If you are looking for pull on or slip on steel toe boots, you have several quality options. You need to consider what other features you need (like waterproofing) and what height of boot you prefer. I own the Irish Setter boots below and like them because they are comfortable and I feel like they weigh a bit less than other pull on steel toe boots.
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Here are our choices for the best pull on steel toe work boots:
- Irish Setter Men’s Marshall Waterproof Pull On Steel Toe Work Boots (click here to view)
- Thorogood Men’s Wellington USA Pull On Steel Toe Boots (click here to view)
- Wolverine Men’s Rancher 10″ Pull On Steel Toe Work Boots (click here to view)
- Caterpillar Men’s Pelton Slip On Steel Toe Boots (click here to view)
- Ariat Men’s Groundbreaker H2O Steel Toe Pull On Work Boots (click here to view)
- Justin Original Driller Pull On Steel Toe Boots (click here to view)
- Dr. Martens Men’s Icon Pull On Steel Toe Heavy Industry Boots (click here to view)
- Wolverine Men’s Raider Twin-Gore Romeo Steel-Toe Slip-on Work Boots (click here to view)
- *Women’s* Caterpillar Revolver Pull-On Steel Toe Work Boots (click here to view)
- *Women’s* Kodiak Women’s Maberly Flex Steel Toe Industrial Boot (click here to view)
Some people like to differentiate between slip-on boots and pull-on boots. In general, pull-on boots are usually mid-calf work boots, while slip-on boots fit down near the ankle. But many people use these terms interchangeably.
Our list has included both mid-calf work boots, and shorter ankle boots. All of these boots are pull on steel toe boots, or slip on steel toe boots depending on what you prefer to call it.
Slip-on boots that fit near the ankle will obviously weigh less than pull-on boots that fit up near the calf muscle, but the pull-on boots will give you extra leg protection against brush and foliage. Both are popular due to the ease of slipping them on and off.
***If you are prefer slip on loafer shoes, please visit our article about the best steel toe dress shoes. For USA options, visit our article about the best pull on work boots made in the USA.
Best Slip On & Pull On Steel Toe Boots
Irish Setter Work Men’s Marshall Pull On Waterproof 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 1950s and has established itself as a premium boot brand for both outdoor boots and work boots.
These are the pull on steel toe work boots that I use. Here’s what my used boots look like:
This is the current price of these Irish Setter Marshall slip on steel toe boots (affiliate link takes you to Irishsetter.com). Here’s what you need to know about these boots:
- Safety – Yes, these are steel toe pull on boots. They also have a steel shank (a shank is a supportive piece between the outsole and insole of the boot that provide underfoot protection). For more options like these visit our article about the best steel toe western boots.
- Design – The shaft of these boots measures 11 inches and will fit up near your calf. They are made with full-grain leather uppers and heat-resistant outsoles. They have removable footbeds making it easy to clean and/or swap them when needed. These are square toe work boots.
- Waterproof – These are waterproof pull on boots. They are made using Irish Setter’s “UltraDry” Waterproofing system, which includes a breathable waterproof membrane. I have found these boots to be effective at keeping my feet dry while working in a wet environment. Here’s a look at the lining in my boots:
- Weight – Sometimes pull on steel toe work boots can be too heavy. A cool thing that Irish Setter has done with these boots is to use a composite material (known as Rubber RPM) for the outsole of the boot. This composite material helps reduce the weight of the boot. This material for the outsole is engineered to provide the durability and strength of traditional materials, without the extra weight. My size 12 D only weighs 2.41 pounds.
Overall, I love the design of these Irish Setter pull on steel toe boots. They are durable and dependable, and the waterproof construction helps keep my feet dry in wet environments.
Click here to buy these Irish Setter Marshall slip on steel toe boots (affiliate link takes you to Irishsetter.com). Wide sizing is available for these boots. In my experience, these fit true to size. To read more about sizing, visit our Irish Setter Boot Sizing Guide.
Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 11″ Wellington 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.
That same American pride is carried forward into their modern-day business, and specifically to the Thorogood American Heritage line of work boots, which are made in the USA by union workers. Here’s what the Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 11″ Wellington Boots look like:
This is the current price of these Thorogood pull on steel toe work boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Here’s what you need to know about these boots:
- Material – 100% premium full-grain leather uppers.
- Outsole – These boots use a raised square heel outsole, but you can also buy the Thorogood American Heritage boots in a wedge sole version. Wedge soles are flat and often provide more comfort than traditional, raised-heel soles. But because pull on wedge sole boots don’t have a raised heel, they are best used on smooth surfaces like concrete. I use the raised heel version.
- Origin – These work boots are made here in the USA.
- Comfort – These boots have removable shock-absorbing footbeds that can be replaced or cleaned as needed. Fiberglass shank provides support. I think these are some of the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn – plenty of cushioning below the foot.
- Safety Toe – Yes, these are slip on steel toe boots.
Again, these boots and the Irish Setter boots are the two types of pull on steel toe work boots I currently use. I like both, and this gives me a round toe and square toe option. They also differ in price, which may affect your decision.
Regarding these Thorogood boots, I like how the leather shaft uppers aren’t super stiff and uncomfortable. Here’s a look at my boots after a few years of use:
Again, I use the raised, square-heel version of these Thorogood pull on steel toe boots, but they are also available in a wedge sole.
These are probably the most comfortable pull on work boots I’ve worn. I really like the cushioning they provide under the foot. Overall, the weight is reasonable, but these boots do weight more than my Irish Setter boots we discussed first. My size 12 D safety toe weighs 2.55 pounds:
What I probably appreciate the most about these Thorogood slip on steel toe boots is how well they’ve held up despite taking on a decent amount of abuse over the years. As you can see, there is no splitting on the toes or heels, and the seams have all held up well.
Click here to buy these Thorogood pull on steel toe work boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). In my experience, these boots fit true to size. To read about sizing, visit our article about Thorogood boot sizing.
Wolverine Men’s Rancher 10″ Pull On Steel Toe Work Boot
Wolverine is another well-known name for work boots and they make a wide range of boots including pull on steel toe boots. Here’s what these Wolverine Men’s Rancher work boots look like:
This is the current price of these Wolverine Rancher pull on steel toe work boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Here’s what you need to know about these boots:
- Design – These are 10-inch boots that will fit up near the calf muscle. They are made with 100% leather uppers and have a square-toe design. Goodyear welt construction.
- Safety – Yes, these are pull-on steel-toe boots. They also have a slip-resistant outsole.
- Summer – These slip on steel toe boots have a moisture wicking mesh lining that can help pull sweat away from your body to help keep your feet cool and dry in the summer heat.
These are another good option if you need a safety toe boot that doesn’t weigh you down like a brick. My size 12 regular weighs 2.22 pounds:
I wear a lot of Wolverine boots so I decided to give the Rancher a try, and I was a bit surprised that it actually weighed less than my Irish Setter Marshall pull on steel toe boots. For some reason, the Irish Setter Marshall boot when it’s on my foot feels lighter in weight.
This Wolverine slip on steel toe boot has the waterproof protection I need, including a waterproof liner to keep my feet dry.
As I said earlier in the article, I personally love the Irish Setter Marshall boots, but I really like these Wolverine boots as a more budget-friendly alternative.
Click here to buy these Wolverine Rancher pull on steel toe boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Wide and extra-wide sizing is available for these boots.
Caterpillar Men’s Pelton Slip On Steel Toe Boots
Caterpillar is the world’s foremost manufacturer of heavy equipment, but in recent decades Caterpillar has also become a reliable supplier of industrial and casual footwear for America’s workers (source).
The Caterpillar Men’s Pelton Work Boots are a popular pair of slip on steel toe boots. Here’s what they look like:
This is the current price of these Caterpillar pull on steel toe boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These are made with full-grain leather and have slip-resistant soles.
These are round-toe boots (the first option we covered was a square-toe). As I mentioned at the top of the article, slip-on steel-toe boots are very similar to pull-on steel-toe boots. In fact, some people use these terms interchangeably.
In general, slip-on boots often refer to boots that fit down near the ankle, and pull-on boots refer to boots that fit up near the mid-calf or higher. Regardless, the point is that when looking for slip-on or pull-on boots, some people prefer an ankle boot while others prefer a mid-calf boot.
These Caterpillar boots are 7-inch boots that won’t go up your leg much past your ankle. These are not mid-calf work boots. If you prefer more of an ankle boot, these are a great option.
Click here to buy these Caterpillar slip on steel toe boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Wide sizing is available for these boots. To read more about Caterpillar sizing, visit our article about Caterpillar Boot Sizing.
Other Slip On Steel Toe Boots to Consider
Justin Original Work Boots Men’s Double Comfort Pull-on Steel Toe Work Boots
It’s impossible to discuss pull-on work boots and not mention Justin Boots. The thing I like about Justin Work Boots is they just have that traditional, no-nonsense style. They’re clean, simple, and to the point.
Here’s what the Justin Men’s Double Comfort Pull On Steel Toe Boots look like:
This is the current price of these Justin slip on steel toe boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These are made with 100% leather and have slip-resistant soles.
It is worth noting that these Justin boots are made here in the USA (not all Justin Boots are made in the USA, but these are). If you prefer USA steel toe boots, both these Justin Boots and the Thorogood boots featured later in the article are made here in the USA.
Ariat Men’s Groundbreaker H2O Steel Toe Pull On Work Boots
Ariat is a well-known footwear company that strives to build high-performing and innovative footwear for all types of work environments. The Ariat Men’s Groundbreaker Boots are pull on steel toe work boots. Here’s what these boots look like:
This is the current price of these Ariat pull on steel toe boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These are made with waterproof full-grain leather and have slip-resistant soles.
Dr. Martens Men’s Pull On Steel Toe Work Boots
Dr. Martens boots made their rise in the US in the 90’s as heavy-duty fashion boots. Despite this, Dr. Martens boots are actually built to be heavy-duty industrial work boots. They make some of the toughest boots on the planet.
Dr. Martens makes both a pull on steel toe boot and a slip on steel toe boot that might make a lot of sense for you. Here’s what the Dr. Martens Men’s Icon Heavy Industry Boots look like (multiple colors available):
This is the current price of these Dr. Martens pull on steel toe boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots will fit up near the mid-calf and are made with water-resistant tumbled leather uppers. They have the famous Dr. Martens air-cushioned outsoles.
If you prefer more of an ankle boot, Dr. Marten also has a nice option for you that has a steel toe. Here’s what the Dr. Martens Men’s Rivet Slip On Steel Toe Boots look like:
This is the current price of these Dr. Martens slip on steel toe boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots will fit near the ankle and have the same air-cushioned outsoles as the mid-calf Dr. Martens we discussed first.
Women’s Pull On Steel Toe Work Boots
If you are a woman looking for pull on steel toe boots, you do have quite a few options. All of these brands listed below (and others) offer a pull on steel toe boot for women:
- Carhartt
- Ariat
- Wolverine
- Caterpillar
- Georgia Boot
- Irish Setter
I’d recommend considering the Caterpillar Women’s Revolver Slip On Steel Toe Boots. This is what they look like:
This is the current price of these women’s Caterpillar pull on steel toe boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These are mid-calf work boots that are made with 100% leather and oil-resistant outsoles.
Are Pull On Steel Toe Boots Right for You?
Many people turn to pull-on work boots for these reasons:
- Easy on, Easy off – Pull on boots are easier and more convenient than lace-up work boots. Even if it’s only going to save you a few seconds, some people like the ability to just kick off their boots when they get home.
- Calf Protection – Pull-on work boots that go up to the mid-calf offer additional protection from brush and other elements you may face while working.
- Style – Some people just prefer the way pull-on work boots look. This will come down to personal preference.
Although pull on steel toe boots may have a few advantages that lace-up boots don’t have, it’s worth mentioning potential drawbacks as well.
- Weight – Pull-on work boots that go up to the mid-calf can weigh quite a bit more than lace-up work boots that fit near the ankle.
- Support – One major strength of laces is the ability to tighten a boot against your foot to ensure that it provides the needed support to your foot. Unfortunately, pull-on boots just don’t supply as secure of a fit as lace-up boots.
If you are looking for pull on steel toe boots, or slip on steel toe boots, and are worried about weight, then it is probably best to stick with a slip on steel toe boot that will fit down near your ankle. I’d recommend the Caterpillar Pelton boots we discussed earlier in the article.
If you like pull on steel toe boots because they are easy to take on and off, but are worried about not being able to tighten them to your foot, I’d recommend considering a steel toe boot with a side zipper. These zipper boots make it easy to take your boot on and off, but still can lace tight against your foot.