If you are shopping for construction boots, and browsing through your options, you might be wondering about logger boots. Logger boots have a different design than typical work boots. Are logger boots good for construction work?
Although logger boots can work as a construction boot, and for some jobs may be essential, there are often other boots that are better options. Matching a boot to the specific requirements of your job is important.
If you are shopping specifically for construction footwear, I would encourage you to check out are article that discusses what you need to consider when buying construction footwear. In this article, we will focus specifically on logger boots.
If you are looking for quality logger boots that are made in the USA, visit our article about the Best Logger Boots Made in the USA.
Are Logger Boots Good for Construction Work?
Logger boots are rugged outdoor boots built for (obviously) the logging industry. The raised heel is essential for climbing because it provides slip protection and creates a spot for climbing spurs to fit under the boot.
Lineman also rely on logger boots due to how much climbing is needed for the job. Farmers and ranchers use logger boots because the raised heel helps keep the foot elevated out of mud and muck, and also because the raised heel makes the boot a good riding boot. Motorcyclists also use logger boots as riding boots.
Logger boots have rugged, heavy-duty outsoles because they are built for harsh outdoor environments with uneven terrain familiar to the logging industry. Because of this, although they are tough and dependable, they don’t make sense for all jobs.
If you are standing on a smooth surface all day, you don’t need an ultra-rugged boot. A person on a factory floor wearing a logger boot is sacrificing comfort for a rugged build that the job doesn’t demand. Matching a boot to your job is critical so that you can have something that functions and keeps you safe, but also is as comfortable as possible.
In many cases, wearing a logger boot as a construction worker may be a bit of an overkill. Some construction jobs work mainly on smooth surfaces, and therefore could probably get away with wearing a more flexible, more comfortable option.
But some construction jobs may actually require a rugged boot, or a climbing boot. Let’s start by discussing why a logger boot is good for construction work.
If you need an insulated boot, visit our article about the best logger boots for winter.
Why Logger Boots are Good for Construction Work
Logger boots (or some other type of raised-heel boot) may be essential for certain types of construction jobs that spend all day climbing up and down ladders etc. For example, a carpenter who climbs forms all day is probably going to want a boot that has a raised heel to prevent slippage.
Also, some rural construction sites that build in muck, mud, and uneven terrain may need an aggressive lug pattern to help provide traction and support.
Why Logger Boots are Bad for Construction Work
If you spend most all of your day on a smooth surface like concrete, plywood, or packed dirt, a logger boot might be a bit of an overkill. Wearing a logger boot when you work on smooth surfaces is sorta like putting mud tires on a street vehicle.
Yes, logger boots provide extreme traction and support, but does your job need that? Do you climb constantly? If you do, sticking with a raised heel is likely best. But if you don’t there might be better options.
If you work primarily on a smooth surface, perhaps you could use a wedge outsole that can provide more comfort to your feet. The tradeoff is the wedge soles don’t have aggressive lug patterns, and therefore don’t provide adequate traction on uneven terrain. You will have to decide based on your personal job requirements.
It would also be worth considering more of a modern work boot. Traditional boots have a heavy-duty build, which some jobs need. Modern-style boots are a sort of hybrid between hiking boots and work boots and aim to provide a healthy balance between toughness and comfort. Square toe loggers will provide more comfort near the toes.
Construction Boots
If you need a raised heel and rugged toughness for your construction job, then sticking with a logger boot is probably best. These are two logger boots that are made in the USA:
- Chippewa Logger Boots – Fueled by the logging boom, Chippewa’s beginnings date back to 1901, and to a small factory in the lumber town of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Chippewa has played its own unique part in the history of this country, providing boots for US soldiers in WWI. Chippewa is known for making premium logger boots.
- Thorogood Logger 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, much like Chippewa above, was a significant contributor of boots for the US Army in both WWI and WWII.
If you spend most of your day climbing up and down ladders, a logger boot makes sense, but if you spend most of your day on smooth surfaces, perhaps its worth trying something that might have a little more comfort than a logger boot. Here are some ideas:
- Danner Quarry Wedge – The Danner Quarry is a heavy-duty boot made in the USA, but when you pair it with the wedge outsole, it gives you a balance of traditional toughness and comfort. But remember, the wedge outsoles are not built for climbing or rugged terrain. They’re built for smooth surfaces.
- Timberland Pit Boss Boots – The Pit Boss boots have a traditional build, and do have a raised heel, but the heel is not as high as logger boots. The Timberland Pit Boss boots look like traditional work boots, and can provide you an in-between if you do need a raised heel, but don’t want a heel as big as logger boots.
- Danner Vicious – The Danner Vicious boot is a modern work-boot that is a hybrid between a hiking boot and a work boot. It combines flexibility and comfort with enough toughness to stand up to work sites. It has a low-profile square heel that can help prevent some slipping.