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Wearing suitable safety boots can save your life and health if you work as an electrician. This is why choosing the best boots for electricians is a question of extreme importance.
Always take into consideration the regulations of your employer or the legal requirements and recommendations for the type of work boots to choose for your job as an electrician.
You should also do some research and plan to spend maybe a little more than intended in order to stay safe when you are at work.
Contents
| BOOT | OUR RATING | |
|---|---|---|
 Wolverine Hudson W02194 |  |
|
 Carhartt CMF6366 Composite Toe Boot |  |
|
 Thorogood Gen Flex 804-4445 |  |
|
 KEEN Utility Milwaukee Steel Toe Boot | |
|
 Ariat Workhog Pull-On |  |
|
 Wolverine Tarmac |  |
After some thorough research, tests and surveys among electricians and their employers, we came with a list of the best work boots for electricians, based on the safety they provide and their comfort and durability. We were looking for boots which encompass all of these features and which are sold at a good price for the quality offered.
We know that the choice of suitable boots for electricians is very important and can actually help preserve your health and your life while on the job, which is why we have put some serious effort in picking the following work boots for you.
Here are our top selected work boots for electricians, and exactly what we like about them:
These boots from Wolverine not only look great, but also provide reliable protection from electric shock, and they are very comfortable and made of high quality materials put together by a strong and durable construction, which means that they will serve you for a long time. Here are some of the main characteristics of the Hudson work boots for electricians:
In conclusion, we strongly recommend these shoes for electricians, because they are made by a reputable manufacturer with high quality, sturdy materials and a great cement construction. These boots will endure a lot of wear and tear, and will keep your feet protected from falling heavy objects and yourself protected from electrical shock in case you run into a live electric current while on the job. Comfortable, supportive and with superb cushioning and arch support, the Hudson boots are one of our top choices for best boots for electricians.
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These EH rated composite toe boots look great and provide the comfort and durability which we were looking for when we were testing and choosing the best boots for electricians. Here is what we liked about these work boots from Carhartt:
EH and ESD rated, these boots are comfortable, durable, well cushioned and provide superb support to the feet and ankles. They have excellent traction and provide great shock absorption to help you stay safe and fatigue free even after long hours of work. They come at an attractive price for the quality offered which is also why we recommend them as a perfect choice for footwear for electricians.
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These Thorogood work boots are of high quality, they are EH rated and feature a safety composite toe for added protection and comfort during the long hours of work as an electrician who is at risk of running into a live electric current as well as of dropping heavy instruments and other objects while at work. We recommend these work boots because of the following characteristics:
These boots will keep your feet and ankles protected at all times, and will keep you safe from electric shock in case you run into live electric current. They have a durable construction and are made of materials which will endure years of daily wearing. They are comfortable, cushioned and provide great support to the arches, feet and ankles. These are definitely superb boots for electricians.
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The Milwaukee soft toe boots by KEEN are recommended for electricians who do not need composite, steel or aluminum toe protection and yet want boots which provide reliable toe and EH protection and even exceed the standards. They are comfortable and sturdy, and we definitely think that they are a perfect choice for footwear for people working as electricians. Here are some of their main characteristics:
These work boots look great and provide amazing comfort and support. They are made of durable materials and have a strong construction. They have safety toe protection without a metal or composite toe cap. Their EH rating exceeds the standards. They require no break in time and provide nice cushioning, support, shock absorption and have moisture wicking lining for added comfort. We strongly recommend these boots for electricians who are looking for suitable boots.
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These cowboy style boots are actually a great choice for electricians who like this style and those who prefer pull on boots for work. They look great, they are made of high quality materials and have a strong and sturdy construction, plus they are EH rated and very comfortable. Here are some of the main features of these Ariat work boots:
Not your typical work boot, these cowboy boots are in fact a great choice for electricians, as they provide all the necessary comfort, support and cushioning as well as the toe and EH protection required. Plus, they are made of sturdy high quality materials and are waterproof and oil and slip resistant
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The Tarmac work boots are perfect for wiremen. They are made of high quality materials, and are waterproof, slip resistant and comfortable, and of course are EH rated.
Here are some of their characteristics which made a lasting impression on us:
With their Wolverine patented construction, the high quality leather and other materials used, and the comfort they provide, these work boots are perfect for electricians. They are very lightweight and yet offer sufficient toe, EH and slip protection. The nylon shank and the added reflective wrap add to the pluses we found in these boots. With nice and comfortable cushioning and shock absorption features, these great looking boots are one of our favorites on this list!
View on AmazonCharacteristics to look for
To save you time and energy, we are providing you with a list of the most important characteristics to look for when shopping for the best boots for electricians.
Comfort
Wearing boots which fit you well and are comfortable, even at the end of the day when your feet are swollen from standing and from work is essential for your wellbeing and for your performance at your job. Wearing uncomfortable boots can ruin your day and can hinder your work and concentration.
This is why choosing boots which are the right size, and have sufficient toe space and arch support is essential.
You should look for boots which provide shock absorption, so that your feet don’t get tired and sore from the impact with the hard ground.
Also, boots which have comfortable cushioning in the footbed, collar and tongue area are also a better choice when choosing work boots which you will be wearing for hours on a daily basis.
Heavy duty boots can provide stability and safety for the feet and ankles, but they can be on the heavy side, so consider buying boots which still provide the necessary support and safety but are made of lighter weight materials, so that your feet do not get tired quickly and so that you can move easily on the job.
Flexible soles are also a plus, as electricians tend to kneel down a lot and need more freedom of movement in their feet.
Choosing between pull on boots and boots with a lacing system is a matter of personal preference. Some people find the pull on boots to be easier to put on and off, but others prefer the more secure fit of boots with a strong lacing system.
Durability
When investing in a new pair of boots for electricians, you want to choose ones that are more likely to endure the wear and tear of everyday use for a longer time. Choose work boots which are made of high quality materials and have a strong construction, preferably a Goodyear welt construction or a cement construction. Boots made by reputable manufacturers are more likely to be of a higher quality, and higher quality means a longer durability.
In other words, you may need to spend a tad more than you have planned, but if you choose wisely, this will turn out to be better long term investment.
Safety
This is probably the most important feature to look for when buying boots for electricians. You need to buy boots which are EH rated and provide protection from electrical current or static electricity, in accordance to your actual work and the risks involved. Look for ASTM tested and certified protection for EH.
Also, toe protection is recommended for nearly all kinds of electricians work. Sufficient and rated toe protection will help keep your feet safe from falling and rolling heavy instruments and other objects. Whether you choose composite or metal toe safety boots is a matter of personal preference, but always make sure that they are EH rated and safe.
For your safety, choose boots with rubber outsoles which provide a better grip and traction. This will help keep you from slipping, especially if you work in wet or slippery conditions. Most good work boots for electricians have slip and oil resistant outsoles. Some work boots have outsoles which are designed to provide ladder locking and safety when climbing ladders, which is a feature you should consider if you job description incudes ladder climbing.
Last but not least, consider buying waterproof work boots if you work in a wet environment. For those of you who work in cold conditions, work boots with sufficient insulation are a must. But don’t forget to look for boots with proper breathability or moisture wicking lining, so that you don’t suffer from sweaty and slippery feet.
There is a significant difference between ESD and EH rated boots.
ESD (electro Static Dissipative) rated boots are tested and safe for reducing the buildup of static energy in the body of the person wearing them. The static energy can cause serious damage to the machinery and electric equipment you are working with. Also, the sparks from accumulated static energy can be dangerous if you are working with volatile and explosive materials. In factories and other places where there is such a risk, usually special ESD flooring is fitted on the ground, so that the static energy is absorbed before building up in the bodies of the workers.
EH (electrical hazard) rated boots are tested as safe for being non-conductive and keeping the person wearing them safe in case the foot comes into contact with live electrical current. EH rated boots can save you from serious burns, injuries, cardiac arrest and even death in case you step on a live wire. Remember that if your EH rated boots feature metal safety toe caps, you must replace them in case the material encapsulating the toe cap from the inside or outside of the boot gets worn and allows the metal cap to be exposed.
No, steel toe boots which are ASTM EH rated are safe for wearing for electricians according to OSHA. The EH rated boots can feature a metal or a composite toe. When the toe cap is steel or aluminum, it is properly encapsulated by the non-conductive materials of the upper and the lining which keeps it from direct contact with your toes as well as form contact with live electrical currents.
The only time when wearing an EH rated steel toe boot could be dangerous is in case the caps have become worn off and the metal cap is actually exposed either on the inside or the outside of the boot. In this case, you should replace your boots with new ones immediately.
Always make sure that your work boots are EH rated and ASTM rated, so that you are sure that they are safe for work, if you are in contact with electricity.
The choice of the most appropriate footwear depends on the type of job you have and the work conditions you work in.
All three types are made for safety related to electricity, but they are quite different, so make sure you understand the difference before choosing suitable safety boots for your job.
Non-conductive boots are the EH rated boots designed and made to keep you protected from electric shock if you get into direct contact with live electric currents. These boots commonly feature safety toe cps, which can be metal, but if the boot is EH rated, the metal cap is completely encapsulated by the non-conductive material of the boots (leather rubber, insulation others) and thus doesn’t pose a danger.
Anti-static boots help prevent the accumulation of static electricity in the human body. This build up can lead to serious damage of machinery and equipment you work with. These work boots are SD or ESD rated, and are often combined with special ESD floor for an additional electric static dissipative (ESD) effect.
Conductive safety boots are recommended for people who handle or work with explosive or volatile materials. They are made to dissipate the accumulated static energy in the body, so s to avoid the risk of an electrical spark which can cause a fire or explosion. These boots have no electrical resistance, so you’re not protected from electrical hazard when you are wearing conductive safety boots, which is why it is essential to understand the difference between these safety boots, and to choose the most appropriate ones for you to ensure your safety at your job.
Further reading: Electrical Hazards and Footwear
