5 Best Work Boots for Roofing in 2024

A roofer’s job comes with its own set of risks. That makes it a no brainer to wear only the best roofing work boots and not just any footwear. For God’s sake, never wear slippers, sandals, or sports shoes when working on a roof.

Standing on the ground and standing on a roof are two different situations. Tripping or falling off a roof has dangerous consequences. Thus, as a roofer, you must invest in a good pair of roofing work boots because staying on your feet is the key here.

The small stones, leaves, steep slope, wet floor, scattered tools, and instability of an under-construction roof could cause you to trip or fall at any moment. I have also seen some incidents where a sudden movement by birds made the roofers lose their balance. With that in mind, I was extra-cautious when picking the best work boots for roofing.

Here are 5 Best Work Boots for Roofing in 2024

5 Best Work Boots for Roofing in 2024 With Reviews

1. Wolverine Moc-Toe 6″ Roofing Work Boots For Men

If you are a Wolverine fan, you must choose these work boots for your roofing job. And, if you are not a Wolverine fan, these work boots can make you one. The quality of the pair made me say that.

Originally used by construction workers, I found this pair has all the features that will make roofers like them. A wedge-style sole, oil, and water-resistant outsole, comfortable springy midsole, shock-absorbing footbed, and Goodyear welt construction make these work boots ideal for roofing.

The boots are available in both no cap and steel cap variations. Even if you choose the steel cap one, it doesn’t mean you will get a heavy pair of work boots. Both versions of the work boots are lightweight.

I found that the pair is reinforced at the key areas such as heel, toe, ankle, etc. That makes this pair a beast at fighting fatigue. At the end of the day, your feet will feel so much better.

The contrast stitching, chukka style lacing system, classic design, and three colors heighten the visual appeals of these roofing work boots and put you on the risk of getting many compliments from friends.

In short, these work boots are great for roofing work. If you haven’t tried Wolverine yet, start with this pair and it would be a good first experience.

Pros

• Comfort will make you love them
• Great for standing
• Padded collars
• Lightweight

Cons

• Not for too much walking
• Size may run a little big

2. Timberland PRO Wedge Sole 6″ Roofer Work Boots For Men

If you binge read other articles on my site, you will find that my roundups rarely complete without a Timberland product. It’s not that I’m biased towards them but it’s the quality of Tim’s boots that makes me include them in the list.

Timberland Pro wedge sole work boots are a no brainer for roofing. They have all the features that I recommend roofers to look for before buying a pair for themselves. Beyond the necessary features, the boots have a nice look & design that help you stand out in the crowd.

Breathable leather upper, wedge style sole, slip & electric shock-resistant rubber outsole, high shaft, lace-up lacing system, and comfortable Eva midsole 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 these work boots provide is excellent. The more you wear these boots the more confident you will be for standing and walking on the roofs.

At no point, the comfort is compromised. After the strong grip and traction, comfort is the first thing I root for when suggesting work boots for roofing. I found these boots effectively provide both comfort and support to a roofer’s feet.

In short, this product is a great value for money. The durability and long lifespan of the boots make them even more affordable in the long run.

Pros

• All-day comfort guarantee
• Value for money
• Antimicrobial interior
• Snug fit

Cons

• The tongue doesn’t stay centered
• Not for snow
• Squeaks a little when new

3. Maelstrom Zion 6″ Earth Brown Waterproof Roofer Work Boots For Men

All Maelstrom work boots are made in the USA and utmost craftsmanship is practiced here. I generally recommend wedge style work boots for roofing and not the heel style ones but this product is an exception. The quality and features of the boots made me include them on the list.

The outsole is ASTM F1677-96 Mark II standard that means it’s electric shock proof, abrasion-resistant, and slip-resistant on both oil & water. Not just on oil and water, the pair holds up very well on snow too. Ultimate grip and traction!

The midsole and insole are designed to optimize comfort. The shock-absorbing EVA make of the sole system makes the kind of comfort possible. The pair is flexible and bends easily with your feet movements. That adds up to its comfort quality.

The upper is made of premium quality leather that is fully waterproof and breathable. It is made for the harshest of the environments and is equally able to withstand rain, snow, and sleet.

The wrapped up rounded rubber toe provides the necessary protection against impacts. It eliminates the need for any metallic toe. However, the boots are available in both soft toe and composite toe options.

In short, when it comes to the best work boots for roofing, you can count on this ergonomic pair.

Pros

• Comfortable and lightweight
• Long lifespan
• Highly versatile
• Fairly priced

Cons

• Breathability not at par

4. Thorogood American Heritage 8″ Moc Style Roofing Work Boots For Men

Made in the USA, the Thorogood American Heritage work boots will suit roofers right out of the box. Roofers have been using it and like it.

The upper is made of full-grain leather that is my absolute favorite material. As a roofer, you will be working in open fighting both sun and rain. That’s where this leather helps. It’s waterproof, breathable, and doesn’t get faded of sun exposure.

The wedge style synthetic outsole is slip-resistant. It will give you a strong grip and traction even on sloped roofs. You can easily bend your feet at angles and the flexible outsole will follow the bend. The outsole protects you from electric hazards as well.

For the comfort features, the boots come with cushioned footbeds that absorb shocks and mitigate impacts. This maintains your feet’s comfort and stability. This stability is further enhanced by the use of fiberglass shanks in the midsoles.

For safety purposes, a steel cap is inserted in the toe area that protects your feet from any impact coming your way on a roof.

The boots are constructed using the Goodyear storm welt method that is considered a superior method of making boots.

In short, these unisex work boots are a great fit for roofing jobs. Moreover, you can choose between two different color options.

Pros

• Comfort like you are wearing slippers at work
• Lightweight and durable
• Good looking

Cons

• Not waterproof
• Stinks when wet
• Stitching is not strong enough

5. Thorogood American Heritage Lace-To-Toe Roofer Work Boots For Men

Another great work boots for roofing by Thorogood American Heritage brand. This product is designed keeping roofers in mind and can easily withstand all the roofing challenges.

Its wedge rubber outsole is capable of holding the ground even if it rains or the floor is wet. Besides, the sole is flexible, electric shock proof, and designed for heavy-duty use. Even if you use the boots daily, the sole is durable enough to last you a few years. I believe that’s a decent lifespan for roofing work boots.

Unlike the earlier model, these work boots for roofers come with a 5.25” shaft. This low but over the ankle shaft increases the comfort and flexibility. You can move your feet more freely and with less fatigue.

I must admit that I love the lacing system of this pair. It starts from the toe and goes all the way up to the brim of the shaft. This way you can do a fit that is highly customized to your feet.

The upper of the boots are breathable and come with a cotton inner lining. This makes the pair ultra-comfortable On top of that, the shock-absorbent dual-density footbeds take this comfort up by many notches.

In short, Thorogood lace to toe roofing work boots features all the goodies that a roofer craves for. In case, you are confused among the options given in this article, default to this pair.

Pros

• Comfortable
• Quality craftsmanship
• Unique look
• Reinforced stitching
• Welt construction

Cons

• Sizing is a bit off
• Requires some break-in

How to Choose the Best Work Boots for Roofing in 2024

1. Grip and Traction

If the grip and traction of any work boots are not high quality, they can’t make a cut for best roofing boots. As a roofer, you may have to work on sloped surfaces. These surfaces could also be wet with water or snow. So, a strong grip on the floor is necessary.

A strong grip comes down to the material of the outsole and the aggressiveness of the tread pattern on it. I recommend going for rubber or synthetic outsoles only. They are proven to be slip-resistant on all sorts of surfaces.

2. Flexibility

Your feet bend at many awkward angles when working on a roof. Your work boots must follow these movements. Otherwise, the fatigue will kick in and you might not be able to finish your shift.

I recommend roofers to buy wedge sole work boots as they are highly flexible. I found that the heel style boots are a bit stiffer than the wedge boots. Moreover, heel style boots increase the risk of your feet getting twisted suddenly. That’s not the case with wedge boots.

3. Comfortable and Lightweight

After the grip and flexibility, comfort is the most necessary feature in roofing work boots. It’s very easy for your feet to get fatigued when working on a roof. The corrugated metallic and asphalt roofs make fatigue sort of impossible to avoid. The best roofing work boots listed in this guide are well equipped to fight that fatigue.

While buying roofing boots, look for springy midsoles and extra padded Eva insoles. They are very effective at absorbing shocks, dispersing body weight, and returning the energy back to your feet.

Adding to this, prefer to go for work boots that have a soft toe, composite toe, or a wrapped up rubber toe. They provide excellent protection against impacts and, unlike steel toe, don’t add much weight to the pair.

4. Weatherproof

Weatherproofing doesn’t equal waterproofing and vice versa. As a roofer, you work in the open on a roof. That makes it necessary that the work boots you wear are weatherproof.

A waterproof pair of work boots can withstand the rain and snow but a weatherproof one can withstand sun as well. Thus, it will keep your feet sweat-free.

Moreover, the outsole of weatherproof work boots is usually heat resistant. It is very handy when you are working on a metallic roof on a hot day. So, root for this feature.

5. Snug Fitting

A snug-fitting is important to enhance the grip and traction.

When it comes to roofing work boots, pull on and slip-on work boots are a big no-no. Always go for lace-up boots only. Even better if your boots come with a lace-to-toe lacing system.

Other than the lacing system, prefer over the ankle boots and avoid low cuts, if possible. You don’t necessarily have to wear an 8-inch or cowboy type of boots. Just an over the ankle pair of work boots will do the job.

6. Durable Upper

A durable upper is not an essential safety feature but necessary to ensure that the boots last longer.

The asphalt roofs are very rough on the upper of the boots. The 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 long.

Always buy roofing work boots that are made of 100% leather only, preferably full-grain leather. A mesh upper won’t withstand the harsh rubbing that happens while working on a roof.

Moreover, leather boots don’t catch scratches and scuffs easily. In fact, some wear and age look good in leather. So, buy roofing work boots that have a durable leather upper.

7. Electric Shock Proof

This one comes as a perk. Most slip-resistant outsoles are made of high-quality rubber. Rubber is a natural non-conductor of electricity.

Use of open wiring, over the head electric wires, and use of equipment on the roof puts you on the risk of electrocution. So always cross-check the EH rating of the outsole before buying roofing work boots.

Also Read: 5 Best Work Boots for Electricians

Before You Go

All the products reviewed in this article passes the criteria of the best work boots for roofing. I’d like to take the liberty and say go for Wolverine Moc Toes. The pair has all the features that a roofer requires.

It’s obvious but I’d like to mention that even if work boots play a big part in your safety when you are installing a roof, you must not ignore other safety measures instructed for your job. Let’s make the roofing job safe together!