Safety first, right? We hear that all the time.
Most jobs make certain to keep you safe, whether you’re working outdoors or indoors. Hence they are also strict with some requirements when it comes to working boots.
However, many popular work boots sell for over $100 and multiply as you add more pairs down the road. Cheap work boots are easier to replace after normal wear and tear and can save you more money in the future.
The good news, however, is that it is possible to find budget-friendly work boots that will give you peace of mind and avoid the resulting long term disability associated with work hazards.
The best cheap work boot will be robust, comfortable, and supportive without sacrificing safety for budget or draining your bank account in the process.
To make sure you get the best and cheapest work boots, we have laced this buying guide with valuable work boot reviews, putting into consideration their vital features and advantages to you. We recommend the Skechers Men’s Workshire Relaxed Fit Work Boot because it is versatile, durable, and safe.
Best Cheap Work Boots
1. Skechers Men’s Workshire Relaxed Fit Work Boot
These boots provide Quality craftsmanship to give you top comfort and safety while you work.
This pair of reliable work boots by Skechers are built with quality leather with a padded collar, tongue, and lace-up front design that will turn eyes in your direction.
They relatively affordable and feature a flexible and robust rubber outsole that is resistant to abrasion and oil while providing excellent traction on oily/slippery surfaces.
They focus on keeping the wearer safe; the steel safety toe feature protects your feet from impact while the electrical hazard safe design is also a good bonus for construction workers looking to evade electrical wiring issues.
The heel is sized 1.5,‘’ and the shaft is 5.25 inches from the arch; these features provide valuable support to your feet and allow maximum movement without restrictions.
The removable memory foam assures added comfort; the pull-tab at the back of the ankle assists the wearer in pulling the often heavy work boots off and on.
Pros
- Built with quality craftsmanship;
- Removable memory foam provide comfort;
- Price is relatively affordable;
- Heel and shaft provide quality support;
- Outsole provides superb traction on slippery surfaces;
- Electrical hazard safe design.
Cons
- May be heavier for some;
- Not recommended running;
- The waterproof feature needs work;
- A bit narrow for some.
The Workshire Relaxed Fit is a good deal for its price and features. However, this pair may not be the ideal pair for you if you need to stand all day or require a boot that can keep the moistures out.
2. GW Men’s 1606ST Steel Toe Work Boots
The GW Men’s Work Boots is one of the best cheap work boots you will find in the market.
First off, they feature a Goodyear Welt construction, and full-grain Nubuck leather that is built to withstand various harsh conditions and also stand the test of time.
This water-resistant and good looking boot wards off any moisture that comes in contact with the upper while its steel toe protection feature protects your feet from impact.
The durable rubber sole provides quality traction, although it may not be the best for icy conditions.
Pros
- Goodyear welt construction and Nubuck leather ensures decent durability;
- One of the cheapest work boots available;
- Comfortable with decent ankle support;
- Break-in fast;
- Resistant to moisture and other corrosives;
- The rubber sole gives a solid grip on the floor;
- Steel toe protects your feet from impact.
Cons
- Poor slip-resistance in wet conditions;
- Laces may fray quickly;
- The ankle support is a bit rusty;
- Sizing can be a bit challenging for some.
If you prefer a work boot for cold/wet conditions, then you require more traction and, this may not be the best for you.
However, if you don’t really require a lot of protection at work, then this pair is decent and extremely affordable; also, a great choice if you’re looking to replace it after a year or two.
3. EVER BOOTS “Tank Men’s Soft Toe Work Boots
When it comes to comfort, the EVER BOOTS Tank Men’s Work Boot is in a class of its own.
This boot is suited for construction workers, plumbers, carpenters, engineers, handymen, and especially for welders.
The classic design features a Goodyear Welt construction, with oil-resistant Nubuck leather that will fight off deterioration and ensure its durability.
These boots also provide quality support. The steel shank supports the ball of your foot to relieve pressure and keep your feet stable while you walk. Asides, there is enough steel shank to support them.
The unique tread pattern provides excellent traction no matter the terrain.
Additionally, these boots have a cushioned insole that provides quality cushioning and comfort to your feet. The fact that it is removable too paves the way for custom inserts.
Pros
- It is a very affordable work boot;
- Goodyear Welt construction, with sturdy leather, ensure its durability;
- Robust rubber soles provide excellent traction;
- Can withstand up to 12,000 volts of electricity;
- Insulation system keeps feet stable in cold conditions;
- Steel toe for toe protection protects feet from impact;
- Resistant to water, oil, and other corrosive materials;
- Provide quality cushioning and comfort;
- Steel shank protects ankles and provides quality support.
Cons
- Not recommended for heavy-duty work;
- Sizing may be tricky for some; order at least ½ size up;
- Tend to scuff easily;
- Eyelets fall apart;
The boots are durable enough to withstand everyday use while keeping the wearer comfortable; if you’re looking for a mix of both, then this is the pair for you.
4. King Rocks Men’s Moc Toe Construction Boots Work Shoes
The King Rocks Men’s Moc-Toe is a high-performance work boot with all the required safety and comfort features.
This water-resistant work boot makes use of Goodyear Welt construction with a Full-Grain Nubuck Leather that ensures durability. Also, thanks to the design, this boot has a more stylish appearance.
These affordable work boots come with a non-marking wedge PU outsole that offers excellent traction on slippery surfaces with a removable cushion insole that ensures added comfort and breathability.
The Safety Steel Toe provides excellent protection against heavy impacts and falling objects.
Pros
- Provides above average traction and support;
- Goodyear Welt construction with quality Leather ensures durability;
- Lightweight and Water Resistant;
- Boots offer structural support;
- Mesh lining can keep the feet warm;
- Removable cushion insole ensures added comfort and breathability;
- The outsole offers excellent traction;
- Shock-absorbing comfort stylish appearance.
Cons
- They are not known to last;
- Sole may lose the cushion effect.
The King Rocks Men’s Moc-Toe is one of the best and cheapest high-performance work boot in the market with all the required safety and comfort features you need for work.
If you need a boot that offers excellent traction on slippery surfaces while maintaining a stylish appearance, then this pair is your best choice.
5. AdTec Women’s 9″ Logger Brown Work Boot
Unlike most secured work boots for women, these are built to withstand heavy-duty work for women who work in areas with slippery conditions or difficult terrains.
The 9-inch shaft protects the feet from hazards, dangerous animals like snakes, and excessive heat. It also offers good leg and ankle support required for tough outdoor work.
These work boots come with oil and slip-resistant deep rug outsoles that provide superb traction and make it easier to walk on snowy paths or rough farmlands.
Adtec Women’s Logger work boot was crafted with horse leather uppers, which are bound to the sole with a Goodyear welt construction – this ensures the durability, breathability, and resistance to moisture.
The work boots are true to size, and the toe area is also roomy enough to allow your toes can splay comfortably.
This work boot s a reflection of classy look and quality at the same time.
Pros
- Affordable pricing;
- Provides Good Balance and superb traction;
- Durable, breathable and resistant to moisture;
- Pretty functional and stylish;
- Spacious toe box allows toes to splay;
- Gives a warm and snug fit.
Cons
- Not recommended for long hikes;
- Requires time to break-in;
- Limited to one color.
Don’t be worried about the low price; I believe this brand keeps its price low so they can break into the market. They provide good value.
If you work at heavy-traction work environments such as construction sites, factories warehouses, and other industries, and you are looking for a low budget work boot to keep your feet safe and comfortable.
The Adtech 9-inch Logger boot is the ideal option for you and will actually serve you in those tough environments. If you want to find particular boots, check out our review on the top logger boots.
6. Caterpillar Men’s Second Shift Steel Toe Work Boot
Caterpillar boots is one of the best work boots on the market and welcome addition to the huge collection from the world-famous shoemaker.
This waterproof, fire-resistant, and full-grain leather upper features a Goodyear welt construction that ensures its durability. With these excellent features, this is undeniably one of the most durable work boots you can find anywhere.
It is made with pull up leather to give your feet extra comfort and breathability during the task.
The inner lining features a nylon mesh affair that ensures the comfort and breathability of the boots while the Climasphere insole keeps your feet fresh, cool, and controls any unwanted odor.
The Caterpillar Men’s Second Shift work boot also features a steel shank that provides an additional layer of support with a removable PU sock liner that delivers superb comfort for long hours.
The steel toe guard protects your toes from impact from falling objects while the oil and slip-resistant sole give your feet the grip it needs while working.
Pros
- Robust Goodyear welt construction ensures durability;
- Waterproof, fire-resistant and full-grain leather upper;
- Oil and Slip-resistant outsole ensures superb grip;
- The inner lining ensures comfort and breathability;
- Steel shank structure and removable PU sock liner offers extra support;
- Steel toe guard protects your toes from impact.
Cons
- Poor-quality laces;
- Some wearers complained about the comfort;
- Outsoles may break apart;
- Requires break-in time for some;
- Not recommended for wet environments;
- Not puncture proof;
- No electric hazard protection.
If you’d like a pair of Caterpillar Men’s Second Shift work boots, you will enjoy oil and slip-resistant outsole with a nicely positioned heel that makes movement easier.
It is one of the best cheap work boots in the market. It focuses on comfort and safety while keeping costs affordable.
7. Skechers Men’s Burgin-sosder Industrial Boot
The Skechers Work Relaxed Fit Burgin Sosder boots get you through your day in comfort, style, and full safety.
It features lightly textured full-grain leather upper, a soft padded fabric lining and mesh tongue for added breathability and comfort.
The Relaxed Fit design offers a roomier and comfortable fit with an Air Cooled Memory Foam that provides all-day underfoot comfort. The cushioned insole provides additional cushioning and breathability.
The shock-absorbing foam midsole provides quality support and comfort, while the all-terrain rubber outsole provides high traction on all surfaces.
It features a rounded plain toe design, a lace-up system that offers a secure fit, and a reflective synthetic trim at the boot sides and heel that ensures more visibility.
These boots also come with an Electrical Hazard safe design and a composite safety toe that ensures resistance against impact.
Pros
- Oil and slip resistant outsole provides superb traction;
- Composite safety toe ensures resistance against impact;
- Soft fabric lining secures a comfortable fit;
- Rounded plain toe design;
- Cushioned insole provides additional cushioning and breathability;
- The lace-up system that offers a secure fit;
- Reflective synthetic trim ensure more visibility;
- Electrical Hazard safe design.
Cons
- Some reviewers complained about its comfort;
- May wear out quickly.
The Skechers Men’s Burgin-sosder boots focus on delivering comfort and support; if you don’t mind replacing this boot after one or two years of use, then this is the right pair for you.
What to Look Before Buying Cheap Work Boots
Finding the right pair of cheap work boots with a decent amount of protection and top comfort can be tedious work. The reality is that these boot types do not always offer the same things as their expensive counterparts.
Hence, cheaper work boots are ideal for moderate labor, particularly considering that some of them have no safety toe feature.
The following criteria will help you know what to check for when looking for the best cheap work boots for you.
Design
Well designed work boots are lightweight, comfortable and provide you with all the support that you need.
One of the key things to consider in work boots is the design, a factor of its material, and its quality.
The quality of the material can make or break the work boot.
Work boots made from rubber or even nylon is relatively low cost but not as durable as leather.
Leather is more popular materials for boot uppers due to how waterproof and robust it is. High-quality leather work boots are more durable.
Outsole
Another key factor to consider is the material’s sole. The outsole of your boots features diverse materials. It is better to look out for soles made out of Rubber, Neoprene, Polyurethane, TPR (ThermoPlastic Rubber), Nitrile, and PVC, as they are so much better than those made from leather, wood and felt.
The surfaces you work on are also a factor. Polished floors perform better with rubber soles, but wet, oily, or highly abrasive surfaces require a good degree of slip resistance.
Regardless of the kind of surface you work on, work boots that are both slip and oil-resistant will keep you safe from slippery surfaces, which by the way, can be found just about anywhere.
Most soles are built from rubber or TPU. Rubber soles are generally heavier than TPU ones. They are also abrasion and oil-resistant, which is a bonus to wearers who work in un-even working conditions. Rubber soles have a greater slip-resistant ranking than TPU soles.
While purchasing your pair of cheap work boots, you must consider comfortable and firm outsoles that can sustain your weight and allow maximum movement; otherwise, you may end up disappointed with your acquisition.
Depending on your occupation, you may want to look for boots with a puncture-resistant plate to guard your feet from nails and soles that are acid-resistant.
Durability
Durability is a big deal for most workers.
When it comes to buying cheap boots, many workers often complain that their footwear doesn’t last long enough as they break apart quickly because of the poor quality materials they are made with.
There are a number of key factors that can determine the durability of a boot; some of them are the construction type and the quality of construction material. Surprisingly the brand name may not always be a good indicator.
When selecting is the most appropriate work boot for the amount you have, you should always look out for boots with quality leather uppers and robust construction methods; they tend to be more durable and valuable.
It’s also important to note that cleaning and maintaining the work boots properly help their durability.
Heel Support
You need all the support you can get for maximum movement.
If you carry heavy objects at work or stand for long periods of time, you may want to consider purchasing boots that will offer comfortable cushioning to reduce fatigue and provide adequate support.
Depending on the nature of your job – especially Railroad workers and loggers – you may want to look out for boots with ankle and calf support.
On the other hand, If you require a higher level of shock absorption or support, you should opt for a pair of work boots that feature removable insoles; this allows you to replace them with your own custom orthotics.
Most of the best cheap work boots listed here have some great support features that will keep you relatively safe without spending a fortune.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does expensive mean better quality?
A: No! That is purely a classic marketing technique, and you shouldn’t fall prey to it.
They allocate a lot of resources to their marketing to make you think that a more expensive product must have high-quality materials. This makes consumers spend more on work boots that are just overpriced.
The truth is that the materials needed to make a durable, comfortable, and protective pair of quality boots are affordable.
The marketing expenditures, however, may be the major expense.
While some brands may focus on marketing more than others, some others are concentrating their efforts on providing quality boots with great features.
Q: Does low price mean low quality?
A: Certainly not! Cheap doesn’t mean bad quality.
Some brands spend a lot more on marketing than other brands, and hence their prices tend to be higher. Some brands, on the other side, focus their efforts on providing quality boots with great features and investing in low scale advertising; this allows them to offer their products at a lower price.
Cheap materials can make boots that are protective, comfortable, or durable enough.
Q: How often should your work boots be replaced?
A: There is no set time for when you should replace your boots, but if you begin to notice a decline in the quality of your work boots, which often deteriorates effectiveness, it may time to get a new pair of work boots.
To ensure that your boots serve you for a long time, you need to take care of your boots while you use them properly.
Q: What are the best cheap work boots?
A: The best cheap work boots features in this list are;
The Skechers Workshire Relaxed Fit Boot, GW Men’s 1606ST Steel Toe Work Boot, EVER BOOTS “Tank Men’s Work Boot, King Rocks Men’s Moc Toe Work Shoe, AdTec Women’s 9” Logger Brown Work Boot, Caterpillar Men’s Second Shift Steel Toe Work Boot, and the Skechers Men’s Burgin-sosder Industrial Boot.
Q: How long should work boots last?
A: Under usual working conditions with everyday wear boots start to show wears and tears around the 1500 km and should last 8-12 months.
Conclusion
We have provided you with lots of options on the cheapest boots currently on the market.
All of the superb work boots featured here are from well-known brands and are properly designed to give you the maximum support that you require for your everyday work.
We recommend the Skechers Men’s Workshire Relaxed Fit Work Boot; it is versatile, durable, and safe.
Regardless, this affordable work boot review will make it easy for you to find the right pair that best suits your needs.
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