10 Best Steel Toe Cowboy Boots for Work Safety [Western]

If you are shopping for steel toe western boots, I personally prefer the Irish Setter Marshall Boots because, in my experience, they feel lighter on my feet than other boots. But, it is worth mentioning that they have a shorter heel design (1.5 inch). If you prefer a taller heel, I’d recommend the Lucchese, Double-H, or Dan Post steel toe cowboy boots on the list below.

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These are my choices for the best steel toe western boots:

There’s quite a bit to consider when shopping for steel toe cowboy boots. How tall of a heel do you need? Do you need the boot to be waterproof? Do you prefer a square toe or round toe? How tall of a shaft do you need?

A lot of these issues may come down to personal preference. I personally like square toe boots because it adds more space in the toe box area. I also prefer a lightweight design so the boots don’t feel like bricks on my feet.

That is one thing I really like about the Irish Setter Marshall Boots. Those boots use a composite material (known as Rubber RPM) for the outsole of the boot. This composite material helps reduce the weight of the boot but is engineered to provide the durability and strength of traditional materials (without the extra weight).

In this article let’s take a closer look at the best steel toe cowboy boots so you can find an option that fits your needs. Let’s also discuss several things to consider when buying steel toe western boots.

Best Steel Toe Cowboy Boots

Irish Setter Men’s Marshall Western Steel Toe 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.

I have found these boots to be very comfortable and they feel lightweight on my feet. These are the steel toe western boots that I use the most. Here’s what mine look like:

This is the current price of these Irish Setter Marshall boots (paid affiliate link takes you to IrishSetterBoots.com). Here’s what you need to know about these steel toe cowboy boots:

• Design – These are 11-inch boots that 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 boots and, yes, they feature a steel safety toe.

• Waterproof – These are waterproof 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 boots can be too heavy. As I discussed earlier, one 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 Regular weighs only 2.41 pounds:

• Women’s Version – Irish Setter does also offer these Marshall boots in a women’s version. Click here to view the women’s version of this Irish Setter Marshall steel toe cowboy boot (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).

Overall, I love the design of these boots. They are comfortable and lightweight, but also durable and dependable. And the waterproof construction helps keep my feet dry in wet environments.

Click here to buy these Irish Setter Marshall steel toe western boots available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.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 Boots Sizing Guide.

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Double-H Boots Mens Graham Square Steel Toe Roper Boots

Double-H boots was founded by H. H. Brown in Pennsylvania in the 1950’s. Double-H boots specializes in western boots and was the first company to ever manufacture a steel toe cowboy boot. To this day, Double-H still makes a large selection of safety toe western boots.

Here’s what these Double-H Graham Boots look like:

This is the current price of these Double-H steel toe cowboy boots available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Here’s what you need to know about these boots:

• Material – These boots are made with 100% leather uppers (foot area is made with bison leather). They feature a cork midsole and shock absorbing insole. The outsole is a Double-H Oak I.C.E. outsole which is designed to be abrasion-resistant so it lasts longer. These boots have a saddle vamp, which is extra leather layering over the vamp for added protection.

• Roper Design – These boots have a short, squared roper heel. The heel height is 1-5/8 inch. The shaft measures at 11 inches in height.

• Safety Toe – Yes, these roper boots have a steel safety toe. The toe shape has a wide square design for extra room in the toe box.

Click here to buy these Double-H steel toe western boots available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots are available in wide sizing.

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Wolverine Men’s Square Toe Steel Toe Rancher Boots

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 steel toe cowboy boots available at Amazon (paid 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. They are built using a Goodyear welt construction. They also have a slip-resistant outsole. Here’s what mine look like:

• Toe Design – Yes, these are steel-toe boots. They feature a square toe design for extra space in the toe box area.

• Western Detailing – These boots feature western-detailing stitched across the vamp, and a decorative detailing on the shaft:

• Waterproof – This Wolverine boot does have waterproof protection, including a waterproof liner to keep my feet dry. Here’s a look at my boots:

• Moisture Wicking – These boots also 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.

Click here to buy these Wolverine Rancher steel toe western boots available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Wide and extra-wide sizing is available for these boots.

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Other Steel Toe Cowboy Boots to Consider

• Lucchese Men’s Welted Steel Safety Toe Western Boots – These Lucchese boots have a more traditional cowboy style with a rounded rocker heel and a spur ledge. Made with a square steel toe and a waterproof design. They also have a moisture-wicking lining to help deal with perspiration. The welt construction means you can get these boots re-soled if needed. Click here to view the Lucchese steel toe boots (paid affiliate link takes you to Sheplers.com).

• Dan Post Boots Waterproof Steel Toe Cowboy Boots – These Dan Post boots are another good option if you prefer a more traditional, taller cowboy heel. The heel is rounded and, yes, these boots have a steel safety toe. They are made with a waterproof liner and also have sweat-wicking capabilities. Click here to view these Dan Post steel toe western boots (paid affiliate link takes you to Walmart.com).

• *Women’s* Twisted X Women’s Steel Toe Western Boots – These Twisted X women’s steel toe western boots feature a wide square toe design for extra room in the toe box area. They are made with full grain leather and feature moisture-wicking lining and insoles to help deal with perspiration. The footbed is removeable and machine washable. The rubber outsoles are slip-resistant. Click here to view these Twisted X boots available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).

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What to Consider When Buying Steel Toe Cowboy Boots

Weight

As I mentioned above, the weight of pull on boots can be an issue at times. Some brands will use synthetic outsoles to help keep weight down (instead of rubber). This is why I like the Irish Setter Marshall boots because I have found that the composite outsole helps control the weight of the boot.

There are also certain types of pull-on work boots that use a combination of leather and textile for the upper, which helps reduce weight, but this is much less common in steel toe western boots that are almost always made of 100% leather.

Waterproof

Do you need your steel toe cowboy boots to be waterproof? If you do, it is important to understand that not all waterproof boots are made equal. Some boots will just use waterproof leather and a seam-sealed construction (but not have an actual waterproof membrane).

The advantage of a membrane is that, yes, it’s an extra barrier between your foot and moisture. But one drawback is waterproof membranes trap heat.

Most companies do the best they can to make these membranes breathable, but even though they are designed to be breathable, they will trap some heat. This basically means that when if you use these boots during the summer when it isn’t wet, your feet might be too hot.

For the most waterproof protection possible, you will definitely want a waterproof membrane. But if you are concerned about heat being an issue, a compromise might be to buy a boot that is made using waterproof leather, but doesn’t have the extra waterproof membrane. To read more visit our article about the best waterproof pull on work boots.

Composite vs Steel Toe Western Boots

Do you absolutely need a steel toe boot? Yes, some situations absolutely call for a steel safety toe, but the drawback is a steel toe boot can be very heavy, and sometimes uncomfortable to wear.

Some people like to use a composite safety toe instead, which offers toe protection but is often much lighter-in-weight than a steel safety toe. But, it is very important to note that a composite safety toe does not offer as much protection as a steel toe, and therefore won’t be safe for all work environments.

Heel Height

Steel toe western boots come in varying heel heights. Most commonly, a steel toe cowboy boot will have a heel height of around two inches, while a steel toe roper boots will have a heel height that is smaller than two inches.

Obviously, the two inch heel is better for riding, and the smaller heel is often better for walking and working. Finding steel toe cowboy boots that use a taller heel can be difficult. If you prefer that taller heel, the Lucchese Boots and Double-H Gel Ice Boots on the list at the top of the page use a taller heel design.

Other Western Boots to Consider

If you are interested in western or pull-on boots, visit our other article linked below:

• Flat Sole Cowboy Boots
• Western Work Boots Made in the USA
• Pull On Square Toe Work Boots
• Insulated Pull On Boots
• Steel Toe Chore Boots
• Safety Toe Rubber Boots
• Slip On Steel Toe Work Boots
• Rubber Sole Cowboy Boots

Steel Shank

You’re shopping for a steel toe chore boot, but what about the shank? A shank is a supportive piece in the midsole of a boot that help provide form and structure to the boot, and also offers some underfoot pierce protection.

Some, but not all, steel toe cowboy boots will also use a steel shank. Steel shanks can be useful for those climbing ladders, kicking shovels, working or rocky terrain, or performing other types of tasks that can put extra stress on the bottom side of a boot.