In this article we discuss the best steel toe boots with side zipper. Having a side zipper can make it much easier to wrestle your work boots on and off. Unfortunately, not a lot of boot companies make steel toe boots with side zippers, so options are somewhat limited.
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Here are our choices for the best steel toe boots with side zipper:
- ROCKROOSTER Men’s Steel Toe Zipper Ak232z (click here to view)
- Ariat Men’s Overdrive XTR Steel Toe Zip Work Boot (click here to view)
- Thorogood Men’s Veracity Waterproof Steel Safety Toe Zip Boot (click here to view)
- ROCKROOSTER Men’s Steel Toe Zipper 6 inch Boot (click here to view)
- Rocky Pursuit Steel Toe Waterproof Zip Service Boot (click here to view)
- *Women’s* Dr. Martens Maple Zip Steel-Toe Industry Boots (click here to view)
It is difficult to find steel toe boots with side zippers. Most companies who make side-zipper boots make them with either a plain toe or a composite toe. Very few have a steel toe.
There are several reasons for this, but one main reason is that side zippers are very popular in tactical service boots. Because the people who wear tactical boots need to be able to move and respond quickly, most tactical boots don’t use steel toes (which weigh the boot down).
But there are a few steel-toe boots out there that do use a side zipper. These side zippers really can make it easier to take your boot on and off. If you prefer easy on and off, but don’t like your selection here, might be worth considering a slip on steel toe boot, which are also convenient to take on and off.
In this article let’s take a closer look at the boots we listed above so that you have a better idea what the best steel toe boots with side zipper are, and which one might work best for you.
***For winter work boots, visit our article about the best insulated zipper boots.
Best Steel Toe Boots with Side Zipper
Ariat Men’s Overdrive XTR Steel Toe Zip Work Boot
Ariat is a well-known footwear brand that strives to build high-performing and innovative footwear for all types of work environments. The Ariat Men’s Overdrive XTR Work Boot is a great option to consider if you are looking for a steel-toe zip boot.
Here’s what these boots look like:
This is the current price of these Ariat work boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots have a steel-toe and a side-zipper. Here’s what you need to know about these boots:
- Rugged Build – These boots use premium full-grain leather and have protective “Exguards” on the toe, heel, and side to help the boot hold up over the long run.
- Slip-Resistant – The Duratread outsole is both slip-resistant and oil-resistant to help keep you safe while working. These boots have a square-heel to also help prevent slipping.
- Shock-Absorption – These boots have an EVA shock-absorbing footbed. Ariat uses their ATS Max technology on these boots which is designed to provide support and comfort to the whole foot to help reduce fatigue during the work day.
- Height – These are 8 inch work boots which will provide support up around the ankle.
- Steel Toe Side Zip Work Boots – These Ariat boots are steel toe boots and do have a side zipper for easy on and easy off. There is a small leather strap that secures the zipper in place to help prevent it from snagging and catching.
This is where you can buy these Ariat XTR steel-toe zipper work boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Expect these boots to fit true-to-size. Wide sizing is available.
Thorogood Men’s Veracity Waterproof Steel Safety Toe Zip Boot
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 (source).
Thorogood is known for manufacturing premium, dependable work boots, and they still make several types of their work boots here in the USA. The Thorogood Men’s Veracity Boots are side zipper steel toe boots made in the USA. Here’s what they look like:
This is the current price of these Thorogood boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These are 7″ boots that will fit up over the ankle. These boots have a steel-toe and a side-zipper.
Here are some of the details for these Thorogood boots:
- Tactical Design – These boots are service boots that use a combination of leather and ripstop fabric to make them both dependable and functional. These boots won’t feel like a brick on your foot.
- Vibram Outsole – Some people prefer their boots to have a rugged Vibram outsole. These Thorogood boots use a Vibram cup outsole that provides dependable traction.
- Removable Footbed – These boots have a removeable polyurethane footbed that can be swapped and cleaned if needed.
- Steel Toe Side Zip Work Boots – These Thorogood Veracity boots are steel toe boots and do have a side zipper for easy on and easy off. There is a small strap that secures the zipper in place to help prevent it from snagging and catching.
- Waterproof Design – These are waterproof boots that have a Gore-Tex liner to help keep you dry while working outdoors.
- Made in USA– These boots are made in the USA. Thorogood still makes several styles of their boots here in the USA. This is the only pair of steel-toe side-zipper work boots on this list that are made in the USA. You will see a USA emblem on the laces.
This is where you can buy these Thorogood Veracity steel-toe zipper work boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Expect these boots to fit true-to-size. Wide sizing is available. To read more about sizing, visit our Thorogood Boot Sizing Guide.
ROCKROOSTER Men’s Steel Toe Zipper Work Boots
ROCKROOSTER has a couple styles that are steel-toe side zipper work boots. These boots are popular due to their price point. Here’s a look at their 6″ steel-toe side-zip work boots:
This is the current price of these ROCKROOSTER work boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These are 6″ boots, and are the shortest boots on this list.
These boots have a memory foam insole, and are designed to wick moisture away from your feet to help keep you cool and dry. The outsole of these boots is slip-resistant.
ROCKROOSTER also has another style of work boots that are side zipper steel toe boots. Here’s what those boots look like:
This is the current price of these ROCKROOSTER work boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Expect these boots to fit true to size.
They also have the memory foam insoles and slip-resistant outsoles just like the first pair of ROCKROOSTER boots, but this pair also has a protective toe cap that helps the front of the boot hold up over the long term.
The nice thing about these two ROCKROOSTER boots is they have a traditional work boot design (so do the Ariat boots at the top of this list). As I mentioned earlier, a large majority of zipper boots have a tactical design, so if you prefer more of a traditional work boot design, these ROCKROOSTER boots are a great option.
Rocky Pursuit Waterproof Steel Toe Zip Service Boot
Rocky Boots is an Ohio-based shoe company that opened in the 1930’s and makes several different types of performance and work boots. The Rocky Pursuit Service Boot is a steel-toe boot with a side zipper. Here’s what it looks like:
This is the current price of these Rocky service boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Again, this is another tactical boots – as I said earlier, many tactical boots have a side zipper. These are also steel-toe boots.
Here are some of the details for these Rocky boots:
- Tactical Design – These boots are service boots that use a combination of leather and nylon to make them both dependable and functional. These boots won’t feel like a brick on your foot.
- Reinforced Toe – Not only do these boots have a steel-toe, they also have a protective toe cap to help the toe of the boot hold up over the long term.
- Steel Toe Side Zip Work Boots – These Rocky boots are steel toe boots and do have a side zipper for easy on and easy off. There is a small leather strap that secures the zipper in place to help prevent it from snagging and catching.
- Waterproof Design – These are waterproof boots that have vapor pass technology that lets the sweat and heat out of your boot, without letting water in.
This is where you can buy these Rocky steel-toe zipper work boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Expect these boots to fit true-to-size. Wide sizing is available.
Women’s Steel Toe Boots with Side Zipper
Dr. Martens Women’s Maple Zip Steel-Toe Industry Boots
Dr. Martens boots made their rise in the US in the 90’s as heavy-duty fashion boots. Despite this, many types of Dr. Martens boots are popular industrial work boots. They provide workers something that is heavy-duty and comfortable.
The Dr. Martens Maple Boots are women’s steel toe boots with side zipper. Here’s what they look like:
This is the current price of these Dr. Martens women’s industrial boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These are steel-toe boots that have a side zipper.
Here are some of the details for these boots:
- Heavy-Duty Design – These boots use premium full-grain leather and have the heavy-duty, slip-resistant outsole.
- Odor Fighting – These boots have a moisture wicking, antimicrobial- treated liner that helps keep your foot dry and keep odor at a minimum.
- Steel Toe Side Zip Work Boots – These boots are steel toe boots and do have a side zipper for easy on and easy off.
This is where you can buy these Dr. Martens women’s steel-toe zipper work boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Expect these boots to fit true-to-size.
5 Things to Consider When Buying Steel Toe Boots with Side Zipper
Insulated
If you work outside during the winter, insulated boots might be needed. The weight of insulation used can vary boot to boot.
Many work boots will use 400g of insulation, but you can find anything from 200g – 2000g. The weight you need will be determined by activity level, climate, and personal comfort level.
To read more, visit our article about the best insulated steel toe boots.
Made in USA
Do you prefer work boots that are made in the USA? There can be a bit of a tradeoff – USA boots are more dependable, but can also be pricier.
To read more, visit our article about the best steel toe boots made in the USA.
Waterproof
Do you need waterproof protection? Some steel toe boots will be better built to handle the elements than other boots. It is worth considering if you work in wet climates.
Toe Overlay
Several of the boots on our list not only have a steel safety toe for protection, they also have a rubber overlay that covers the toe of the boot and adds extra abrasion resistance.
This can be a way to help extend the life of your waterproof composite toe boots. As you probably know, it is very easy to damage the front of a work boot, and these overlays help prevent that.
Shank
If you’re shopping for a steel toe boot with side zipper, do you also need a steel shank?
A shank is a supportive piece near the midsole of a work boot. Not only does the shank provide support and structure to the boot, it can also offer under-foot pierce protection.
Many heavy-duty boots use steel shanks which provide maximum support and protection, and can handle rigorous work.
***In this article we discussed the best steel toe boots with side zipper. To read more about work boots, visit our article about the best work boots with flat soles.