8 Best Steel Toe Rubber Boots for Work Safety (2023)

Using a rubber or PVC work boot can give you protection that normal work boots don’t. PVC and rubber work boots can be particularly useful for farms, ranches, oil rigs, food-service facilities, and for many other types of general industrial applications.

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These are our choices for the best PVC and Steel Toe Rubber Boots :

As you can see, some of the boots above are PVC boots, and some are rubber boots. In general, PVC boots are very similar to rubber boots.

PVC has a rubber-like feel to it, but is more economic to produce, therefore PVC boots are usually more affordable than rubber boots. Some rubber boots can be two or three times the cost of a PVC boot.

Although rubber and PVC are very similar, PVC boots can be a little bit stiffer than rubber boots. It’s not a drastic difference in my opinion, and most PVC companies do a good job ensuring their boots remain flexible even in cold temps, but some people just prefer the feeling of rubber.

In this article let’s take a closer looks at the PVC and Rubber steel toe work boots on this list so that you can decide which style is best for you. If you need a winter option, visit our article about the best insulated steel toe rubber work boots.

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Best Steel Toe Rubber Boots

Muck Boots Chore Classic Tall Steel Toe Rubber Work Boots

Muck Boot Company is a boot brand that was launched to find a reliable solution for those days spent in the mud and muck. Today, Muck Boot Company is one of the most popular rubber boot brands on the market.

Here’s what these Muck Boots Chore Classic Tall Steel Toe Rubber Work Boots look like:

This is the current price of these Muck Steel Toe Rubber Boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots use neoprene and rubber.

• Height – The protective 16-inch height of these boots allows you to wear them over jeans to help provide extra protection up your leg.

• Steel Toe – Yes, this boot does have a steel toe.

• Year-Round Comfort – The 5mm neoprene and mesh lining allow for cool airflow in the summer and trapped heat in the winter. There is a stretch-fit top that helps trap in the heat.

• 100% Waterproof – Yes, this is a waterproof boot. The outer boot is also easy to wipe clean at the end of the day.

Here’s a look at my Muck Boots:

Here’s a look at the stretch-fit top that helps to trap in heat during the winter months (best insulated farm boots):

They do have pull tabs to help you pull these boots onto your feet:

These are tall boots that fit up over my calf:

Click here to buy these Muck Rubber Work Boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). I personally ordered my normal sizing for these boots. For more options, visit our article about the best steel toe chore boots.

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Caterpillar Stormers 11″ Industrial Steel Toe Rubber 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). And they do make a pair of industrial steel toe rubber work boots.

Here’s what these Caterpillar Stormers 11″ Industrial Steel Toe Rubber Work Boots look like:

This is the current price of these Caterpillar rubber boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots won’t fit as high up your calf as the first pair of Muck boots we discussed.

• Durable – The soles of these boots provide slip-free and oil-resistant traction that will keep you steady.

• Flexible and Comfortable – Forget about friction rashes or blisters with these boots, because they have soft neoprene lining and flexible, cushioned soles that bend with your natural movements.

• Height – As mentioned above this is an 11″ boot. They also offer this boot in a shorter 6″ style. Click here to view the 6″ style available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).

• Steel Toe – Yes, this boot does have a steel toe. This is a waterproof boot.

• Safety – There are Reflective pull-tabs at the tops of the boots so you’ll stay visible when working late into the night.

Click here to buy these Caterpillar Steel Toe Rubber Boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). To read about how Caterpillar boots fit (usually true to size), visit our article about Caterpillar Boot Sizing.

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Servus XTP 15″ PVC Steel Toe Men’s Work Boots

Honeywell Servus is well known for making dependable PVC footwear that is used in a wide range of industries. Their boots are used on farms, ranches, oil rigs, food-service facilities, and for many other types of general industrial applications (source).

Now, again, these are not rubber boots, they are PVC boots. PVC boots are very similar to rubber boots. PVC has a rubber-like feel to it, but is more economic to produce, therefore PVC boots are more affordable than rubber boots.

One cool thing about Servus is they still produce some of their boots here in the USA (including these boots). Here’s what these Servus Steel Toe PVC Boots look like:

This is the current price of these Servus PVC work boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Here’s what you need to know about these boots:

• Safety – Yes, this boot does have a steel toe. It is also a chemical-resistant work boot.

• Made in the USA – Created with the American worker in mind, these Servus boots are made in the USA.

• Material – These are PVC boots, not rubber boots. PVC is very similar to rubber, but it is more economical to produce, and therefore PVC boots are often more affordable than rubber boots.

• Non-insulated – These boots do not have Thinsulate or Primaloft around the foot, and do not have neoprene uppers. If you work in the ultra-cold, it would probably be best to stick with an insulated boot that fits your temperature range.

• Sturdiness – The heels and toes of these boots are extra-thick for longer-lasting wear.

• Easy Use – The specialized kick-off lugs on these boots make them easy to remove at the end of the day. They also include soft, removable insoles that can be washed and re-used as needed.

As we discussed at the top, PVC boots are usually much more affordable than rubber boots, but they will feel a little bit stiffer than rubber. Personally, I don’t mind the way they feel, but it is something to consider.

Click here to buy these Servus PVC Steel Toe Boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). If you are interested in reading more about USA rubber and PVC boots, visit our article about the best rubber boots made in the USA.

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Dunlop Chesapeake Steel Toe Boots

Dunlop is a wide-reaching brand that covers several different industries. They have been making PVC boots since the 1950’s. Dunlop boots can be used on farms, ranches, oil rigs, food-service facilities, and for many other types of general industrial applications (source).

Again, just like the Servus boots we just covered, these are PVC boots, not rubber boots. Here’s what these Dunlop Chesapeake Steel Toe PVC Boots look like:

This is the current price of these Dunlop work boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Here’s what you need to know about these boots:

• Lightweight – Unlike other heavier, clunkier work boots, these are made with lighter PVC and Flex-o-Thane. This might help keep the overall weight down despite it being a steel toe work boot.

• Water Repellent – These 100% waterproof boots also have energy-absorbing BAY-LOC outsoles that channel water away from the boot for easier, safer working conditions.

• Made in the USA – This is another option on this list that is made here in the USA.

• Easy On – These boots have holes at the top of the boot so that you can easily pull these work boots on your feet.

Click here to buy these Dunlop Steel Toe PVC Boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Wide sizing is available for these boots.

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Tingley Pilot 15-in Steel Toe Knee Boot

The Tingley brand was found in 1896 as a tire-plug company, and over time turned into a reliable brand of protective, liquid-proof footwear and clothing. And they do offer a steel toe PVC work boot.

Here’s what these Tingley boots look like:

This is the current price of these Tingley work boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots have that traditional PVC work boot style.

• Material – These are PVC boots, not rubber boots. As we discussed, PVC is very similar to rubber, but it is more economical to produce, and therefore PVC boots are often more affordable than rubber boots.

• Height – The protective 15-inch height of these boots allows you to wear them over jeans to help provide extra protection up your leg.

• Flexibility – Designed to remain flexible even in cold environments.

• Safety – Yes, this boot does have a steel toe. It is also a chemical-resistant work boot. This boot is 100% waterproof.

Click here to buy these Tingley steel toe PVC work boot available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This is a nice option if you are operating on a tighter budget this month.

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Servus Comfort Technology 14″ PVC Steel Toe Work Boots

As we discussed earlier, Honeywell Servus is well known for making dependable PVC footwear that is used in a wide range of industries.

Here’s what these Servus Comfort Technology 14″ PVC Steel Toe Work Boots look like:

This is the current price of these Servus PVC boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots are made in the USA.

• Safety – Yes, this boot does have a steel toe. It is also a 100% waterproof boot.

• Made in the USA – Created with the American worker in mind, these Servus boots are made in the USA.

• Material – These are PVC boots, not rubber boots. PVC is very similar to rubber, but it is more economical to produce, and therefore PVC boots are often more affordable than rubber boots.

• Heel – These boots also have a specialized molded heel that locks your foot into place to help prevent it from slipping around inside the boot.

Click here to buy these Servus PVC Steel Toe Work Boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These boots are 14-inches in height, and will fit up over the calf.

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LaCrosse Men’s Insulated Pac 12” Steel Toe Rubber Boots

Lacrosse is well known for making rubber work boots and other types of durable outdoor boots. They do offer a pair of lace-up steel toe rubber boots.

Here’s what these boots look like:

This is the current price of these Lacrosse steel toe rubber boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These are not PVC boots.

• Material – These boots are 100% rubber.

• Laces – Unlike similar work boots, these boots lace up near the calf, making it easier to tighten them to your preferred fit. If you prefer laces, to see more options visit our article about the best lace up rubber rain boots.

• Warmth – The wool-felt midsole and insulated footbed will keep you warm when working outside in freezing conditions. These will be a better winter option that most of the other boots on this list.

• Safety – Yes, this boot does have a steel toe. It is also a 100% waterproof boot.

Click here to buy these Lacrosse steel toe rubber boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). In my experience, Lacrosse boots fit true to size. To read more, visit Lacrosse Boot Sizing.

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4 Things to Consider When Buying Steel Toe Rubber Boots

Origin

Unfortunately today, most all rubber work boots are imported. If you prefer to wear USA-made rubber boots, your options are limited. There are, however, a wide selection of PVC work boots that are made in the USA.

PVC is a lot like rubber, but is more economical to produce, and is therefore usually much cheaper to purchase. But they don’t always perform as well in cold weather. To see options, visit our article about the best rubber boots made in the USA, where we also discuss PVC options.

Lace Boot vs Slip On

When most people think of rubber work boots, they imagine slip on chore-style rubber boots. Although I like that style (and use that style) there are benefits to using lace-up rubber boots.

My Lacrosse Pac Boot lace around the calf which allows me to tight the rubber boot securely on my leg. Not only does this help keep the weather out, it also make for a secure fit. If you are on rugged terrain, this might be helpful.

Pull on sizing can be a bit different too. To read more, visit my article: How should rubber boots fit?

Height of Boot Shaft

As I mentioned earlier in the article, you will definitely want to consider the height of the boot. Obviously, rubber boots that fit higher up your leg not only offer more abrasion resistance, they also provide more weather protection to your leg.

Most steel toe rubber boots will have shafts in the 14-15 inch range, although the Lacrosse Insulated Pac Boots that we discussed earlier on have a shaft height of 12 inches.

Steel Shank

You’re shopping for a steel toe rubber 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 rubber 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 work boot.