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The 11 Best Engineer Boots for Men

Whether on the railroad or on the sidewalk, these engineer boots can handle it all.

By Evan Malachosky and Beau Hayhoe

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·

Updated

When steam engines were the height of tech, men were employed to feed the new-fangled machines loads of coal to keep them running. To combat the obvious fiery hazards associated with the job, the engineer boot was invented.

Products in the Guide

  • Harley-Davidson Barkston Engineer Riding Boot

    Best Overall Engineer Boots

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  • RRL Miller Boots

    Best Upgrade Engineer Boots

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  • Brothers & Sons Engineer Motorcycle Boots

    Best Affordable Engineer Boot

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  • Standard & Strange x Attractions Engineer Boots

    Best Premium Engineer Boots

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  • Frye Engineer 12R

    Best Value Engineer Boots

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  • Nicks Boots Renegade Boots

    Best Custom-Made Engineer Boots

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Engineer boots are still exceptionally useful and rugged these days, and they can be worn far away from the railroad – or at least, relatively far, as the best engineer boots can pull double-duty as rugged moto boots. There’s plenty to learn (in a good way!) as you shop for your ideal pair.

Harley-Davidson Barkston Engineer Riding Boots

Pros

  • Heat-deflecting leather upper for maximum performance
  • Double-buckle build for a sturdy fit

Cons

  • Made with a shorter shaft than some other engineer boots
  • Brand is better known for jackets and choppers than boots

Harley-Davidson might be best known for its chopper production, but the brand does a heck of a job at making the right gear to go along with its motorcycles. The Barkston Engineer Boots deflect heat and use a cooling mesh liner, and the entire package rests above a sturdy rubber outsole. Double-buckle construction provides a snug fit, and true to form, these boots come in a rich black leather to match your favorite moto jacket.

RRL Miller Boots

Pros

  • Made in Texas from Colorado-sourced leather
  • Channel-welted construction is resoleable

Cons

  • Top-tier price
  • Requires some break in time

Ralph Lauren’s vintage-inspired Western brand RRL offers some of the best historically-informed designs on the market. Not only do RRL products look the part, they spare no detail in the manufacturing process.

The Miller engineer boots are built in a Texas workshop that’s been around for over 160 years and utilize rough-out leather sourced from the RRL ranch in Colorado. The boots are hand lasted and have a steel shank, leather insole, brass hardware and a stacked leather heel.

Brothers and Sons Engineer Motorcycle Boots

brothers sons engineer motorcycle bootscasual barn

Best Affordable Engineer Boot

Brothers & Sons Engineer Motorcycle Boots

Pros

  • Highly affordable price compared to other engineer boots
  • Rubber outsole is oil-resistant

Cons

  • Western heel might prove too bulky
  • Boots are crafted from imported materials, which some might not prefer

Brothers and Sons doesn’t have the same name recognition as some of the other brands on this list. As such, its boots are cheaper, and they look somewhat cheaper at a glance. If you’ve been wanting to try your hand at stepping into a pair of moto boots, this is the one to consider.

Fear not, because the boots are well-made: They’re handmade from full-grain leather using a Goodyear welt construction and metal hardware. The price is truly hard, if not impossible, to beat.

Standard & Strange x Attractions Engineer Boots

bootsStandard and Strange

Best Premium Engineer Boots

Standard & Strange x Attractions Engineer Boots

Pros

  • Made with a specialty engineer boot last
  • Crafted with highly durable, rugged leather

Cons

  • Leather features more variety and deviation than other engineer boots
  • Expensive price tag for a pair that might not be an everyday boot

If you’re in search of a pair of engineer boots made with just about every bell and whistle imaginable, then you’ve met your match with these remarkable engineer boots. Made with incredibly durable, sturdy black leather, they’ll develop a handsome patina over time. Brass buckles add durability, and the Goodyear welt construction means you’ll have them for years (and the price tag certainly speaks to their longevity, too).

Frye Engineer 12R Boots

Pros

  • Affordable price for a pair of USA-made engineer boots
  • Rich leather will develop handsome patina over time

Cons

  • Some might prefer more grip from the heel construction
  • Not available in massive quantities/size options

Crafted in the USA, Frye’s Engineer 12R Boots are another more affordable option on this list, and the price is quite remarkable for USA-made boots. Are they still pricey compared to other standard boots? Sure, but think of them as a value in the engineer boot category.

The brown leather variety might offer a more stylish change of pace, while the Black Gaucho leather option is as classic as it gets.

The boots themselves are made with a smooth-grain leather upper with nickel hardware and stacked leather heel. The oil-resistant rubber soles will keep you from slipping and the Goodyear-welt construction means these will have several lives in them.

Best Custom-Made Engineer Boots

Pros

  • Boots feature additional reinforcement and stitching for durability
  • Variety of custom leather and detail/design options available

Cons

  • Boots tend to run a half-size large
  • Some boots might be more loose in the heel or feature a less snug fit

If you’re going to rock something as specific as engineer boots, you might as well have them made the right way. Nicks Boots has been doing precisely that for decades now, with the sort of heritage other companies can only dream about.

These days, you can even outfit your engineer boots with as many personalized options as you can dream, including selecting from a variety of rich leathers.

These boots are sturdy, exceptionally well-crafted and true to throwback engineer boot styles from sole to shaft.

White’s Nomad Boots

Pros

  • Crafted with a water-resistant leather upper
  • Features a tall 12” shaft height, similar to cowboy boots

Cons

  • Made with a medium arch that might not suit all foot types
  • Can be heavy for some

The burly Nomad Boot from White’s is built as tough as they come with a water-resistant leather upper, full-leather midsole and shank, mini Vibram sole and hardy stitchdown construction.

For good measure, the tall shaft height compares favorably to other engineer boots, and even cowboy boots, and that’s the kind of functionality you should search for in every pair of boots in your collection.

Viberg Engineer Boots

Pros

  • Made with exceptional craftsmanship, similar to other Viberg boots
  • Most options feature an agreeable 9-inch shaft height

Cons

  • Only available on the resale market
  • All size options aren’t currently available and boots are pre-owned

Viberg’s entry into the engineer boot category is notable for its natural Chromexcel leather that ages quickly and is easier to break in. Like most every pair of Viberg boots, it’s a rugged difference you can feel, and most are hard-pressed to part with their part of engineer boots from the famed Canadian brand – unless you scour the resale market through sites like eBay, of course.

It pairs well with the brass hardware and, of course, is backed by Viberg’s penchant for quality construction. While Viberg did, in fact, make these at one point, they’re not a part of the current rotation, which makes them an exceedingly rare (and seriously cool) find.

The Flat Head Goodyear Welted Engineer Boots

Pros

  • Crafted with durable brass hardware and handsome details
  • Features Chromexcel leather for a rich patina

Cons

  • Sometimes hard to find in every size option
  • Boots might require sizing down a half or full size

Straight from Japan, these boots from The Flat Head fit right in with a great pair of Japanese selvedge denim. They’ve got an exceptional Americana, throwback vibe that’s tough to top, especially as the Chromexcel leather breaks in .

Made in small batches, the boots feature storm welt construction, steel shanks and custom-made brass hardware.

Wesco Mister Lou

Pros

  • Crafted from long-lasting black horsehide leather
  • Signature Wesco V-stitching throughout the upper for added durability

Cons

  • Construction process requires a long lead time
  • Only available in “E” width as of now

Identifiable by its coveted V-stitch backstay, Wesco’s Mister Lou is a titan in the category, even if there are plenty of competitors. The boot is named after one of the Wesco owners’ dogs, Mister Lou, a trusty pup that spent most of its days in the company office.

They feature brass hardware, a slimmer shaft, and Dr. Sole outsoles, but the laundry list of features extends well beyond just those.

As such, you can expect these boots to be just as steadfast, albeit longer-lasting. They’re also made to order, which means they’ll arrive as many as 18-20 months after they’re paid for, but they’ve got that covetable heritage, heirloom quality in spades.

Role Club Engineer Boots

brown engineer bootsCourtesy Role Club

Best Vintage-Style Engineer Boots

Role Club Engineer Boots

Pros

  • Made by a single craftsman for remarkable quality and toughness
  • Horween Chromexcel leather will develop a lovely patina

Cons

  • Wait time is longer given the single-craftsman operation
  • Some might not prefer the ‘40’s-style heel

Built by one single craftsman, Role Club’s Engineer Boots are legendary for unparalleled quality, and true-to-style details are simply the icing on the cake.

If you want a pair of vintage-style boots that allow you to make your mark properly, it’s tough to find a better pair.

Each boot is made-to-order and handmade, featuring a range of top-tier leathers including Horween Chromexcel horsehide. They come with Goodyear welted construction and solid brass hardware atop leather midsoles, custom rubber outsoles, and a ’40s-style woodsman heel.

Y’2 Leather Engineer Boot

Pros

  • Made in Japan with quality to rival any pair of boots in the category
  • Green horsehide leather has a remarkable character and look

Cons

  • Only available in “D” width
  • Some might not prefer the olive leather and might opt for a more classic look

Made in Japan from green horsehide, one of Y’2 Leather’s most unique and heavyweight leathers, this Engineer Boot is a surefire statement-maker. For starters, consider the rich, olive-toned leather – it’s unlike virtually any other pair of engineer boots on the market, with the style points to match.

It has a hefty ankle buckle, a Vibram outsole and a “beyond bomb-proof” construction. These will outlive you if you care for them the right way. Expect a few week-long (and difficult) break-in periods, but it’s well worth it considering how long the boots will live after it.

What Is an Engineer Boot?

The original engineer boots were designed to protect the feet of men who fed coals into steam engines. Engineer boots quite literally fit the job description, made of thick, sturdy leather with supportive soles.

They were boots made for getting down and dirty, with no-nonsense construction and little ornamentation (other than the buckle strap for a snug fit). They also often came in traditional colors like black, but modern options feature more variety in leather color.

It melded the tall pull-on style of horse riding boots with the arch and sole of a work boot. A buckled ankle strap distinguishes this style from other pull-on boots.

“We believe that like all boots, engineers benefit from the use of the highest-quality materials,” said boots expert Shuyler Mowe, the CEO of Nicks Boots.

A supportive leather upper that doesn’t slouch is crucial, as is an all-leather footbed designed to conform to the wearer’s foot. And since engineer boots are often used in other scenarios in modern times – like motorcycle riding – Mowe said a thick sole is crucial for additional durability.

That thick leather also should help provide protection from the motorcycle shifter, while at the same time providing insulation from exhaust.

“From a fit standpoint, engineer boots are more sensitive than lace-up boots and benefit from a wide variety of widths to minimize heel slip,” Mowe added.

History of Engineer Boots

The workwear design would move from feeding coal to shifting gears on motorcycles. The likes of Marlon Brando would help popularize the pull-on in biker circles and is how most people associate the boots today. Search “biker boot” and it’s likely to pull up droves of engineer boots.

Brands like Chippewa helped make the style more widely available in the 1940s, and the boots have also shown up throughout records in the 1930s.

They’ve gone in and out of favor alongside more common styles like the combat boot, which also made its way into civilian life. The rise in commercial popularity of selvedge denim also made the rugged engineer boot a natural move.

In modern times, details like full-grain leather, solid brass hardware and a shaft height around 10 inches are also helpful details to keep an eye on, Mowe said, while a supportive shank reduces fatigue on motorcycle pegs in particular.

“Buying from companies that provide recrafting, including resoling and rebuilding, is generally a good indication that the company stands behind their product and has the confidence and expertise to support the footwear wearer over the lifecycle of the boot,” he said.

Engineer Boots vs. Cowboy Boots: What’s the Difference?

Though there are other pull-on style boots like the Chelsea, side-zip and cowboy, but the buckled ankle strap gives the engineer boot its distinct look.

Engineer boots have a similarly tall, shaft, but unlike the often rounded or chiseled toe of a cowboy boot, the engineer boot features a sturdier, more bulbous toe.

Engineer boots are also often finished with a lug sole, while cowboy boots typically feature a smooth rubber or leather-and-rubber sole with a stacked heel.

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