Working in a drilling rig is a difficult job, particularly if you need to spend most of your time on the floor. The tasks associated with this field of work are quite harsh for both your mental and physical health too. That is why it is vital to come prepared for the job.
Finding the best work boots for oil rigger, as a result, is an important part of preparing for this profession. You can help shield yourself from the risks that are associated with your multiple tasks if you wear the proper work boots. In addition, it will keep you staying more comfortably and stably on your feet and undertake your responsibilities effectively on a daily basis.
So, in this article, I will provide an in-depth guide for oil field workers to choose the best boots. I will start with a detailed breakdown of the 10 best work boots for oil rigger, including pros and cons. Then I will go over a comparison chart and a slew of other factors to consider when picking a work boot. Finally, I will provide you with cleaning instructions for your oil rig work boots.
What Are The Right Work Boots For Oil Rigger?
Here comes the list of the 10 best work boots for oil rigger. This list will help you narrow down the various options out there. For those who just want the best overall pair, go for the KEEN Utility Men’s Pittsburgh 6″ Steel Safety Toe Waterproof Work Boots for Oil Rigger. But if you have a tighter budget while needing a little more ankle protection, the Golden Fox Men’s Leather Wellington Goodyear Welt Work Boots for Oil Rigger.
Now, let’s see the list first before going to the comparison chart.
KEEN Utility Men’s Pittsburgh 6″ Steel Safety Toe Waterproof Work Boots for Oil Rigger
“Waterproof uppers, breathable lining for ventilation, reflective webbing, removable insoles, unrivaled comfort, good cushioning”
Timberland PRO 8 Inch Rigmaster XT Steel Safety Toe Work Boots for Oil Rigger
“PRO rubber vamp & waterproof leather, added stability with a fiberglass shank, reliable durability, flexible & comfortable”
Thorogood Men’s Oil Rigger 8″ Steel Safety Toe Work Boots
“Triple ladder steel shank for maximum stability & support, notable comfort, excellent traction with Vibram outsole”
WOLVERINE Men’s Overpass 10″ Composite Safety Toe Waterproof Work Boots for Oil Rigger
“Replaceable Orthotic insoles, waterproof uppers, breathable and dry all day long, very enduring construction, reduce fatigue”
Thorogood Men’s Oil Rigger 11″ Wellington Steel Safety Toe Work Boots
“Detachable shock-absorption footbed, unsurpassed cushioning and support, notable slip resistance, offer a roomy fit”
Dr. Martens Men’s Ironbridge Steel Toe Met Guard Work Boots for Oil Rigger
“Water-resistant uppers, PVC air-cushioned sole for ultimate cushioning and shock absorption, steel metatarsal guard for added safety”
Wolverine Rigger WPF Composite Toe Mid Cut Wedge Work Boots for Oil Rigger
“Light & thin safety toe cap for added comfort, waterproof leather uppers, cushioned footbeds, lug rubber outsoles for great traction”
Rockrooster Men’s 6’’ Woodland Soft Toe Box Waterproof Work Boots for Oil Rigger
“Waterproof and breathable membrane, easy and comfortable to break in, rugged rubber outsole for extra grip”
Golden Fox Men’s Leather Wellington Goodyear Welt Work Boots for Oil Rigger
“Padded & unlined footbeds for maximum comfort and support, enduring construction, provide added stability, good grip and traction”
Men’s Classic 8 Inch SureTrack Soft Toe Leather Work Boots for Oil Rigger
“Soft pigskin lining, the steel shank for extra support & stability, double layer of padded insoles for unrivaled cushioning & comfort”
Top Work Boots For Oil Rigger – Comparison Chart
So, how do you pick the best work boots for oil rigger? Allow this guide to assist you. But first, a chart summarizing the oil rig work boots that have been reviewed.
Work Boots For Oil Rigger | Materials | Types of Toe Box | Waterproofing | Weight (item/package) |
KEEN Utility Men’s Pittsburgh 6″ Steel Safety Toe Waterproof Work Boots for Oil Rigger | Full-grain leather, rubber | Right and left asymmetrical steel safety toe caps | Waterproof uppers | 4 lbs |
Timberland PRO 8 Inch Rigmaster XT Steel Safety Toe Work Boots for Oil Rigger | Leather, rubber vamp, synthetic, rubber | Steel safety toe caps | Waterproof uppers | 2.3 lbs |
Thorogood Men’s Oil Rigger 8″ Steel Safety Toe Work Boots | Oiled, full-grain black walnut leather, rubber, Vibram | Steel safety toe caps | Water resistance | 1.98 lbs |
WOLVERINE Men’s Overpass 10″ Composite Safety Toe Waterproof Work Boots for Oil Rigger | Leather, rubber | Composite toe caps | Waterproof uppers | 1.88 lbs |
Thorogood Men’s Oil Rigger 11″ Wellington Steel Safety Toe Work Boots | Oil, full-grain leather, rubber, Vibram | Steel safety toe caps | Waterproof uppers | 4 lbs |
Dr. Martens Men’s Ironbridge Steel Toe Met Guard Work Boots for Oil Rigger | Tumbled leather, man-made, PVC | Steel safety toe caps and metatarsal guard | Water-resistant uppers | 2.63 lbs |
Wolverine Rigger WPF Composite Toe Mid Cut Wedge Work Boots for Oil Rigger | Full-grain leather, rubber | CarbonMAX composite safety toe caps | Waterproof uppers | 1.88 lbs |
Rockrooster Men’s 6’’ Woodland Soft Toe Box Waterproof Work Boots for Oil Rigger | Full-grain leather, rubber | Non-safety soft toe box | Waterproof uppers | 3.95 lbs |
Golden Fox Men’s Leather Wellington Goodyear Welt Work Boots for Oil Rigger | Oil full-grain leather, rubber | – | – | – |
HANDPOINT Men’s Classic 8 Inch SureTrack Soft Toe Leather Work Boots for Oil Rigger | Full-grain leather, PU | Non-safety soft toe box | Waterproof uppers | 4.23 lbs |
Buying Guide: How To Choose The Right Work Boots For Oil Rigger?
It is true that life on an oil rig is challenging enough if oil riggers don’t wear the right work boots with proper protection, comfort, and durability to withstand the daily requirements imposed on the wearer. Selecting suitable footwear for the task is just as important as choosing other kinds of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, eye protection, aprons, and hard hats.
So, what should you consider in a durable, safe, and comfy work boot that you can wear for extended periods of time without tiring your feet or scratching them?
When choosing the best work boots for oil rigger, keep these six elements in mind:
Type of Toe Cap
On oil rigs, work boots with strong toe caps are essential because of the possibility of heavy equipment or cutting metal items impacting the foot and injuring it.
Aluminum, composite, and steel are the three most prevalent forms of work boot toe caps. All these three caps are OSHA-approved and provide impact protection.
Steel toes offer the best puncture resistance, but they might be cumbersome. Composite toe work boots, on the flip side, are lightweight yet robust materials like rubber, carbon fiber, and plastic. Aluminum toe caps are another option for light protection that adheres to ANSI/ASTM safety regulations.
Slip Resistance
Some of the most prevalent oil foot injuries are caused by slips and falls, so finding a boot with grooves and sole material engineered to limit the risk of tripping makes complete sense.
In general, rubber is the most suitable for usage in the oilfield of the three types of soles available: EVA, TPU, and rubber. Abrasion, grease, silt, and chemicals are all resistant to its natural gripping ability. TPU, on the other hand, is resistant to abrasion, chemicals, oil, and could be an excellent option. While EVA outsoles are more flexible and softer, they can condense over time and with use.
Construction Methods
When it comes to purchasing the best work boots for oil rigger, the way the boot is built, how it connects directly to the sole, and how resilient it is to tear and wear are all significant factors to consider. All of these indicate shoe construction methods. Usually, the Goodyear welt construction method allows for the most reliable durability.
Comfortable Fit
While the safety toe cap, type of outsole, and construction method must all be considered, if your feet are hurting or blistered at the end of the day owing to a poor-fitting work boot, you have not really assisted yourself.
As a result, add the necessity for comfy work boots that mold (as far as possible) to the contour of your foot. The great news is that work boots usually come in a variety of sizes, widths (both ordinary and wide), and cushioning options. So, you will want the boot to feel a little bit snug but not too tight when you put it on for the first time. This is also considered the break-in period that every boot has.
Safety Design
To ensure safety in hazardous working environments, it is best to only buy OSHA-approved work boots. This guarantees that they meet the standards or requirements set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) (ANSI).
How to Clean Oil Field Boots?
The best work boots for oil rigger will be subjected to a great deal of wear and tear, so it is critical to keep them in good condition. They are also significant financial commitments. As a result, if you want them to last a long time, you should take good care of them.
But how precisely are you going to deal with this? Here are some tips for cleaning and caring for your oil rig work boots.
Begin by scraping away and removing smeared debris and dirt
Because dust, mud, and other debris can hold to your boots, you should eliminate them before proceeding with the cleaning process. Depending on your work boots’ material, you may need to scrape, brush, or nozzle them off.
Before proceeding to the next step, double-check that you have cleared everything. This allows for deep clean while also preventing debris from scraping the material of your work boots. So, after you have removed the large dried-up chunks and particles of dirt, wipe your work boots thoroughly to release the smaller debris that was left behind.
Use a hydrating cream or conditioning cleaning solution as you are cleaning your leather work boots
Wiping your leather boots with a hydrating or conditioning cleaner will eliminate dirt and replenish the leather to keep it from dehydrating out. Thus, it can help to avoid cracking and other damage caused by heat impacts on your oil rig work boots.
Wipe down rubber work boots with a mixture of warm water and dishwashing detergent
This solution will help thoroughly rinse oils and other substances that might become trapped on the exterior of your work boots. Dampen a cloth with the mixture and meticulously wipe the uppers of your work boots.
Use a pencil eraser to eliminate scratch marks
Simply rub it into the trouble spot. If the rust stains are quite profound, non-gel toothpaste can help.
Keep your work boots in proper storage
This is not actually a cleaning process, but it is an important part of keeping your oil rig work boots in great condition. Because these work boots will be heavily used, allowing them to rest properly may be the smartest idea you can do to extend their longevity.
As per experts, the greatest way to maintain your wok boots in fine condition and new is to use cedar shoe inserts. Basically, cedar can soak up moisture, salt, and acid while also neutralizing odors. As a result, it can also help clean your work boots while they rest from all of your hard labor.
My Top Picks
It is critical to find the right work boots for oil field work if you spend a lot of time on your feet. And this is why it is crucial to be picky when it comes to the best work boots for oil rigger. The positions that will necessitate this type of boots pose a high threat of injury. As a result, you can not afford to scrimp or be too lenient in your options.
If you are still having difficulty in determining the best pair of safety work boots for your oil rig task, consider KEEN Utility Men’s Pittsburgh 6″ Steel Safety Toe Waterproof Work Boots for Oil Rigger. For those who need more protection for the ankle and above area, the Golden Fox Men’s Leather Wellington Goodyear Welt Work Boots for Oil Rigger will absolutely be a good option to go for.