5 Best Work Boots For Electricians Reviewed 2023

When you are on your feet working a tough electrical job, it's important to be wearing the best work boots for electricians as possible. 

As being an electrician, you are constantly exposed to extreme working conditions that require safety, flexibility and adaptability.  

There are several affordable, comfortable, and durable pairs of work boots  on the market. One of your biggest considerations when doing your research is matching your work environment to the shoes you are looking to buy.

On that account, we have done all the heavy lifting to bring you a comprehensive guide on how to choose the best fir for your needs. 

Quick Picks 

KEEN Utility Men's Pittsburgh Steel Toe Work Boot
Tough with the ability to get you through a hard day at work, the comfortable KEEN Pittsburgh Safety Boots are weatherproof and durable. They feature steel toes, torsional support, and a firm outsole, plus they fight off fatigue while giving you the energy to get through a long shift.

Skechers for Work Men's Workshire Condor Work Boot
The Skechers Workshire-Condor Work Boots give you a roomy and comfortable fit with a shock absorbing midsole and a Memory Foam topped insole. Like the KEEN boots, the Skechers boots have an electrical hazard safe design, plus they feature a Traction Control outsole made of an oil-resistant nitrile rubber for increased safety at the worksite.

Carhartt Men's CMF6366 6 Inch Composite Toe Boot
With a composite toe that protects electricians from electrical shocks and falling objects, the Carhartt Composite Toe Boot also has a rubber outsole with traction that is chemical, slip, and oil resistant. This is another boot that features an electrical hazard rating but is also incredibly comfortable and durable for hard working electricians.

Irish Setter Men's Work Boot
With a classic boot design, the Irish Setter Work Boot is made with handcrafted Trout Brook leather and is also electrical hazard protective in its sole and heel construction. The Goodyear welt construction provides dependable and durable comfort, plus they are heat-resistant to a melting point of 475 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Timberland PRO Men's Hyperion Waterproof Work Boot
When you are taking on a hard day, you want a pair of Timberland Pro-Hyperion Soft Toe boots to protect your foot while still providing you comfort and mobility. This is a waterproof and durable boot made of full grain leather that has an electrical hazard protection guarantee and anti-fatigue technology will help you to keep going on long days. 

4 Key Features to Look for in Electrician Work Boots

A good way to have confidence in the safety footwear you are investing is to choose a boot brand that has a long history in the industry.

These manufacturers will have methods that guarantee that your boots will meet both federal and state safety standards and possibly exceed them.

You also want to choose a boot a manufacturer with a firm process for conducting several safety tests ensuring that each pair of work boots will keep you protected from as many work site hazards as possible.

It is also important that materials are used that are puncture-resistant and will protect your metatarsals as well as retain a lighter weight that is easy to wear all day long.

1-) Protection - Non-Conductive, Elecrical Hazard (EH) Rated Footwear

Protection from heat and slipping as well as electric shocks is a requirement for any electrician.

So any EH-rated shoe should not only be reliable but also able to handle any of the hazards that are faced on the everyday jobs of an electrician.

If you are working in an industrial environment, you will want a high EH-rated boot as you will need boots that can handle very high amounts of electricity without injury.

2-) OutSoles and Heel 

To lessen the risk of injury, you want to make sure that you have shoes that protect you from slippery surfaces and sharp objects.

This is a nice safety feature, especially since you will be working on slippery surfaces occasionally. The heel should be able to provide a good grip when climbing ladders. Look for a boot with a bevel of at least 45 degrees and a heel that is 0.75 inches high.

Rubber is a common material used for the outsole because it is abrasion and slip resistant. It also will help to ground any charges.

Vibram is a popular high performance rubber used in boots designed for wet environments. In addition, many manufacturers are designing their own proprietary rubbers to ensure that the outsoles deliver enhanced performance at the work site.

Also, job sites where glass, nails, and metal shavings that can cut or puncture your feet need a pair of quality work boots that have puncture resistant soles.

These types of boots are often company policy in some industrial settings, especially where surfaces are often oily, wet, or covered with hazardous liquids.

3-) Durability

Any professional work boot has durability at the top of its list of features to look for. This is especially true for electricians as they work in a lot of different settings which are often extreme.

Electricians needs for their boots to last a long time, especially if they have made a significant investment into them.

Since a lot of boots describe themselves as sturdy, make sure to do enough research to make sure there is evidence to back up their claims.

4-) Comfort and Insoles  

When working in tough conditions, an electrician wants to make sure they do not have a pair of boots that itch or hurt your feet.

A good quality pair of electrician boot should put you in a good move and help to increase your concentration while you work on your job.

Make sure comfort is one of your top priorities.

Additional Features;

• Extra support

Extra support can be vital depending on the type of environment you will be wearing your work boots. If you do a lot of outdoor work, you may need additional support for your calves and ankles.

And, depending on the makeup of your foot, you personally may need more arch support to stop soreness.

Remember that internal construction and boot height can play a big part in the type of support that your work boots will provide.

• Construction

Construction is especially important as it directly impacts the comfort and weight of the boot. The best quality work boots usually will have one of these types of construction:

o Cement construction – In these types of boots, the soles are cemented together making them lightweight and flexible and providing you with an excellent level of comfort. Unfortunately, they can de-laminate after a while and remember that these types of boots cannot be re-soled.

o Goodyear Welt construction – Although it is a time-consuming production, the Goodyear Welt Construction is considered one of the best work boots . With this type of boot, you will have extreme durability, plus they can be easily resoled and repaired. They are constructed with the inner and upper soles attached to a strip of leather or a welt, and then the sole is stitched through the welt.

o Direct-attach – This method is another common technique that uses a mold that is attached to the upper part of the boot. The mold is then injected with molten rubber forming the sole. These types of boots are lightweight, shock absorbing, and comfortable, especially for jobs that need a lot of stability, sure-footed traction, and require fast movement.

Reviews Of The Best Electrical Hazard Work Boots

KEEN Utility Men's Pittsburgh Steel Toe Work Boot

With a toughness and ability to take on a tough day at work, the KEEN Pittsburgh Safety Boots are weatherproof featuring steel toes, torsional support, and a firm outsole. With a Nubuck Leather Lining that is waterproof, these tough work boots fight off fatigue and give you the energy to get through a tough shift.

Featuring asymmetrical toe protection Keen Utility Boots are specifically made to fit your right and left foot with their large toe box that allows your toes to spread out and breathe.

Your toes also have plenty of room to flex and move and stop pinching when your foot is hyper-flexed. Plus, with the internal support, the boot is anatomically engineered to give you good arch support and give you a cradle for the natural contour of your foot.

One of the only brands that bring comfort and fit to a hiking boot, KEEN Utility was also able to give a naturally snug fit to the heel of your boot while creating an intuitive and spacious toe box in a work boot.

This boot features a breathable and waterproof membrane that releases vapor without allowing water to creep in. Moisture and perspiration are allowed to escape while your feet remain comfortable and dry.

Pros:

• Very supportive and surprisingly lightweight

• Stand up to abuse and weather really well

• Solid, durable, great fit

Cons:

• The sole is too soft for some users

• Can still feel moisture at the end of a rainy day, not easy to dry out

Skechers for Work Men's Workshire Condor Work Boot

Watch your shift fly by while wearing the comfortable SKECHERS Workshire - Condor Work Boot. Featuring smooth, full grain leather, this is a lace up work ankle boot that includes a soft toe and high traction sole with memory foam.

The Workshire-Condor also features stitching accents and reinforced stitched seams with heel and side leather overlays. The heel panel features a pull on top tab and the lace-up front includes metal eyelets. The padded collar and tongue and soft fabric boot lining.

The Relaxed Fit® design gives you a roomier and comfortable fit while the removable insole is topped with a cushioned Memory Foam padding. The midsole includes is shock absorbing, lightweight, and supportive and the Traction Control outsole is made of an oil-resistant nitrile rubber. The SKECHERS Workshire-Condor Work Boot also features an electrical hazard safe design and a 1 1/3 inch heel height.

Pros:

• Comfortable, durable, and stylish

• Very roomy, great for wearing daily

• Very durable, great work boot

Cons:

• Some users found that they slipped a lot

• Some users found the memory foam did nothing for their feet

Carhartt Men's CMF6366 6 Inch Composite Toe Boot

With a composite toe that protects electricians from falling object as well as electrical shocks, the Carhartt Composite Toe Boot also features a rubber outsole that provides protection with traction that is slip resistant as well as chemical and oil resistant. It also features an electrical hazard rating protecting you from electrocution when working near dangerous elements like burning wires.

The Carhartt Composite Toe Boot is also incredibly comfortable, especially when you stand on your feet for long periods of time. The EVA midsole gives you five layers of cushioning and provide comfort and durability for hard-working electricians. With cement construction and rubber outsoles that are top-quality, the Carharrt Boots are worth the investment for all the durability they offer for electricians.

Pros:

• Good leather construction that is water resistant

• Lightweight and well-padded technology

• Very comfortable and durable

Cons:

• Maybe too wide for some feet

Irish Setter Men's Work Boot

Featuring a classic boot design, the Boot by Irish Setter® is durably made and constructed with modern materials that will keep your feet comfortable and secure all day long. Made with Briar Turbo Vegas full-grain leather and a Moc-toe style with triple-stitching detail, the Irish Setter Boot also has a traditional lace-up system that includes durable metal eyelets. For extra comfort, the boot features a padded collar and a rear pull loop to make it easier to take them on and off.

The Goodyear welt construction gives you durability and dependability and the removable PU footbed gives you all-day comfort. These boots are made of handcrafter Trout Brook leather that is exclusively crafted for the Irish Setter Brand.

They also feature an electrical hazard protective heel and sole construction that lessens hazards when in contact with electrically energized parts providing another source of protection.

These are also heat-resistant boots that have been designed and tested for performance on a high-heat surface with soles that are heat resistant to a melting point of 475 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pros:

• Affordable price for a boot that grips the floor well

• Well-made and comfortable

• Durable and lighter than other boots on the market

Cons:

• Toe area is too narrow for some users

• Quick lacing guides would be a nice addition

Timberland PRO Men's Hyperion Waterproof Work Boot

When tackling a tough day, the Timberland Pro-Hyperion Soft Toe boot is designed for protecting your foot without compromising mobility or comfort. This is a rugged lace-up work boot that features a waterproof and durable full grain leather with a mesh lining made with an antimicrobial treatment that controls moisture. The padded collar gives you more comfort and the Ever-Guard leather backstay improves their durability.

Electrical hazard protection guarantees your safety while on the job site and anti-fatigue technology will help you to keep going on long days. Torsional rigidity is provided through the in the fiberglass shank and the Vibram rubber outsole is oil, abrasion, and slip-resistant with a Ladder Lock radius that can stand up to corrosive chemicals and extreme temperatures while also providing traction.

Timberland PRO Hyperion work boots are constructed of premium leather that has a waterproof membrane for dry feet and extreme abrasion resistance. You also get durability and abrasion resistance from the Ever-Guard leather and the XL Alloy safety toe gives you lightweight protection with a generous fit. Plus, the EVA midsole has a lightweight mold tor athletic performance and the dual-purpose top hardware gives you instant lacing customization.

The Anti-Fatigue Technology Comfort system of the Timberland PRO Hyperion work boost absorbs shock while returning energy back into the key zones of your foot while giving you additional stamina and strength. This innovative design lessens impact with shock-absorbing cones that rebound and compress to increase support and lessen foot fatigue.

 Plus, the contoured insole gives you the most support on impact zones and key pressure points like the ball of your foot and your heel.

Pros:

• Good rugged shoe

• Good support and comfortable to wear

• Good fit and really durable

Cons:

• Not really waterproof if you stand in water more than an inch high

• Shoes run pretty wide on your foot

Who Should Buy Electrician Boots 

Any professional electrician knows that it is strongly recommended to purchase a pair of high-quality Electric Hazard (EH) rated boots.

They will be more expensive, but it is worth the investment if they save you from getting injured or even worse. For those working in residential settings, it may not be necessary to purchase a pair of EH rated boots as you will be crawling through attics and will need a pair of boots that has better slip resistance.

Since EH rated boots are more expensive than regular boots, they do often use a steel or composite toe which is a good feature in any setting.

Electric Hazard Protection ! What Is It?

So, what is Electric Hazard Protection?

Since safety should be one of your top priorities, having a pair of electrical hazard designed boots are often required on job sites. When you see this rating, it means that your boots have been tested by the American Society of Testing and Materials for protection against electrocution.

EH-rated boots shouldn’t be confused with dielectric shoes. Dielectric shoes are with tested with high voltages and give you protection even in a wet environment unlike a pair of EH-rated boots.

And remember, that wearing a pair of EH-rated boots should never be considered as the main precaution against electrocution. Even the best pair of boots in an electrically hazard rich environment cannot replace respecting health and safety rules.

What Are Eh Rated Boots and How do They Work?

Electrical Hazard (EH) boots are a pair of non-conductive boots that stop your feet from completing an electrical circuit to the ground.

When a pair of boots has an EH-rating, this means they have been tested for their protection against electrical shock by the ASTM. They must show that they will significantly stop electrical flow through them to the ground.

Plus, they will be able to are electrocution if you step on a live wire.

According to OSHA, they must also be able to withstand 18000 volts of electricity at 60 hertz for an entire minute without leaking more than one milliampere under dry conditions.

When you are on a job site, electricity can be a major hazard. It only takes three milliamperes of power to cause an injury and many professionals like electricians, engineers, and maintenance workers work directly with electricity.

Read our article here to learn more about EH rated boots.

Safety Footwear Classifications From An Electrical Viewpoint

You will find that safety footwear, from an electrical viewpoint, has three general classifications, and each of them has very different purposes.

Non-conductive footwear – Often found with an EH-rating classification, non-conductive footwear is designed to give you another source of protection if you ever come into contact with live electrical circuits. This type of shoe will lessen potential electrical shock and save you from serious injuries.

EH-rated boots can have either composite or steel toes despite the misconception that metal in a work boot can be dangerous when you are working with electricity.

In reality, when metal is in contact with other metal it is conductive. Non-conductive materials like rubber, insulation, and metal enclose steel shanks and metal safety-toe caps, so they are safe to wear in work sites where you may encounter live circuits.

Anti-static footwear – These boots have a classification that is designed for workers that operate in a static electricity sensitive environment.

Helping to reduce the amount of static electricity your body accumulates, they also provide a good amount of resistance to electrical hazards from live circuits. 

Typically, these boots are marked with either ESD or SD tags.

Conductive footwear – With conductive footwear, you are protected in environments that have a hazardous amount of static electricity accumulated on your body.

Made with cements and materials that have no electrical resistance, conductive safety footwear is sometimes called “static-dissipating” in that they lessen how much static electricity is accumulated when you are walking and moving.

The boots help to dissipate the static electricity from your body to the ground to lessen the possibility of ignition from a static electric spark. They do not, however, protect you from electrical equipment or live charges.

How to Tell if Your Work Boots are EH rated

The ASTM gives the manufactures labels to place inside work boots to indicate whether they are EH-rated or not.

One of the boots will be clearly labeled with either a stitched in or stamped on label indicating the standards that the work boots meet.

The third line of the rating will indicate an EH if the work boots have earned an EH-rating.

Are Steel Toe Boots Safe for Electricians?

When considering steel-toed boots, remember that OSHA does not consider steel-toe shoes to be hazardous. As long as the conductive part of the shoe isn’t in contact with the electrician’s foot and isn’t exposed on the outside of the shoe, they are safe to wear.

Any type of material in the toe is safe as long as it meets the safety toe standards of the ASTM.

Since the safety toe actually sits on top of the shoe’s outsole, it is insulated from the floor.

The only way that a steel-toe could be dangerous to an individual is if that person was wearing them while they were standing on their toes causing the steel toe to be in contact with the floor.

Visit Safety and Health Magazine  to learn more specific information about electrical footwear.

Final Thoughts

The winner of the roundup is the Carhartt Men's Composite Toe Boots that features a composite toe that keeps electricians from experiencing electrical shocks as well as protecting them from falling objects. The Carhartt Composite Toe Boots also contain a rubber outsole that gives you protection as well as oil, chemical, and slip-resistant traction, plus they are EH-rated.

The Carhartt Composite Toe Boots are really comfortable boots, especially for electricians that are on their feet all day. With five layers of cushioning, the EVA midsole gives you comfort and durability while the rubber outsoles featuring cement construction and durability that make them definitely worth the investment.

Our second runner-up is the Irish Setter Men's Work Boot. With its classic boot design and durable construction, the Irish Setter Men’s Work Boots are affordable and dependable, plus they give you all-day comfort. Also featuring an EH rating, these heat-resistant boots were created to perform on high-heat surfaces, and they give you a good grip on the floor.

When you choose the best work boots for electricians that meet both federal and state safety standards, it’s not always cheap. The cost is worth it in the end to prevent serious injuries, plus it’s also worth it to have confidence in the work boots that you are wearing, no matter what job you are facing.

Sources

http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/electrical-hazards-and-footwear-2

https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2011/04/01/Using-Dielectric-and-Electrical-Hazard-Shoes.aspx

https://www.gemplers.com/tech/fansi.htm

https://www.ishn.com/ext/resources/Resources/white-papers/RWS_GuideToOSHAFootwearReg_WhitePaper_0516_FINAL.pdf

https://www.astm.org/Standards/F2413.htm