If you ever worked as an electrician, you must have noticed how complex and hazardous the job environment is. No matter where you’re working, you are going to be surrounded by everything from live wires to slippery floors, and sometimes you need to perform hazardous tasks, such as climbing up a ladder in tight and dark places or walking on slippery surfaces.
The bottom line is electricians work in a dangerous work environment, and they should take safety precautions to protect themselves and by far the most important safety measure, believe it or not, is to have the proper footwear.
Boots that provide protection from Electrical Hazards can literally be a life saver and prevent harsh injuries which can be debilitating and costly, and in some cases even cause permanent damage.
The ideal boot should protect your feet from injury, from dangerous substances, falling heavy objects and from being electrocuted, and should be used throughout the whole day. In addition it should be durable and withstand daily wear and tear and last for a long period of time. You don’t want to be stuck having to buy a new pair every time you turn around….
So before we go on, let’s talk in details about the three must-have in any electrican work boot
Top 3 Must-have for an Electrician Work Boot
Electric Hazard Protection
This is the most important feature we look for, and without it you are simply risking your life. You can compromise on other factors such as comfort, or slip resistance (not recommended!) but never compromise about protection.
EH Protection is a provision in ASTM that requires a boot to be manufactured with non-conductive, electrical shock-resistant heels and soles. The outsole must provide a secondary defense line against electric shock when touching electrical circuits or other electrical equipment.
The boots must be able to withstand at least 18,000 volts at 60 hertz, it a span of 1 minute.
Thick Rubber Soles
A thick sole will prevent the penetration of chemicals and dangerous substances into the shoe. In addition, it will prevent getting injured from nails and other sharp objects that are common in the electrician work environment.
Besides that the soles should be slip resistant, to protect you from slipping and it’s recommended to have Steel protective Toe to protect your feet from heavy falling objects.
Comfort
We talked a lot about safety, but we shouldn’t forget that electricians stand their feet most of the day. So if you don’t have a comfortable pair of boots, work can become a nightmare!
We should opt for a lightweight boot, with padded collar tongue, an existing or removable insole and breathable leather.
Another important factor is arch support – A boot without it puts a tremendous strain on the ball and heel of your feet.
So Now, as we know what we are looking for, what are our options?
– Top 10 Best Work Boots for Electricians for 2020 –
1. Wolverine Men’s Hudson W02194 Work Boot
Wolverine is one of the leading popular brands in the work boots industry, Known for bringing innovative quality boots to the market for more than a century, and the Wolverine Men’s Hudson W02194 Work Boot is the perfect example of the brand’s commitment to design work boots built to withstand the toughest work environments, so now wonder we chose this boot as oour top pick!
The Wolverine® Men’s Hudson is our top pick simply because it beats all competitors in the most important factors for electricians: Protection and comfort.
The most significant feature that makes this work boot recommended for electricians is that it is EH rated. This means that the Wolverine Men’s Hudson W02194 Work Boot offers optimum protection against electrical hazards. The steel toe comes with Electrical Hazard (EH) rating ASTM F2413-11 M I/75 C/75 EH. As a bonus, the steel toe also provides added protection against hard falls or abrasions.
In addition, comfort is one of the top priorities for the design and manufacture of the Wolverine Men’s Hudson W02194 Work Boot. To ensure that, the design features nylon shank and padded collar. The nylon shank is designed to protect your ankles, calf, and knee muscles so they are not easily strained. The work boot is built with fully cushioned foot beds so your feet won’t be sore even after a long day at work. The insole is made with breathable and comfortable materials, too.
This work boot is made with suede leather upper and comes in a variety of color options (but the brown and black ones are the top sellers). The leather upper also comes with mesh details to ensure that you keep your feet dry – no one wants to work with wet feet!
- Waterproof capabilities are sufficient
- Easy to clean, with just a wet cloth. Drying is quick
- Offer a nice, snug fit for narrow feet
- Good amount of durability for the price
- Cramped toe box for those with wider feet
- Early wear and tear around the rubber
2. EVER BOOTS – “Ultra Dry” Men’s Premium Leather Waterproof
These highly-rated boots are made with quality materials such as waterproof full-grain leather for the upper, durable rubber outsole, and polyester lining insulation. They live up to their name as they are completely waterproof and hold up well in cold and wet weather conditions. Even the stitching is waterproof and a mesh-insulated liner wicks away moisture and sweat to keep the feet nice and dry.
The tread pattern is designed to be shock-absorbent to help provide flexibility for better movement. In short, these are designed to keep your feet warm and dry, yet are not so heavily insulated as to make them sweat. They come in copper and feature rubber soles.
- Easy to slip on and wear with speedy hooks / back loop pull
- Seem to be true to width for the most part – ideal for those with wide feet
- Very affordable, but not cheap
- Waterproofing is reliable
- Durable and long-lasting
- Might take a few days for breaking in
- Some men find them to be too big
3. Irish Setter Men’s Ely 6″ 83607 Work Boots
The design of this waterproof boot includes full-grain leather combined with a sole that is directly attached to ensure flexibility and underfoot comfort. Electrical hazard protective sole / heel construction helps protect the feet from electrically engineered parts coming in contact with the outsole, acting as a secondary source of protection. The UltraDry waterproof protection helps keep the feet dry and the polyurethane footbed (removable) adds to the comfort.
This is a steel safety-toe designed footwear with PU V-Grip outsoles and slip / heat / oil / abrasion- resistant construction. The antique brass eyelets and brown leather give these boots a classic look.
Note: Like some of the other top boots for electricians, these Irish Setter Men’s Ely boots tend to run large and wide, which could be a pro or con depending on your feet and personal needs.
- Non-metallic shank for underfoot support
- Reliable traction
- Seem to do a good job of keeping the feet dry – even in the snow
- Long-lasting and durable
- Not insulated
- Some men find them to be cheaply made and somewhat stiff
4. Skechers Men’s Workshire Condor Work Boots
Sketchers is usually brand most people can rely on, and these ankle-height work boots are certainly good quality, with smooth full grain leather upper design and a decent of traction. The outsole is oil-resistant and has traction control with its rubber construction. As for the midsole, it is lightweight and made to be shock-absorbent and supportive. The insole is designed for comfort with its memory foam top.
The design includes black and brown color options and a lace-up front featuring metal eyelets. They are a “relaxed fit” with 0.75-inch platform.
- Comfortable fit – toes have “wiggle room”
- Provide good ankle support
- Affordable
- Electrical Hazard Safe tested ASTM F2892-11
- Non-marking
- Insoles aren’t actually removable, despite being advertised as such
- Don’t offer the best slip-resistance
5. Wolverine Men’s Overpass – 6″ Composite Toe Waterproof Work Boot
This brand was first established in 1883, so they really know a thing or two about footwear craftsmanship. These Summer Brown boots with rubber soles, in particular, make great outdoor work boots. Since the carbon max toe-cap is lightweight and thinner, these Wolverine boots are a good fit and offer comfort. There are contoured and motion max functions that allow each boot to bend and flex at certain points to ensure maximum performance. The OrthoLite cushioning footbed is made to mold to the wearer’s feet, and a polyurethane (PU) midsole is made with advanced comfort in mind. There is a dual-compound rubber / PU outsole that grips the ground to provide good traction. Like many other top boots for electricians, the Overpass 6-inch Composite Toe is EH-rated.
- Well-made safety boot
- Medium arch support
- Waterproof and durable
- Nylon shank to provide additional strength
- Mesh lining made of moisture-wicking material to keep feet cool
- Wear and tear might start earlier than expected
- Not waterproof enough for some wearers
- Can be uncomfortable and difficult to break in
6. Timberland PRO Men’s 52562 Endurance 6-in PR Work Boot
This is a series of footwear engineered specifically for individuals who are on their feet for long hours. These boots, in particular, are designed for job site performance, with safety features like rubber outsoles, a Steel-Flex puncture-resistant plate, polyurethane midsoles designed to reduce shock, and more. The cement construction enhances flexibility and allows for reduced break-in time. There is added structural support thanks to a fiberglass shank.
The Timberland PRO rubber outsole is resistant to oil, heat, slippage, etc. Thanks to the antimicrobial cover over the footbed, there is breathable comfort and odor control. There is a “Ladder Lock” outsole radius feature. With these boots, you can expect underfoot protection due to the puncture-resistant plate design.
They come in brown leather and have a 1.75-inch (approximate) heel.
- Electrical hazard protection
- Steel safety toe design that meets US and Canadian safety standards
- Very comfortable, despite being heavy duty
- Good traction
- Puncture-resistant
- Tend to be rather squeaky
- Might feel a bit heavy on some feet
7. KEEN Utility Men’s Sheridan Insulated Comp Toe Work Boot
This comfortable, lightweight insulated boot is ideal for men who are looking for a composite toe design (left and right asymmetrical) for work. Made out of materials such as charcoal bamboo and waterproof nubuk leather, the Sheridan is a nice looking, warm boot. For mid-foot support, there is a thermo-plastic PU shank. The Thermal Heat Shield Footbed design features a tri-layer / heat-reflecting footbed that captures warmth and provides extra underfoot comfort. It meets and exceeds non-slip AND EH standards (ASTM F1677-96 Mark II / ASTM F2412-11 and F2413-11 I/75 C/75), so you can stay safe in most working conditions. The KEEN Utility Men’s Sheridan is available in Cascade Brown and features locking metal lace hooks. There is a 1.25-inch (approximate) heel.
- Heavy-duty, Goodyear welt construction
- The insole is reportedly easy to remove
- Do a good job of keeping the feet dry and warm
- Available in wide sizes
- A bit on the heavy-side
- Pricier than most of the other boots on this list
- Might take a week or so to break in
8. Martens Burham ST Work Boot
This is another brand that is renowned for making innovative footwear. The very first of these boots to be produced and sold was the “1460” in 1960. Today, there are oil-resistant and abrasion-resistant models such as the Burnham ST. The shock-absorbing HUD outsole, steel safety toe design and electrical hazard safe construction make this model a good choice for electricians. A fully lined construction and padded collar add to the support and comfort to reduce aching during and after a full workday.
- Good ankle support
- OSHA-approved and EH-safe
- High-quality leather upper
- Heavy-duty build quality / Goodyear-welted
- Tend to run a bit small / narrow
- Stitching quality could be better
9. ARIAT Men’s Groundbreaker Pull-on Steel Toe Work Boot
This is a pull-on style boot that is more comfortable than many other steel toe models. It’s also reliable and durable with premium leather upper and heavy duty oil/slip-resisting Duratread outsole construction. Any guy who wears these Groundbreaker boots will look and feel like cowboy. It has a nice design, which includes a two-row stitch pattern. Stay safe on the job with the ASTM-rated / EH-rated steel toe and “four layer rebound” technology. The 100% leather boots come in colors like Brown, Tree Brown, Brown/Black, and Brown/Real Tree Extra. There is also a 90-degree heel.
- Nice overall look and design
- Reliable waterproofing
- Durable and long-lasting for the most part
- Comfortable fit after breaking in
- Break-in time varies – might take a day or two or a few weeks
- The rubber tread can freeze up in cold weather
10. Caterpillar Men’s Second Shift Steel Toe Work Boot
CAT is known for making industrial machinery and apparel, such as these steel toe work boots, which feature quality oiled full-grain leather /nubuck, “Climasphere” breathable insole, steel shank, engineered nylon mesh lining, etc. The T3 rubber outsole is constructed to provide slip resistance and optimal traction. Like some of the other durable top boots for electricians, it has a Goodyear welt construction for maximum durability. The Catepillar Men’s Second Shift Work Boots protect against open circuits up to 600-V in dry conditions, and are rated ASTM F2413-05 1/75 EH. Colors include Black Full Grain, Tan, Dark Brown, and Honey. These boots are made at Gold Rated Tanneries (Leather Working Group).
- Thick leather body with heavy-duty stitching
- Good ankle support
- Lightweight and flexible
- Affordable
- Not as waterproof than other boots on this list
- Difficulty removing insole
- Some complaints of them falling apart sooner than they should be
Conclusion
Whether you opt for steel toe or composite toe footwear, make sure they meet Electrical Hazard standards, as most of the boots on this list do. If you live in a colder environment or work in areas with a lot of water, it’s essential that you order boots that are as waterproof and freeze-resistant as possible. Always take the time to do a bit of additional research and read reviews by other consumers involved in your industry – especially if you have wide or narrow feet and can’t always find boots that fit properly.
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