Are Steel Toe Boots Required for Asphalt Paving?

Sticky, messy, hot, and dangerous! Definitely.

That’s the best way to define asphalt paving jobs. On the other hand, it is part of the high-paying and very vital jobs. Similar to any other occupation, suitable PPE is compulsory.

Yes, steel toe boots are required for asphalt paving. These boots are perfect for paving as they are strong enough to resist high temperatures and guard your feet from the scorching heat. They are supportive and comfortable since this occupation involves standing for a very long time.

You must guard your feet thoroughly. Asphalt heats up to nearly 350^oF/150^oC! That’s soaring, and we wouldn’t allow it to have direct contact with your barely secured feet.

Before we dive into factors to consider when purchasing steel toe boots, we would like to show you the best, recommended, and affordable asphalt paving boots, the pros and cons of using steel toe boots for asphalt paving.

What to Look for in Asphalt Paving Boots – Buying Guide

Standing all day long, working with blazing asphalt, is not as easy as we think. This backbreaking occupation is not only strenuous on your body but also hard-hitting on your feet. Getting the perfect boot can help alleviate your pain and give you a smoother day at work.

But how do you know the “perfect” asphalt boot for this job? We wouldn’t like the bad ones to mess your day, so we’ll help you find the right boot. Here’s how to figure out the best asphalt boot.

1.) Flat bottom

A flat or almost flat bottom is a critical component of an asphalt boot. To begin with, a flat will not have rocks or material trapped in the bottom. Clogged soles are not only inconvenient, but they can also be a tripping danger if they become jammed with mud.

Flat soles also lack a tread or heel, making it impossible to leave tread traces on soft asphalt.

Asphalt workers might select a wedged bottom boot because it provides good comfort and longevity while enabling complete surface contact with the floor and no high heel to produce smudges.

2.) Heat-Resistance

When operating with asphalt that reaches temperatures of more than 300° F, your feet are sure to take the heat brunt. This means choosing a shoe with heat-resistant materials on both the bottom and insole, as well as features that reduce the transfer of heat from the boot bottom to your foot, is essential.

Many asphalt boots are built of polyurethane components that can withstand temperatures up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 8 hours. Most outsoles are constructed of nitrile rubber and can withstand temperatures of above 500°F.

In addition to protecting hot asphalt, thermal insoles act as heat insulators.

3.) Fit

This is a critical point. The boots will expand slightly as a result of the heat. When placing your order, keep that in mind. If they’re too big, your foot will keep sliding inside, resulting in sores on the heel.

4.) Waterproof

While asphalt work is not undertaken in the rain, there are many other ways to get your foot wet that have nothing to do with rain coming from the sky.

It’s essential to be ready for everything so that when you’re stepping on new asphalt, your wet foot doesn’t turn into a small sauna, causing worse difficulties down the road.

5.) Steel Toe Cap

It’s a good idea to get a pair of boots with a steel toe cap. They serve nearly the same purpose a heat-resistant outsoles serves.

Toe caps made of steel or alloy will react to the high temperatures of asphalt pavement by behaving like a bit of a heater for your toes.

Steel toe caps are temperature-insensitive, and they’re also lightweight, so you’ll be less weary by the end of the day.

6.) Safety

Construction workers must constantly adhere to OSHA regulations, ensuring any boot you purchase meets 1910.136 requirements and has an ASTM F2413-11 I/75, C/75 safety toe pad. Compared to a steel safety toe, a hybrid safety toe comprised of fiberglass and nylon components is less prone to transfer heat.

A puncture-resistant sole and a full-gusset tongue are examples of additional safety measures. The full-gusset shoe tongue keeps hot asphalt, mud, and oil out of the lace region, preventing burns or injuries.

Finally, make sure that any boot you buy fits correctly. This is crucial not just for your day-to-day comfort but to prevent accidents. When you walk, a correctly fitted boot must never flap or scrape against the interior part of your foot.

The Best Steel Toe Boots for Asphalt Paving Jobs

We chose these top 5 steel toe boots because of their elite features. The first thing these boots should give you is safety. Let’s see if they are worth it!

1.) LARNMERN Steel Toe Boots, Men’s Work Safety Outdoor Protection Footwear Industrial and Construction Boots

The LARMERN Boots are the first on our list. The heel measures not less than 5cm, with an imported rubber sole. The steel toe cap and puncture-guard midsole pass European standards. Shaft measures up to Ankle” from arch, and the platform measures up to 1.25.”

They also slip and grease-resistant, guaranteeing that any oil spilled on the job won’t pull you down. Fortunately, the anti-nail penetration midsole plate prevents you from being punctured by sharp tools.

Pros

• • • Perfect outsole shape
    • Superb heat resistance
    • Oil and slip-resistant
    • Made of Mesh leather
    • Shock absorbing midsole
    • Moisture-wicking

Cons

• • • Poor materials
    • Lace loop slit out

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

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2.) TOSAFZXY Work Safety Boots for Men Durable Crazy-Horse Leather Indestructible Steel Toe Waterproof

These work boots are a hot cake for almost all asphalt workers around the world. They come with rubber outsoles designed to hold out temperatures of up to 572 degrees. This way, they keep you safe even while standing on asphalt directly.

In addition to the qualities of these boots, their durable crazy-horse leather is waterproof. They have steel plates fixed into the toes, are sturdy enough, and passed the ASTM F2412/F2413 Principles. Therefore, the steel toe could powerfully prevent the toe from injuries caused by heavy objects.

The KEVLAR fiber midsole has an enhanced puncture resistance feature and is lighter than regular steel soles. This makes you walk comfortably at the site.

Furthermore, for less falling possibilities, the safety boot’s outer sole is constructed using high-quality oil-resistant and non-slip rubber. It is very mild and can hold out high temperatures of about 400^oF.

Pros

• • • Steel toe cap
    • Anti-puncture midsole
    • Withstands heats up to 400^oF
    • Passed ASTM F2412/F2413 Standard

Cons

• • • The interior is too roomy and causes blisters on the heel

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3.) NORTIV 8 Men’s Safety Steel ToeWork Boots Waterproof Construction Boots

These boots are a unique design for asphalt workers. Thanks to the MD+Rubbersoles. To top it off, the boots have a Dynamic 3-sole structure: (1) a Detachable aosolite insole for arch support and comfort, (2) a Lithe EVA midsole to absorbs shock and reduce foot exhaustion. (3) Oil, abrasion, and the slip-resistant rubber exterior sole for lithe response to diverse outdoor terrain.

The high-class crazy-horse membrane and leather are waterproof and provides durable dry feet. The steel toe offers support, protection, and comfort.

Pros

• • • High-class outdoor footwears
    • 100% heat resistance
    • Splendid outsole design
    • Pierce resistant insole bottom
    • Steel toe cap

Cons

• • • The toe section is somehow pinching and narrow

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4.) RAYDLINX 6 Inch Steel Toe Industrial Construction Leather Boot Protective Oil Resistant Men’s Shoe Safety Wook Boots Steel Midsole Anti-Puncture Shoes for Men

This boot comes with a steel safety toe for anti-smashing features. The steel toe meets EN ISO 20345 Safety Principles. They protect your feet from hurtful and heavy tools falling on your toe.

The boot opening is approximately 6” while the heel measures up to 1.37.” The sole is made of EVA plus Rubber. It is 100% Leather. These boots come with an anti-pierce steel midsole that passes EN 12568. They can also withstand a 1100N puncture and secure your feet from pointy objects.

Made of full-grain leather, these boots are 100% durable and waterproof. The ankle is packed with highly resilient sponge material for complete ankle protection and warmth.

Pros

• • • Foam pad Insole
    • Goodyear welt structure
    • Non-slip feature
    • Waterproof and durable
    • Perfect comfy boot

Cons

• • • They don’t run true to size

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5.) Timberland PRO Men’s 6” Pit Boss Steel Toe Industrial Work Boot

Our Pit Boss is all you want in a steel toe boot: safe, rugged, and comfy. These ANSI-compliant leather work boots include oil, slip, and abrasion-resistant outsoles for grip and cushioned upper straps for comfort.

PRO 24/7 Comfort Cushion system is a one-of-a-kind comfort technology that works around the clock, seven days a week, to satisfy the most demanding worksite needs. It aids in reducing foot tiredness, the support of the arch, and the cushioning of each stride.

Pros

• • • Quality workwear
    • Ultimate durability, comfort, and protection
    • Provides comfort and safety
    • Rubber sole
    • 100% leather

Cons

• • • Features a rough heel wrap
    • Pricey

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

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Pros and Cons of Using Steel Toe Boots for Asphalt Paving

While there are benefits of using steel toe boots for asphalt paving jobs, there are also a few disadvantages. We would show you most of the pros of using steel toe boots with a few cons.

On the contrary, the cons are avoidable, so you don’t have to worry about them. But the pros are everlasting, as long as you get the best asphalt boot.

Benefits of using steel toe boots for asphalt paving

• • • They provide you with comfort at work
    • They give you maximum protection for hot molten mud and tar
    • They give you good comfort and convenience
    • They are easy to wear, remove, and clean too

Cons of Steel toe boots

• • • Most of them cannot acclimatize to weather changes
    • Most of them make your feet wet and result in footrot
    • It isn’t easy to find full-grain leather constructions

Why You Need the Steel Toe Boots for Paving?

You need steel toe boots while working in asphalt for the following reasons:

• • • To prevent your feet from blisters and burns from hot tar
    • To keep your feet in good shape until the project is completed
    • To prevent damaging your heels are most of the boots feature shock absorbers for longtime standing

Although the reasons for using steel toe boots for asphalt work cannot be overemphasized, you need these boots for long-term safety until the job is completed and you are being paid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the frequently asked questions we picked to help you in your mission:

Q: What’s an asphalt work boot?

A: Asphalt work boots are a kind of footwear with unique characteristics built specifically for paving. These characteristics include:

• • • Non-treaded outsoles that deliver perfect grip while paving roads and keep no tracks on the road
    • High-temperature and abrasion-resistant outsoles that enable workers to withstand hot liquid tar without wrecking their work boots
    • Safety toes designed to keep you safe
    • Abrasion-resistant leather that eliminates the dangers of working with harsh paving chemicals

Q: What are the qualities to look for in a paving boot?

A: The qualities are almost similar to their features. The boots must be made of good leather material, like full-grain leather, etc. The boots must be valuable; they must be durable and cost-effective. They must be capable of guarding your feet from hot tar.

Q: What are the risked possible in paving?

A: These are:

Underfoot pierces: When paving, harsh materials and sharp objects are regularly encountered. These could penetrate across the outsoles at any point, causing injury to the feet.

High temperatures (hot molten asphalt): For paving, hot molten tar is required. As a result, all paving employees must be subjected to excessively intense temperatures. Because this substance is heated and extremely caustic, abrasion resistance is a must-have quality for the finest paving work boots.

Tough pavement: Another major issue for asphalt laborers is that they must stand on the hot asphalt for 10 to 12 hours in the scorching sun. This mostly gets very heated and puts so much strain on the joints, which often results in knee, foot, and back pain.

Q: How do you clean steel toe boots?

A: These are the materials you’ll need:

• • • a plastic knife
    • an old toothbrush
    • WD40
    • a recipient with foamy water

Here’s how to clean the work boots:

• • • Place the work boots into the freezer for at least an hour or more.
    • After 11 to 13 hours, take out the boots from the freezer and carefully peel off the tar using the rubber knife
    • Next, soak the brush in soap and water mixture and scrub the boots wherever the tar is found.
    • After removing the majority of the frozen tar and leaving just the harder asphalt and tar particles, thoroughly splash the boots with WD40. Doing so will ensure that the tar is thoroughly lubricated so that it can be freely eliminated.
    • After 15 minutes, remove the remaining tar and asphalt using the rubber knife and the brush soaked in the soap and water mixture. That’s it!

See also: How to Get Tar Off Shoes

Q: How do asphalt workers deal with hot feet?

The most popular approaches used by asphalt workers to resolve these challenges are as follows:

• • • Choosing work boots with breathable perforations to maintain fresh and cool feet
    • Removing work boots frequently to enable fresh air to touch the feet
    • Getting frequent free time Taking off their boots at break times helps relieve hot feet.
    • Replacing socks frequently to allow the feet and the interiors of the boots to ventilate
    • Keeping the feet fresh as well as odor-free by wearing moisture-wicking stockings

Summing Up

Steel toe boots are required for asphalt paving because of their safety features. Just like we’ve already discussed, these boots provide heat resistance features, excellent exterior design, value, cost-effectiveness, and much more.

So if you are still having more questions on whether steel toe boots are suitable for asphalt paving, here’s a mind-calming fact.

Boots with a steel toe cap are ideal for asphalt jobs because they are very flat and comes with tread-free outsoles guaranteeing that you won’t leave any marks in your not-fully dried asphalt.

We believe we’ve been able to answer your question. However, if you have any other questions concerning what to wear for your kind of job, subscribe to our newsletter.

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