Best Work Boots for Summer

There is always a quest to try to find the footwear that is perfect for you, your job, your feet, and that will help you get through the day. There is nothing worse than having your feet hurt. They are your base for everything you do and your feet should be a priority. With a ton of options out there, we are here to help with the task of finding the right one for you. When it comes to working in the summer, you need to be prepared. So here are a few of our favorites to get you through the day:

Breathable, Lightweight Sneakers: Timberland PRO Powertrain Sport (A176A), Timberland PRO Radius (A27W7), and Keen Utility Sparta 2

If you have the chance to wear sneakers, these are some great options for you. All of these sneakers feature a safety-toe and meet the ANSI standards for impact, compression, and Electrical Hazard ratings. Sneakers are great for their lightweight nature and the mesh on each of these is great for breathability. The more air that you can get through the mesh, the more a shoe "breathes" and the cooler you can stay. Combine any of these shoes with a moisture-wicking sock and you'll avoid your feet being a swampy mess by the end of the day. The mesh of each of these is made to be a combination of breathable and durable so that you have some abrasion resistance. These are great for work in a dry area like a warehouse, delivery, home improvement and non-abrasive demo.

Waterproof, Lightweight Sneakers: Thorogood CrossTrex (804-6493)

For some jobs, your footwear has to be waterproof - there's no way around it. We wanted to share an option that still has the same features as the classic breathable sneakers, but also offers the protection of waterproofing. The CrossTrex is a mix of synthetic leather and abrasion-resistant mesh that give a great mix of heavy duty and lightweight. For a job that has a water-hazard nearby, like landscaping or plumbing, this could be a great summer option.

Mid-Height Work Sneakers and Boots: Timberland PRO Powertrain (A1JYQ), Keen Utility Vista, Thorogood CrossTrex (804-6494)

There are times that you can't get away with sneakers, but a boot that covers the ankle will do. In that case, you can find great options from Timberland, Keen, and Thorogood. Combining comfort, safety, and breathability, the Timberland PRO Powertrain Mid and the Keen Utility Vista feature all the breathability of the lower sneakers mentioned at the beginning, but with a higher height that supports the ankles. This can give you more stability and protection from raw materials and other hazards. These are still lightweight, flexible, and breathable so you can continue to work hard. Whether it is in the warehouse space, delivery, home improvement, odemo environment, these boots give you a great option. And like the CrossTrex sneaker, the CrossTrex mid-height boot is waterproof for working in a wet environment.

Leather Work Boots: Timberland PRO Reaxion (A1ZC9), Irish Setter Kasota (83642)

Leather is the most durable option for those in highly-abrasive jobs. There is a tradeoff between a nylon mesh and a full grain leather: full-grain leather will last longer while mesh is lighter and more breathable. What we have found is that if you are looking for a leather boot that features comfort, durability, flexibility, and still won't be heavy on your feet, then these two options are great choices. The Reaxion is one of the most popular boots as it combines the sole of a sneaker with a flexible toe-box, toe & heel guard, with a leather upper that is durable. The Irish Setter Kasota is a great option for those who need a defined heel, which can help prevent slips on things like a ladder rung. These two boots are great for maintenance work, demo work, any job in a wet environment, as well as jobs with a lot of particulate debris. Leather is easier to clean and maintain than mesh: you can just wash it off or use a leather protector ahead of time.

No matter what your work environment, if you're on your feet all day, you need to make sure that you are getting the right footwear. The summer can be tough to find work boots or sneakers that help you stay protected on the job, but also give you comfort in the heat.

We hope that the options we provided helped clarify the options and help steer you in the right direction.

Shop the Summer Work Footwear collection.

If you have any questions on footwear, please feel free to email us at info@davesnewyork.com or stop by our store and speak to one of our sales associates. they can help guide you to the option that is best for you.

Adam