5 Best Work Boots Under $100

Are you in a profession that requires PPE, but you’re on a strict budget? That’s okay because even if you can’t or don’t want to pay for premium work boots, you still need protection.

Fortunately, today’s marketplace offers numerous choices of less expensive work boots that are ASTM-certified meaning they have adequate protective features.

We gave our team of seasoned professionals a real challenge. With a $100 budget, we told them to find a pair of protective work boots that they would feel safe wearing daily while on the job. Good news! They returned with quite a few for your consideration. 

After comparing and testing our pros’ choices, we selected the Timberland Pro Pitboss Men’s Industrial Work Boot. These work boots are among the highest quality and most durable work boots on the market in the under $100 price category.

You may also like the Ever Boots Tank-S Steel Toe Men’s Industrial Work Boots, which our team also rated highly and are particularly budget-friendly.

Work Boot	Uppers	Outsoles	Safety	Features
Timberland Pro Pitboss Men’s Industrial	100% Nubuck leather	Rubber	Steel toe, ASTM F2412 and F2413-11, ASTM F2892-11	Goodyear Welt, Polyurethane footbed
Caterpillar Revolver Pull-On Men’s Soft Toe	100% full-grain leather	Rubber	Slip and Oil- Resistant	Water-resistant
Wolverine Men’s Raider WO2421	100% full-grain leather	Rubber	Slip and Oil- Resistant	Contour Welt construction, Removable Multishox insole, Lightweight PU midsole, Breathable CK mesh lining, Abrasion-resistant, Lugged rubber outsole
Skechers for Work Men’s Relaxed Fit Workshire	100% leather	Rubber	Steel toe	Waterproof, Lightweight, Wide sizes available
Ever Boots Tank-S Steel Toe Men’s Industrial	Nubuck soft leather	Rubber	ASTM certified F2413-11 steel toe	Polyurethane insole, Steel shank, 3-month warranty

The Reviews

Best Overall Work Boot Under $100

1.) Timberland Pro Pitboss Men’s Industrial Work Boot

A Timberland Work Boot guarantees performance regardless of the price range it falls into. The Pitboss is among the highest quality and most durable work boots on the market in the under $100 price category.

This particular work boot is heavy-duty rugged and tough with a protective steel toe. The padded midsole and collars add considerably to comfort during wear.

Timberland uses Agion technology to keep feet fresh and dry throughout your workday. Timberland has also manufactured these boots an abrasion-resistant rubber slip to increase durability and protection.

Pros

• • • Very Lightweight Work Boot
    • Nubuck Leather Uppers for breathability
    • Steel Toe
    • Rubber outsoles
    • Quality support
    • Goodyear Welt
    • Polyurethane footbed
    • ASTM F2412 and F2413-11
    • ASTM F2892-11

Cons

• • • Subject to scuffing and staining
    • Rubber split with wear

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

---

Best Soft Toe Work Boot Under $100

2.) Caterpillar Revolver Pull-On Men’s Soft Toe Work Boot

If you like the ease and comfort of a pull-on boot, the Caterpillar Revolver Work Boot is comfortable and long. If you have to change your footwear shoes quickly, this style will save you a lot of time.

It is easy to pull on or pull off. Boot construction is in leather with a slip-resistant outsole offering traction and grip on any surface.

You can wear it all day long and it offers an aesthetically pleasing style. It makes a great choice if you work on-site and in the office on the same day. 

Pros

• • • 100% full-grain leather upper
    • Rubber outsoles
    • Comfortable
    • Durable
    • Slip-resistant Outsole
    • Water-resistant

Cons

• • • Need breaking in
    • No safety toe
    • Not waterproof

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

---

Best Slip-Resistant Work Boots Under $100

3.) Wolverine Men’s Raider WO2421 Work Boots

The Wolverine Raider Work Boot offers sturdy rubber outsoles that are lugged affording dependable traction when working on slippery surfaces and uneven terrain.

Leather boot uppers are manufactured to retain warmth and dryness. Liquids will not penetrate these boots.

The all-day comfort is superior to many boots in this price range for work boots, and you feel this immediately as soon as you put them on.

The footbed offers exceptional cushioning again for the price. The polyurethane sole is relatively lightweight yet still offers substantial shock absorption. 

Pros

• • • Full-grain leather boot uppers
    • Contour Welt construction 
    • Wolverine “Multishox” insole is removable
    • Polyurethane lightweight midsole 
    • Breathable CK mesh lining 
    • Resistant to both slippage and oil
    • Resistant to abrasion
    • Lugged rubber outsole 

Cons

• • • Sizing considerations
    • Quality complaints

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

---

Best Work Boots with Steel Toes Under $100

4.) Skechers for Work Men’s Relaxed Fit Workshire Work Boots with Steel Toe

These boots offer excellent quality and not only protect but offer exceptional comfort during wear. This particular Skechers boot features a design with a relaxed fit.

Memory foam insoles guarantee great comfort and support in an affordable work boot. They also ensure protection thanks to the protective steel toe cap. 

Slip-resistant outsoles protect if you work at construction sites or outdoors. These also come with an electrical hazard rating for extra on-the-job protection.

Pros

• • • Lightweight boot 
    • Good slip-resistance 
    • True to Size fit
    • Steel toe cap
    • 100% Leather Boot Uppers
    • Rubber outsoles
    • Available in Wide sizes
    • Waterproof

Cons

• • • The insole is thin

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

---

Best Anti-Fatigue Work Boots Under $100

5.) Ever Boots Tank-S Steel Toe Men’s Industrial Work Boot

Goodyear Welt construction makes this Ever Boots model a convincing option in footwear for construction and industrial sites. Manufactured in soft Nubuck leather they do not require breaking in.

Great arch support for those workers who move up and down stairs or ladders. The rubber outsole is slip-resistant to both water and oil with the manufacturer’s signature tread design.

The boot features a steel toe protective cap that is ASTM certified offering outstanding protection against falling debris and objects. The Manufacturer Ever Boots offers a three-month warranty. 

Pros

• • • Leather Uppers in soft Nubuck
    • Rubber outsole
    • Arch support
    • 3-month warranty
    • Steel toe 
    • ASTM certified F2413-11
    • Polyurethane insole
    • Steel shank
    • Very Budget-friendly

Cons

• • • Construction less durable
    • Fit may run a half size larger 
    • Scuffs easily

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

---

Can You Get Sufficient Value When Buying Work Boots for Less than $100?

Yes, you can, because value does not automatically increase with price. Value means that you will be getting your hard-earned money’s worth over time in the long term.

You can spend very little, but if you have to replace your work boots after only a few months, that’s not a good return on your investment, because you’ll need to buy a new pair.

On the other hand, keep an eye on the safety features included on less expensive work boots, because your particular profession or employer may have specific requirements that all your PPE gear needs to meet.

If you are injured on the job and the PPE isn’t ASTM approved, your company’s insurance may not cover your injury.

ASTM-approved Work Boots

All professions that involve physical labor will be exposed to a variety of hazards in the workplace. The ASTM or American Society for Testing and Materials establishes a group of tests that PPE must pass to be considered sufficiently protective on the job.

ASTM testing is rigorous and is intended to protect workers, employers, and insurers from fraudulent claims of protection when there is none or the protections reveal themselves to be insufficient for the work.

Plus, regardless of price, the testing is the same, so even if you find a very reasonably priced pair of work boots, if you read ASTM-approved, you’ll know they’ve passed the tests and are up to par in the safety department.

PPE is marked with ASTM codes, so they should appear on the inside of the boots.

See also: ASTM vs ASME Standards: Whats the Difference?

Necessary Features

Safety Toes

An important factor for a pair of work boots, a steel, composite, or alloy toe cap should be on your list of requisites if you work with heavy metal, machinery, or tools that can fall and cause your feet impact injuries that can be life-changing. These injuries can crush toes and cause you to lose them.

Some employers must require a toe cap at work. If you are at risk for electrical hazards, a composite toe that is non-conductive of electricity is a good alternative.

Electrical Hazard Protection

Electrical dissipation can save your life. Work boots with EH certification are usually found in two versions:

• • • static dissipating EH protection
    • non-conductive EH protection

Insulated soles are the determining feature that non-conductive boots will have for their EH rating. Dissipating static work boots instead permit electrical current to flow so through the sole directly into the ground. When working around gases and liquids that are combustible, static buildup will not initiate a fire. 

Slip Resistant Soles

Depending on your work environment, work boots require good traction. The boots’ outsole tread determines the boots’ resistance to slippage on oily or slippery surfaces with the tread’s design.

These designs can feature circles, triangles, hexagons, and squares. The spaces in-between the tread are crucial to good resistance.

Small spacing may not be able to move liquids toward the outsole edges. Trapped fluids can cause hydroplaning and you slip.

The thickness of the tread is equally important. If a tread wears down rapidly, there will be less resistance to slipping and falling. 

Where Less Expensive Work Boots May Fall Short

Logically, you get what you pay for, so there will be differences between premium-priced work boots and those that cost less than $100. Several areas of concern may prove to be:

Boot construction

When referring to boot construction, we are usually referring to how a boot upper is attached to an outsole. There are several kinds of construction available:

1.) Cement. Simple and inexpensive when producing. Boot uppers and outsoles are glued together with industrial-grade adhesive. Durability will degrade with time when glue deteriorates.

2.) Goodyear Welt. Renowned for durability, welt construction is water-resistant. The upper boot is firmly attached to the boot’s outsole with plastic, rubber, or leather. Goodyear welt construction means outsoles can be replaced.

3.) Molded. An injection method is performed to join the boot upper and the outsole. There is no stitching, and adhesives are not used. Binding is water-resistant but these boots cannot be re-soled or repaired.

If construction uses molding or cement, when the soles wear down, the boots will need to be replaced.

Waterproofing

If boots are cheaper, their level of waterproofing may be lacking. They will generally not afford the same level of waterproofing or water resistance as more expensive footwear.

Conclusion

Protective work boots that do not drain your bank account do exist. You can spend under $100 and still be and feel protected at the job site.

These budget-friendly boots offer many of the protective qualities of high-priced premium boots for half the price.

Good protective toe caps and electrical hazard protection can be found in this price range, and some of these boots are exceptionally comfortable to wear.

So, if you need a good quality ASTM – certified work boot that will not empty your wallet, check out our list for some options that most certainly merit consideration.