If you are facing brutally cold work conditions, it might be time to turn to an 800 gram insulated work boot. Truth be told, your options for 800 gram thinsulate work boots will be less than your options are at 400 grams. But the good news is there are still plenty of 800g insulated boots to choose from.
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These are our choices for the best 800 gram insulated work boots:
- Rocky Core Waterproof Outdoor 800 Gram Insulated Boots (click here to view)
- RefrigiWear Men’s PolarForce Hiker 800g Insulated Work Boots (click here to view)
- Bolderton Men’s Outlands 10″ Waterproof 800g Insulated Boots (click here to view)
- Carolina Men’s 800g Circuit Hi Comp Toe Work Boots (click here to view)
- Thorogood Men’s V-Series Waterproof 800g Insulated Boots (click here to view)
- Rocky Rams Horn 800G Insulated Composite Toe Boots (click here to view)
- Danner Men’s Lookout 800G Leather Work Boots (click here to view)
- Carolina Men’s 800g Insulated Forrest Comp Toe Work Boots (click here to view)
- *Women’s* Rocky Sport Pro Women’s 800G Insulated Waterproof Boots (click here to view)
- *Women’s* LaCrosse AlphaBurly Pro 800G Insulated Utility Boots (click here to view)
***Here’s my advice. If you want a quick understanding of what type of insulation may be best for work boots, then watch my short 45 second video posted below that quickly explains what you need to know. Also, please subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking the button below. Thanks!
As you can see, some of the boots above are outdoor gaming boots that also can double as rugged work boots. As I mentioned at the top, a large majority of work boots stop at 400 grams of insulation.
Yes, there are exceptions. Some rubber work boots go well past 400 grams of insulation (we included a Lacrosse rubber boot option in the list above). But if you are looking for 800 gram insulated work boots, most boot companies have, at best, limited options.
Although most of the options on our list use 3M Thinsulate as insulation, it’s important to note that the Irish Setter boots listed above use PrimaLoft instead. Irish Setter, as is the case with many brands, will use both Thinsulate and PrimaLoft as insulations for their footwear.
Although 3M Thinsulate is more common, PrimaLoft is another popular type of synthetic insulation, and is very common in both outerwear and boots.
In my experience, Thinsulate seems to be a thinner, less bulky insulation, almost like a lining, while PrimaLoft feels a bit bulkier or “fluffier”. Both are warm, but if you are interested in the Irish Setter boots, I’d recommend contacting them to see if they can give you more information.
Let’s start by discussing what you can expect when you wear a pair of 800 gram Thinsulate boots.
800 Gram Thinsulate Boots Temperature Rating
Disclaimer: We cannot make guarantees about the temperature ratings of the boots mentioned in this article. Our recommendation is to contact the companies directly for more information. We also cannot make any guarantees about the suitability of these boots for your job. All jobs are different, and all boots are different.
Thinsulate is very useful in boots and outdoor gear because it is extremely warm despite being non-bulky and lightweight. It is made and trademarked by 3M (source). The microfibers trap in heat, but don’t take up a lot of space and don’t add much weight.
For the continental 48 US States, 800 gram boots will be warm enough for most jobs (and may be too warm for some). There will be a few exceptions, and if you work in dangerously cold conditions, you may need to go higher. But for most jobs, 800 grams will be warm enough.
For comparison, the large majority of winter hiking boots use 200 grams of Thinsulate insulation. Now, it must be noted that hiking is an active exercise, which doesn’t need as much insulation, but using 800 gram Thinsulate for footwear is recommended for extremely cold, severe conditions.
But exactly how cold? What is the temperature rating for 800 gram insulated boots?
Unfortunately, most boot companies do not provide a temperature rating for their boots. This makes it difficult to say how warm a boot is because there are other things besides Thinsulate that can affect how warm a pair of boots is.
Most companies choose to leave off a temperature rating to avoid any legal issues that may arise from it. Also, not all 15 degree days are the same. Is there wind, ice, snow? It’s impossible to guarantee temperature ratings in boots, so most companies just avoid it altogether.
That said, we can get a pretty good idea what the appropriate temperature range for 800g insulated work boots might be by looking at the suggestions some of these companies make, then applying some reason on top of that.
800g Temperature Comfort Ranges
Some companies will use a “comfort range” or a “comfort zone” to kind of give you a general hint of what the temperature range might be, without making a specific temperature guarantee. This may vary by company, but I believe most companies do not consider the comfort range (etc) to be a guarantee of any sort.
Again, as we mentioned above, for the temperature rating or comfort rating of a specific boot, we recommend contacting that company directly. The rating that one company puts on an 800 gram insulated boot does not mean the same rating applies to 800 gram boots made by other companies.
But if you are just looking for a general understanding of the range that some companies use for 800 gram boots, there are a few companies that supply that information.
- The Lacrosse boots we have linked above in the article (style 266075) have a “comfort zone” of -40 degrees F to +40 degrees F (source). But we also need to remember that those Lacrosse boots are rubber boots, and made for harsh outdoor climates. This range should not be considered 100% applicable to all boots on our list.
- The RefrigiWear boots on our list (style 1240CR) have a suggested “comfort range” of -30 degrees F to +20 degrees F (source). As you can see, the suggested range can change company to company, and boot to boot.
Again, those “comfort” ratings should not be thought of as a guarantee. I actually appreciate the companies, like Lacrosse and RefrigiWear, who will stick their neck out a little bit and give you information you need.
Like I mentioned earlier, these companies take on a bit of risk to provide information like that. But as a customer, it is very helpful to have an idea where a boot might fall regarding a temperature range. So, thank you Lacrosse and RefrigiWear.
How active your job is will greatly impact the weight of insulation you need. In general, 800 gram boots are suitable for extreme cold, but if you work in dangerous sub-freezing weather all day, depending on how active your job is, you may need to consider going even higher to 1000+.
The main takeaway is if you’re looking for an actual temperature guarantee, those basically don’t exist, and we certainly can’t give one either. Most companies won’t make themselves legally vulnerable by placing a temperature rating on a product. Unfortunately, as I have learned, sometimes it’s just trial and error to find the boot that best fits your winter needs.
If you think 800 gram boots might not be warm enough, visit our article about the best 1000g insulated boots. If you need a steel toe boot, visit our article about the best insulated steel toe work boots. If you think 800g may be too warm, visit our article about 600 gram insulated work boots.
Best 800 Gram Insulated Work Boots
Rocky 800g Thinsulate Boots
Rocky Boots is an Ohio-based shoe company that opened in the 1930’s and makes several different types of boots. Rocky makes work boots, outdoor boots, hiking boots, and tactical boots.
They have two 800 gram insulated boots that might make sense for your job:
- Rocky Ranger 800G Boots
- Rocky Core 800G Boots
Rocky Ranger 800G Insulated Boots
These Rocky Ranger 800g boots are not only insulated, but also waterproof. These are outdoor boots that can be used for both recreation and work. Here’s what these boots look like:
This is the current price of these Rocky Ranger 800 gram Thinsulate boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots are made with full-grain leather and have slip-resistant outsoles.
Rocky Core 800G Insulated Boots
These Rocky Core 800g boots are made with a combination of leather and 900D nylon uppers. The nylon is very tough, and helps keep the weight of the boot down.
Here’s what these boots look like:
This is the current price of these Rocky Ranger 800 gram Thinsulate work boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots are also waterproof. They have removable footbeds and a padded collar and tongue.
Danner Tactical 800g Boots
Danner boots is based out of Portland, Oregon and has been making premium work boots since 1932. If you are looking for a pair of 800g tactical boots, Danner has a style of boots that might work for you.
Here’s what the Danner Men’s Lookout 800G Tactical Boots look like:
This is the current price of these Danner 800 gram tactical boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots are made with a combination of leather and ripstop nylon for weight control. They are waterproof and have a broad toe box to help increase responsiveness.
Carolina 800 Gram Insulated Work Boots
Double-H boots was founded by H. H. Brown in Pennsylvania in the 1950’s. Double-H boots specialized in western boots and eventually became the first company to ever manufacture a steel-toe western boot. Eventually, the safety division of the company grew to the point where it developed its own brand, and was called the Carolina Shoe Company.
Carolina has several types of insulated work boots, but there are two specific Carolina 800g Thinsulate Boots that I want to mention:
- Carolina Men’s 800g Insulated 28 Series Comp Toe Boots – These boots have a traditional work boot design. Not only are they insulated but they have a waterproof “Scubaliner” to help keep your feet warm and dry. These come in both a plain toe and a composite toe. Removable footbeds that can be cleaned or swapped. Click here to view these Carolina Work Boots.
- Carolina Men’s 800g Insulated Forrest Comp Toe Boots – These Carolina boots have a more modern design than the first Carolina boots we discussed. These boots are also waterpoof. These boots have a heavy-duty “4×4” outsole to give you traction on rugged terrain. They also have removable foam footbeds. Click here to view these Carolina Work Boots.
Irish Setter 800g Insulated Boots
Irish Setter boots are owned by Red Wing Shoe Company, which has been making premium footwear since 1905. Red wing Shoe Company is based out of Red Wing, Minnesota. The Irish Setter brand was formed in the 1950’s and has established itself as a premium boot brand for both outdoor boots and work boots.
They have several 800g gaming boots that can also function as rugged work boots. As we mentioned earlier, it’s important to note that Irish Setter boots use the PrimaLoft insulation instead of Thinsulate.
Irish Setter Men’s Elk Tracker 800 Gram Boots
These Irish Setter Elk Tracker boots are rugged gaming boots that are made with a combination of leather and ripstop nylon to help keep weight down.
This is what these boots look like:
This is the current price of these Irish Setter insulated boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots have 800 gram PrimaLoft insulation and an “UltraDry” waterproofing system. They are also odor fighting and help kill bacteria that cause odor.
Irish Setter Men’s Vaprtrek 800 Gram Boots
These boots have more of a modern design than the first pair of Irish Setter boots we discussed. These boots also use the 800G PrimaLoft insulation. Here’s what they look like.
This is the current price of these Irish Setter insulated boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These are 9-inch boots that have odor-fighting technology and removable EVA footbeds that can be cleaned or swapped.
LaCrosse Men’s Burly Air Grip 800G Insulated Utility Rubber Boots
Lacrosse is well known for making rubber work boots. If you want a pair of insulated rubber work boots, there are a lot of options on the market.
I’d recommend considering the LaCrosse Men’s Burly Air Grip Rubber Boots. Here’s what they look like:
This is the current price of these Lacrosse insulated boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots have 800 gram Thinsulate insulation. They also have 9mm wool in the mid-sole for added warmth. There’s a backside gusset for easier on/off.
Thorogood Men’s V-Series Waterproof 800g Insulated Boots
Thorogood boots are made by Weinbrenner Shoe Co., an employee-owned company based in Wisconsin that has deep roots in American culture. Weinbrenner Shoe Co. started manufacturing shoes in the late 1800’s and was a significant contributor of boots for the US Army in both WWI and WWII.
The Thorogood Men’s V-Series Waterproof 800g Insulated Boots are premium outdoor boots that can be used for work. Here’s what they look like:
This is the current price of these Thorogood 800g Thinsulate boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots have a waterproof membrane and removable footbeds. The V-series outsole is slip-resistant.
RefrigiWear Men’s PolarForce Hiker 800g Insulated Work Boots
Refrigiwear opened its doors in 1954, and since day one have been dedicated to making gear tough enough to handle extreme cold conditions. The RefrigiWear Men’s PolarForce Hiker 800g Insulated Work Boots may work well for you if you prefer more of a sneakerboot.
This is what these RefrigiWear 800g Thinsulate boots look like:
This is the current price of these RefrigiWear 800g Thinsulate boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots have a comfort zone of -30 to 20 degrees F. They have Vibram Q765 Dual Density outsoles and HiVis reflective trim.
Women’s 800 Gram Insulated Boots
Unfortunately there aren’t as many 800g insulated work boots for women as there are for men. If you are interested in insulated rubber boots, you will have a few options.
But if you want more of a traditional boot, I’d suggest considering the Danner Women’s Wayfinder Waterproof 800 Gram Insulated Boots. Here’s what they look like:
This is the current price of these Danner women’s 800g Thinsulate boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots have a lace-to-toe design for maximum control. They also have waterproof protection. These boots are built with a DT5 last which gives the boot a sleek design.