Sure, you want to ensure your feet are sufficiently protected when you're on-site and surrounded by hazards. But you don't want to get to the end of your working day feeling like you've done an unnecessary lower-body workout because your boots are so heavy.
Whether you’re a construction worker, a landscaper, a mechanic or a warehouse worker, you need boots that can protect your feet from hazards and injuries. But you also don’t want to wear heavy and bulky boots that slow you down and tire you out.
Lightweight work boots are designed to be less cumbersome than traditional work boots, but still offer the same level of protection and support. They tend to be made from materials that are strong but light like leather, nylon, mesh, rubber and synthetic fabrics. Some of them also have features that make them more breathable, flexible and cushioned for extra comfort.
What should you look for in a work boot?
When shopping for lightweight work boots, there are some features that you should look for to ensure that they meet your needs and preferences. Those include:
- Safety toes: This is a reinforced toe cap that protects your toes from falling objects, compression and punctures. There are different types of safety toes like steel, composite and alloy.
- Slip-resistant soles: This is a rubber or synthetic sole that provides traction and grip on slippery surfaces. Slip-resistant soles can prevent slips and falls that can cause injuries or accidents. These are especially important for workers who deal with liquids, oils, grease or chemicals on the floor.
- Waterproof or water-resistant uppers: This is a leather or synthetic upper that prevents water from entering the boot. Waterproof or water-resistant uppers can keep your feet dry and comfortable in wet or rainy conditions.
- Electrical hazard protection: This prevents electric shocks or electrocution when working with live wires or circuits.
- Puncture-resistant midsoles: This is a layer of metal or composite material that protects the bottom of your foot from sharp objects like nails, screws, glass or metal shards. Puncture-resistant midsoles can prevent injuries or infections from punctures or cuts.
We've rounded up all of the best lightweight work boots.
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Portwest Base yellowstone lightweight anti-static mid work boots
Suitable for summer work across a wide range of industries, these Portwest Base Yellowstone work boots have a puncture-resistant under sole for protection against sharp objects and anti-static properties for safe use around electrical charges.
Made entirely from recycled materials, these boots have a low carbon footprint, but won’t leave you without high-quality protection. With lightweight plastic toe caps, these eco-friendly work boots offer all the protection you need on a rough, hazard-filled work site.
Buy now £69.16, Workwear
DEWALT Douglas Boot
These DEWALT Douglas Boots may come with a steel toe cap but the lightweight design makes them ideal for daily wear without your feet feeling fatigued. Built with an injection moulded outsole that can withstand heat of up to 300°C, these safety-first boots feature both a Fully Waterproof Leather Upper and Waterproof Membrane as well as heel guard protection and a PU/Rubber injection moulded outsole.
Buy now £53.99, Amazon
Black Hammer Mens Safety Boots Work Shoes
Black Hammer’s leather safety boots offer heavy-duty protection while you tread over sharp, bulky, high voltage, slippery, wet or dangerous objects – or just stand on a concrete surface for several hours straight.
If you’re often on your feet at work, you’ll need lightweight boots that don’t hold back on the protective front and these leather boots come complete with a featherweight design and a stiff steel midsole to provide support and better ankle coverage.
Buy now £21.00, Amazon
Ejendals Jalas Exalter 9975 Aluminium Toe Anti-Static Boots
Ejendals’ Jalas Aluminium Toe Anti-Static Boots are a high-top style work safety boot granting protection against impacts and puncture thanks to a plasma-treated composite textile barrier and twin aluminium toe caps.
Despite their impressive protection, they remain lightweight and flexible. They excel on building and construction sites where heavy-duty hazards are a constant threat.
Buy now £141.66, Workwear
Rock Fall RF120 TeslaDRI Waterproof Composite Vegan Friendly Safety Boot
While the majority of work boots tend to be made from leather, you’ll find a few options around that are vegan-friendly. These Rock Fall Safety Boots are 100 per cent non-metallic and are lightweight and waterproof with a mid-cut design that’s bolstered with fibreglass toecaps and a composite kevlar midsole.
Ideal choice for contracts due to their ESD (below 35 megaohm) rating, they’re made from 60 per cent recycled plastic bottle Activ-Tex so there’s a sustainable touch and incorporate a waterproof, breathable membrane.
Buy now £57.36, Amazon
Portwest FW83 Steelite Vegan Friendly Microfibre Slip On Safety Boot
If you’re really looking for something that’s lightweight and prioritises comfort above all, these budget-friendly work boots might be just the ticket. These Portwest options are easily slipped on and off the feet and are both water-resistant and machine-washable. Their lightweight microfibre slip-on design comes with a protective toe cap, making them ideal for full protection without too much weight attached.
Buy now £37.99, Amazon
No Risk saturne lightweight s3 brown leather mens safety boots
These endlessly versatile No Risk brown leather safety boots come with a huge range of features that’ll have you sticking firmly to this brand for as long as you need safety boots in the future. While they may appear rugged and stiff, the flexible design of these boots ensures your feet never grow too tired while walking around the site.
With moisture-wicking fabric, a breathable lining, a Composite Kevlar Midsole for underfoot protection and a lightweight PU/TPU double-density outsole, they’re the perfect midpoint for lengthy days on your feet.
Buy now £94.99, Amazon
DRECAGE Safety Shoes with Steel Toe Cap
Sure, you might not be allowed to get away with wearing trainers on site. But the next best thing comes in the form of these DRECAGE Safety Shoes that come complete with a steel toe cap. Made of knit mesh uppers, the safety trainers are ultra-breathable and promise to keep your feet fresh and odourless all day even after long hours of work.
With their non-slip MD rubber sole, these work safety boots are excellent in abrasion resistance, impact resistance and slip resistance. They’ll keep you safe even in harsh working conditions.
Buy now £31.41, Amazon
Black Safety Mens Safety Trainers
They may look ultra lightweight but these black safety trainers feature European standard widened steel toe caps that can withstand 200J of impact resistance. Not only can they better protect your toes but they can also provide plenty of inner space for your toes, making your feet more comfortable on long days on your feet.
As well as their safety features, these boots have moisture-wicking mesh lining for maximum airflow and a mesh hole design that’s highly breathable to keep the feet feeling good.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
Skechers Men's Puxal Firmle ESD Composite Safey Toe Shoe
Thought Skechers were just for daily life shoes? Think again. These Puxal Firmle ESD Composite Safety Toe Shoes are designed to be impressively lightweight without foregoing safety measures. Made from a combination of smooth leather, synthetic and mesh fabric upper with a lace-up sporty composite safety toe, these work boots tick all the boxes for safety precautions without waving goodbye to style.
Buy now £64.81, Amazon
Verdict
These Portwest Base Yellowstone lightweight anti-static mid work boots are suitable for summer work (or any day when you appreciate more breathing room) across a wide range of industries and come with all of the necessary features to keep your feet safe and protected at work.
