Hazardous working conditions are an everyday thing for welders. Between constant exposure to steel-melting heat, risk of electric shock, and the routine handling of heavy, jagged metal, the work can be brutal – but it’s got to get done.
Whether you’re working inside a fabrication facility or on site, you’re dealing with open flames, lots of heat, flying sparks, cutting, grinding, and other factors. Add weather to the mix if you’re working outdoors. It’s one hazard or distraction on top of another, and you’ve got to deal with them while following schematics and making expert welds.
The extreme conditions of welding work demand maximum protection. In addition to masks with UV-protective eye shields, ear protection, and thick leather coverings, welders need boots built to handle a challenging working environment. At KEEN Utility, we offer a range of work boots to help the men and women who do the work keep on good footing while they’re on the clock.
A high-temperature welding environment requires boots that can take the heat. KEEN Utility boots with heat-resistant outsoles are designed for extreme work environments. They’re made with a special rubber compound that’s rated to 572ºF (300ºC)*, so your feet don’t feel the heat. Work boots with heat-resistant rubber outsoles include the Braddock, Mt Vernon, and Coburg.
*Only KEEN Utility rubber outsoles are tested to withstand heat up to 572ºF. KEEN.TOUGHSOLE TPU outsoles do not meet this standard.
It’s not just the soles of your work boots that need protection. The other materials need to hold up too. Leather is a no-brainer for its flame and abrasion resistance. There’s a reason why your gloves, sleeves, chaps, and other coverings are made of the stuff. Yeah, the leather is going to take a beating, but at least it won’t melt on you.
While some of our products feature breathable mesh or synthetic uppers, these aren’t ideal in a hot, hazardous environment like a welding fab. For welders, we recommend one of our boots with a full leather upper like the Evanston, Coburg, Mt. Vernon, or Cincinnati.
Standard synthetic boot laces are tough, but they can get damaged or ruined by snagging or extreme heat. KEEN Utility’s lace-free work boots surround your feet in tough leather, with no laces to snag or melt and no gaps or lace holes to let in heat. Options include the Lansing Chelsea and the Seattle Romeo. These slip-on, lace-free work boots are great if you like a simpler, stripped-down design.
Pro tip: If lace-free boots aren’t your thing, you can swap out the boot’s synthetic laces for a set of all-leather laces or specialty, ruggedized laces (sold separately by other retailers).
| WORK BOOTS | KEEN.ReGEN Cushioning | KEEN Luftcell Cushioning | Met Guard Available | Lightweight Carbon Toe | Steel Toe |
| Cincinnati | X | X | |||
| Camden | X | X | X | ||
| Evanston | X | X | |||
| Mt Vernon | X | X | |||
| Braddock AL | X |
Let’s go deeper to find the right welding boot for your work.
If you’re looking for maximum protection on the jobsite, a pair of heavy-duty KEEN Utility work boots will serve you best. Barnyard Resistant leather, carbon-fiber safety toes, and a high cuff make the men’s Cincinnati 8” waterproof work boot a great choice.
Need even more protection than the Cincinnati? Check out the Camden work boot. It’s kind of like a heavy-duty pickup truck with aftermarket bumpers and brush guards installed to make it extra tough. The Camden is built with a Barnyard Resistant leather upper, and also features more armoring on the toe and heel to supercharge the abrasion resistance. Find it in a met guard version as well, for those heavy welding tasks.
While not as outright burly as the Cincinnati and Camden, the Evanston work boot comes pretty close, and also maximizes your comfort all day long. An all-leather upper combines with a sneaker-derived KEEN.ReGEN midsole that returns up to 50% energy with each step. This technology is sure to keep your feet and legs feeling fresh, even during long days standing at your welding table.
Another choice that’s great for welders is the men’s Mt Vernon 6” MET waterproof work boot. Steel safety toes, a leather build with a high cuff, and a heat-resistant outsole keep you protected from hot surfaces and other hazards. The Mt Vernon has laces, but most of them are covered by the boot’s external, leather-topped metatarsal guard, which protects the top of your foot from impact. It’s American Built and has a 90º heel to secure your footing if you’re working on a ladder.
Looking for something a bit easier-wearing? Something that feels like the hiking boots you wear on the weekends but offers protection for tough worksites? The Braddock AL might be just the ticket. This work hiker comes with an all-leather upper and steel toe to keep you safe. The lower ankle height adds flexibility, perfect for welding jobs where you might have to crouch or crawl often.
It’s hard to imagine a tougher trade than welding. The heat, the grit and the sharp edges are sure to put any work boot to the test. So, choosing the right welding boot can be challenging. While not every KEEN Utility boot is an ideal choice for welders, the styles discussed above are great options.
