The 10 Best Steel Toe Army Boots
Special Honors
Altama Wraith Made in the United States and designed specifically for hot climates, the Altama Wraith are quality boots that are perfect for deployment in the Middle East. They feature a gusseted tongue to keep out dirt and debris, are stitched with triple-bonded nylon thread, and have a rigid fiberglass have shank for lateral support. They also boast an aluminum speed lacing system for rapid donning. originalfootwear.com
Editor's Notes
May 27, 2020:
If nothing else, military boots must be rugged enough to stand up to some serious abuse. Because of that, we eliminated the admittedly budget-friendly Magnum Men's Response III, since they just couldn't handle the rigors of the job. We also believe that in addition to durability, military boots must be comfortable, since most wearers will generally be standing in them for long periods of time, and they should offer both flexibility for running, but also support to help prevent ankle twisting. We feel the options on this list tick all those boxes, and more.
If you are going to be deploying to a desert region, you'll need a pair specifically designed for hot weather climates, like the Belleville USMC 550ST, Danner Rat, Rocky S2V Tactical, and Bates Women's E47501. All of these are very breathable thanks to uppers that are crafted from a combination of suede leather and nylon. The Belleville USMC 550ST take things a step further by adding two mesh-covered holes for additional air flow, and the Rocky S2V Tactical have sieve technology circulates air in and water out.
On the opposite side, we have the Belleville 800 ST Waterproof, Belleville C790 ST, 5.11 Tactical A.T.A.C. Shield, Corcoran 10-Inch ST, and Bates Safety Enforcer, which are better for temperate or cold weather use. Both the Belleville models have stitched-in Gore-Tex lining for waterproofing, while the Bates Safety Enforcer boasts 200-gram thinsulate insulation and the 5.11 Tactical A.T.A.C. Shield has a membrane that keeps out bloodborne pathogens.
The Reebok Work Rapid Response RB are the only boots are on our list that feature a composite toe, rather the a true steel toe. For those unfamiliar with this style of safety toe, it meets the same minimum requirements as steel caps, but offers the added bonuses of being lighter in weight and not being a conductor of electricity, making the Rapid Response RB a good pair of work boots, too.