comfortable experience with your work boots.
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