Choosing the best work boots for diesel mechanics should be easy after reading this review article and buying guide.
But why not just order a pair of mechanics boots?
Well, look here:
Working in a busy garage indoor or outdoor is tough work. It also comes with a long list of hazards. Consider the risk of falling objects and slipping on oily and greasy surfaces.
Because of the tough working conditions, you need a pair of boots that can offer your feet the ultimate protection.
The upper must be tough. The lacing must be good, so that the boot is easy to get into and out of. The arch support must also be incredible because you will be spending many hours on your feet.
Most importantly:
Consider the sole quality carefully. It must not only be anti-slip in design, but it must also be waterproof, oil-proof, thick and tough.
What are the best work boots for mechanics?
Table of Contents
In this section, we are going to look at the best work boots for diesel mechanics. Read on to see the features that they come with and any downsides.
1. Timberland PRO Men’s 95567 Endurance
You can wear this boot across different industries. For example, many people use it in construction jobs. The steel toe protects your metatarsal area and toes from accidents.
In the garage, you will find it quite useful since you can step on metal, nails, kick things around without your feet suffering injury. They are hardy and they require minimal care and maintenance.
You know how much you will step on spilled fluids in the garage. Therefore, you need a pair of boots that can stay a long time in water or oil without any penetrating to your feet, whether from the sole or from the upper.
Whether you wade through water or you step in puddles throughout the day, your feet will stay dry and comfortable in these shoes.
There is something to note though … No leather shoes are completely waterproof. With time, leather will absorb water unless it is treated with a thin waterproof membrane.
Leather Upper
A pair of work boots is made great by the features that it comes with. With the Timberland Pro Endurance boots, you get leather upper. The shaft is long enough as it measures 8.0 inches from the arch. They have a steel toe, a comfortable collar and speed lacing in the shaft area.
Rubber Sole
The outer sole is made of rubber. The arch support is quite good, so you can wear these boots for hours on end. However, you may have to change the stock insoles to custom ones such as Superfeet or Protalus insoles.
The sole offers you good traction on different surfaces. Although this is a thick sole, it is light in weight.
2. Skechers Men’s Felton Slip-Resistant Work Shoe
This attractive work boot comes in a sporty design. It is only ankle high, like regular shoes. Therefore, if you like looking cool in the garage, this is the pair of shoes to go for. As you will find out when you wear these shoes, the low cut design is quite comfortable and flexible.
Synthetic upper
The upper is made of synthetic material and then it has been beautifully welded to the nitrile sole. Therefore, it keeps water out but you should not stand too long in a puddle of water. This is common for many pairs of working boots. You will also notice the strong double stitching that makes the upper quite strong without making the boots any stiffer than they should be.
Having a synthetic upper, this pair is easy to keep clean since all you need to do is wipe it clean with a damp piece of cloth.
Just as the design looks sporty from the outside, this pair of shoes is very comfortable from the inside. You can spend hours on end standing in the shoes and they will be quite comfortable. The toe area is reinforced, which means that your toes are safe from small items and tools dropping on the shoes.
Flexible and slip-resistant outer sole
When it comes to the outer sole, we have already mentioned that it is made of nitrile. This is similar to rubber, but it has better slip-resistance qualities. You will enjoy better traction when you are working on slippery surfaces in the garage.
Even when you step on spilled oil, the shoes give you a perfect grip. Another important thing to mention about this sole is that it has EH ASTM F2413-11 standard rating and therefore it is safe from electric hazards.
Interior comfortable
Let us discuss the interior comfort of these shoes. They are on a higher level, thanks to the soft lining. They are also wide in design, which makes them roomy for your feet and easy to break in. You will also love the fact that the sole has a bouncy touch to it, so it feels quite good even when you are walking on stuff.
You will not need to change the stock insoles because they are quite comfortable. They are made with memory foam and they have good arch support. In addition, the shoes also have a padded tongue so you will never feel the laces pressing into your foot even if you wear them tight.
Downsides
Despite all the good intentions that the manufacturer had when making the Sketcher Men’s Felton Work Shoes, the double stitching does make the boots a bit too stiff. This in return means the shoes need a break-in period. However, that is something that you can live with.
3. Wolverine Men’s Raider Work Boot
It is rare to find work boots that look ruggedly stylish, but Wolverine has done incredible things with the Men’s Raider. It is not only sleek, but it is masculine looking and very functional to spend many hours in.
Rubber sole
One of the most important things to a work shoe is the sole. It must be anti-slip in nature because as a mechanic, you work in areas that get grease, fuel and oil spills. That is why Wolverine has not taken any chances with this pair. It comes with a thick, flexible rubber sole that handles very well on slippery surfaces.
This sole is also good at absorbing shock from objects that you may step on you. Your feet enjoy the ultimate protection. With your safety assured, you can be able to work well without worrying about the conditions surrounding you.
The heel is 1.5 inches, which gives you proper elevation. The arch support is also very good and that makes these boots very comfortable to stand in for long hours.
Leather Upper
The upper is made of 100% rubber. This is water-resistant and so if you are caught by a shower when working outside, your feet will stay dry. However, leather is never fully waterproof. Therefore, with time, it may absorb water. However, you can use products for making it waterproof.
Comfort
The leather upper is lined with comfortable and breathable lining. Therefore, even if your feet sweat, they will not be uncomfortably drenched in sweat because the shoes are breathable. The inner lining is meshed to enable airflow.
The stock insoles are comfortable when it is new. However, we know that custom insoles are always best. Therefore, as soon as you feel that the old insole is wearing thin, you can always order a new pair.
Generally, you will need to break in the boots but after that is done, you will never look back because they are so comfortable.
The padded tongue is thick and therefore your feet will never experience stress even when you make the laces tight. The collar is padded as well.
Downsides
The only complaint is that before you get used to these boots, they do feel a bit heavy. But then, this is the downside that you have to contend with when it comes to most boots.
4. Skechers for Work Men’s Workshire Steel Toe Boot
The Men’s Workshire steel-toed boot offers ultimate protection from falling objects. The steel-toed design is very important if you work in a busy garage, indoor or outdoor.
But that is not all there is to this pair.
This boot is also safe from electrical hazards. It has been rated against the requirements of ASTM F2413-2011 EH standard. Therefore, you need not worry about your feet even if they are exposed to energized items.
Leather upper
The upper of the boots is made of grained leather. It is water resistant so you should not worry about splashes and such things. The interior of the shoes is lined with breathable lining that keeps your feet comfortable, well aerated and dry even after hours of standing up.
The shaft is 5.3 inches from the arch, which is not too high and not too short. The tongue is thickly padded and so is the collar. When you wear these shoes, you feel well protected all the time.
To make the boots retains their aura. Condition them a couple of times a month. However, the rugged used look is always so nice.
Rubber sole
You will notice how well the rubber sole and the upper leather have been welded together. The sole is thick and it will protect you from hazards common to an auto garage. While the sole almost looks like a wedge-design, you still get good elevation in the heel area at 1.5 inches.
Downsides
This pair of boots looks quite stiff. You will need to break them in but after that, they become super flexible and you actually enjoy wearing them 7 days a week. You will also need a better insole because the only memory foam in the stock ones is a small portion in the heel area.
Buying guide for best work boots for diesel mechanics
Not every boot is going to give you good value for money. Therefore, when choosing a pair, have the following factors in mind:
Slip-resistant sole
This is the first, and perhaps the most important consideration when you are buying a pair of boots. The sole can be synthetic, rubber, or even nitrile. It should be thick enough so that you can step small tools on the floor without feeling them.
Ensure that the sole is anti-slip. On the garage floor, there will be oil, water and grease spills. When you are working on a car, you need a firm grip. That way, you can fully concentrate on the job at hand since you don’t have to worry about your safety too much.
Comfort
Diesel mechanics and indeed any other person in a skilled trade spend a lot of time on their feet. In that case, you need a pair of shoes that is very comfortable. Therefore, if you have to replace the stock insoles with custom ones, go ahead.
The shoes should be comfortably lined with a breathable lining. That way, there will be airflow, which can help prevent the development of odor. It also keeps your feet dry and comfortable throughout the day. If you can get a pair that has an anti-microbial lining, go for it.
Another aspect of comfort that you need to consider is arch support. If you do not get enough of that, you could experience ball of foot pain.
Toe protection
This is important, especially as there may be heavy items lying around. There will also be small tools falling on your feet from time to time.
While some boots come with steel toe protection, some do not. However, even if they do not come with steel toe, they should have a reinforced toe area for ultimate safety and protection.
Price
A good pair of boots for mechanics can cost you a substantial amount of money. Therefore, you want to ensure the features of the pair that you buy comes with matches the price. Therefore, it is better to pay more and get more features than otherwise. Find a balance between price and quality.
Conclusion
There are tens, probably hundreds of the best work boots for diesel mechanics. However, you cannot possibly buy every one of those boots. Therefore, you are going to find what you need in the ones that we have reviewed here.