The best shoes for plumbers are the ones that are comfortable, durable, and easy to clean. You also want to look for a shoe that has good traction on wet surfaces.
If you want to know what the best shoes for plumbers are, then you’ve come to the right place. I will tell you what shoes I wear as a plumber and why they are the best shoes for my job.
Why Do You Need Shoes For Plumbers?
The best shoes for plumbers are those that protect your feet from sharp objects and hot water pipes. The boots should also be waterproof so you don’t get your feet wet every time you have to chase down an overflowing toilet!
The best shoes for plumbers should last as long as possible because they are an investment in your health. If they wear out quickly, then they aren’t worth it because they cost more money than regular shoes would cost in the long run!
I also like my boots because they keep me cool in the summer months when it is hot outside, but cold inside of buildings where people live or work in air-conditioned environments all day long!
Best Shoes For Plumber
If you’re looking for the best work boots for plumbers money can buy then you are about to go deep into a world of hurt. I mean, most plumbers are used to facing issues such as:
- Work boots manufactured with low-quality materials that don’t last more than a year under regular use
- Uncomfortable work boots made with unergonomic designs and bulky components
- Footwear that lacks protective features to make sure their feet are safe
The Best Work Boots for Plumbers
I’ve made the following list having always in mind the previous 4 features I think are part of the best work boots for plumbers:
1) Irish Setter Men’s Work Boots
As I told you earlier, a slip-resistant outsole is one of the most important features to be considered when buying one of the best work boots for plumbers. In this department, the Irish Setter work boots made a great impression on me.
The Rubber-EVA Traction Tred offered by these boots is one of the best types of outsoles for plumbing as it has high slip-resistant qualities.
I can’t stress enough how important is for you to understand that a boot’s outsole is responsible for your traction when walking, so you should look for outsoles that have this ability by carefully examining them before making your purchase.
These boots use an American-made full-grain and waterproof leather that is known for being highly durable, which is why it is recommended by me for plumbers to purchase.
With more than 15 years of work years under my belt, I can tell you without any hesitations that the leather used on these boots is so tight that’s it is the strongest and most durable material I’ve ever touched.
This material does not only improve the durability of these boots, but also the design. They look nice and attractive as hell… I can stare at them for hours without sensing the time passing by!
Features and Specifications
- Non-Woven Nylon Vamp Lining
- Antique Brass Eyelets
- Heel-Molded Counter
- ASTM F2892-11, EH Protection Standard
- Removable Polyurethane Footbed
- Outsole: Rubber-EVA Traction Tred
- Goodyear Welt Construction Method
- USAMade Full Grain Upper Waterproof Leather
- Waterproof Leather
Customer Reviews and Scores
There are more than 451 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.5 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.
2) Georgia Men’s Giant Oblique Work Boot Steel Toe
As you may know, the Goodyear Welt construction method is one of the best in the market right now. All boots I have made using this technique are in incredible conditions as until today.
Moreover, the Goodyear Welt Construction can be described as the best method for manufacturing work boots as it gives superior lateral stability to the boots. When it comes to strength, this method cannot be compared to others because it maintains the proper balancing and support of the foot.
Basically, if there is one thing that makes me fall in love with a Goodyear welt constructed boot is the superiority of any other shoemaking method for long term wear and comfort.
This is one of the best boots I have worn which is why I am recommending them to both new and experienced plumbers.
The Padded lined gusset keeps away dirt and makes you feel comfortable through a hard day’s work. It has a padded tongue and scree collar for soothing comfort and a full leather heel counter for support and stability.
On top of that, the inner lining aids perspiration for more rapid evaporation, which is awesome in times of high humidity.
Features and Specifications
- Steel shank
- Approx. 6” boot shaft height
- Back pull loop
- Cushioned footbed with mesh cover
- Oblique toe
- High-performance lining
- Lace closure
- Padded collar and tongue
- Steel safety toe
- Oil- and slip-resistant, non-marking polyurethane “Georgia Giant” outsole
- Oil-resistant bumper guard
- Electrical hazard protection
- Eva midsole
- Full-grain leather upper
- Goodyear® welt construction
Customer Reviews and Scores
There are more than 16 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.8 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.
3) Wolverine Men’s Raider Boot
Plumbing is that kind of occupation that does very badly to the feet. Any plumber must get a comfortable pair of work boots.
On that account, these boots have the Wolverine Multishox Insole that offers an extraordinary performance on any kind of surface.
I recommend them to my friends and I also take advantage of their lightweight qualities that are capable of creating a full comfort system. It’s fair to say that with the type of responsibilities a plumber has nowadays, you’ll need a lightweight and flexible pair of boots to make you work faster and more efficiently.
The Abrasion-Resistant Multishox lugged rubber outsole is built to be tough but with an athletic feel making the user feel comfortable and energetic.
One feature that makes me love these boots is their ability to reliably take a grip on slippery surfaces. Moreover, its oil and abrasion-resistant abilities make me feel not only safe but free of any worries. I’m used to worrying too much about the many accidents that can happen to me when doing my job.
As to comfort, the full cushion outsole is engineered to provide you all-day comfort and support. You should definitely give them a try if you want to be impressed with their protective and comfort features.
Features and Specifications
- Breathable CK meshes lining
- Removable, full-cushion Wolverine Multishox® insole for all-day comfort and support
- Lightweight PU midsole
- Full-grain leather upper
- Flexible, athletic Contour Welt® construction moves with you
- Reliable grip from slip, oil, and abrasion-resistant Multishox® lugged rubber outsole
Customer Reviews and Scores
There are more than 584 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.5 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.
4) Timberland PRO Direct Attach Steel Toe Waterproof Insulated Work Boot
If you want to feel totally protected while working as a plumber, you would probably like the open-cell polyurethane footbed with an antimicrobial treatment that these boots have. Apart from giving you exceptional protection and comfort, this feature controls the odor generated after wearing it to work with its antimicrobial abilities.
In my case, I use it whenever I work in the open-field and confined areas like offices or houses. Also, these Timberland boots have a full-grain leather upper and padded collar that ensures comfort and abrasion resistance, which is awesome for all plumbers.
Let me tell you a little secret, I feel smart and well protected whenever I put it on and I really think every plumber should have one.
Once you test the Timberland PRO patented oil-resistant, non-marking rubber outsole, you will be ready to work in any landscape or environment no matter how rugged the task you have to do may be.
The rubber lugs help with your traction and give you the balance needed during accidental slips while you are fixing a drain or doing some plumbing. You do not need to be afraid of working on slippery surfaces anymore, as this outsole will give you all the guarantees needed for you to work with peace of mind.
Features and Specifications
- Padded top collar
- Mesh lining with antimicrobial treatment for odor control
- Open-cell polyurethane footbed with antimicrobial treatment for breathable comfort and odor control
- Single boot weight for size 9: 916 grams/2.01 pounds
- Thermolite® 200g insulation
- Nylon shock diffusion plate for support and torsional rigidity
- Steel safety toes for protection
- Seam-sealed waterproof leather uppers for durability and dry, comfortable feet
- The lightweight blown-thermal plastic midsole for flexibility and cushioning
- Direct-inject construction for durability
- Timberland PRO® oil-resistant, non-marking rubber outsole features rubber lugs for durable traction
Customer Reviews and Scores
There are more than 946 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.9 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.
5) Timberland PRO Men’s Pitboss Steel-Toe Boot
These Timberland PRO Pitboss boots have a rubber outsole that is abrasion-, slip- and oil-resistant which is the most recommended for safety while doing your plumbing work on craggy areas.
The non-slip lug outsole gets you ready for any challenge you may encounter on difficult surfaces. Dealing with slippery liquids and abrasion hazards will be a piece of cake when wearing these boots.
With more than 10 years of plumbing experience under my belt, I can easily tell you that comfort is one of the most important features of the best work boots for the plumbers, if not the most important one.
When you want to maximize performance and experience comfort, it is advisable to go for boots that were manufactured with a Polyurethane Midsole. Apart from the assurance of adequately fitting your feet, this feature will provide the stability needed to confront your plumbing work.
The good news? The Timberland PRO Men’s Pitboss Steel-Toe Boots have that feature!
Features and Specifications
- Timberland PRO® rubber outsole is abrasion-, slip- and oil-resistant
- Single boot weight for size 9: 716 grams/1.58 pounds
- Rugged nubuck leather upper for comfort and durability
- Nylon shock-diffusion plate for support and torsional rigidity
- Padded top collar for comfort
- Cambrelle® fabric lining with antimicrobial treatment for odor control
- Goodyear® welt construction for extra durability
- Steel safety toe for comfort
- Open-cell polyurethane footbed with antimicrobial treatment for comfort and odor control
- Cast metal top hooks for increased durability
- Polyurethane midsole for durable comfort
Customer Reviews and Scores
There are more than 2,161 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.4 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.
Comparison Table
| Work Boots | Comfort | Protection | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Men’s Giant Oblique Work Boot Steel Toe | 4.9 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Irish Setter Men’s Work Boot | 4.6 |
4.7 |
4.8 |
| Timberland PRO Direct Attach Steel Safety Toe Waterproof Insulated Boot | 4.6 |
4.7 |
4.5 |
| Wolverine Men’s Raider Boot | 4.9 |
4.5 |
4.4 |
| Timberland PRO Men’s Pitboss 6″ Steel-Toe Boot | 4.8 |
4.9 |
4.4 |
What 4 Features To Look For In The Best Work Boots For Plumbers?
Some plumbers don’t take much care of the accessories they use to work. But, if I can tell you something is that a plumber needs a quality pair of work boots to achieve a reasonable performance at his job.
Because of the physically demanding nature of plumbing, plumbers need to protect their feet while being comfortable. And experience has thought me that to accomplish this state you should look for these four features in a work boot before purchasing it:
- Comfort Features
It doesn’t matter how protected your feet are if you aren’t comfortable while plumbing. That’s why comfort is one of the first features I look for when buying the best work boots for plumbers.
With thousands of options, you’ll need to look for a pair of boots with something like a padded collar which will successfully prevent you from experiencing tired and achy feet at the end of your workday.
In my days, while working as a plumber, I wore boots with cushioned footbeds because I worked all day long on hard surfaces fixing drains and installing water heaters. The usual.
- Non-Slip Outsole
When it comes to preventing dangerous accidents, getting a pair of work boots with a good quality non-slip outsole is one hell of a good choice.
You’ll want to get boots that protect you from on-the-job hazards considering that as a plumber you are required to work on many slick surfaces. I can’t tell you how many times I would have slipped off and probably sustain injuries if not that the sole of my boots were designed to offer grip for slippery surfaces.
- Durability
Plumbing is that type of occupation that demands a lot of you, but also from the clothes and boots you use to work.
Water, mud, and other disgusting liquids will constantly put your work boots up to the test of their durability. Your primary task in this context is to get boots that are made of reliable components.
A good rule of thumb in this situation is to look for work boots made of quality full-grain leather that can last for many years to come. Many of the best work boots for plumbers reviewed down below are using that material.
- Simple Sole That Doesn’t Collect Dirt
Required to be constantly walking on sticky and dirty surfaces, plumbers need to use work boots that have premium and simplified soles that don’t collect dirt and debris.
This is going to prevent the big headache of tracking dirt inside a client’s home or office. In a few words, get a boot with a simple sole to ensure that you don’t hold onto mud and dirt unknowingly.