Posted by Katherine Burlock
on October 20, 2016
Use the guide below to help determine the right boot for your occupation. Many other factors will be considered - budget, fit, size - but when choosing a work boot, the type of work, work conditions and safety requirements are a good place to start. The chart below is intended to assist you with recommendations.
Select your occupation:
Bricklayer/Masonry: Lays bricks, block walls. Works with stone, tile or glass block
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- 6-8” lace-up boot for ankle protection/support
- Oil-tanned leathers for resistance to lime/calcium
- Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for comfort on concrete.
Utility Worker: Installation, maintenance and service
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- Oxford/athletic shoes in lightweight leather or fabric
- Non-aggressive, non-marking soles for inside home use
- Defined heel for climbing ladders
Carpenter/Laborer: Performs carpentry and woodworking, from framing and building construction to crating furniture and other wood objects. Significant manual labour and work outdoors.
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- 6-8” lace-up boots for ankle protection/support
- Waterproof leather for outdoor construction work
- Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for comfort on concrete
- Outsole with shank and defined heel for climbing ladders
- Puncture resistant outsole
- CSA approved Electrical Shock Resistance/ ASTM approved
- Slip resistant outsole
Concrete Finisher: Works with concrete, including placing, finishing, protecting and repairing concrete.
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- 6-8” lace-up boots for ankle protection/support
- Oil-tanned leather uppers for resistance to lime/calcium
- Shanks for ladder support
- Puncture resistant outsole
Construction: Heavy physical labour on building, highway and heavy construction projects and demolition sites
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- 6-8” lace-up boot for ankle protection/support
- Tight grain oil-tanned leather for resistance to hydraulic fluids and wet/dry cycles outdoors
- Puncture resistant outsole
- CSA approved Electrical Shock Resistance/ ASTM approved
Dock Worker: Tradesman that works at docks, on the waterfront and in riverfront areas.
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- 6-8” lace-up or pull-on boots for ankle protection
- Waterproof leather
- Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for comfort on concrete
- Slip-resistant outsoles with shanks for support on ladders.
- Puncture resistant outsole
Electrician: Specializes in electrical wiring of buildings and related equipment.
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- 6-8” lace-up boots for ankle protection/support
- Waterproof leather
- CSA approved Electrical Shock Resistant/ ASTM approved
- Puncture resistant outsole
Electronics Industry: Electronics Industry: Builds and works with Circuit boards, computer chips.
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- light industrial footwear
- Casual/athletic upper
- Puncture resistant outsole
- CSA approved Static Dissipative/ ASTM approved
- Puncture resistant outsole
Farmer/Rancher: Grows field crops, orchards, vineyards or raises livestock, poultry or other animals.
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- Pull-on or lace-up boots for ankle protection/support
- Oil-tanned, waterproof leathers for exposure to wetness and fertilizers
- Hard outsole for digging, with deep enough cleats for uneven terrain and defined heel for climbing ladders
- Puncture resistant outsole
Food Service: Creates, prepares and serves food in a restaurant or industrial settings.
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- Lightweight leather or fabric
- Smooth uppers with minimum stitching that can be wiped clean with ease
- Slip-resistant outsoles for maximum traction on slippery floors
Heavy Equipment Operator: Operates heavy equipment used in engineering and construction projects.
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- 6-8” lace-up boot for ankle protection/support
- Tight-grain, oil-tanned leather for resistance to hydraulic fluids and wet/dry cycles outdoors
- Soles with defined heels for climbing
- Puncture resistant outsole
- Less aggressive outsoles to reduce tripping hazards on steel grating
HVAC: Specializes in installing and maintaining furnaces, air conditioners and other mechanical heating/cooling systems.
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- 6-8” lace-up boot for ankle protection/support
- Waterproof leathers for outdoor
- Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for comfort on concrete
- Flat outsoles that don’t track dirt when going in and out of houses
- Puncture resistant outsole
Landscaper: Specializes in gardening, horticulture, lawn maintenance
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- 6-8” lace-up boot for ankle protection/support
- Oil-tanned, waterproof leathers for exposure to fertilizers
- Strong heel counters for walkover prevention in wet, uneven terrain.
- Flat tread, wedge outsoles that don’t tear up new installations.
Mechanic/Machinist: Specializes in automobile maintenance and repair. Uses machine tools to make or modify parts, including metal, wood and plastic
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- Oxford, lace-up or slip-on boots.
- Direct attached or sealed welt construction for resistance to petroleum products.
- Oil/slip resistant rubber outsoles for traction
- Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for comfort on concrete
- Puncture resistant outsole
Pipefitter: Assembles, fabricates, installs and maintains large piping systems for industrial processes
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- 6-8” lace-up boots for ankle protection/support
- Waterproof leathers
- Cushioned outsoles/insoles for comfort on concrete
- Soles with shank and defined heel for support on ladders
- May require heat-resistant outsoles.
- Puncture resistant outsole
Plaster/Drywall: Works with interior plaster, drywall, and decorative moldings on ceilings or walls
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- 6-8” lace-up boots for ankle protection/support
- Oil-tanned leathers for resistance to lime/calcium
- Boot bumpers extend boot life
- Puncture resistant outsole
Plumber: Specializes in installing and maintaining residential and industrial water and waste management systems
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- 6-8” lace-up boots for ankle protection/support
- Waterproof leathers
- Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for comfort on concrete
- Outsoles with shank and defined heel for support on ladders
Steel Worker/Erector: Positions and secures reinforcing bars and mesh used to strengthen concrete on construction projects. Installs structural steel building components
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- 6-8” lace-up boots for ankle protection/support
- Tough waterproof leathers
- Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for comfort on concrete
- Puncture resistant outsole
Truck Driver: Drives and operates tractor/trailers, box trucks or dump trucks. Transports finished goods and raw materials over land
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- Oxfords, lace-up and pull-on styles
- Lighter leathers for flexibility and comfort while driving
- Cushioned outsoles/footbeds for shock absorption
- Harder soles wear better on metal steps and asphalt.
Warehouse Worker: Warehouse workers receive, store and ship merchandise kept in warehouses. Often involves operating fork-lift or other machinery
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- Oxford, chukka, or 6” boots
- Softer leathers
- Oil/slip/abrasion-resistant, dual-density outsoles for comfort while walking on concrete.
- Puncture resistant outsole
Welder: Specializes in welding materials, utilizing an arc or stick welder. Materials include steel aluminum, brass and stainless steel
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- Pull-on boot styles for protection against sparks and slag
- Oil-tanned leather
- Tough but flexible heat resistant soles for fabrication work; harder outsoles with cushioning for support and comfort when standing (production welding).
- Puncture resistant outsole
Well Drilling: Extracts natural resources such as ground water, natural gas or petroleum by drilling into the ground
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- Lace-up boots.
- Strong, waterproof leather for wet conditions
- Outsoles with deep cleats for grip in loose soil
- Oil resistant outsole
- Puncture resistant outsole
Paint Shops
Recommended Footwear Attributes:- light industrial footwear
- Oil/slip resistant outsole
- CSA approved Static Dissipative/ ASTM approved
For more information see our Safety Symbol Index
