Best work boots in Australia

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Redback Bobcat (UBOK)

Best overall work boots for men

• , All-rounder

Cons

• Some may prefer the steel-toe option,
• Some complaints about inconsistent sizing

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Why we chose it

There are plenty of work boots on Amazon with a similar average review score to the Redback Bobcats, which are rated an average of 4.6/5 from over 600 customer reviews. But with the Bobcats boasting plenty of positive reviews from Australian workers, they're our pick as the best overall work boots for men.

This elastic-sided boot is designed as an all-round work boot, at home on the job site and for casual use. It features an air-cushioned midsole and oiled kip leather, with a three-piece leather upper designed to hold your foot in place.

The Bobcat also offers arch support and a slip-resistant sole, while a steel-toe variety is also available and highly rated by Amazon customers.

Ariat Women's Terrain Work Boot

Best overall work boots for women

Cons

• Not waterproof,Some buyers criticise their lack of durability

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Why we chose it

The Ariat Women's Terrain Work Boot scores an average rating of 4.7/5 from almost 1,200 Amazon customer reviews. It has also received plenty of glowing reviews from Australian buyers, so it's our choice as the best overall work boot for women.

Featuring full-grain leather and a Cordura or synthetic upper, the boot comes with a padded top collar for comfort and ankle support. Ariat's Advanced Torque Stability technology and a composite forked shank help you keep your feet, while a moisture-wicking lining keeps you comfortable when you're working up a sweat. This boot is also available in wide sizes available if you've got broad feet.

Caterpillar Men's Second Shift Steel Toe Work Boot

Best work boots for plantar fasciitis

Cons

• No Australian reviews, Some customers complain that sole is flimsy

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Why we chose it

If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, there are plenty of good reasons to check out the Second Shift work boot from Caterpillar. With an average rating of 4.5/5 from thousands of Amazon customer reviews, it's our pick as the best work boot for plantar fasciitis.

Featuring a steel shank for increased support and stability, this boot features oiled full-grain leather or nubuck to help it stand up to plenty of punishment. The slip-resistant outsole provides traction on wet and slippery surfaces, while the Climasphere breathable insole offers plenty of comfort.

A soft-toe variety is also available if you would prefer, while a nylon mesh lining provides breathability on hot days.

Timberland Pro Men's Direct Attach Six-Inch Steel Toe Boot

Best steel-toe work boots

Cons

• Some customers complain that they are too narrow, Some buyers complain about lack of sole durability

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Why we chose it

They're not the only steel-toe work boots featured in this guide, but these Timberland Pro Direct Attach boots certainly have a lot to offer. Boasting an average score of 4.5/5 from over 3,000 Amazon customer ratings, they're our pick as the best steel-toe work boots.

This good-looking boot features a metallic, asymmetrical-shaped toe cap that meets US and Canadian safety standards. The leather is tanned to repel moisture and is seam-sealed to make this boot waterproof.

The Direct Attach boot also features Thermolite insulation to keep your feet warm and dry, shock-absorbing technology for comfort and a non-marking rubber lug outsole to provide grip.

Timberland Pro Men's Hyperion Waterproof XL Steel Toe Work Boot

Best waterproof work boots

Cons

• Some customers complain about the boots causing ankle pain ,Some complaints about poor build quality

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Why we chose it

Looking for a pair of boots to help your feet stay dry and comfy on the job? The Timberland Pro Hyperion Steel Toe boots have got you covered. With an average rating of 4.5/5 from almost 1,400 Amazon customer reviews, they're our pick as the best waterproof work boots.

Featuring a waterproof membrane and specially tanned leather, these boots are designed to keep moisture well away from your feet. The safety toe cap provides protection and peace of mind, while an EVA midsole and dual-density footbed provide comfort and support. The mesh lining also features an anti-odour treatment to ensure that hard work doesn't lead to smelly boots.

Caterpillar Men's Diagnostic Steel-Toe Waterproof Boot

Best work boots for flat feet

Cons

• No Australian reviews, Some buyers complain about a lack of durability

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Why we chose it

With an average review score of 4.5/5 from over 1,600 Amazon customer ratings, the Diagnostic waterproof boot from Cat is our pick as the best work boot for flat feet.

This boot features Thinsulate insulation to help ensure comfort and waterproof leather to help your feet stay dry. It uses the Ergo comfort system, which is designed to combine stability, flexibility and comfort into the one package.

A removable EVA insert with gel provides cushioning and support, while the slip-resistant rubber outsole ensures traction on a wide range of surfaces. The steel toe cap and electrical hazard protection also ensure that this boot is safe to use on a wide range of work sites.

Keen Utility Men's Milwaukee Waterproof (Steel Toe)

Best work boots for wide feet

Cons

• Some customers complain about squeaking sound when walking ,Some customers report they are not as waterproof as claimed

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Why we chose it

If you're looking for a pair of boots to suit wide feet, there's plenty to like about the Milwaukee waterproof boots from Keen. With an average customer rating of 4.4/5 from over 1,000 Amazon customer reviews, plus wide sizing available, they're well worth a look if you're searching for the best work boots for wide feet.

These boots feature a waterproof, breathable membrane designed to allow vapour to escape but not to let any water in. They include an anatomically engineered footbed for better arch support, plus toe protection and a 90-degree heel. Other features include abrasion-resistant leather and locking metal lace hooks, all of which help these boots stand up to plenty of tough stuff.

How did we pick this list?

Why you can trust our picks

We started our search for the best work boots in Australia by finding the highest-rated products on Amazon. We then compared those top-rated boots with other popular options in the same category, considering factors such as review comments, design and price to help us decide on our top picks.

We considered work boots from the following brands:

• Ad Tec
• Ariat
• Blundstone
• Carhartt
• Caterpillar
• Condor
• Danner
• Dr. Martens
• Ever Boots
• Frye
• Garmont
• Georgia Boot

• Golden Fox
• Grisport
• Harley-Davidson
• Irish Setter
• Keen
• Merrell
• Redback
• Red Wing
• Reebok Work
• RockRooster
• Rocky
• Safetoe
• Scruffs
• Skechers
• Suadex

• Thorogood
• Timberland
• TQGOLD
• Uttse
• Wolverine

Frequently asked questions

How do you clean work boots?

Use a damp brush or cloth to wipe dust and dirt away from your work boot's exterior. You can use an old toothbrush on the welt. Remove caked up dirt as much as possible. Then, use a boot or leather cleaner on the exterior. Gently scrub the cleaner on the boots using your brush. Rinse it out using a damp cloth.

Take out the insoles and wash them in the washing machine or by hand. Use a mild detergent to remove dirt and odour. Use a damp cloth with a gentle shoe cleaner to clean your work boots' interior. Spray them with a shoe deodorant to remove any mustiness.

After the components are completely dry, reinsert the insoles. Apply a pea-size amount of leather conditioner in a microfibre cloth and work it into the boots' exterior. A leather conditioner will help maintain your boots for longer.

Do work boots require to be broken in?

Most work boots require breaking in before they become extremely comfortable, especially if they're made of leather. Typically, it takes several days to even 2 weeks before your work boots fit like gloves.

You can make the process easier by wearing thick socks with your work boots and using them around the house for a couple of hours a day. You can also stick shoe stretchers to help the shoes expand and become comfier for your feet. Conditioning your leather work boots can also soften them to make the break-in process easier.

What does the green triangle mean on work boots?

The CSA green triangle means the work boots have Grade 1 protective toes. This means the pair's protective toes can withstand impacts up to 125 joules.

What is the difference between composite toe and steel toe?

In general, composite-toe work boots are more lightweight and provide better insulation. They're mostly made of non-metal materials, offering electrical resistance. However, composite-toe boots are bulkier looking and more expensive.

On the other hand, steel-toe work boots are more affordable and provide a sleeker silhouette. Most steel-toe pairs are also waterproof. Compared to composite-toe options, these are not as comfortable. Their toe boxes are also narrower, which might not suit people with wider feet.

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