Adrian Dimakis
Welding is not an easy job. You have to deal with the dangers of an electrical current, falling objects, and sparks of molten welding rod. You might think that protecting your eyes with the right goggles and hands with the best welding gloves is enough, but wait until any of the above lands at your foot. You will be lucky to suffer a sprain as you dash to avoid the dangers. The worst-case scenario might see you stay away from your workplaces for months before you can completely heal.
Don’t wait until you learn your lesson. The best way to avoid such dangers and ensure that you work seamlessly is to wear the right welding boots. These shoes are designed specifically for welding and come with high-quality material to protect the feet from heavy materials and severe burns.
To save you from the hassles of finding the right one, we have rounded up ten best welding boots and even went a step further to provide some useful points that will help you make an informed decision.
Top 10 Welding Boots of 2020 Reviewed
1. Dr. Martens Men’s Ironbridge MG ST Steel-Toe Met Guard Boot
[wt_products id=”3036″ template=”5″]2. GW Men’s 1606ST Steel Toe Work Boots
[wt_products id=”3038″ template=”5″]3. Timberland PRO Men’s Excave External Met Guard Work Boot
[wt_products id=”3040″ template=”5″]4. Iron Age Men’s Ground Breaker IA5016 Work Boot
[wt_products id=”3042″ template=”5″]5. Caterpillar Men’s Revolver Pull-On Steel Toe Boot
[wt_products id=”3044″ template=”5″]6. Dr. Martens Men’s Icon Industrial Strength Steel Toe Boot
[wt_products id=”3046″ template=”5″]7. EVER BOOTS Tank Men’s Soft Toe Oil Full Grain Leather Insulated Work Boots
[wt_products id=”3048″ template=”5″]8. Caterpillar Men’s Second Shift Toe Work Boot
[wt_products id=”3050″ template=”5″]9. ROCKROOSTER Men’s Work Boots Waterproof Steel Toe, Antistatic
[wt_products id=”3052″ template=”5″]10. MAIERNISI JESSI Safety Shoes Suede Leather Welders Welding Safety Boots
[wt_products id=”3054″ template=”5″]How to Choose the Best Welding Boots – The Ultimate Buying Guide
So you want to buy welding boots? It will be foolhardy to order for a pair of boots when you aren’t sure of what you are getting. In order to get boots with the highest durability and functionality, there are a few things you need to consider. We shall examine them in terms of important questions you need to ask yourself before paying for a pair of welding boots.
Are The Boots Heat-Resistant?
As you weld metals together, the splatter will keep emitting heat, which may cause unnecessary injuries and even damage the shoes. That’s why it is important to check that the boots you need to buy are heat resistant. The good thing is that most of the boots available on the market are heat resistant. However, welding boots need to be made of heat-resistant materials such as hardy leather and heat-resistant soles made or neoprene.
Also important is material that prevents heat transfer to your skin like an in-sock with a Kevlar outer covering. This prevents the radiation of the heat to the inside of the shoes. But that’s not all. If the shoes are made of a rubber or high-density PU outsole are known to resist heat. In a factory setting, the best boots should ideally have a heat resistance level of at least 300 degrees Celsius. While some boots with heat-resistance abilities might be heavy, they are definitely worth the investment.
What Material Are The Shoes Made Of?
If the durability of the boots is important, then you need to give a good look at the material from which it is made. When buying welding shoes, some of the things to avoid include eyelets, prominent tongues, as well as crooks and crannies that could harbor molten metal. If your shoes were to be breached in any way, it is your feet they will get burned.
Equally important is the boots’ stitching. The best-designed shoes are those made with Kevlar thread. Not only are they durable but they are also heat resistant. There are a number of shoes which feature Goodyear welt construction. Welt refers to a leather part placed between the soles and the upper part of the boots which are then securely stitched together. In order to improve the ruggedness and longevity of the shoes, most manufacturers rely on the Goodyear welt construction.
However, some people may prefer shoes with the upper directly attached to the sole. Such shoes are lighter, affordable, and comfortable. Only that this kind of shoes are likely to be less durable. So, don’t be afraid of buying welding boots with welt construction. In the end, you will save a lot of money.
Laces or No Laces?
It might be a little bit confusing when it comes to choosing between pull-on and laced shoes. This is not just a question of picking one and not the other. It is necessary to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each of these types of shoes. One thing you should know is that exposed laces can easily catch fire. They may also get untied tripping and even making you fall.
In order to avoid the risk of the laces catching fire or getting unnecessarily untied, you may want to buy boots with metatarsal guards. These will cover the laces from any kind of gender. But you don’t have to go with boots without laces. If laces are your thing, why not! Such shoes are comfortable and safe to wear.
You will enjoy a number of advantages by investing in a pair of no-lace welding boots. For once, there is no way such shoes are going to trap molten metal. If you want a pair of shoes you can put on quickly and head off to work, this is it. Some of these shoes are created to cover your ankles all the way to the calves.
Are The Boots Waterproof?
It is not possible that you will be working in a dry environment throughout. If you work in wet or oily places, you need a pair of waterproof welding boots. Examples of wet environments include shipyards pipeline construction sites.
It to have a pair of waterproof welding boots, you can easily step in water without it soaking you up. Not only will your feet remain dry, but you will also be able to avoid the development of odor on your feet. Water is dangerous where electrical extension cords pass. When they come into contact with moisture, these may cause an unnecessary electric shock.
So make sure you get a pair of water-resistant boots if you intend to work in wet environments without having to worry about anything. Most of the shoes labeled water-resistant are usually made of leather. There are a number of manufacturers making shoes with a hydrophilic and oil coating to totally stop the entrance of water into the boots. For shoes without a water-resistant coating, the owner can apply the necessary material. However, that can be very costly.
Any Steel Toe Cap?
It is not a must for welding boots to have a metal toe cover. However, it is good to take precautions just in case a heavy object like an engine block, fuel tank or metal workpiece falls on your feet. That way, you can avoid severe fractures or total loss of toes on your feet. Where you have a factory, OSHA requires you to provide your employees with boots with steel toe caps.
Importantly, the cap needs to cover the whole of the toe section. If electric shock if likely, then buy a shoe with a fused toes cap and not one made from metal. Apart from being comfortable to wear, fused toe caps and also lighter. If you opt to save money by investing in a cap-less boot, you may end up having to deal with an avoidable accident. So don’t compromise on your safety. Only buy welding boots with steel toe caps.
How Durable Is The Sole?
One of the most important safety features of shoes is the sole construction. It is important that you consider how thick the sole is. If you buy a thin sole, then you are likely to get injured due to punctures by sharp objects. With thicker soles, you will also be able to enjoy better cushioning and shock absorption. That way, you will remain more comfortable all day long.
But thickness is not everything. Another important aspect of the sole if whether it is anti-slip or not. You would need slip-resistant shoes if your work environment has a soapy or oily floor. However, a good sole should also resist any chemicals such as acids and also resist heat. With a high-quality sole, you will be able to maintain high levels of traction and avoid unnecessary injuries and fatalities. In short, it will be easier for you to stay on your feet. Instead of synthetic soles, buy rubber ones.
How Comfortable Or Supportive Are The Boots?
The best welding boots are also comfortable. If they do not have good support, they may cause discomfort and even injuries. Look at factors such as breathability, which simply means the ease of inflow and outflow of air. Breathable shoes are able to prevent your feet from being soaked in heat and sweat. Also important it the kind of cushion provided by the insole. Basically, a good insole should allow the free floor of blood in your feet without creating pressure points. Another important contributor to the comfort of the boots is the weight. Simply put, lighter boots are easy to carry.
Conclusion
So what kind of boots will you buy? The review above has ten of the best welding boots from which you can pick. We have provided detailed information on all of them together with the pros and cons. If none of them appeal to you, then you can look elsewhere but considering the buying guide. Whatever you do, make sure you buy a pair of boots that’s both comfortable and highly functional. That way, you will never regret it.
