Built better: Construction boots for men and women in the industry

The best men’s and women’s work boots for builders, contractors and construction trades

Choosing the best construction boots is no easy task.

But it’s an important one.

The boots you wear to work are more than toe protection and grippy soles. They are your support, stabiliser, PPE and power tool all in one.

How, you might ask, can the humble work boot be all those things for men and women in the construction industry?

Let’s break down the considerations, so you have a step-by-step guide to choosing the best work boots.

How to choose construction boots

Safety features

Construction sites are rife with hazards.

At a bare minimum, construction boots should meet the safety standards outlined in ISO 20345.

To summarise our guide to the safety features in work boots, it’s worth being on the safe side by considering all the risks your work could present.

Appropriate safety goes beyond toe protection and penetration-resistant soles.

With the proper PPE, you can work confidently and minimise injury risks.

All-day comfort

Construction boots should be robust to absorb the shock of walking, climbing and working hard, yet flexible enough that you can move comfortably.

Poorly built work boots can cause short-term discomfort and long-term injuries.

There are several signs you’re not wearing the best work boots:

Foot and leg fatigue
Sore ankles
Blisters
Restricted movement
Calluses
Bruising

Choose a lightweight, breathable work boot with a comfortable footbed for all-day comfort every day.

And if you’re buying women’s work boots, make sure the manufacturer uses a true female last.

Too many construction boot manufacturers fail to consider women’s anatomy, resulting in ill-fitting boots that fall short of expectations and increase injury risk.

Durability

Work boots differ in many ways, but especially in construction quality.

Steel Blue boots feature several layers of innovation to ensure they remain comfortable for longer and enable you to excel at work.

In addition, industry-specific durability features like abrasion-resistant scuff caps and Water Resistant styles keep our men’s and women’s work boots in better condition for longer.

The most popular work boots for builders

Safety, comfort and durability are the overarching considerations for choosing the best work boots.

But let’s go one level deeper.

How do you choose the best boots for your body, work and walking style?

Fastening styles

Many tradies and construction workers prefer the versatility of zip-sided boots with laces, providing easy adjustment and removal.

But there’s no one-size solution, so we encourage you to try on boots before buying.

Steel Blue construction boots like our popular Parkes, Argyle and Southern Cross styles come in a range of fastening options for comfort and flexibility.

Ankle height

Some tradies prefer the lower ankle height of our Whyalla boot or the Southern Cross and Parkes scalloped collar, both of which provide flexibility for crouching.

Insole

Insoles add arch support and reduce foot fatigue.

Unless you need specialist insoles from a podiatrist, premium work boot manufacturers will include footbeds that are uniquely designed to mould to the exact shape of your foot and provide long-lasting comfort.

Steel Blue insoles, for example, are specially made to fit the shape of our men’s and women’s work boots.

Experience the difference a great boot can make

The only way to know you’re getting the best work boot is to try on at least a few styles.

You can find the range of Steel Blue Work Boots UK at any of our 250+ retailers around the UK.

Take them for a test drive, and if they don’t meet our 30-day 100% comfort guarantee, take them back and try a different pair.

We’re confident that once you try a pair of Steel Blues, you’ll appreciate the technology and engineering that goes into building an exceptional construction boot.