Safety-toe and work boot reference
Boots rated for the work you do
Start from the job and the label. See what each ASTM marking means, which ratings your trade needs and how a boot should fit before you spend $200 on it.
- I/75
- C/75
- EH
- Mt/75
- PR
- SD
- SR
Decode the label inside your boot
Open the full label decoder →Type it as printed, or tap the markings below.
Label as read
ASTM F2413-18
M I/75 C/75
EH PR
- F2413-18Standard and revision · line 1ASTM F2413, the US performance standard for protective (safety toe) footwear, in its 2018 revision. The boot was tested to the requirements of that edition.
- MMen's footwear · line 2The boot was tested as men's footwear. The test settings differ slightly for men's and women's sizes; the protection class is the same.
- I/75Impact resistance · line 2The toe cap was tested against an impact of 75 foot-pounds, like a heavy object dropped on the toe.
- C/75Compression resistance · line 2The toe cap was tested under a compression load of 2,500 pounds-force, like a rolling or resting load on the toe.
- EHElectrical hazard · line 3+The outsole and heel were tested to withstand 18,000 volts at 60 Hz for 1 minute with no more than 1.0 mA of current leakage, under dry conditions. This is secondary protection against accidental contact with live circuits, and it is reduced by wear, cuts, embedded metal and wet conditions.
- PRPuncture resistant · line 3+A plate built into the sole was tested to resist puncture by a pointed object at the F2413 requirement of 270 pounds-force, for nails, screws and rebar ends.
The label describes the results of standard tests. It does not guarantee protection in every situation. Check your site's footwear requirements. Toes and ratings explained
Start from your trade
Each job has its own hazards. These are the markings and features to look for first.
- ElectricianEHI/75C/75An EH rated sole as secondary protection against live circuits. Many pick a composite toe to keep metal out of the boot.
- WelderMt/75EHA metatarsal guard for dropped work, leather uppers, and a pull-on or covered lacing so sparks cannot land in the eyelets.
- ConcretePRWaterproofWet concrete burns skin, so keep it out: waterproof boots for flatwork and tall rubber boots for pours, plus a puncture plate.
- LinemanEHDefined heelA tall leather boot with a logger or defined heel that holds a gaff or ladder rung, and a stiff shank for standing on pegs.
- WarehouseSRI/75C/75A slip resistant outsole, a light composite or alloy toe and cushioning for long shifts on concrete floors.
- RooferSRSoft soleA flexible, grippy wedge or soft sole that bends with the pitch and does not scuff shingles. Check whether your site requires a safety toe.
Browse by topic
From the rating on the label to the last resole.
- Boots by tradeStart with your job: electricians, welders, concrete crews, roofers, linemen and warehouse workers need different boots.4 pages · 7 boot guides
- Safety toes and ratingsSteel, composite and alloy toes, EH, metatarsal and puncture ratings, and what the ASTM F2413 label says.14 pages · 3 boot guides
- Styles and buildsWellington or lace-up, logger or moc toe, wedge or lug, insulated or not: how each build suits the work.10 pages · 7 boot guides
- Fit and sizingSizes, widths and fit checks so a $200 boot does not end up hurting your toes by lunch.9 pages · 3 boot guides
- Care, break-in and repairBreak-in, cleaning, waterproofing, resoling and the common problems that end a boot early.12 pages · 0 boot guides
- Brands and lineupsThorogood, Red Wing, Danner, Keen Utility, Ariat and the rest, line by line and head to head.11 pages · 5 boot guides
Boot guides
Narrow guides to one kind of boot, compared by what the listings state.
- The most comfortable work boots, including safety toe picksSeven comfort-focused work boots compared on cushioning system, safety toe type, fit features, waterproofing and EH rating, all from the listings.
- Best work boots for wide feet: EE, 3E and wide-fit safety bootsWork boots for wide feet compared by the width each listing offers, safety toe type, EH rating and waterproofing, using listing facts only.
- Best work boots for electricians: EH-rated, non-metallic toe picksEH-rated work boots for electricians compared by safety toe material, the ASTM standard each listing cites, waterproofing and shaft height.
- Best work boots for concrete and standing on slab all shiftWork boots for concrete compared by outsole type, cushioning, safety toe and EH rating, using only what each Amazon listing states.
- Best women's work boots built for women's feetEight women's work boots compared on whether a women's last is stated, safety toe rating, EH, waterproofing and height, using Amazon listing facts only.
- Best wellington and pull-on work bootsSeven pull-on and wellington work boots compared by height, safety toe, EH rating, waterproofing and outsole, using only what each listing states.
- Best welding boots: heat-resistant soles and met guards comparedSeven welding boots compared on heat-resistant outsole ratings, metatarsal guards, safety toe type, EH rating and shaft height, using listing facts only.
- Best wedge sole work boots, and when a wedge is the wrong pickWedge sole work boots compared by safety toe, EH rating, waterproofing and outsole, with notes on where a wedge falls short. Facts from listings only.
- Best waterproof work boots for rain, mud and wet concreteWaterproof work boots compared by membrane or liner, safety toe, EH rating and outsole, based only on what each Amazon listing states.
- Best Thorogood work boots and which one fits your jobEight Thorogood work boots compared by style, height, safety toe, waterproofing, EH rating and outsole, from American Heritage to Logger Series.
- Best steel toe work boots ranked on fit, build and resoleabilitySeven steel toe work boots compared on stated ASTM toe rating, EH rating, waterproofing, construction and resoleability, using listing facts only.
- Best safety toe boots for warehouse workLight safety toe boots and work sneakers for warehouse floors, compared by toe type, slip rating, cushioning and stated weight per listing.
Head to head
Two boots or two builds side by side.
- Work boots vs tactical bootsWork boots vs tactical boots: why tactical boots feel light and fast, why many lack the toe and EH ratings a site wants, and lightweight rated work boots compared.
- Work boots vs hiking bootsWork boots vs hiking boots compared on weight, sole stiffness, heels and safety ratings, plus when work boots can be used for hiking and when they should not.
- Waterproof vs water resistant work bootsWaterproof vs water resistant work boots: membrane liners vs oiled leather, what each keeps out and for how long, with Danner and Thorogood boots compared.
- Thorogood vs Timberland PROThorogood vs Timberland PRO work boots: Goodyear-welted leather boots against lighter comfort-tech designs, compared on build, ratings and price from listings.
- Thorogood vs Red Wing work bootsThorogood vs Red Wing moc toe and logger boots compared on fit, sole, welt, price and ratings, using only listing facts, so you can pick the right one for work.
- Thorogood vs Irish Setter work bootsThorogood vs Irish Setter work boots compared on safety toes, soles, welts and listed price, plus how the Irish Setter work line fits under Red Wing Shoes.
How-tos and explainers
- Work boot width chart: D, EE, EEE and 4EA plain chart of work boot widths for men and women: B, D, EE, EEE, 4E and more, how to tell which you need, and how to convert women's widths to men's boots.
- Work boot size chart: US men's, women's and EUCommon work boot size conversions for US men's, women's, UK and EU sizes, plus width letters. Use these as a start, then check each brand's chart.
- Work boot insulation grams explainedWhat 200g, 400g, 800g and 1000g insulation means in work boots, how activity changes the right pick, and whether steel toe boots get cold.
- Why do work boots have heels?A defined heel helps on ladders, slopes and mud. Learn what a work boot heel does, when a logger heel helps, and when a flat wedge sole is the better choice.
- Which work boots are made in the USA?Brand by brand look at US made work boots from Red Wing, Thorogood, Danner, Carolina, Justin and Keen Utility, and how to check a specific boot's origin.
- When are safety toe boots required? What OSHA saysOSHA's foot protection rule, the ASTM standards it points to, which jobs need safety toes, and who decides on your site. Plain-English guide.
Boot problems and fixes
Sore toes, heel slip, split soles and leaks: the usual causes and what to check first.
- Sole peeling away from the upperWhy work boot soles come off, how to glue a small separation, when a cobbler can resole the boot, and when a separating safety boot should be replaced.
- Boots squeak when walkingSqueaky work boots usually come from the insole rubbing, the tongue and laces, or the outsole on smooth floors. Find where the squeak starts and fix each cause.
- Wet feet in waterproof bootsWhy waterproof work boots leak: worn membranes, flex cracks, seams, water over the top or sweat. How to find the leak and what can be fixed.
- Toes pinched or rubbed by the safety capSteel toe boots that hurt usually are too short, too narrow or have a low cap. How to tell which problem you have and what actually fixes it.
Tools and charts
A label decoder and a size and width converter that do the looking up for you.
Anatomy of a safety boot
The parts the guides and ratings refer to.
- 1Upper: leather or synthetic shell and lacing
- 2Toe cap: steel, alloy or composite
- 3Metatarsal guard zone: top of the foot behind the cap
- 4Insole: the footbed under your foot
- 5Midsole: cushioning and structure
- 6Shank: stiffens the arch for ladders and pegs
- 7Puncture plate: in PR rated boots
- 8Welt: strip the sole is stitched to
- 9Outsole: the tread, where EH and slip ratings live
- 10Heel: defined heel for climbing