The shaft covers the instep of the foot, and is typically where the lacing eyelets connect to the boot.

The DeWalt Rigger is a best-selling boot, and provide an excellent, rugged alternative to Wellington style boots. They’re unisex, and can be comfortably worn by anyone; just keep in mind that you might need to size up if you’re on the fence, as they offer a tight fit by design. Unlike many rigger boots which flood the market as fashion items, the DeWalt Rigger work boots are the real deal. Conforming to EN-345 safety standards, these feature both a steel toe and ample ankle support, guarding you on the job.

A shoe or boot’s upper refers to the material which covers your foot and leg. With safety boots, these tend to consist of leather, but can incorporate various types of rubber and plastic as well. Uppers may be cut as a single piece, or bonded together from several smaller components. While this is a general term to describe how a boot is made, the industry often uses it as a term to specifically denote how the uppers join to the sole. There are three primary methods used in boot making: It’s also important to be aware that the Rigger’s rubber insole has not been tested for heat resistance. If this is important to you, the Goodyear welt allows for HRO sole replacements. But, you might be better off considering another boot, as well. If money’s no object and you’re in need of a do-everything work boot, you owe it to yourself to give DeWalt’s Titanium line a look. A relative newcomer to the scene, Titanium is part of the Heritage Series, which makes its mark by never cutting corners on design, materials, or production.

We’ve mentioned that Camden meets with American safety standards, but sadly that doesn’t fully translate to European standards. You’ll be fine with the toe cap in most cases, but if your job requires a specific level of electrical, chemical, or slip resistance, best find something with the necessary qualifications to get through the red tape. Don’t forget there’s no steel midsole, either. Polyvinyl chloride is another common outsole material, due to its resistance to oils, abrasions, and electricity. It’s not as grippy as TPU or other rubber compounds; as such PVC outsoles tend to have novel tread designs or make use of other materials for traction. How to care for your safety boots Remove debris from the treads. Unless you’ve got a welted boot, the sole is usually the first thing to give out. You can extend the life of your soles by removing any nails, pebbles, dirt, or debris from between the treads or under the insole. Left in place, debris increases the amount of strain the rubber must endure, wearing them out faster.

How to care for your safety boots

As one of the best-selling safety boots on the market, DeWalt’s Titanium has plenty of people to vouch for their performance in the field. The consensus is that they’re easy to wear in, and extremely sturdy without being too heavy (just 2.4kg). It starts with the dual-density insole, which marries extreme hard-wearing PU with a special memory foam that cradles your feet with support as you walk, lift, and climb. Beneath that is an injection-moulded Phylon midsole, offering powerful abrasion resistance and superior energy absorption. Finally, it comes together upon dual PU/rubber outsoles, which feature SRA slip resistance and 300° heat resistance. Be aware that the toe cap isn’t as spacious as some may like, so keep this in mind when choosing your safety boot.

Outsole – This is, apart from the uppers, the most visible part of the boot, and certainly the most rugged. They’re typically made from PVC or proprietary rubber compounds, and are primarily designed to provide grip, alongside resistance to electricity and chemicals. For starters, Camden’s steel toe actually exceeds the American ATSM standards, and will effectively guard your feet against all manner of kinetic damage. Similarly, they meet U.S. testing for electrical protection vs. open circuits.Welts – There are several types of welts out there, but the most common is the Goodyear welt and its waterproofed variant, the Storm welt. The easiest way to explain a welt is that the upper and sole are stitched together. This provides a sturdy mechanical bond, and tends to increase the stiffness of the boot. A worn out, welted sole can be replaced by a cobbler as long as the uppers are in good shape. True to form for DeWalt, Poseidon features tough-as-nails full-grain leather uppers. These feature a heavy wax finish, which not only forms an effective hydrophobic barrier, but also adds to the extreme longevity these boots are famous for. But with Poseidon, durability goes hand-in-hand with comfort. Today, we’re taking a look at the best DeWALT work boots on the market, and talking about what makes a great boot great. The top 7 DeWalt safety boots On its own merits, the Builder is a great safety boot. However, its name is somewhat misleading, as actual builders really require a steel midsole. The EVA midsole just isn’t going to withstand a nail puncturing through, which can be a real deal breaker. It does have a steel toe, so there’s still protection from a vast array of crushing hazards; but the midsole is something to think about.

If you’ve got wide feet, it is recommended to size up, as DeWalt’s Builder is a bit narrow at the toes. Additionally, pay attention to the design of the cuff around the top of the uppers. Typically speaking, safety boot cuffs will have lots of padding to afford a more snug, secure fit. Otherwise, they risk rubbing your Achilles tendon raw. Soles These are great boots for when powerful protection is needed, but you can’t have metal weighing you down. DeWalt’s design for the Hammer is clearly rated for hard service, and it’s not unusual to get two or more years of life out of a single pair. Whether you’re a plumber, electrician, or mechanic, you’ll find ample resistance against the hazards of the job.Together with the outsole, the full-grain leather upper repels oil and water alike, and features superior chemical resistance. The tread also bears an SRA slip rating, which retains a good grip even on soapy ceramic floors. A work boot’s sole is literally where the rubber meets the road. Typically speaking, the soles will consist of three layers: With a name like Poseidon, you’d expect something like a Wellington boot. While that’s certainly not the case here, DeWalt is still offering us a water-resistant safety boot, with a build rugged enough to live up to its namesake. Also, while the Camdens are indeed rugged, they’re necessarily more streamlined so as to offer up a greater sense of style. This means they’re not as hard-wearing as other entries on our list, so be sure to keep this in mind if durability is your top concern. Below, we review the seven best safety boots from industry leaders, DeWalt 1. DeWalt Titanium Safety Boot