Best Work Boots for Flooring Installers [Updated Guide + 5 Options]

Last Updated on February 19, 2024 by Joe Strong

Flooring installers have many problems to deal with on a daily basis…

• Working for long hours on their feet or knees which puts tremendous pressure on joints and brings all sorts of pains
• Being exposed to getting their toes crushed by heavy tools that most flooring installers have laying around
• Slipping, falling and getting injured when walking on slippery surfaces
• Frustratingly watching how their expensive work boots get destroyed after only a few months of use

As shown, there are many comfort, protective and durability issues for flooring installers to solve with their next pair of work boots.

This article is my attempt to give you a list of work boots that solve all those problems on top of a few tips to make your life easier. I hope it helps you…

List Of Best Work Boots For Flooring Installers

I performed lots of searching and testing, and after many months of research, I arrived at this list of the best work boots for flooring installers:

1. Keen Utility Men’s Lansing Mid Flooring Installer Boots
2. Timberland Pro Men’s Barstow Wedge Flooring Installer Boots
3. Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 6″ Moc Toe, Maxwear Wedge Flooring Installer Boots
4. Carhartt Men’s Cmw6175 6″ Waterproof Tan Wedge Flooring Installer Boots
5. Timberland Pro Men’s 6″ Boondock Insulated Flooring Installer Boots

1) Keen Utility Men’s Lansing Mid Flooring Installer Boots

Comfort & Convenience

Comfort is everything for flooring installers. Especially if we take into consideration that they are most of the day working on their feet or knees.

This is why I liked these Keen Utility Lansing boots, as they came with metatomical dual-density EVA footbeds which cushioned my feet really well, making me feel like I was walking on clouds (yes, it was that good).

Moreover, the boots came with a breathable leather lining and the so-called Cleansport NXT technology which has enzymes that break down the odor in sweat so you can rest sure that no one is gonna smell nothing bad when you take out your boots.

Protective

Flooring installers are more than used to working among heavy tools that could at any time, fall and crush their toes.

So, having the correct protective features is more than essential, which is why I liked the asymmetrical steel toes these boots came with as they acted like a metal housing isolating my toes from any exterior large tools (such as my hammer) that could have fallen while I tested these boots.

To add an extra layer of protection, the boots came with a waterproof membrane which not only maintained all liquids away from wetting the boots but also was breathable enough to keep my feet smelling fresh.

And finally, they came with electrical hazard protection which might seem too much as electrocution is not a big worry for flooring installers, but you never know. Better be safe than sorry, right?

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 138 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

2) Timberland Pro Men’s Barstow Wedge Flooring Installer Boots

Comfort & Convenience

Dealing with pressure on their joints is very usual for flooring installers as they are the majority of their day either on their feet or kneeling down.

That’s why I loved the Timberland Barstow boots as they came with EVA midsoles which gave me a consistent cushioning without making the boots too bulky or heavy. This gave my feet and joints the rest they needed so no pains would surge.

Additionally, the boots came with a mesh tongue lining with antimicrobial treatment which was essential to let the air flow freely, keeping my feet dry and fresh (and without any smells neither!).

Protective

In terms of protection, the guys at Timberland added slip, oil, and abrasion resistant rubber outsoles which gave me plenty of traction to walk on slippery surfaces confidently and avoid any slips or falls.

Durability

Flooring installers are used to frustratingly see their expensive work boots getting destroyed after a few months of light use (grrr…).

That’s why I loved these Timberland boots, as they came manufactured following the Goodyear Welt construction methods while using a high-quality, rugger leather which makes these boots almost impossible to destroy.

Really, when you get your hand on a pair of these, the first thought that pops into your head is: why don’t other brands that offer similarly price work boots manufacture their boots with this level of quality? (because they’re cheap, obviously).

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 294 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

3) Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 6″ Moc Toe, Maxwear Wedge Flooring Installer Boots

Comfort & Convenience

Getting work boots that help you deal with having to work all day on your feet or knees is exactly what most flooring installers need and exactly what these Thorogood American Heritage work boots offer as they came with dual-density inserts with great shock absorbing attributes that let me do my job without suffering any sorts of pains.

On the contrary, it was actually pretty nice walking on these boots.

Additionally, the boots came with other comfortable features, such as their fiberglass shanks that added perfect stability to the experience of using these boots.

This was a nice addition to have (at least for me) considering that most flooring installers are constantly kneeling down, standing up and strolling around their work site, which is the best way to lose stability and fall down.

Protective

Given the nature of their job, flooring installers are used to working in sketchy and slippery surfaces that, if not using the proper work boots, could lead them to slip and get injured.

This is one of the main reasons I chose these Thorogood boots to be in this list, as they came with oil and slip resistant outsoles that were not only really comfortable but also provided me the traction and grip to stroll around what are usually slippery surfaces without any worry of slipping and getting injured (none at all!).

Durability

Finally, there is no better feeling that seeing how the investment in your work boots lasts through the years, right?.

This is why I liked these boots as they came manufactured following the Goodyear Welt construction method by which the stitching method is prioritized over the glue method which substantially increments the durability of a pair of boots and also makes them easily repairable.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 1626 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.4 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

4) Carhartt Men’s Cmw6175 6″ Waterproof Tan Wedge Flooring Installer Boots

Comfort & Convenience

Cushioning is essential for flooring installers, especially if they have to spend 10 to 12 hours working on their feet or knees without any breaks, which (let’s be honest) is what they usually do.

In that context, I believe these Carhartt work boots are perfect as they come with cushioned PU insoles which provided me the support and shock absorbance necessary to deal with these tough work shifts successfully. I mean I remember thinking “wow, these Carhartt boots really do it, huh?”. Definitely, a nice choice to have.

Moreover, the boots came with a FastDry lining which wicked away sweat by letting air flow through the boots easily, maintaining my feet fresh and free of any odor.

Protective

Work boots with good traction become essential for flooring installers, especially when they have to work and walk on slippery surfaces that could make them fall and injure themselves at any time.

That’s why I liked these Carhartt boots, as they came with dual-density rubber outsoles that were as comfortable as they were safe, given that they came with awesome traction attributes that let me walk on those surface I just told you about without the mental stress of what could happen if I ever were to slip and fall.

Additionally, they came with a Storm Defender waterproof membrane that kept my feet isolated from any external liquids that could come in contact with the boots. Additionally, the membrane was breathable enough to keep my feet dry and smelly fresh, without any signs of sweat (pretty good, huh?).

To provide even better protection, the guys at Carhartt added electrical hazard protection against 18,000 volts which, even though it might seem crazy (and it does), makes you feel nice as it’s always good to have an extra layer of protection.

Durability

There are only a few worse feelings than seeing how your hundred-and-something dollar pair of boots gets completely destroyed after a few months of light use.

That’s why I always look for durable work boots such as these Carhartt CMW6175 flooring installer boots that were manufactured following the Goodyear Welt construction method which, as with other boots in this list, adds years of durability to the boots and gives you the guarantee they are not going to get destroyed when you beat them a little bit (or a lot, for that matter).

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 95 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

5) Timberland Pro Men’s 6″ Boondock Insulated Flooring Installer Boots

Comfort & Convenience

Having their feet cushioned and supported throughout the day is crucial for flooring installers as they are used to working all day on their feet or knees without any rests.

These Timberland Boondock boots solved that issue as they came with dual-density midsoles which had an anti-fatigue effect as they efficiently absorbed the shock generated by standing all day on hard surfaces such as concrete.

Additionally, these boots came with a padded top collar, rigid external heel cups and fiberglass shanks which substantially improved the experience I had with these Timberland boots.

No one wants to take off their boots and getting a whiff of their awful smelly feet, right?

Well, these Timberland Boondock boots take care of that as they have mesh linings which were life-changing as they had an antimicrobial treatment which not only maintained my feet dry and fresh but also impeded the sweat build-up, which is something really nice to have (at least for me) given that using boots all day makes you transpire a lot.

And finally, in order to provide the best possible fit, these boots came with dual-purpose hardware which provided instant lacing customization that made my life so much easier and convenient.

Protective

Flooring installers are used to working among heavy tools that could fall and crush their feet, taking them out of work them for weeks!

That’s why I loved these Timberland Boondock boots as they came with composite safety toes that passed globally-recognized safety tests providing my the confidence of knowing that none of these tools could really crush my toes even if they were to feel exactly in my toe area.

Slippery surfaces are a daily hassle for flooring installers who not only have to work on their feet or knees all day, but they also have to make sure not to slip, fall and get injured.

These Timberland boots take care of that issue as they came with dual-density PU outsoles that not only were really comfortable (hence the “dual density” attribute) but also were protective as they provided me the traction enough to walk on any slippery surface without the fear of falling and injuring myself.

Moreover, the boots came with a premium waterproof membrane that kept my feet dry even when I tested the boots when in contact with liquids. I mean, I know this feature might seem “too much”, but believe me, it’s pretty nice to have the guarantee that even when exposed to liquids, your feet are going to remain dry.

Durability

Durability is the one attribute that I deem essential for all the work boots for flooring installers I test.

And these Timberland Boondock boots are no exception as they were manufactures following a combination of a Goodyear Welt and Cement Heel methods which is a strong quality guarantee as these methods are known to add years of endurance to the boots’ structures and materials as they are solidly stitched together.

To guarantee even more durability, these Timberland Boondock boots came with rubber toe protectors which made the boots be resistant against abrasions, something that might sound too much for the needs of flooring installers (and lets be honest, it is too much) but it is nice to have as it’s pretty good having the assurance that the money you spent in your boots is gonna last for a long, long time.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 242 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.6 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

My Verdict: The Best Work Boots For Flooring Installers Are

Keen Utility Lansing Mid Flooring Installer Boots

Wanna know why these Keen Utility Men’s Lansing Mid Flooring Installer Boots are (at least considered by me) the best work boots for flooring installers? Then click the button down below to check its review, what are you waiting for?

Review

Quick Comparison Table

How Did I Test The Best Work Boots For Flooring Installers

If you want to know how exactly I found the best work boots for flooring installers you might be interested in the tests I did…

Comfort Test

As to the comfort test I made sure to be all day on my knees or feet, which is what most flooring installers do, checking whether the boots had enough supportive and cushioning features to give my feet their much-needed rest.

Protection Test

Then, I proceeded to do the protective tests in which I let heavy objects fall to my feet from safe heights, such as hammers, to test the quality of the safety toes.

Also, I made sure to walk on slippery surfaces, which is what flooring installers are used to walk on, to see if the boots being tested had enough traction features to let me do my job in peace without fearing slipping and injuring myself.

Durability Test

Finally, I made sure to stress test the boots by beating them for months to see if they had the proper durability attributes to make the boots last through all that hassle.

Must-Have Features Of The Best Work Boots For Flooring Installers

The best work boots for flooring installers must have a set of specific features to make their lives easier and not more complicated, as most work boots out there do.

This is the list of those features…

Comfort & Convenience

Cushioned Footbeds

Flooring installers are all day on their feet or kneeling down on hard surfaces. This puts tremendous stress on their feet and joints, bringing all sorts of unbearable pains…

That’s why I recommend getting boots with cushioned feet as these will provide the comfort necessary for their feet to rest so they can avoid all these issues and, instead, enjoy the cushioning that a quality pair of footbeds brings.

Shock Absorbing Midsoles

Moreover, getting boots with shock absorbing midsoles is a great idea as flooring installers are constantly walking on hard surfaces that are tough on the feet in general.

Thus, reducing the impact that walking on these surfaces generates with boots that have a shock absorbing midsoles is more than welcomed, right?

Protective Features

Safety Toes

Given their job, flooring installers are constantly strolling around using heavy tools which could, at any time, fall and crush their toes.

This is why I recommend getting work boots with safety toes that will act as a hard barrier to isolate their feet from any heavy object that could fall and injure their toes.

Slip & Oil Resistant Outsoles

As their profession demands, flooring installers are exposed to walking on slippery and oily surfaces which are dangerous.

This is why I would tell them to get boots with quality slip and oil resistant outsoles as they will give them the traction necessary to walk on any surface knowing that they will never slip and be injured by the fall!

Durability Features

Sound Materials

To achieve maximum durability it is necessary for the work boots to be manufactured with top quality materials, such as a good quality full-grain leather, as this is one of the only ways to secure durability in terms of a pair of work boots.

Great Construction Method

One of the easiest ways to be sure about spending your hard-earned money in a pair of boots is checking how the boots were made.

If they are made following lousy construction methods, you will not be surprised to see that the boots only last for a few months. However, if you get work boots manufactured following reliable construction methods, such as the Goodyear Welt construction, then you will have the guarantee that you won’t see your work boots destroyed after only a couple months of light use!

That’s a pretty good guarantee, right?

Benefits Of The Best Work Boots For Flooring Installers

There are a lot of benefits related to choosing one of the best work boots for flooring installers listed here. However, and in case you’re curious, these are the most common ones.

Enjoy A Constant Energetic Comfort

With the best work boots for flooring installers, you’ll be able to be not only comfortable but also energetic as your muscles will rest with the boots’ ergonomic which will let you achieve your best performance!

Avoid Injuries

Additionally, you’ll be safe from getting your feet crushed by heavy falling tools that flooring installers are used to have around as the boots will have safety toes to keep you safe.

Slipping, falling and injuring yourself will be a fear of the past as the boots will provide you the perfect traction to walk on those slippery surfaces that flooring installers are used to walk on.

Avoid The Frustration Of Feeling That Your Money Was Spent Wrongly

You’ll be proud of the investment you made by acquiring any of the boots listed on this article as they will be made with the best materials which will save you the frustration of seeing your hard-earned bucks being wasted on a pair of lousy work boots.