If you want tough, durable slip on work boots that are easy to take on and off, you’ve come to the right place.
There are tons of slip on work boots out there, so it’s hard to know what to look for. How can you tell if they’re comfortable or not? And which pair of slip on work boots are the best?
The bottom line up front: we like the ROCKROOSTER Work Boot for Men – they’re good from a safety and style perspective, and they’re super easy to wear.
We also like:
- Wolverine Men’s Floorhand Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boot – they’re comfortable, waterproof, and easy to take on and off
- Georgia Boot Men’s Giant High Romeo Boot -they’re very comfortable and they look great
Today we’ll be looking at:
- What to look for in slip on work boots
- 5 of our favorites, including their key features, pros, and cons
- Some of the most frequently asked questions about work boots
- Which ones we like best, and why
Keep reading to find out more!
Table of Contents
- Best Slip on Work Boots Compared
- What to Look for in Slip on Work Boots
- Top 5 Best Slip on Work Boots
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Final Thoughts – Which Slip on Work Boots are Best?
Best Slip on Work Boots Compared
What to Look for in Slip on Work Boots
There are a few features to look for when shopping for slip on work boots.
Comfort and Convenience
Wearing work boots all day can become a pain if they start to hurt after a while, so it’s important to look for boots that are comfortable even after hours of use.
If you’re looking for slip-on work boots, it’s obviously important to find ones that are easy to get on and off – if you need to swap shoes or take your shoes off multiple times a day, you’ll find it a lot easier with slip on boots that aren’t too much of an effort to put on and to take off.
Reinforced Toes
The toe area is very important, especially if you work on a construction site or you have a job that involves heavy lifting. A strong toe area in a work boot will protect your feet against sharp objects, drops, or compression. Reinforced toes tend to be made from one of three things:
- Aluminum – this is durable but has the disadvantage of being quite heavy to wear. It won’t offer protection against electricity or heat.
- Steel – this is quite commonly used in work boots, as it’s durable and not too expensive. It won’t be suitable if you work with electricity.
- Composite – these are usually made from materials like carbon fiber or plastic. They’re great if you need boots that won’t conduct heat or electricity. Find out more about them in this article by Enfield Safety.
You can also get soft toe work boots. These are great if you don’t work with heavy or hazardous materials, but still need a sturdy pair of boots that will protect your feet from the elements. These have the benefit of being lighter to wear.
Materials
Here is a quick run down of the most commonly used materials for work boots:
- Leather – full-grain leather offers waterproofing, as well as being durable and comfortable. Depending on the type of leather used, these boots can feel quite heavy to wear.
- Nylon – nylon’s main advantage is the fact that it is lightweight. The downside is that nylon may not last as long as leather.
- Synthetic – made from a variety of materials, these are comfortable, and do tend to be durable depending on the exact type of materials used. They also tend to be a bit cheaper to buy than leather boots.
- Rubber – most work boots have thick rubber soles, which are great as they provide durability as well as having anti-slip properties.
Electrical Hazards
Working with live electricity means you’ll need a certified pair of boots – you can find out more about safe shoes for electricity in this article by Safety and Health Magazine.
Durability
It’s disheartening to shell out good money on a pair of boots only to find that they split or break straight away. Look for boots that have a good reputation in terms of being reliable and long-lasting. The soles should be thick enough to cope with all kinds of conditions, which is especially important if you work outdoors or in construction.
Waterproofing
Some boots may be advertised as being ‘water-resistant’. This means that they can keep water out, but they won’t be able to withstand being saturated in water or walking in heavy rain for a long time. They’re often treated with waterproofing material in a similar way to waterproof tents, which helps to increase their water resistance.
Waterproof boots are more robust, able to keep water from leaking through to the inside of your boots. As well as using waterproof materials, waterproof boots will have features like heat-sealed seams, which will stop water from seeping in at the joins.
Insulation
These are vital if you’re working in super cold weather. Insulated boots offer extra protection against the cold by being lined with insulating material, helping to keep heat trapped inside. However, these are obviously going to be a bit too much if you’re working in warmer climates.
Heel and Ankle Support
This is really important. Wearing badly fitted shoes can cause you problems in the long run, from short-term pain to long-term issues, not just with your feet, but with your legs or spine. It’s important to find boots that fit properly – Urban Shepherd Boots have a guide to how boots should fit.
Good heel and ankle support is very important, as well as enough cushioning to keep you comfortable after hours of wear.
Top 5 Best Slip on Work Boots
Here are 5 of our favorite slip on work boots – we’ll take you through their key features, pros, and cons, so you can hopefully find the right pair for you!
Wolverine Men’s Floorhand Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boot – Best for Comfort
Key Features
- Materials
Outer: Leather
Soles: Rubber - Weight: 2lbs / 0.907kg
- Insulated: No
- Toes: Steel
The Wolverine Men’s Floorhand Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boot is a good choice if you want something easy to put on and off. They’re longer boots, and they look great in dark brown leather – if you want something a bit more stylish than regular work boots, these could be the ones for you.
These have steel toes, which are great for impact protection. The soles are thick and tough, which is great if you work in construction. However, they don’t have electrical hazard protection, and they’re not insulated, which means they won’t work if you’re outside in freezing temperatures.
These are comfortable to wear, with good heel and ankle support and padding on the inside for extra comfort – great if you’re on your feet for long periods of time. They remain comfortable after hours of wear, which is great. They’re also waterproof, great at keeping water from seeping through to your feet.
Pros
- Easy to take on and off
- Stylish
- Steel toe is great for impact protection
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- Doesn’t have electrical hazard protection
- Not insulated
ROCKROOSTER Work Boot for Men – Best for Cold Weather
Key Features
- Materials
Outer: Leather
Soles: Rubber - Weight: 2.74lbs / 1.24kg
- Insulated: Yes
- Toes: Composite
The ROCKROOSTER Work Boot for Men is great for ease of use – they slip easily on and off while feeling secure on your feet. They look great and are casual enough to wear outside of work. They do get scratched however – so they’re not going to look pristine after a tough day.
This model comes in a variety of styles, some of which have soft toes. The boots we’re focusing on here have composite toes, and they’re great for protecting your feet against compression or drops without being too heavy. The soles are thick and super-durable, and they have electrical hazard protection, anti-static soles, and impact-absorption. They’re also insulated and super warm for colder weather.
These are very comfortable to wear. As well as having good ankle support, they’re padded for comfort, and they’re lightweight with their COOLMAX fiber technology – this helps to transport moisture away from your feet, keeping them cool despite the insulation.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Casual enough to wear outside of work
- Great safety features
- Comfortable and supportive
Cons
- The outer sole may get scratch
Bates Men’s 5″ Ultralite Tactical Composite Shoe – Best for Electrical Hazards
Key Features
- Materials
Outer: Leather and Nylon
Soles: Rubber - Weight: 2.5lbs / 1.13kg
- Insulated: No
- Toes: Composite
The Bates Men’s 5 is great in terms of slipping them on and off – they feel flexible, but not loose, which is ideal for quickly putting them on without compromising the fit.
They have composite toes, which are good for impact protection without being too heavy to wear. They have a slip-resistant sole and electrical hazard protection. If you do work with electricity and you’re on your feet all day, the lightweight feel of these shoes will give you comfort and protection.
They’re comfortable, especially as they don’t feel heavy, but there is a downside – they’re not waterproof, or even very water-resistant. If you do work in wet weather, you might want to pick another pair instead. They do offer good ankle and arch support.
Pros
- Quick to take on and off
- Good safety features
- Comfortable
Cons
- Not waterproof
Georgia Boot Men’s Giant High Romeo Boot – Best Soft Toe Boots
Key Features
- Materials
Outer: Leather
Soles: Synthetic - Weight: 2.5lbs / 1.13kg
- Insulated: No
- Toes: Soft
The Georgia Boot Men’s Giant High Romeo Boot is ideal if you want something comfortable, stylish, and easy to wear. They’re super easy to slip on and off, which is great.
They have soft toes, so in terms of safety, they’re not going to protect you from compression or drops, and they don’t have electrical hazard protection. They’re also not insulated, so they’re not ideal for colder weather.
However, where these come into their own is the comfort factor – they’re very comfortable to wear, and they’re lightweight thanks to the soft toe, which means that you can wear them in your everyday life as well as for work. They’re durable, with tough leather protecting you from the elements, and they’re water resistant too.
Pros
- Easy to wear
- Stylish
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
Cons
- Not as great from a safety perspective
Hisea Men’s Work Boots – Best Long Boots
Key Features
- Materials
Outer: Neoprene and rubber
Soles: Rubber - Weight: 3lbs / 1.36kg
- Insulated: Yes
- Toes: Soft
If you want long boots, then the Hisea Men’s Work Boots are a great choice. They’re really easy to slip on and off, thanks to a notch on the back of the heel which protrudes to help you get them on and off.
They have some reinforcement in the toe area, but they’re not properly protected like some of the other boots on this list. They’re tough, with reinforced soles that help to protect you from treading on sharp objects. The boots are insulated, and they work really well in keeping your feet warm even in very cold weather.
The boots are really comfortable to wear, with good waterproofing to keep your feet dry. They’re lined and cushioned, so they feel great even after a lot of wear – perfect if you work outdoors in cold weather.
Pros
- Easy to put on
- Comfortable
- Great for cold weather
- Waterproof
Cons
- Toes aren’t fully reinforced
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about slip on work boots:
Are slip on work boots bad for your feet?
Not necessarily – it all depends on fit. Loose-fitting shoes are bad for you for a lot of reasons (you can find out more about it in this article by Verywellhealth). As long as the boots fit your feet properly, they should be fine.
Can I wear work boots while hiking?
You can – although if they have reinforced toes, you might find it uncomfortable. Some soft-toe work boots can work well for walking and hiking, but it’s worth breaking them in before you go on a long walk. For more hiking product recommendations, try our guide to the Best Walking Sandals for Women or our Teva vs Chaco walking sandal comparison. We also have a guide to the best ponchos for hiking, the best hiking sunglasses, or the best hiking watches.
How can I care for leather work boots?
You can look after work boots in a few ways:
- Take your time to break them in – wear them around the house and look out for any painful spots that may indicate you need a better fit
- Oil them – this can help preserve the leather for longer. We like the Kiwi Shoe Conditioning Oil, but it’s worth checking to make sure your boots are the right color and type of leather before you use it
- Clean them thoroughly – every now and then it’s worth giving them a thorough clean
This blog post by Nick’s Boots goes into the care of leather work boots in more detail.
What socks should I wear with work boots?
Look for a pair of boots that have antimicrobial properties – this will help to keep them hygienic – as well as socks that are breathable and moisture-wicking. This will help to avoid any odor problems throughout the day.
We like the ONKE Cotton Moisture Wicking Socks, which are comfortable and functional.
Our Final Thoughts – Which Slip on Work Boots are Best?
We really like the ROCKROOSTER Work Boot for Men. They look great, they’re comfortable and easy to wear, and they’re great from a safety standpoint. We think they’re a good all-rounder, suiting a variety of situations.
If you don’t like the look of those, the Wolverine Men’s Floorhand Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boot and the Georgia Boot Men’s Giant High Romeo Boot are both strong choices. They both look stylish while being easy to take on and off.
We hope this has helped you to find the best slip on work boots for you!
