7 Best Engineer Boots you can Buy in 2022

If you’ve watched the 1978 legendary musical Grease, you probably noticed that Danny and his gang rocked leather pull-on boots with buckles at the side to achieve the biker-style look.

However, that’s not the first time the engineer boots gained popularity; they were first designed in the 1930s for engineers working on steam locomotives to combat hazards associated with the job. It wasn’t until the 40’s that they started gaining momentum among motorcyclists.

Quick Answer: Best Engineer Work Boots

Durango Harness Engineer Boots (Best Overall) 

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
It’s versatile	Genuine leather wears fast for heavy users
High shaft
Slip, water, and oil resistant
Solid construction
Very comfortable

For starters, these boots have sleek yet masculine because of the harness and the leather combo. Additionally, they’re available in solid colors, making them versatile; you can transition from riding a bike to walking into a fancy restaurant for dinner without feeling out of place.

Apart from the masculine exterior, they have insoles that cushion the feet against ground impact and alleviate foot pains and strains resulting from conditions like shin splints. In addition to that, they have flexible outsoles; you can move around and bend without feeling restricted.

What about traction? Their strider heel is designed with treads to keep you anchored when it’s raining or on any other low-traction surface.

The deal breaker is that they’re made with genuine leather, which wears out when subjected to rugged environments.

Ridetecs Engineer Boots

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
Great ankle support	The upper legs are too large
They’re durable
Adjustable belt buckles
Low maintenance
They’re comfortable

The Ridetecs Engineer Boots are made from heavy-duty full-grain leather; it’s durable and protects the feet from harsh work environments. Furthermore, it ages well and gets glossy when well-conditioned and cleaned. 

In regards to comfort, they have a soft cushioned insole to minimize foot fatigue. Also, they’re formulated to keep the feet dry and odor-free because of the breathable lining that wicks away perspiration and lets in air. Moreover, the zip at the side makes it easy to put on and remove the boots.

If you’re a motorcyclist, you understand that leg safety is as important as head safety; for that reason, the outsoles are slip and oil-resistant since you rely on your feet, heels, and ankle to control motorbikes weighing up to 400lbs.

The only issue with these boots is that their upper parts are too wide, which could be inconvenient for some people.

Milwaukee Engineer Boots 

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
Reflective piping	They don’t offer a snug-fitting
Moisture-wicking lining
Comfortable
Waterproof
Gear shift protection

Regarding riding motorcycles, the Milwaukee Engineer Boots are as good as they come.  The exterior of the boots is made with 2 mm of full-grain leather; they won’t wear and tear because of constant friction between the boots and the gear shifter. 

The inside of the boots is lined with a breathable lining that expels moisture and lets in air to keep the feet dry and cool. Besides that, they’re fitted with smart mask climate control insoles that absorb shock with every step you take. 

Did we mention it has excellent construction? The Goodyear welt is used to reinforce the outsole to the upper material with a strip of leather and neat stitches; that means they’re durable and waterproof since all the gaps are sealed. 

To top it off, their rubber outsoles have treads to protect your feet from slipping while you shift gears. They have reflective piping and gear for visibility while you ride at night. Furthermore, the extra padding cushions your foot and even prevents ankle fractures in case of an accident.

The flip side is the fitting is a bit wide, especially for people with narrow feet.

Chippewa Engineer Boots

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
Steel toe protection	The sizes are limited to wide fit
Awesome arch support
High-quality craftsmanship
Excellent traction
They’re versatile

Chippewa was one of the first companies to launch the engineer boots in the 1930s to safeguard the feet of firemen working on steam locomotives. Surprisingly, they haven’t lost their touch; these Chippewa boots offer excellent protection against heavy objects because of their ASTM-approved steel toe.

In addition, they have threaded Vibram outsoles to keep you on your feet while you walk on slippery surfaces. Besides, Vibram can resist the heat of up to 482°F; you’re confident that your feet won’t scald or burn if you step on jot substances.

If you’re planning on walking or standing for hours, the raised heel will offer arch support and distribute your body weight across the foot; this reduces the strain on the ball of the heel and alleviates pain. 

The best part is they don’t skimp on quality. Their rugged leather upper, coupled with the Goodyear welt construction, makes these boots durable and stylish. 

The downside is these boots have limited sizing options and are all wide.

Frye Men’s Engineer 12R 

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
Great fit	The leather is thin
No break-in period
Awesome craftsmanship
Durable
Slip resistance

What’s not to love about the Frye engineer boots? To begin with, they’re chic and versatile and can be worn by anyone because of their smooth oiled leather upper and neat finishing. In addition, their silver buckle hardware offers style and a custom fit.

Wait, there’s more; their neoprene oil-resistant outsoles, in conjunction with their leather midsoles, are the best at absorbing shock; you don’t have to worry about sore feet after walking on concrete pavements. Even better, they have cushioned insoles for additional comfort.

The Goodyear welt construction used in reinforcing these boots offers longevity and leaves room for resoling; this saves you money in the long run.

The only disadvantage is also an advantage; some people claim the leather is too thin. However, this also means the break-in period isn’t too long.

Red Wing Engineer boots

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
They’re lightweight and comfortable	No steel toe protection
Made with waterproof material
They can be adjusted
Thick slip-resistant soles
They’re very durable

These boots are designed with thick grooved outsoles to absorb shock and prevent slip and fall injuries as you work on rugged terrains. Apart from that, they weigh 1.8lbs and are flexible; they reduce foot strain and improve mobility.

Even better, they’re break-in free thanks to their flexible leather material that molds to the foot’s shape. The construction also leaves room for adjustment for a more custom fit because of the buckles at the sides. 

Their versatile style can be styled with almost anything in your closet. Moreover, they’re durable and can withstand wet conditions without water seeping through and getting them soaked.

Nonetheless, we’d advise you to go a size down if you have narrow feet.

Harley Davidson Women’s Engineer Boots

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
Designed with side zip	They’re narrow
Water-resistant material
They’re extremely durable
Lightweight and breathable
They’re designed for women

High fashion meets practicality with the Harley Davidson women’s engineer boots. They can be dressed down or up because of the full-grain leather, raised heel, and silver buckle hardware.

These boots weigh 2.5 lbs; you can easily shift gears without feeling fatigued. More impressively, they have comfortable insoles that cushion your feet as you walk. To top it off, the slight heel improves posture and provides arch support. 

Better yet, their mesh lining keeps your feet dry as you ride your motorcycle under hot conditions; you won’t be embarrassed by smelly feet when you remove your boots. 

They’re almost perfect. However, they’re a little narrow. We’d advise you to go up a size if you have wide feet.

Things To Look Out For When Choosing The Best Engineer Boots 

Material

Regarding quality and performance, you should be looking out for engineer boots made of full-grain leather; they can withstand tough elements like fire, water, snow, and mud without giving in. They age well and can serve you up to 20 years with proper care.

On the other hand, if you prefer a more glossy finish, you could opt for a pair made with corrected grain leather; manufacturers achieve this by buffing the hide to remove some or all of the bumpiness of the skin. However, if it’s overdone, the result is a thin plastic-like material that wears out fast.

Similarly, try to avoid buying boots made with bonded leather; they don’t hold up well because they’re made with shredded pieces of leather. What about engineer boots made with genuine leather? They have a low price but fall apart faster than a tower made of cards.

Not to forget, suede leather has a stylish touch but isn’t very practical in wet environments; it lets all the water seep through.

Construction

If you’re looking for engineer boots that are durable, water-resistant, flexible, and eco-friendly, consider Goodyear welt construction; this refers to the way the upper is attached to the outsole using a leather strip and reinforced with stitches around the perimeter of the boot. This means they seal out all the spaces that could let water seep through.

Not to mention, they leave room for resoling when the outsoles wear out; this saves you money and minimizes the amount of waste. In contrast, engineer boots with cement construction are comfortable and flexible but can easily fall apart when exposed to wet conditions for a prolonged time. Aside from that, they can’t be resoled because the upper and the outsoles are held together by glue.

Traction

Shockingly, many engineer boots claim to offer traction, but the moment you step on a slippery surface, their smooth leather outsoles will send you tumbling down. To prevent slip and fall-related injuries like the ankle, hip, and wrist fractures, you need to invest in engineer boots formulated with lugged or grooved rubber outsoles.

Shank

When purchasing or ordering your engineer boots, ensure that they have steel, leather, wood, or fiberglass shanks to provide arch support, stability, and protection from punctures. Apart from that, they help maintain the shoe’s structure so that they don’t disintegrate.

Breathability

To prevent soggy or stinky feet, invest in engineer boots with a lining that wicks out moisture from the boots but prevents water from entering inside. They’ll keep your feet dry and free from microbes that cause athlete’s foot and toenail fungus.

Versatility 

Investing in engineer boots that can be worn on almost all occasions or in different weather conditions is important. We’d advise you to pick boots with a simple design and neutral colors; less is more.

Price

The hard part about shopping is the price tag, especially if you’re on a budget. However, when it comes to engineer boots, you could find a good deal for decent boots that will hold up well and give you service. Here’s the thing, if you want the best quality, high performance, and durability, you’ll need to spend a bit more. 

Fitting

It goes without saying when you purchase engineer boots, ensure that they’re the right fit. You can determine your right boot size by walking into a shoe store and measuring your foot using the Brannock device. 

Another trick is to try out the boots in the afternoon or evening since the feet tend to swell up throughout the day; this way, you’re sure to leave a ½ inch at the toe area and some room in the instep for better comfort.

How To Break In Engineer Boots Fast

Wear them around the house

Wear your new engineer boots at home for at least one hour for seven days before going out. Start by wearing them with thick socks and walk around the house. Don’t forget to move your feet back and forth, especially around the heel, toe area, instep, and ankle; this will help break in the soles and loosen them up.

Thick Socks and a blow dryer 

Straight out of the box, engineer boots are stiff, but the combination of moisture, pressure, and heat will stretch out the leather. What better way to mimic these conditions other than wearing thick socks with the boots and blasting them with a blow dryer; 

Step 1. Put on thick cotton socks or layer up several thin socks, then wear the boot.

Step 2. Set your blow dryer to medium heat and blast each shoe for 30 seconds; ensure you move it around the boot while you wiggle your toes and bend your feet.

Step 3. Continue wearing the shoes until they cool down.
Note: This method is unsuitable for boots with cement-sole construction; the glue might melt and loosen the sole from the upper.

Use a shoe-stretching spray

Step 1. Put on the shoes and stand on an old newspaper, so the spray doesn’t mess up the floor or rug.

Step 2. Spritz the leather according to the direction of the packaging. The spray will loosen the fiber so it can easily mold to the shape of your foot.
Step 3. Let it dry with your feet inside

Use a boot stretcher 

So it’s been weeks, and you’ve tried all the methods listed, but the boots are still eating into your flesh. What’s next? Invest in a pair of boot stretchers to do the hard work for you; you’ll just dampen the boots, then set them inside, and you will have comfortable boots.

Common Question Answer

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for engineer boots that are fashionable or can protect your feet as you work or ride your motorcycle; you’re sure to find a pair that suit your taste and needs in this guide. 

All you have to do is click the link and get yourself a pair.