In this article we discuss the best work boots with flat soles. These types of soles are called “wedge” soles, and are very popular, in large part due to comfort.
Work boots with flat soles contact the ground in a smoother manner, and help evenly distribute the stress across the entire foot, instead of centralizing it on the heel or toe pad of the foot.
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These are 10 of the Best Work Boots with Flat Soles:
- Thorogood USA American Heritage Moc Toe Work Boots (click here to view)
- Tecovas “The Knox” Flat Vibram Wedge Sole Bovine Boots (click here to view)
- Irish Setter Ashby Work Boots (click here to view)
- Red Wing USA Heritage Classic Moc Work Boots (click here to view)
- Danner USA Bull Run Work Boots (click here to view)
- Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 6″ Round Toe Work Boots (click here to view)
- Carolina USA Wedge Work Boots Style CA7003 (click here to view)
- Wolverine Men’s Moc-Toe Work Boots (click here to view)
- Timberland PRO Men’s Wedge Sole Work Boots (click here to view)
- Ariat Rambler Recon Pull-On Work Boots (click here to view)
The tradeoff when you choose a flat sole work boot is traction. These flat soles do not have deep, aggressive lug patterns needed for rugged terrain. Work boots with flat soles are best used on smooth surfaces like concrete, padded dirt, plywood, and tile.
Again, if you work in rugged, uneven terrain, you probably don’t want to use a wedge sole boot. Some jobs need those deep, aggressive lug patterns to provide adequate traction and support.
But if you work on concrete, there’s no reason to be sacrificing comfort by wearing a heavy-duty tank of a boot that is built for rugged outdoor terrain. A flat-sole wedge boot is perfect for concrete.
Even though wedge boots don’t have aggressive lug patterns, if used on a smooth surface like concrete, they can still provide great traction.
One benefit that a flat-sole has over a traditional outsole is it has a larger contact surface area with the ground, which can enhance grip if used on a smooth surface.
In this article let’s take a closer look at these 9 work boots with flat soles so that you can decide if a wedge sole makes sense for your job. ***If you’re looking for a winter wedge boot, visit our article about the best insulated wedge sole work boots.
9 Best Work Boots with Flat Soles
Thorogood USA American Heritage Work Boots
Thorogood makes some of the best work boots in the USA, and their American Heritage boots are some of the most popular premium work boots on the market. In my opinion, these are the best work boots with flat soles.
They come in both a moc-toe and a round-toe version (with plain toe and safety toe). Here is a look at mine:
These boots also can work well as casual boots and pair very easily with jeans. The American Heritage wedge boots are made in the USA by union workers.
These boots are made with 100% leather. They have shock-absorption footbeds. The wedge sole is both oil and slip-resistant.
In my experience, these boots fit true to size. As with all types of leather work boots, you can expect these boots to stretch out a bit as you break them in.
- Click here to view the soft-toe Thorogood American Heritage Boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Multiple colors available.
- Click here to view the safety-toe Thorogood American Heritage Boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Multiple colors available. If you are interested in moc-toe steel-toe boots, visit our article about the Best Moc Toe Steel Toe Work Boots.
To read more about how Thorogood boots fit, visit our Thorogood Boot Sizing Guide. To read more about these Thorogood American Heritage boots, visit our Thorogood American Heritage Review.
Irish Setter Ashby Work Boots
The Irish Setter Ashby boots are probably the most popular type of Irish Setter work boots. These boots are made with a wedge outsole that makes these boots more comfortable to wear than traditional work boots.
- Click here to view these boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
One thing that helps keep the cost down on these boots is that they are not made in the USA (the Thorogood boots are made in USA). But although these boots are not assembled in the USA, the leather is made from US-raised steers.
Here is a look at my used pair of Ashby boots:
In my experience, the soft-toe version of these boots fit true to size, and the safety-toe version of these boots fits a little bit bigger. As with all types of leather work boots, you can expect these boots to stretch out a bit as you break them in.
- Click here to view the soft-toe Irish Setter Ashby Boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Multiple colors available.
- Click here to view the safety-toe Thorogood American Heritage Boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Multiple colors available.
To read more about how Irish Setter boots fit, visit our Irish Setter Boot Sizing Guide.
Red Wing Heritage Classic Moc Work Boots
Red Wing is a well known brand of premium work boots. They have a popular flat-sole wedge boot called the Red Wing Heritage Boot.
- Click here to view these Red Wing Heritage Wedge boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Just like the Thorogood Boots we covered first, these Red Wing boots are made in the USA. But it’s important to remember that with all USA-made work boots, that means the cost is going to be higher than an imported boot.
Many people prefer Red Wing boots. These boots can be used as casual boots or as work boots. Overall, the style is very similar to the Thorogood boots we covered first, it might just come down to which brand you prefer.
One cool thing about these Red Wing flat-sole boots is they come in several colors. Expect these boots to fit true to size.
Click here to view these Red Wing Heritage Moc-Toe Wedge boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Wide sizing is available for these boots.
Carolina USA Wedge Work Boots
Carolina Shoe Company is another popular boot brand. Carolina still makes a lot of their boots here in the USA.
In my experience, Carolina boots are a bit more affordable than other types of USA-made work boots. If you prefer your boots to be made in the USA, but don’t want to spend $250 or more, these Carolina Wedge Boots might be a nice option for you.
Click here to view the Carolina USA Wedge Work Boots (affiliate link takes you to Carolina Shoe’s website). The style number for these boots is CA7003.
These boots are made with leather uppers, and have a removable polyurethane footbed. They are made with a steel shank (a shank is a supportive piece in the mid-sole of a boot).
These boots are offered in both a plain-toe and a safety-toe. The safety toe version is CA7503. Click here to view the Carolina USA Wedge Work Boots (affiliate link takes you to Carolina Shoe’s website).
Danner USA Bull Run Work Boots
Danner is another premium boot maker that chooses to still make several styles of their boots here in the USA. The Danner Bull Run boots are USA-made flat wole wedge boots.
One thing that makes this boots unique to some of the other boots on this list is they are offered in both a moc-toe and a round-toe version.
- Click here to view the Danner Bull Run Round Toe Work Boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
The Danner Bull Run boots linked above go up over the ankle and provide extra support. Danner boots are re-craftable. Expect these Bull Run boots to fit true to size.
Wolverine Men’s Moc-Toe Work Boots
If you are shopping for work boots with flat soles, some of the USA-made boots we discussed above may be out of the price range you want to spend. These Wolverine Wedge Boots might be a nice option than gives you something dependable, by a well-known brand.
- This is the current price of these Wolverine Wedge Boots available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
These Wolverine boots use 100% full-grain leather and a removable full-cushion footbed. These boots are offered in both a plain toe and a safety toe version.
- Click here to view the soft-toe version of these Wovlerine Wedge Boots (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
- Click here to view the safety-toe version of these Wovlerine Wedge Boots (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Expect these boot to run about a half size bigger than your normal shoe sizing.
Timberland PRO Men’s Wedge Sole Work Boots
Timberland boots are a well-known name for work boots. Their Timberland PRO series is a line of premium work boots, and they do offer a work boot with a flat sole.
- This is what the Timberland PRO Wedge Work Boots look like (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
I actually really like the way those Timberland boots look. These Timberland flat-sole boots are made with 100% leather uppers, and have a removable footbed that is odor-resistant. These are soft-toe work boots.
Click here to buy these Timberland Wedge Work Boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Expect these boots to fit about a half size bigger than your normal shoe size. To read more about sizing, visit our Timberland Boots Sizing Guide.
Ariat Rambler Recon Pull-On Work Boots
All the boots we covered above on this list have been lace-up work boots. If you are looking for pull-on work boots with flat soles, this pair of Ariat Rambler Boots might be your best option.
- This is what the Ariat Rambler Pull On Wedge Work Boots look like (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Ariat makes some of the best pull-on work boots available. These Rambler boots are made with full-grain leather and have oil and slip-resisting properties. Expect these boots to fit true to size. These are mid-calf work boots.
Click here to buy these Ariat Rambler Pull-On Wedge Work Boots at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Multiple colors available.
Danner USA Quarry Alloy-Toe Wedge Work Boots
We covered the Danner Bull Run boots earlier on this list. Danner is one of the most premium boot makers in the USA.
The Danner Quarry boots are one of their most popular boots. I actually own the Danner Quarry with a non-wedge Vibram outsole:
They also make this boot with a flat wedge sole. This is a heavy-duty boot. I call it a tank.
Some jobs need a heavy-duty boot that can stand up to almost anything. This Quarry boot would be higher on the list, but most people who are looking for work boots with flat soles don’t need a heavy-duty, ultra-rugged work boot.
But if you have a job that demands a heavy-duty boot, but you also spend most of your time on concrete, and prefer a wedge sole, then this Danner Quarry boot, with the wedge sole, might make sense for you. It is made in the USA.
- Click here to view the Danner Quarry Wedge Boot at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This boot has an alloy toe. In my experience the Danner Quarry Boots fit true to size.
To read more about how these boots fit, visit our Danner Boots Sizing Guide. To read more about the Danner Quarry, visit our Danner Quarry Review.
***In this article we discussed the best work boots with flat soles. To read more about work boots, visit our article about the best steel toe boots with side zipper.