Comparison Chart

Work Boots	Available colors	Material
Dr. Martens	2	100% Synthetic
Ariat	1	100% Synthetic
KEEN Utility	1	100% Textile and Synthetic
Under Armour	1	100% Synthetic
Rock Fall TeslaDri RF120	1	Vegan Friendly
STC Maska	1	Vegan Friendly
STC Drive	1	CSA-Leather
Dr. Martens	1	fabric-and-synthetic
Carhartt	1	100% Synthetic
Will’s	1	Vegan Friendly
fugu Sa-Me Japanese Vegan	1	canvas
Birkenstock A 640 Steel Toe	1	100% Polyurethane
Ariat	1	100% Synthetic

 

If you are a first-time vegan, you may have only thought about the food you eat and how it affects your life. However, our society is inundated with everyday products that require the sacrifice of animals and their labor.

 

Dr. Martens Vegan 1460 Smooth Black Combat Boot

Dr. Martens has always had an excellent reputation for making quality footwear, but they have knocked it out of the park with their new synthetic work boot that is vegan-friendly.

While most people wearing work boots might not be too concerned about their style after checking this boot out, we can at least rest easy knowing there are options available if you are worried about it.

 

Pros

• 1. Sturdy Yet Stylish Design
• 2. Vegan-Friendly Synthetic Leather Material
• 3. Resistant To Abrasion

Cons

• 1. Pricier Than A Non-Vegan Friendly Alternative
• 2. Breaks Down Quickly

 

Ariat Men’s Groundbreaker 6″ Work Boot

 

Work boots are essential for more than just protecting your toes from being crushed.

Frostbite can be equally scary if you work outside in the wintertime.

Work boots are perfect for keeping your toes snug, warm, and safe for the entire workday.

 

Pros

• 1. Synthetic Leather Material
• 2. Aluminum Toe Guard
• 3. Warm Interior

Cons

• 1. Not Waterproof
• 2. Hightop Ankle

 

 

 

KEEN Utility Men’s San Jose 6″ Alloy Toe Waterproof Wedge Work Boot

A relative newcomer makes these boots, Keen, but they still managed to impress with their 100% textile and synthetic design.

The lack of animal leather makes it an entirely animal-free product.

Although this boot’s soles are made of rubber, you are offered a degree of insulation from electrical sources.

The aluminum toe guard can act as a conductor in high voltage environments.

Rubber Soles do not make it a wrong choice if you need something to protect your taupe from being crushed rather than electrocuted.

They may be one of the pricier boots on this list, but they still managed to strike a good balance between cost and quality.

 

Pros

• 1. Textile And Synthetic Material Design
• 2. Lightweight Aluminum Alloy Toe Guard
• 3. 100% Waterproof

Cons

• 1. Can Be Quite Pricey
• 2. Not The Best Warranty
• 3. Could Be More Comfortable

 

Under Armour Men’s Valsetz RTS 1.5 – Wide (4E) Military and Tactical

As this issue proves, not all work boots need to be incredibly heavy-duty to provide much-needed utility to the average worker.

While these boots may have opted for a toe cap rather than a toe guard, this does not mean they are not great for a light-duty work site.

These boots are vegan-friendly and lightweight, making them great for long distances.

 

Pros

• 1. Lightweight Protection For Your Toes
• 2. Stylish Black Design
• 3. Vegan-Friendly Materials

Cons

• 1. Not An Official Toe Guard Rated Protection
• 2. Not Waterproof
• 3. Not The Best Return Policies

 

Rock Fall TeslaDri RF120 Vegan-Friendly Black S3 ESD Composite Toe Safety Boots

Sometimes you want a multifunctional pair of boots to wear at work. Something that would be just as good out on the trail as keeping your feet safe on a job site.

The Rock Fall shoes shown here are made perfectly to fit the bill for that ticket.

If you are found out on the mountainside hiking every weekend, and then it is back to the grind during the week for some construction work, these shoes would be phenomenally versatile.

Such a wide range of utility makes these shoes perfect for the minimalist who doesn’t want a closet full of shoes for each specific scenario they can imagine.

You can go from your hobbies to work wearing the same pair of shoes even if they could be a little more comfortable.

You can always replace the insult to enhance the pressure relief on the soles of your feet.

Pros:

• 1. Made With A 100% High-Quality Microfiber Construction
• 2. Completely Free From Animal Products Of Any Kind
• 3. Lightweight Composite Carbon-Based Toe Guard Material

Cons:

• 1. Could Offer A Little More Protection
• 2. Short Ankle-Length
• 3. Insole Is A Little Too Firm

 

STC Drive Work Shoe (CSA), Black, Size 13W

If you are looking for a lower price, this is another model from STC. It has similar features but at a significantly lower cost.

Dr. Martens Work boots- Safety Toe 7 Eye 

 

 

 

Carhartt Men’s Lightweight Hiker 6-Inch Black FastDry Technology- Steel Toe – CMH4251

 

 

Will’s Vegan Shoes Men’s Work Boots Black

 

fugu Sa-Me Japanese Vegan & Eco-Friendly Mid-Calf Boots with Rubber Sole

Birkenstock Unisex Professional A 640 Steel Toe Pu Steel Toed Work Boot

I like this boot because I can use it not only in the barn but also when hiking.

It’s great for hiking because it’s waterproof and has a stiffer sole, so it supports you when you’re going over rough terrain.

It has the Ariat sole that you can wear all day long.

It doesn’t have a tongue attached, preventing sawdust and dirt from getting into your shoe.

The fact that this boot is waterproof makes maintenance very easy. I tend to brush it with a simple brush, and you can also wipe it off with water.

They last long enough. It would be perfect for daily work in the barn and trail walks.

This boot is 100% Synthetic

The dawn of the vegan footwear industry

As technology developed alongside its human creators, footwear has been with us almost the entire journey. For most of history, animal-based leather has been the material of choice for footwear.

Modern science has allowed the development of alternative leather sources referred to as vegan leather.

These new leather replacements are derived from various sources, but none use animals in any way. Initially, many of these were inferior, to put it mildly, when compared to animal-based leather. The industry has matured, and this no longer rings true.

New alternative leather sources are every bit as capable of creating sturdy work boots as animal-based leather. There are still some things to keep in mind whenever you are shopping for new work boots.

You will be wearing these quite a lot, and your safety depends on them, so it makes sense to take your time and ensure you get the right product.

 

What Makes A Good Work Boot?

Work boots require a different perspective than when you are looking at purchasing casual boots. You will be using them in a drastically different environment with particular needs. These boots will serve not only to keep you comfortable but also keep you safe.

 

Toe Protection

Of course, the easiest way to delineate casual boots from work boots is whether the boot has a tow guard. Work boots typically have one of two toe guards to protect from anything crushing your feet.

Aluminum Toe

Aluminum toe guards are heavier and can often be a little sturdier than composite toe guards. They are not a good choice if you work in the electricity industry because they are good conductors. They can dent a little more quickly, but they still keep your toes safe.

Composite Toe

Composite toe guards are made of a material similar to Kevlar that is primarily carbon in composition. It is molded similarly to aluminum in a shield around the toes. It does not contain any metal, so it is safe to use these around electrical sources; however, they can be punctured more easily.

 

Other Resistances

Depending on your industry, you may want to look for other specific safety precautions engineered into your boots. If you work in an industry that involves standing in water, consider looking for a boot with waterproof technology.

 

Final Thoughts

The Best of Men’s Vegan Work Boots: Econconcious Safety Wear

Maybe you had not thought about exactly how much of an impact the shoes you wear could have on the environment and the lives of animals around you until now.

Perhaps, on the other hand, you were already a social justice warrior who was committed to transforming our society towards more sustainable practices.

Either way, now you have a great understanding of what you can do when selecting your next work boots to help protect the lives of animals around the planet and ensure that you have a functional pair of high-quality work boots to keep your feet safe at the job site.