Workwear Guru is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
If you work in construction, woodworking, mining, or any other industry where your feet are subject to discomfort or workplace hazards, it’s crucial that you find a great pair of construction shoes. Unfortunately, this can be tricky, and you might end up purchasing a few pairs before you find the perfect fit. This is not only time-consuming and annoying but can also have a significant impact on your bank balance. Luckily, we’re here to help you find a pair that suits your needs.
Our Best Construction Shoes Picks
Without further ado, we’re presenting you with a list of the 11 best construction shoes.
1. KEEN Utility Men’s Atlanta Cool Steel Toe Work Shoes
Thanks to its design and material KEEN Utility Men’s Atlanta Cool Steel Toe Work Shoe are some of the most appropriate footwear for construction, transportation, landscaping, maintenance, manufacturing, warehouse, distribution, etc. The safety these shoes offer is a whole new level. Not only that, but they are also quite easy to maintain. The small stains one gets in their shoes can be removed using a gum eraser and rub in the shoe, whereas the tough stains are treated with a damp cloth and a mix of water and vinegar.
Design & Functionality
At first sight, they don’t look like they’re working shoes as they look very casual. However, that’s where their strength is. They’re good-looking, lightweight, and safe enough to wither what might fall on them. At the front, the shoe has steel-toed work for protection. Nothing can get through it, not even stone chips and metals.
The bottom part of the shoe has a rubber sole. The shoe also includes a removable Metatomical Dual-Density EVA footbed. The heel measures 1,25”. The KEEN Utility Men’s Atlanta Cool Steel Toe Work shoe is made of waterproof leather and mesh.
KEEN Utility Men’s Atlanta Cool Steel Toe Work Shoe is available in several different colors: black, shitake brown/black, black/dark shadow, cascade brown/forest night, gargoyle/midnight navy. This type of construction shoe weighs around 17.63 ounces.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Breathable | Not attractive |
| Easy to rinse off | |
| Super comfortable | |
| Great traction | |
| Durable | |
| Easy on/off quick lace |
2. KEEN Utility Men’s Flint Low Steel Toe Work Shoes
What can we say about the KEEN Utility Men’s Flint Low Steel Toe Work Shoe? They’re a great combination of protective, durable, and comfortable work shoes. It’s the ideal shoe for construction workers and carpenters and all those workers who have to keep shoes on for more than 10 hours a day. Even though this type of shoe isn’t waterproof, it can withstand light rain. They’re very easy to maintain. After they’ve become all dirty after a long day at work, all you have to do is use water and soap, and they’ll look brand new.
Design & Functionality
KEEN Utility Men’s Flint Low Steel Toe Work Shoe is made of 100% nubuck leather. One characteristic of this shoe is that it has left and right asymmetrical steel toes that make the shoe ideal for accommodating each toe from the big one to the little one.
This shoe also offers support to the midfoot part with a Torsional Stability Shank. Just like the other KEEN shoe already listed, it has a removable Metatomical Dual-Density EVA footbed. KEEN Utility Men’s Flint Low Steel Toe Work Shoes are available in several different colors: shitake brown/rust, cascade brown/caramel café, black/dark shadow, gargoyle/forest night. As for the weight, they weigh around 28.21 ounces.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Fit well | Don’t last long |
| Extremely comfortable | |
| Room for toe movement | |
| High performance |
3. Timberland PRO Men’s Mudsill Steel-Toe Shoe
The Timberland PRO Men’s Mudsill Steel-Toe Shoes won’t fail you when you need some heavy-duty construction shoes to keep your feet safe. They feature a steel toe and a breathable mesh lining that will protect your feet and keep them cool at the same time. The leathers and outsole are abrasion resistant, and the shoes come in three different colors for you to choose from.
Design & functionality
The Timberland PRO Men’s Mudsill Steel-Toe Shoes are made of 100% leather and feature a durable rubber sole. The leathers and outsole are abrasion resistant, which is a critical feature in a construction environment. They also offer arch support, and their anti-fatigue insoles make them extremely comfortable.
These are quality construction shoes and are designed specifically for enduring the toughest environments. They are made of breathable mesh and soft suede upper. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a construction shoe without a sturdy and tough steel toe that will protect your feet against hazardous objects.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Steel toe | The lining could improve |
| Made of 100% abrasion-resistant leather | |
| The rubber sole is durable and abrasion-resistant | |
| Three different designs to choose from | |
| The anti-fatigue insoles and breathable mesh makes these shoes comfortable all day long |
4. Skechers Men’s Greetah Construction Shoe
If you want to be safe at work but still look stylish, then you should purchase the Skechers Men’s Greetah Construction Shoes. Working in construction is hard enough as it is, why worry about uncomfortable and aching feet too? These shoes are made of suede, both the upper and the sole. They feature a composite toe, ideal for keeping your feet safe at work, and they’re waterproof so your feet will be dry and cool all day long.
Design & functionality
Because of their stylish design and colors, these shoes might not look like construction shoes, but here we are to tell you all about their amazing features. The Skechers Men’s Greetah Construction Shoes feature a composite toe, which is a must if you work in construction or any place that might have dangerous falling objects. This composite toe is rated ASTM F2412-2011 I/75 C/75 for safety.
And, do not worry about wet feet either: they have a seam-sealed waterproof upper made of suede that will keep your feet dry and comfortable all day long. There are 5 different colors and designs available for these shoes, all stylish and equally durable.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| 100% made of suede | They are a bit on the heavier side |
| Suede upper and sole | |
| Waterproof seam-sealed construction | |
| 5 different designs and colors to choose from | |
| Electrical Hazard Safe rated ASTM F2412-2011 | |
| Composite safety toe rated ASTM F2412-2011 I/75 C/75 | |
| Relatively inexpensive compared to other work shoes |
5. Reebok Work Shoe: Men’s Guide Work (Industrial and Construction Shoes)
We can easily say that Reebok provides some of the best work shoes out there. With this particular model, they created an appropriate work shoe for construction and industrial workers. It’s quite hard to beat the level of performance, quality, and comfort that Reebok Work Shoe: Men’s Guide Work brings.
Design & Functionality
Reebok Work Shoe: Men’s Guide Work (Industrial and Construction Shoe) was created to withstand the challenges that an industrial and construction worker deals with on a daily basis. The shoe contains the R52 rebounding foam midsole whose mission is to cushion on impact and propel you forward through toe-off, keeping you going over the long haul. Whereas, the MemoryTech memory foam removable cushion footbed cuddles your foot by creating a comfortable environment.
Another highlight of this shoe is the ESD protection. This steel-toed shoe offers dual-resistor protection. Not many shoes can compare with the build and material of this Reebok shoe. As for the color and the weight of these shoes, we can tell you that they’re available in the color black, but there’s no information on the weight of this particular work safety shoe.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Fitting | Not waterproof |
| Comfortable | |
| Lightweight | |
| Sturdy | |
| Slip-resistant |
6. Caterpillar: Woodward Steel Toe Work Shoes
Not many people care to look stylish in a work environment. They just want shoes that can get the work done and actually protect the foot in case of any risky situation. Well, with these Caterpillar shoes one gets to find the dream construction shoes. They are really effective while also maintaining a casual appearance. For some their casual look might create some wrong misconceptions about the quality and performance, but let us tell you that that can’t be further from the truth.
Design & Functionality
One thing that differentiates this Caterpillar shoe is how comfortable they feel. The shoe’s ERGO technology is biomechanically engineered for stability, flexibility, and comfort. The slip-resistant rubber sole of the shoe is also abrasion resistant and can provide a grip on low traction surfaces and works wonders in oily and wet environments. The nylon mesh lining of the shoe optimizes breathability and comfort, whereas, antimicrobial sock liner helps to prevent odor.
One other characteristic of this construction shoe is Electrical Hazard Protection. The shoe can protect you against open circuits up to 600 volts in dry conditions. Blue nights, cloudburst, and pavement are the three colors you can find this shoe available in. As for the weight, Caterpillar Men’s Woodward Steel Toe Work Shoe weighs around 2 pounds.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Sturdy | Narrow in the toe |
| Comfortable | |
| Durable | |
| Toe protector | |
| Slip-resistant |
7. Fires: Work Safety Industrial Work Shoes
Many people are on the lookout for work safety shoes that are comfortable, have a decent performance, have good quality, and won’t have to spend much on them. Well, if you happen to be one of these people, then this particular Fires shoe is the right one for you. They have an anti-puncture steelhead, anti-piercing steel midsole, are easy to bend, and are extremely soft and comfortable.
These work safety shoes fulfill many workplace requirements. They are the ideal shoes for walking, hiking, construction, and industrial work.
Design & Functionality
Fires: Work Safety Industrial Work Shoe is one of the shoes that at the bottom has a graphene sole. It gives the shoes the qualities of being soft, light, shock-absorbing, anti-skid, folding resistant, flexible, wear-resistant, and antibacterial. The sole is also present in the upper part of the shoe. It protects the foot from piercing from pointed objects such as nails and steel bars. This steel toe cap has a thicker collar, skin lining, and upper for the comfort of the steel structure.
Fires: Work Safety Industrial Work Shoe is available in many different colors: dark brown, orange, pure grey, black grey, black-red, brown-green, pure brown, red, pure black, blue, grey-white, dark grey, dark black, and green. As for the weight of these construction shoes, there’s no information on the weight of this particular work safety shoe.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Affordable | A bit heavy |
| Puncture proof | |
| Wear-resistant | |
| Sturdy | |
| Comfortable | |
| Reflective design for night vision |
8. Reebok Work Men’s Soyay RB1910 Skate Style EH Safety Shoes
Reebok is known for its footwear worldwide. So, it was impossible not to have their wok safety shoes on our list at least twice. The main characteristic of this particular work shoe is that it looks exactly like regular sneakers. These shoes are appropriate for workplaces like warehouses, automotive industries, and similar workplaces.
Design & Functionality
Reebok Work Men’s Soyay RB1910 Skate Style EH Safety Shoe is designed in that way that the upper part contains suede leather and the bottom part is wrapped in a slip-resistant rubber sole. The suede in the shoe brings the agility that is required from each worker. The EVA midsole and nylon mesh lining in the shoe provides stability and breathable comfort. Even though the shoes don’t show it, they’re some of the safest work zones. They don’t slip and can withstand chemicals.
Reebok Work Men’s Soyay RB1920 Skate Style EH Safety Shoe is available in color black. As for the weight of these shoes, there’s no information on the weight of this particular work safety shoe.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Comfortable | A bit heavy |
| Lightweight | Not fit for long shifts |
| Good-looking | |
| Durable |
9. New Balance Men s Steel Toe 627 V2 Work Shoes
There’s no workplace you can’t work in if you have these shoes on. Not only are they safe, but they also seem quite lightweight. With this model, New Balance brought a whole other kind of shoe, one that combines quality, safety, comfort, and durability. We’re sure your coworkers will be amazed by your athletic-looking, protective shoes.
Design & Functionality
New Balance Men’s Steel Toe 627 V2 Work Shoe is designed for workers that work on their feet. The shoes have an ABZORB® cushioning for support. What’s better is that these shoes have the ability to reduce static electricity hazards. As for the slip-resistant properties of the shoe, they contain rubber outsoles that provide superior traction under various surface conditions. The steel-toe cap that the shoe has, provides protection in risky work environments. The wider toe cap and the rubber toe tip enhance the shoe’s fit and durability.
New Balance Men’s Steel Toe 627 V2 Work Shoes are available on color black and brown. As for the weight, New Balance Men’s Steel Toe 627 V2 Work Shoe weighs 17.21 ounces.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Slip-resistant | Not waterproof |
| Comfortable | |
| Nicely arched heel drop |
10. PUMA Safety Men’s Rio Shoes
PUMA Safety Men’s Rio is the perfect combination of safety and style. With these shoes on your feet, you can easily transition from a workplace to a casual environment. You don’t need to change your shoes as these look like normal shoes.
Design & Functionality
The upper part of the shoe is made of water-resistant suede leather with a traditional lace-up system that guarantees a secure fitting. The shoe features a fiberglass reinforced composite toe cap with a spacious toe area that brings extra comfort. The BreathActive functional lining provides a breathable, more comfortable foot environment. The anatomically formed removable evercushion® BA footbed brings excellent underfoot support and comfort. The iCell element in the heel zone improves the cushioning and increases the shoe’s stability, guidance, and comfort.
PUMA Safety Men’s Rio shoe is available in two different colors: black and blue. This pair of shoes weighs 24.9 ounces.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Underfoot comfort | A bit heavy |
| Shock-absorbing | Thin rubber sole |
| Flexible | |
| Good traction | |
11. Timberland PRO Men’s Titan Safety Toe Oxford Shoes
If you happen to be a worker whose job includes many different environments, then maybe Timberland PRO Men’s Titan Safety Toe Oxford shoes are the right ones for you. With those shoes on, you can work on any surface without worrying too much about accidents that could happen. When designed, the manufacturers had safety and reliability in mind. Those who wear these shoes will help construction workers to make the most out of their day without having foot fatigue or anything related. The shoe features a cement construction for flexibility and reduced break-in time. Additionally, it contains mesh comfort lining with an antimicrobial treatment that contributes to keeping the foot dry and comfortable.
Design & Functionality
Timberland PRO shoes are made of 100% premium full-grain leather upper. They consist of great laces, synthetic soles, and good traction. Don’t get fooled by the relaxed style of the shoe, as it can keep your feet both safe and comfortable all day long. Lightweight, durable PU midsole provides excellent underfoot cushioning and shock absorption
Timberland PRO Men’s Titan Safety Toe Oxford shoes are available in two different colors: haystack brown and black. These shoes weigh 20.9 ounces.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Comfortable | Can chip |
| Good construction | Not smooth |
| Dry feet | |
| Abrasion, oil, and slip-resistant |
How to Pick Your Construction Shoes?
Knowing that out there might be hundreds of work safety shoes, you should be careful not to haste and get a pair that can make you regret their decision. That’s why you have to have a list of qualities the prospective work shoes have to fulfill.
Here’s our list of the qualities we believe the construction shoes should have.
Comfort
Well, nothing beats comfort. Usually, one knows immediately whether a shoe is comfortable or not. The way the foot feels and the toes are laid inside the shoe. The comfort of toes and feet is essential to the productivity of workers. If someone feels uneasy and pain in their feet, they can’t work as someone who has comfortable shoes on. That’s why they should buy shoes that are comfortable, well-fitted, and withstand the various environmental temperatures.
Durability
We’re sure that you wouldn’t want to buy new shoes every other day. In fact, many look for shoes that last longer than one year.
However, how can one know which shoes last longer than others? Well, the answer is on the material that the shoes are made of. With that in mind, one should focus on buying shoes made from materials that are known to have greater longevity.
Safety
The reason why many people buy work shoes is that they work in dangerous environments. Depending on what type of risk your workplace brings, make sure to buy shoes created to weather that specific hazard environment.
There are many work safety shoes out there, but not all of them will be appropriate for you as a construction worker. However, we’re sure that the list we made will definitely help you in this direction. May you find the best construction shoes for your feet and happy working!
