The 9 Best Summer Work Boots in 2022

Clocking hours of work in heat and humidity is no child’s play. If you don’t dress up right for the moment, those outdoor summer projects may be far off from completion. For a start, it means your footwear must be on point, and this is where the best summer work boots come in.

There’s always a perfect pair of work shoes for every seasons. So when it’s summer, you’re going to be better off with work shoes designed specifically for the season.

Also Read:

• Can you wear Insulated boots during the summer
• Work boots that breathe
• Are waterproof boots breathable?

Unfortunately, there’s no magic bullet guide to choosing the best work boots for hot weather. But at least you should choose a pair that won’t swamp your feet.

In other words:

If you’re interested in boots that can hold up well in extremely hot environments, make sure the pair you choose isn’t just comfortable but also breathable. After all, when there’s consistent airflow to and out of the boots’ footbed, you can work in the best of time with cool and dry feet.

With that said, below is a list of the best summer work boots that you can use in the hot summer season.

Best Summer Work Boots Reviews

1. Timberland Men’s White Ledge Waterproof Summer Work Boots

The beauty of Timberland boots far much exceed the looks they portray. You’ll love them because they’re cushioned, comfortable, versatile, and built to last. Take the White Ledge model, for example. It’s undoubtedly a perfect combination of standard material design and the brand’s creativity. Clearly, they have an edge in the boots collection, and we don’t see them getting out of their kind of their fashion. Click here to see today’s price on Amazon.

White Ledge don’t feel comfortable straight up per se. But only a few days of breaking them in and you’re good to hit the summer season in comfort and style. The room in the toe box is enough to allow your toes to wiggle and breathe. Since the footbed features a plush cushioning that can manage strenuous walks, these are the right ones to use for logging three to four miles a day.

Timberland White Ledge summer work boots don’t offer the best ankle support and it’s unfair that it fails to give considering the price point. Still, there are alternatives, so check our guide on work boots for flat feet if you have collapsed arches.

The White Ledge is hard not to love because they easily keep feet warm, cool, and dry. The waterproof membrane makes them ideal to use in areas filled with mud, puddles, and moisture. So they should hold up well in summer as well as when it rains and snows.

2. KEEN Utility Men’s Flint Mid Work Boots

If until this time you haven’t realized that KEEN Utility gives its boots the very best of its arts and design, you probably aren’t paying attention. Based on the foundation of quality, and moving far away from legendary design that makes summer work boots look and feel rather boring and too old to add up to anything, KEEN is no doubt keen to the design framework that truly matters. Click here to see today’s price on Amazon.

The Flint, a model designed for men, is iconic at its best. For color option, they come in Forest Night, Slate Black, and Shitake, so you can tone up your dress code right before you leave home for your workplace.

Flint features a full leather grain construction with a water resistant lining. The upper has a breathable mesh, which keeps your feet cool and dry as you work in hot environment. And the outsole includes a robust tread profile, which provides a solid grip and better traction on different surfaces.

Flint’s footbed is flexible enough to contour to the shape of your feet, thus allowing you to take natural steps as you walk throughout the day. There’s an EVA midsole that adds an extra layer of padding, which means the boots are more comfortable for short as well as extended shifts.

Men’s Flint aren’t robust enough for tough jobs. But if you ever need light duty work shoes to use in the summer, you can be sure that the Flint will hold up quite well. In particular, the pair is suitable for landscaping, roofing, warehouse distribution, and transportation.

3. Salomon Men’s X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hot Weather Work Boots

Salomon had the quality of its boots set in stone right from the start, and they aren’t flashing the antique to oblivion – not so soon at least. Their X Ultra GTX 3 boots are, without a doubt, the best  boots for hiking. But it doesn’t break a bone to use them for work in the summer season. Click here to see today’s price on Amazon.

First off, Salomon shaves some weight from the X Ultra Mid GTX without sacrificing on-trail performance nearly as much, making them one of the most lightweight hiking boots in the brand’s product line. But they’re comfortable and durable, with a rock-solid traction that makes them stand out from the competition.

You do have to break these in, only it doesn’t take longer like many work boots do. They aren’t so stiff, and, in a way, they kind of like fit straight out of the box. The rest of the walks to work and standing all day at workplace in these boots should feel smooth.

There’s isn’t a lot of cushioning around the ankle and the tongue, but the padding is enough to get you through your day’s shift just fine. The midsole of these boots don’t feel thick, but that doesn’t mean Salomon’s playing too cheap. In fact, the cushioning is still good, because it offers a decent level of protection from all surfaces.

While the lacing system is up to scratch, we don’t think it’s intuitive or robust enough. Not to mention there aren’t eyelets that would otherwise allow a more personalized lacing customization. Still, it has a locking mechanism that once snugged down makes the boots hold your feet properly until you remove them yourself.

And let’s be honest, the tread profile feels thick and well rounded, robust enough to handle any kind of terrain. Whether you expect to walk on mud, rock, or loose dirt, these boots will dig deeper, offer better traction and keep your feet stable with every step you take.

4. Ariat Men’s Terrain H2O Work Boots 

Ariat Terrain H2O are the no nonsense hiking  boots to wear when you and your camping and backpacking folks are ready to explore the outdoors on a weekend. The best part? They’re versatile, so you can use them as a pair of work boots for warm weather. Folks who’ve logged miles in these boots claim they have the desirable quality of a pair of work boots. And if you try them out yourself, it won’t take long to realize just how serious Ariat is when it comes to making the right pair of work boots for men. Click here to see today’s price on Amazon.

Starting from the beginning, these boots feature a leather construction that doesn’t wrinkle fast. With four-color options blatantly thrown right into your face, it only makes sense to pick a pair that’ll easily match your outfit. The single and double stitching is on point and somewhat adds to the fineness of the boots.

The tongue is well padded, so your instep should easily contour to the shape of the boots with every step you take. There’s a mesh lining on the tongue and midway above the heels, and they unquestionably promote consistent airflow to keep your feet cool and dry.

The lace up system is a combination of modern and legendary design. While we wish these, too, had a locking system, the metallic and leather eyelets present are enough to get you the snug fit.

The sole platform of these boots shins in its performance score. They seriously offer more traction to enhance your stability even on slippery flow.

5. Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof Summer women’s work boots

As if the original Moab wasn’t good enough, Merrell unveiled a second edition that’s more performance optimized for regular hikes and extended periods of work in the summer season. To begin with, Moab 2 feels more comfortable and flexible than the original version, with the pair being even more breathable to ensure your feet remain cool and dry all the time. Click here to see today’s price on Amazon.

Moab 2 isn’t 100% waterproof, so if you stay out too long in rainy weather, they’re likely to soak in water and get the footbed wet. From hands on testing, the water-resistant lining built into the upper loses its water repulsion power with time, so you had better use these only in the dry environment.

You could argue that there’s nothing revolutionary about this pair. After all, it looks somewhat similar to the first version. At least, though, they fit well straight out of the box. Not to mention their padding is up to scratch. Plus, they’re lightweight, so if you don’t want your feet to carry too much weight, these are the ideal summer work boots to consider.

The vibram sole unit makes these boots stand out just as Merrell had it planned. They provide better grip and traction on different surfaces, allowing you to tackle any kind of trail. In other words, these provide stability regardless of where your next assignment leads you.

The EVA footbed together with the Select Fit Eco+ technology not only provide additional arch support, but also additional comfort for extended use. There’s enough room in the toe box, so your feet can wiggle just a bit without feeling loose.

6. Oboz Men’s Bridger BDRY Work Boots

If there’s one thing that makes Oboz Bridger BDRY stand out from the many hot weather work boots, it’s the design. They look straight out iconic. If anything, we think they’re probably the kind you’d buy blindly if you weren’t too meticulous when it comes to selecting the right pair of summer work boots. Click here to see today’s price on Amazon.

But you sure wouldn’t want to get ahead of yourself and buy these if you aren’t sure they’ll give. At least not in the meantime. So the question to ask is whether they hold up and perform well. Or should you look elsewhere instead.

First, Oboz isn’t some new, cookie cutter brand trying to find a market for its footwear line. They’ve been in the game for ages, and the quality of these boots is a reflection of what the brand is up to. The Bridger BDRY boots are durable, reliable, comfortable, and supportive enough for the price.

Bridger BDRY boots are initially stiff. So they won’t fit and feel comfortable straight out of the box. Plus, they take a long time to break in, which means they aren’t a magic bullet for your overnight feet’s comfort. However, once they break in, the stiffness become loose, the upper flexible, and you probably won’t ever want to wear another pair of boots to work in the summer.

For workers that love work boots with aggressive treads, the BDRY undeniably makes a good fit. Not only do they provide better traction on normal trails, but also, they grip slippery floors quite fine.

7. Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Boots

Some of us weren’t born when Columbia started its footwear line. Yet over 70 years later, we still have access to some of its best hiking boots for men. Flexible enough to double as work boots for hot conditions, the Newton Ridge Plus II are no doubt among the top models in the brand’s collection.  Click here to see today’s price on Amazon.

These boots sport a professionally stitched design for a better fit and durability. The full grain leather features the right balance between a suede style and lightness. Plus, the waterproof membrane adds an external protection layer, which bars water from entering the footbed if you step on mud, puddle, or still water accidentally.

But waterproofing isn’t a good enough feature if a pair of boots will leave you writhing in blisters developed from excessive sweat. That’s why the Newton Ridge includes a breathable mesh tongue, which keeps your feet sweat free, no matter how hot it gets at your workplace.

It’s not just the upper that shines. Even the EVA footbed plays the role that it should. By providing an additional layer of padding and arch support, the midsole alone provides the comfort you need for extended walks and long periods of standing.

The sole of these boots do the most work, so you do expect them to be up to scratch. And in deed they’re. Made of durable rubber, the outsole features a laidback, performance optimize tread profile that grips any surface really well. Whatever environment you force the sole to, you can be sure that the treads will be equally ready to counter attack.

8. Danner Men’s Mountain 600 Lightweight Work Boots

The coolest thing about Danner is that they make the most comfortable work boots for men and women. And the Mountain 600 work shoes are some of the top picks in their collection. Interestingly, these boots are affordable, but they don’t in any way feel cheap despite the lower price point. Click here to see today’s price on Amazon.

To begin with, Danner uses full grain leather to give the upper a better construction. Waterproofed to a great degree, the suede is resistant enough to prevent water from soaking up in the leather and wetting the footbed. So if you wear the Mountain 600 and it happens that it drizzles, you can walk with confidence knowing that your feet won’t get wet.

You begin to feel the comfort of Mountain 600 from the moment your sole touches the footbed. That’s thanks to the cushioned open-cell Ortholite footbed.

From the time you take the initial step after lacing up these boots for a snug fit to the time you take them off, the SPE vibram midsole will be at work. In particular, the vibram midsole will not only will it provide an additional layer of comfort, but also will go a long way to absorb impact while enhancing maximum energy rebound.

These boots’ vibram outsole is the best yet. Equipped with the Mega Grip technology, the sole unit is always up for some serious job from the moment they feel the first step. In other words, if you’re interested in work boots that offer unbeatable traction even on wet surfaces, the Mountain 600 are a good bet. 

9. KEEN Men’s Targhee II Waterproof Boots 

KEEN Targhee boots are so popular among men these days, and for good reasons. It’s not the pocket-friendly price tag that makes the pair stand out, but the promising performance and a higher level of comfort. Lightweight in design and looking impressive even from a far, these boots have roomy toe box and they feel comfortable to walk in. Click here to see today’s price on Amazon.

Speaking of comfort, the cushioning of these boots run from the insoles all the way to the ankle collar, thus proving a comfortable housing that accommodates your feet, well ready for any kind of trail. We wish the pair had still toes, but the rubber build is still good enough to offer a decent level of protection regardless.

The sole unit is downright praiseworthy from our point of view. Featuring a shank insert, the sole can handle even the most unfriendly paths. And it does so without subjecting you to unnecessary foot fatigue.

The Targhee II has an easy-to-handle lacing system that guarantees a snug fit. Plus, with a variety of eyelets and a locking system just a few millimeters below the shaft, lacing up the boots in style comes easy.

This pair wouldn’t have been worth the mention if it weren’t breathable. After all, toiling in the hot season requires a pair of work boots that don’t swamp your feet in heat. And this pair is just perfect for the job. The brand’s DRY breathable membrane ensures continuous airflow, allowing your feet to breathe whether you have thick or thin work socks.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Summer Work Boots

As we said easier, the guide to choosing the best summer work boots hasn’t been written in stones yet. Which is to say there are quite too many variables to consider at the end of the day. Even then, here are the four most important factors to consider:

• Traction

It’s always important to pay close attention to the design of the soles of a pair of work boots. After all, there’s more to a sole unit than just the material used for construction.

To be clear, many work boots feature rubber outsole construction. But you also need to check if the pair you’re about to buy can give you the traction you need.

In other words:

The hot weather work boots that you choose should feature rubber soles that have uniform tread profile for better performance. Thick grooves are good. Not only will they grip well on slippery surfaces but also provide the traction you need to walk on dirt trails, concrete floors, mud, and puddles. 

• Toe Box Construction

This is a no brainer for the most part.

Usually, there are three types of toe box construction in work boots: soft toes, steel toes, and composite toes.

To be honest, none is better than the other is. The kind of toe box construction that you choose will depend on the kind of job that you do.

If you’re in the construction industry, for example, you should opt for best work boots for concrete workers. That’s because construction sites have objects that often fall all over the place, so you want to keep safe if objects land on your feet.

A job like cutting grass and lawn mowing doesn’t require robust toe box build. So work boots with soft toe should be enough to get the job done.

• Ventilation

Breathability is something you have to take seriously when looking for a pair of work boots for the summer season. First, make sure the boots have a breathable mesh lining in the design mix. This is important because that’s where the consistent airflow comes from. If possible, try them for a day’s job to determine if they promote consistent airflow to keep your feet cool and dry.