5 Best Work Boots for Big Guys | 2023 Guide

Last Updated on February 26, 2024 by Joe Strong

If you are a big guy like me, you know that you’re exposed to many annoying additional issues that most of the people don’t understand.

Back pain, knee pain, toe pain, neck pain… many pains!

Well, if you’re suffering from these issues, then this article is for you.

I am a big guy too, so I made sure to investigate, review, and select the best work boots for big guys that dealt with all these issues and provided reliable, long-term good support.

List Of The Best Work Boots for Big Guys

I chose 5 work boots specially tested, reviewed and selected for this big guys after months of testing and experimenting.

1. Irish Setter 83605 Work Boots
2. Caterpillar Diagnostic Waterproof Steel-Toe Work Boots
3. Timberland Pro 26078 Titan Waterproof Alloy Toe Boots
4. Wolverine Buccaneer Waterproof Boots
5. Keen Utility Pittsburgh Steel Toe Work Boots

1) Irish Setter 83605 Work Boots

Comfort Attributes

Big guys are used to dealing with lots of pains which is why I liked the many features these Irish Setter boots had to help big guys like me.

I mean, for once, they came with EVA midsoles and removable PU footbeds that cushioned my feet in every step. It really felt like I was walking on clouds!

Then, they also came with padded collars and rear pull loops which made putting on and taking off the boots more easy and comfortable. I mean, you would think these attributes don’t make any difference but when you change pairs you miss them!

Protection Attributes

Have you ever worked knowing that at any time you could get injured? Yeah? Well, then you know of the importance of getting boots with some good combination of protective features.

The good news is that these Irish Setter 85605 work boots had great protective features such as their heat resistant outsoles that could deal with up to 475 Fahrenheit while also providing with great traction so I could walk on any surface knowing that I would never slip.

Also, the boots are soft toe but meet the ASTM standards and they provide Electrical hazard safety which is always nice in a pair of work boots as I don’t want to get electrocuted under any circumstances.

Durability Attributes

If there’s anything that big guys have to deal with very frequently is buying work boots that don’t last long, right?

Well, this is not what happens with these Irish setter boots as they came manufactured with a top quality Briar Turbo full-grain leather by following the Goodyear welt construction method which is known for adding endurance to work boots so they can deal with not only the external elements but also with a fair amount of weight.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 1132 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.5 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

2) Caterpillar Diagnostic Waterproof Steel-Toe Work Boots

Comfort Attributes

Comfort is essential for big guys, I mean you can’t have a good day while feeling deep pain on your feet, knees and back (which is usually what happens to big guys like me).

In that context, these Caterpillar Diagnostic work boots came with EVA inserts which, during the testing period, performed great as they supported and cushioned my feet even when I had to stand on my feet for 8 to 10 hours in a given work shift.

Protection Attributes

What is more important than being protective in the workplace? Nothing, at least under my view.

This is why I liked the safety steel toes that came as a part of these boots which gave me the confidence my toes would not be crushed by any falling objects around the worksite where I work at.

Also, the boots came with electrical hazard protection which is awesome as I’m sure you, like me, don’t want to get electrocuted while working.

Finally, these Caterpillar work boots came manufactured with 400 grams of Patented Thermal insulation technology which isolated your feet from external temperatures while keeping them dry and warm.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 925 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.1 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

3) Timberland Pro 26078 Titan Waterproof Alloy Toe Boots

Comfort Attributes

Well, we all know the problems that big guys are used to dealing with: knee, feet, back and joint pain. So, getting work boots with comfortable features is more than vital.

This is why I recommend these Timberland PRO work boots as they came with a full grain leather which minimized break-in time.

They also had the so-called PowerFit Comfort System that supported my feet in every step but also provided that “cushioning” effect so all my pains would go away.

And finally, they came with a mesh antimicrobial lining that was both breathable and freed my feet from any bacteria that could cause odor.

Protection Attributes

Alloy safety toe shaped for a custom fit and superior lightweight protection.Timberland PRO rubber outsole that resists slip, oil, and abrasions.

If I know something in life is that I don’t want to get injured at the workplace which is why I loved the protective features these Timberland boots brought me during the testing period.

First, they came with alloy safety toes custom shaped to fit my feet which gave the peace of mind my toes would not get crushed no matter what.

Also, as with any work boot worth its salt, these Timberland boots had slip, oil, and abrasion resistant outsoles that provided me the traction necessary to work knowing that I would never slip and injure my self no matter the sketchy surface I would have to walk on. And believe me, there are some shady surfaces at the worksite where I work at..

Durability Attributes

Frustration… that terrible feeling no one knows how to deal with. And to be honest, neither do I, so I always try to get durable work boots like these Timberlands so I never have to feel that way EVER AGAIN.

I mean, the durability rating I gave these boots was high by the sole fact of getting sense of the manufacturing method the guys at Timberland used to manufacture these boots.

This method is the cement construction manufacturing process that is globally known for reducing the break-in time but for also increasing the flexibility of the boots making them more comfortable and at the same time, more reliable!

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 735 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.3 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

4) Wolverine Buccaneer Waterproof Boots

Comfort Attributes

The pains big guys have to deal with are incredible… We are used to dealing with all sorts of pains and when we get a hold of some comfortable work boots we really cling to them.

Well, this is what happened when I reviewed these Wolverine Buccaneer boots as they came with full-cushioned insoles and PU midsoles that gave me the shock absorption and support needed to release my back, feet, and knees of that pressure that comes with being a big guy…

Protection Attributes

There’s no better feeling than working knowing you and your feet are safe, which is why I loved these Wolverine work boots given that why were manufactured with a waterproof full grain leather that kept my feet dry impeding any liquids from getting my feet wet and they came with resistant lug outsoles that provided me the traction to walk on slippery surfaces knowing that I would never slip and fall!

Awesome… right?

Durability Attributes

I love the feeling of knowing that my money was well spent. Don’t you like it too?

Well, if you do you’re gonna love these Wolverine Buccaneer work boots as they came manufactured following the patented Wolverine Contour Welt construction method that not only gave me the guarantee the boots were going to last for a big while but that also it will make the boots much more comfortable and flexible than the rest!

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 492 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.3 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

5) Keen Utility Pittsburgh Steel Toe Work Boots

Comfort Attributes

Feet, knee, back, joint pains… I mean there are so many types of pains that I had to deal during my life you wouldn’t believe.

The good news is that all these problems were solved by these Keen Utility work boots as they came with awesome comfortable attributes such as their PU cushioned footbeds and EVA midsoles that supported my feet on every surface.

I mean, it was like walking on pure air!

Also, they came with a padded collar and rear pull loops that made the on and off much easier and comfortable.

Protection Attributes

These boots came with awesome protective features that were successful in preventing most injuries.

For instance, they came with EVA traction tred outsoles that not only gave great traction but also were super comfortable, which is an attribute always nice to have.

Moreover, they came with aluminum safety toes that gave me the confidence no heavy objects would crush my feet no matter what!

Durability Attributes

Have you ever held a pair of boots for more than 2 years? It’s an awesome feeling, right?

Well, the first time you try these Keen Utility Pittsburgh boots on you have the feeling that they are gonna last a lot, no matter the work you have.

I mean, they came with a full-grain leather that was top quality and they were manufactured following the Goodyear welt construction process which, at least in my opinion, is one of the best manufacturing methods to follow for work boots!

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 1171 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a B004LE7Y7I out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

My Verdict: The Best Work Boots For Big Guys

Keen Utility Pittsburgh Steel Toe Work Boots

Would you like to know why I selected these KEEN Utility Pittsburgh Steel Toe Work Boots as the best work boots for big guys? Then check the review by clicking the button down below.

Review

Quick Comparison Table

Must-Have Features Of The Best Work Boots For Big Guys

There are certain features I always recommend for big guys to search in their next pair of work boots. These are the most relevant…

Comfort Features

If you are going to be on your feet and you’re a big guy like me, then you will need ergonomic features for your work boots, otherwise, you’ll end with your feet, knees and back hurting…. A LOT

Therefore, getting work boots with shock absorbing resistant midsoles and cushioned footbeds is going to be essential to provide that much needed “break” to your feet after your body starts hurting.

Protection Features

If your jobs require you to be in some kind of “hazardous environment” then the next few words are going to be of real use to you..

Getting work boots for safety toes is a good idea if you’re exposed to walking around heavy objects that might fall into your toes at any time. It doesn’t matter “how probable” it is, what it matters is you working knowing that nothing is going to happen to you, no matter what!

Also, getting work boots with slip and abrasion resistant outsoles might be a great idea to get the peace of mind that you’re not going to slip and fall injuring yourself in your next work shift

Durability Features

Who wants to spend more than a hundred bucks in a pair of work boots to find only a few months later that the boots broke apart and they have to get a new pair? Nodoby, right?

Well, if you don’t want to suffer this frustration, which I suffered many times sadly, you’ll have to get work boots made with a reliable construction method that assures you that your boots won’t break apart no matter what!

AND! of course, making sure that the boots are made with full grain leather and reliable, tested rubber is essential to have the assurance the work boots are going to last

How Did I Test The Boots

I know that people want to know how I tested and found the boots presented in this article, so here you go, these are the tests I did…

Comfort Test

I made sure to walk and stand on my feet for long hours, more than 8 hours at least, and I did this for weeks with every pair I tested to have a good idea to what was the level of comfort they provided for big guys like me.

If the boots were to perform well in this part, then, I proceeded to do the other tests..

Protection Test

Some big guys at work have to deal with some risks, like I do, which is why I performed a protection test with all the work boots I tried.

The test basically was walking on slippery surfaces and dropping heavy objects from safe heights to the toe box area to test the protection. If they passed, then I would do the last test.. the durability test

Durability Test

Nobody wants to have work boots that break after only a few months of use. This is why I tested the durability features of each work boot I tried by exposing them to the elements (water, mud, cold, hotness, rain etc) and made sure to beat them up also.

If the boots maintained an “as new” condition after months of this heavy use, then I would deem the boots as “durable”.

3 Benefits Of Choosing The Right Boots For Big Guys

There are huge benefits for big guys on choosing the right pair of work boots. These are some of them…

No More Pain

As previously discussed, we big guys deal with toe, knee, and back pain when they have to stand for more than a few hours.

Luckily, if you get the right pair of work boots for big guys these will have enough ergonomic and comfortable features that will let you deal with these issues by bringing you the much-needed relief for these essential parts of the body.

Renewed Energy

The pain and discomfort that comes from being on your feet for many hours when you’re a big guy drain your energy pretty quickly, right? At least that’s what it does for me

The good news is that if you pick one of the boots in this list, your feet and body will be exposed to the perfect mix of attributes that will give you that boost of energy that you need for your day as the pains will exist no more…

Avoid Frustration

There is no bigger frustration that wasting money for me.

Money on painkillers, money on extra footbeds, money on a new pair of boots every few months.. IT IS ANNOYING!

Luckily, when you get the right boots for big guys you will have the satisfaction of having chosen a pair of boots that will not only last for years but also will get rid of all those pains that ruin your whole day!