Work & Hiking Boots
Rothco work and hiking boots are made for the jobs and trails where a dress shoe or a sneaker gives out: freezing mornings, muddy fields, shop floors and long walks over rough ground. The range covers lace-up, pull-on and zip styles in 6, 8 and 14.5 inch heights.
For winter, the Extreme Cold Weather Hiking Boots pair 600 gram Thermoblock insulation with waterproof suede, taped seams and a thermoplastic rubber outsole that stays flexible in the cold. The 8 inch Cold Weather Hiking Boots offer a similar option for cold-weather hikes and outdoor work.
For the job site, choose from:
- Performance Series Tradesman 6 inch work boots, in soft toe or composite toe
- Chelsea Work Boots and the Forced Entry 6 Inch Composite Toe Chelsea, which pull on with no laces to snag
- Combat Work Boots with a classic military look
- Waterproof Rubber Boots in black, 14.5 inches tall, for barn chores, flooded ground and wash-down areas
The Forced Entry waterproof 6 and 8 inch boots, the Forced Entry 8 inch with side zipper and the Scout Hybrid 6 inch round out the selection. The side-zip model has an action leather upper, a full grain leather vamp, rustproof eyelets and a gusseted tongue to keep out grit.
A note for service members: these are work and outdoor boots, not uniform boots. DA PAM 670-1 lets commanders prescribe organizational safety or temperate boots for field and utility uniforms, but otherwise keep these pairs for off-duty use. See our guide below.
How to Choose Work and Hiking Boots
Match the boot to the worst conditions you expect, not the average day.
Insulated vs. Uninsulated
Insulation is measured in grams. A 600 gram boot like the Extreme Cold Weather Hiking Boot is meant for standing or slow work in freezing weather, such as hunting from a stand, plowing or outdoor security posts. If you'll be moving hard, a lighter or uninsulated boot lets sweat escape, and wet socks get cold fast. Bring a spare pair of wool socks either way. Compare the Extreme and standard 8 inch Cold Weather Hiking Boots on their product pages to see which level of warmth fits how much you'll be moving.
Waterproof Leather, Suede or Rubber
Waterproof leather and suede boots with sealed seams handle rain, snow and wet grass while still flexing like a normal boot. For standing water, manure, mud or hosing down equipment, full rubber is the honest answer: the 14.5 inch rubber boots keep water out well above the ankle and rinse clean.
Composite Toe Work Boots
If your employer requires safety toes, choose the composite toe Tradesman or the composite toe Chelsea. Composite caps are lighter than steel and don't conduct cold, which helps in winter. Check your workplace's requirements for any rating it needs before you buy.
Laces, Pull-On or Side Zip
Lace-ups give the most ankle support on uneven trails. Chelsea pull-ons slip on and off between the truck and the house and have no laces to catch on machinery. A side zip gives you both: set the laces once, then zip in and out.
Fit Tips for Work and Hiking Boots
- Size insulated boots with the thick socks you'll wear in winter, since insulation takes up room inside the boot.
- Walk on an incline if you can. Your heel should stay down, and your toes shouldn't jam into the front.
- Rubber boots should be roomy enough to fit thick socks without pinching the calf.
- If you wear custom insoles or orthotics, bring them along when you try boots on; they change the fit more than most people expect.
- Break in leather and suede before a long hike, and treat them now and then to keep them waterproof.
Work and Hiking Boots in a Military Setting
DA PAM 670-1, paragraph 20-5c, allows organizational boots, such as temperate or safety boots, with field and utility uniforms when the commander prescribes and issues them under CTA 50-900. That is the route for unit safety footwear, and it comes through your unit's supply, not personal purchase. For everyday duty in the OCP uniform, Army commercial boots must be coyote, 8 to 10 inches high and without sewn-in zipper inserts, so the black, suede, rubber, Chelsea and side-zip boots on this page don't fit that description.
The Air Force makes a similar exception for black boots in industrial areas that require them. Outside those cases, these work and hiking boots belong in the motor pool after hours, on the farm, at the hunting camp or on a winter hike. Unit and command rules can be stricter, so ask your supervisor or chain of command if you're unsure.