As you know roofing is a high-risk job which is filled with potential hazards. Loose debris, slip hazards, decking, ladders, skylights and exposure to weather elements all these male it risky to work in any construction job.
One of the most important pieces of equipment a roofing constructor has is his safety shoes. One single slip or an uneven step may cause severe injuries, or even death while working at these heights.
Hence, an appropriate pair of Roofer Boots are always necessary. Investing in a pair of best roofing boots is vital for your comfort and safety.
Let us help you with why do you need a pair of roofing boots, what to look for in them and which are the ones top picked.
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Best Work Boots for Roofing
Thorogood American Heritage 8” Moc Style Work Boots for Men
- 100% Leather
- MAXWEAR 90 TRACTION OUTSOLE WITH HEEL flexes better than other work boot outsoles, absorbing impacts and protecting your feet and ankles while working on difficult surfaces, keeping you on your feet on loose gravel and wet and oily surfaces. Meets ASTM F3445-21 slip-resistance standards for a work boot sole
- Shaft measures approximately Mid-Calf from arch
Made in the USA, these boots will suit roofers right out of the box. The upper is made of full-grain leather which is the absolute favorite material of all. As a roofer, you will be working in open fighting both in the sun and rain. That is where this weather helps. It is breathable, waterproof, and does not get faded of sun exposure.
The wedge style synthetic outsoles are slip-resistant. It gives you are strong grip and traction on the sloped roofs. You can also bend your feet at angles easily and the flexible outsoles will follow the bend. The outsoles protect you from the electric hazards too.
For the comfort features, these boots come with a cushioned footbeds which absorb shocks and mitigate impacts. This maintains your feet’s stability and comfort. This stability is enhanced further by the use of fiberglass shanks in the midsoles.
A steel cap is inserted in the toe area for safety purpose which protects your feet from any impact coming your way on a roof. The boots are constructed using Goodyear storm welt which is considered a superior method of making boots. In short, these unisex work boots are a great fit for roofing jobs. Moreover, you may also choose between the two different color options.
Wolverine Moc-Toe 6” Work Boots
- Moc-toe boot featuring lace-up vamp and contrast stitching
- Features breathable fabric lining
- Crepe outsole
If you are a Wolverine fan, choose these work boots for your roofing job. Originally used by the construction workers, this pair has all the new features that can make roofers like them. A wedge-style sole oil and the water-resistant outsole, shock-absorbing footbed, comfortable springy midsole, and a Goodyear welt construction make these work boots ideal for roofing.
These boots are available in both steel cap and no cap variations. If you choose the steel cap ones, it doesn’t mean you will get a heavy pair of work boots. Both these versions of work boots are lightweight.
The pair is reinforced at the key areas like toe, heel, ankle, etc. That makes this pair a beast at fighting fatigue. At the end of the day, your feet will feel much better. The contrast stitching, chukka style lacing system, the classic design and the three colors enlighten the visual appeal of these roofing work boots.
In short, these work boots are great for roofing work. If you have still not tried the Wolverine yet, start with this pair and this will surely be your first good experience.
Timberland PRO Wedge Sole 6” Work Boots for Men
- Mocc-toe work boot featuring speed-lacing hardware and electrical hazard protection
- Dual-density Anti-fatigue technology
- Mesh tongue lining with Agion treatment
Timberland Pro wedge sole work boots have all the features that you can recommend roofers to look for before purchasing a pair for themselves. Beyond all the necessary features, these boots have a nicer look and design which also helps you to stand out in the crowd.
Breathable leather upper, slip & electric shock-resistant rubber outsole, wedge style sole, lace-up lacing system, high-shaft and comfortable Eva make these boots a complete package as roofing work boots.
The flat sole will make you feel the ground under your feet and the grip provided by these work boots are excellent too. The more you wear these boots, the more confident you will be for walking and standing on the roofs.
At no point, the comfort level is compromised. After the strong traction and grip, comfort level is the first thing required when suggesting work boots for roofing. This product is also a great value for money. The long lifespan and durability of the boots make them more affordable in the long run.
What constitutes a better Roofing Work Boots?
Roofing boots are required to endure loads of abuse every day due to the constant abrasion from the shingles and tar which are used on a roof. Therefore, it is important to have a durable boot with thick and also a better replaceable outsole.
A good pair of roofing boots should also provide protection against the moisture build-up and heat. This also provides the best available grip on slippery surfaces and uneven slopes. As the roofing constructor is on his feet all the time, he will require a maximum amount of support and comfort for his feet which will last throughout the day.
Are shoes or boots better for roofing?
Definitely boots! A lot of people like sneakers because they are more comfortable in general but for roofing, as you know, it is a high-risk job so you also have to look for safety first.
Don’t worry, any of the options we provided you above would be safe and also comfortable, exactly what you need to perform your job.
Factors to look for before Purchasing Roofing Work Boots
Flexibility
Your feet may bend at most of the awkward angles while working on a roof. Your work boots have to follow these movements. Otherwise, the fatigue will kick in and you may not be able to finish your shift.
Roofers need to purchase wedge sole work boots as they are highly flexible. The heel style boots are stiffer than the wedge boots. Moreover, the heel style boots may increase the risk of your feet that twists suddenly.
Traction and Grip
If the traction and the grip of any work boots are not high quality, they can make a cut for roofing boots. As a roofer, you will have to work on the sloped surfaces too. These surfaces may be wet with snow or water. So, a strong grip with the floor is mandatory.
A strong grip comes down to the material of the outsole. The aggressiveness of the tread pattern on it is also recommended. Going for rubber or the synthetic outsoles is always good as these prove to be slip-resistant on all sorts of surfaces.
Weatherproof
Weatherproofing does not equal to the waterproofing and vice-versa. As a roofer, you work in the open roof which makes it necessary that the work boots you wear are weatherproof.
A waterproof pair of work boots withstand the snow and rain but weatherproof one can withstand the sun too. This will keep your feet sweat-free too. The outsole of the weatherproof work boots is usually heat resistant. It is also very handy when you are working on a metallic roof on a hot day.
Lightweight and Comfortable
After the grip and flexibility, comfort is the essential feature in roofing work boots. It is easy for your feet to get fatigued while working on a roof. The asphalt roofs and corrugated metallic make fatigue sort of impossible to avoid.
The best roofing boots, look for springy midsoles and extra padded Eva midsoles. These are very effective at dispersing bodyweight, absorbing shocks, and returning the energy back to your feet. Also, prefer to go for work boots which have a soft toe, composite toe, or a wrapped up rubber toe. These provide excellent protection against impacts and unlike the steel toe, do not add to the weight of the pair.
Durable Upper
A durable upper is not an essential safety feature but it is necessary to ensure that the boots last longer. The asphalt roofs are rough on the upper of the boots. These roofs are almost like sandpaper rubbing against the boots. So, if the upper is not durable enough, it will wear down soon and the pair won’t last for long.
Always purchase roofing work boots that are made of 100% leather only. A mesh upper will not withstand the harsh rubbing which happens while working on a roof. Moreover, leather boots do not scratch and scuffs easily. Hence, buy roofing work boots which have a durable leather upper.
Electric Shock Proof
This comes as a perk. Most of the slip-resistant outsoles are made of high-quality rubber. Rubber is likely non-conductor to electricity. Use of open wiring, over the head electric wires and also the use of equipment on the roof puts you on the risk of electrocution. Hence, always cross-check the EH rating of the outsole before you purchase roofing work boots.
Snug Fitting
The snug-fitting is very important to enhance the traction and grip. It helps you to achieve a custom fit too. When it comes to roofing work boots, slip-on and pull-on work boots are a big No! Always go for the lace-up boots only. It is also good if your boots come with a lace-to-toe lacing system.
Other than the lacing system, prefer over the ankle boots and avoid the low cuts, if possible. It is always not necessary to wear 8-inch or cowboy type of boots. Just an over the ankle pair of work boots will do the job go right.
Final Words
Choosing the right pair of work boots for roofing can often be a Herculean task, especially when you need the added features that help roofing. Always focus on the selection process on the job which you do most often.
Invest in your safety and comfort by taking your time to search the best footwear that works for all your needs. While it may not seem like a big deal, you will appreciate the security your boots offer whenever the worst-case scenario happens.
All the boots reviewed above are suitable for roofers and hence, the ultimate choice is all yours. With the right footwear, you can rest assured that all the bases and features are covered. In this way, you will be able to work confidently and also focus on the job in hand.
