In this article we discuss lace to toe work boots. Lace-to-Toe work boots are popular because they maximize lace coverage by driving the laces down near the toe of the boot, which helps provide a reliable, secure fit.
*This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (info)
These are our choices for the best lace-to-toe work boots:
- BEST Danner Men’s Quarry Work Boots (click here to view)
- VALUE Caterpillar Men’s Silverton Lace-To-Toe Work Boots (click here to view)
- INDOOR Danner Men’s Bull Run Wedge Work Boots (click here to view)
- LOGGER Chippewa Men’s Lace-To-Toe Logger Boots (click here to view)
- CONSTRUCTION Danner Men’s Stronghold Construction Work Boots (click here to view)
- UNIFORM Danner Men’s Acadia 8″ Boots (click here to view)
- ZIP Bates Men’s DuraShock Lace-to-Toe Side Zip Work Boots (click here to view)
- WOMEN’S Danner Women’s Stronghold 5″ Construction Work Boots (click here to view)
- WOMEN’S Danner Women’s Acadia 8″ USA 200G Work Boots (click here to view)
Unfortunately many boot companies have abandoned the lace-to-toe style over recent decades as an attempt to save money. It takes extra material to drive the laces down near the toe, and boot brands have seen that as an opportunity to save a bit of money without many people noticing.
Unfortunately as the amount of lace coverage on work boots shrinks, so does the amount of control and support that is passed to your foot while working. Many people still turn to lace-to-toe work boots because they like the secure fit they provide, which gives them confidence that their work boots will deliver the protection and support needed for the job.
There are also some people who just prefer the style and look of lace-to-toe boots. In this article let’s take a closer look at the best lace to toe work boots so you can decide which one makes the most sense for you.
Best Lace to Toe Work Boots
Danner Men’s Quarry Work Boots
The Danner Quarry boots are rugged, heavy-duty boots. These boots are built for power and durability, and can stand up to some of the toughest work environments.
The Danner Quarry boots are made here in the USA. Here’s what they look like:
This is the current price of these Danner Quarry boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). As you can see, they have that classic lace-to-toe boot design.
If you are looking for something that is more like a sneaker (sneakerboot), then these boots won’t be for you (try the Danner Stronghold instead). These Danner Quarry boots are heavy-duty boots that prioritize toughness and quality, and have a classic, traditional work-boot build.
When you buy boots, you are presented with a choice: do you want comfort over toughness, or toughness over comfort? Ultimately, we all want both, but usually to gain on one you have to give a little on the other.
Although the Danner Quarry boots are quite comfortable to wear in comparison to other heavy-duty work boots, this boot first and foremost prioritizes toughness and durability. This boot will hold up on jobs where a more modern, lightweight boot will not.
This is not a flimsy boot, and sometimes if you have a job that demands the toughest boots on the market, you will have to sacrifice a few things to ensure the boot can hold up and protect your feet.
Here’s a look at my Danner Quarry boots:
If you work in an environment that demands toughness from boots, the Danner Quarry delivers. It has a classic lace-to-toe design, where the laces drive down far near the toe of the boot.
As I mentioned earlier in the article, many boot companies have moved away from lace-to-toe designs to help reduce costs and save on material. But you’ll notice our list of the best lace-to-toe work boots included 4 types of Danner boots.
Danner is a premium boot company that has not been willing to sacrifice quality for quantity. They still prioritize premium design features (like lace-to-toe) and prioritize making as many of their styles here in the USA as possible to help ensure that the quality of their boots meets the high standards that jobs demand.
Again, these are heavy-duty boots. If you work indoors on a factory floor, this might be a bit of an overkill (I’d probably recommend the Danner Bull Run instead). These Danner Quarry boots are built to take on harsh environments and uneven terrain.
However, the Danner Quarry boot is offered in two different types of outsoles: a wedge outsole and a more traditional 90-degree heel heavy-duty Vibram outsole. My Danner Quarry boots have the Vibram sole:
If you work on smooth surfaces (like indoor at a factory or construction on plywood etc), the wedge outsole will be the better choice because it is more comfortable (but doesn’t have the lug pattern to stand up to harsh terrain). If you work in uneven terrain, you will want to stick with the traditional Vibram outsole.
This Quarry boot uses what is called a “610 last”. A last is a foot-shaped mold that helps determine the shape and fit of a boot. The 610 Last used for this boot is Danner’s most universal last and can be worn by many different types and shapes of feet.
According to Danner, this 610 last type is industry standard made true-to-size and has a relatively broad and deep toe box area, which provides more volume in the forefoot and toe. This design has a full length removable footbed (source).
These Danner Quarry boots come in plain-toe, safety-toe, and insulated versions. They have a 100% waterproof GORE-TEX lining to help keep your feet dry in wet conditions. These boots use a Goodyear Welt construction that is re-craftable.
The Danner Quarry is a general heavy-duty outdoor boot (although the wedge sole would also work for indoor jobs that need a heavy-duty boot). This is a boot that can be worn for a wide variety of jobs and trades. It has a traditional build and classic functionality.
Click here to buy the Danner Quarry boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). In general, expect the Danner Quarry boots to fit true-to-size. Wide sizing is available. To read more about the Danner Quarry boots, visit our Danner Quarry Boot Review.
Caterpillar Men’s Silverton Lace-To-Toe Work Boots
These Caterpillar Silverton lace-to-toe work boots have an industrial vibe that I like. Here’s what these Caterpillar Silverton work boots look like:
This is the current price of these Caterpillar Silverton boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This version of the Caterpillar Silverton boots are steel-toe boots. They have a Goodyear welt construction, with slip-resistant outsoles and odor-resistant lining.
Caterpillar is a reputable brand, but the thing that I like about them is they sort of fall in that middle ground where their boots are better in quality than cheap brands, but not as expensive as some of the premium boots brands.
Click here to buy the Caterpillar Silverton boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Again, these boots have that classic lace-to-toe design that will push the laces down farther near the toe of the boot, passing more control to your foot.
Like most other types of traditional work boots, you can expect these boots to run a slight bit bigger than your normal sneaker size. Wide sizing is available. To read more about sizing, visit our article about Caterpillar Boot Sizing.
Danner Men’s Bull Run Wedge Work Boots
If you are working on a factory floor, I would recommend using a wedge sole boot if at all possible. Danner Bull Run boots are wedge sole boots that have that classic lace-to-toe design.
Here’s what the Danner Bull Run boots look like:
This is the current price of these Danner Bull Run boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots are actually offered in both a moc-toe and a round-toe version. The round toe has more of a lace-to-toe design than the moc-toe version in my opinion.
The Danner Bull Run boots make for good factory boots because they use the wedge outsole. Wedge soles are built for comfort. They don’t have deep, aggressive lug patterns because these types of soles are intended to be used on smooth surfaces like concrete, plywood, tile, etc.
If you work on a factory floor, these Danner Bull Run boots give you something tough and dependable, but the wedge soles provide a bit of comfort to help balance it out. I see people wearing heavy-duty boots on a factory floor all the time that have huge lugs, and I’m just left thinking there is probably a better boot out there for them.
If you stand in place and work at a machine, these boots allow you to wear something that is dependable and tough, but something that won’t feel like a brick on your foot.
Some people mistakenly think a wedge sole means that the boot will have poor grip. This is actually not the case. Yes, wedge sole boots are not built for uneven, rugged terrain, where a traditional lug outsole will be much more appropriate. However, one benefit that a wedge sole has is it has a larger contact surface area with the ground.
Traditional lug outsoles have a raised heel that creates a gap (below the arch of the foot) in the outsole of the boot where the boot doesn’t contact the ground. A wedge sole does not have this gap. It is flat across the entire bottom of the boot.
The fact that the wedge sole has a larger contact surface area means it does actually provide quality grip and traction, as long as the surface it is being used on is a smooth surface like concrete, plywood, tile, etc.
On a smooth indoor surface, or even some smooth outdoor surfaces, the wedge sole makes perfect sense. You just don’t want to be using a wedge sole on harsh terrain.
A wedge sole can also be more comfortable than a traditional lug outsole. The traditional outsoles that have aggressive lugs, raised heels, and a gap under the arch of the foot, make for a clumsy contact with the ground as you walk. Your heel hits, then a gap in the shoe, then the toe area hits.
This inconsistent contact with the ground can make traditional lug outsoles a little harder on your feet. With a wedge sole, your foot takes on less shock as it walks across the floor because the bottom of the boot is smooth and contacts the ground without a gap.
I’ve worn a wedge boot for several years, and it is definitely a more comfortable wear than a traditional boot (in my opinion). One thing that I personally just notice is even when I stand, I feel much less stress on my heel. The raised heel of traditional boots consolidates stress to the heel, and I can tell when I stand on wedge soles the stress is distributed evenly across the bottom of my foot, and leads to less irritation.
All that said, because these Danner Bull Run boots use the wedge outsole, they make for great factory boots for those of you who stand on concrete all day. And another added bonus is these Danner Bull Run boots are made in the USA.
These are unlined boots. This is actually another reason why they make sense for a factory worker who doesn’t need waterproof protection or insulation. No lining means these boots will breathe a little easier, and be a little cooler to wear. If you will be wearing these on a smooth surface outdoors, they make for nice summer work boots in dry conditions.
Click here to buy these Danner Bull Run boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Again, these boots have that classic lace-to-toe design that will push the laces down farther near the toe of the boot, and combine that with the wedge sole perfect for factory jobs.
Chippewa Men’s Lace-To-Toe Logger Boots
Chippewa is famous for their logger boots. Loggers boots are obviously used by loggers, but they’re also a popular boot for lineman, farmers, and ranchers. Some also prefer to use a logger boot as a motorcycle boot due to the raised heel for riding.
Chippewa offers a wide range of logger boots so that you can find one that works best for you. Not all versions use a lace-to-toe design, but several do. Here’s what the Chippewa Lace-to-toe loggers look like:
This is the current price of these Chippewa Logger boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots are outdoor use. If you work on a factory floor, there is a better option for you.
Logger boots are a special kind of outdoor boot that is built for two purposes. First, they are built to stand up to marshy, mucky, uneven terrain that is full of brush, debris, bugs, and everything else. Second, it is built for climbing (a logger boot is a popular boot for lineman). ***If you want to learn more about a logger boot, visit our article What is a Logger Boot?
The Chippewa Logger boots are offered in three different price tiers so that you can find one that works best for you. The most expensive Chippewa Logger is handcrafted here in the USA (but not all Chippewa Loggers are made in the USA).
Here’s a Chippewa Logger boot that I own:
As you can see, the version I own has that lace-to-toe design. Chippewa offers a wide range of logger boots that fit a wide range of needs. If you need a logger boot, they probably have one that will meet your needs.
Click here to view the entire selection of Chippewa Logger boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Most types of Chippewa boots run about a half size bigger than your sneaker size. To read more about sizing, visit our article about Chippewa Boot Sizing.
Danner Men’s Stronghold Construction Work Boots
The Danner Stronghold boots are great boots for construction workers. These boots are inspired, in part, by Danner’s line of hiking boots. Here’s what the Danner Stronghold boots look like:
This is the current price of these Danner Stronghold boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). As you can see, these boots are more of a modern boot instead of a traditional heavy-duty work boot.
Not everybody wants or needs that traditional style of heavyweight work boot. These are a sort of “sneakerboot”, which acts as a hybrid between hiking boots and work boots. These boots provide you with enough toughness to handle a job site, but are more comfortable than traditional work boots.
Mainly, it just comes down to what type of boot you need or prefer. Can you get away with a more modern work boot at your job, or do you need a heavy-duty boot? This is one of the few sneakerboots that I have found that has a lace-to-toe design.
You can expect the Danner Stronghold boots to have standard sizing that runs true to size. Just remember that these boots have a sleek design that will be a bit different than the traditional work boots.
These boots use a DPDX last type which focuses on finding a perfect balance between sleekness and comfort. You can expect these boots to offer a snug fit, that isn’t too tight.
Click here to buy the Danner Stronghold boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Again, you can buy the Danner Stronghold boots in both a plain-toe and a composite-toe version. These boots are 6″ in height, which means they fit just above the ankle.
Danner Men’s Acadia 8″ Boots
The Danner Acadia boots are a popular uniform boot. These boots are made with a combination of leather and cordura fabric to help keep the weight down, and to make them easy to clean. Here’s what these boots look like:
This is the current price of these Danner Acadia boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). As I mentioned earlier in the article, Danner prioritizes lace-to-toe in many of its work boots, including these Acadia boots.
Again, you can see the Cordura paneling on these boots. One thing about service boots is the people that wear them usually depend on responsiveness to perform at a high level. A heavy boot can be a hindrance on their performance.
But they still need something tough and dependable. Using cordura paneling allows Danner to keep the weight down in this boot without sacrificing much durability (cordura nylon is very durable).
The Vibram outsole of these boots is slip-resistant and has a lug pattern designed for urban environments. They come in insulated versions as well. Made in the USA.
In general, the Danner Acadia boots run true to size, but they can run a bit narrow due to the last type used in these boots. The Danner Acadia uses the #650 last type.
It is common for service tactical boots to run a bit narrow to ensure that those wearing them have a snug, dependable fit. For those of you who have wide feet, you will want to order the wide sizing.
Click here to buy the Danner Acadia boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Again, you can buy the Danner Acadia boots in both an insulated and non-insulated version. This boot can run a bit narrow.
Bates Men’s DuraShock Lace-to-Toe Side Zip Work Boots
Bates has been producing uniform service footwear for well over 100 years. They have a long tradition of making dependable boots, even supplying the US Army during WW2.
The Bates Men’s DuraShock Work Boots are a unique lace-to-toe option because these boots have a side zipper for easy on and off. Here’s what these boots look like:
This is the current price of these Bates boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Some people prefer to use side-zip work boots because they make it much easier to wrestle your boots on and off after work. Most side-zip work boots are made for tactical jobs.
If you need lace to toe work boots, and prefer a side zipper on your boots, this will give you a nice option. Just like the Danner Acadia boots we covered above, these Bates boots are made with a leather/nylon combination which helps keep weight down.
These boots have a “durashock” outsole to help reduce stress on your feet. They also have removable inserts that can be replaced or cleaned.
Click here to buy these Bates lace to toe boots boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Expect these boots to fit true to size, but have a snug fit common to most tactical boots.
What are Lace to Toe Boots?
Lace to toe boots are boots that are made with a design that pushes the laces far down the front of the boot, down near the toe. This is done to maximize the amount of lace coverage on the boot, which ultimately passes more support and control over to your foot.
Many boot brands in recent decades have abandoned the lace-to-toe style in an attempt to save money and reduce material costs. Unfortunately, this can also reduce the dependability and quality of a boot.
Not only do people turn to lace-to-toe work boots for added support, some people just prefer the way they look. Finding lace to toe work boots isn’t always easy, and they are most common in service boots, and in traditional heavy-duty work boots.