10 Best Socks To Wear With Steel Toed Boots
Only those who wear them often know the struggle of finding the best socks to wear with steel toed boots. T
here are some steel toe boots that provide a decent amount of cushion and support, but most are flat, fairly hard surfaces to walk on, and can be a little stiff and difficult to get comfortable in.
When you have a piece of steel surrounding your toes or throughout the bottom of your boot to walk on, it can be difficult to make that less noticeable.
An extra layer inside your boot made of the best material for comfort is a good place to start.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of the best socks to wear with steel toed boots .
What Are Steel Toed Boots
Steel toed boots are a very durable kind of boot, sometimes a shoe, that has a steel protective reinforcement in the toe and sometimes a steel bottom.
The purpose of that steel is to protect your feet from falling objects that might smash or compress your foot.
The steel bottom protects your foot from objects piercing the bottom of the shoe like nails or other sharp objects.
These boots are meant to be work boots and are great for any construction areas, farm work, or any situation where safety is a concern with heavy objects, equipment, and even risk of electrical shock.
You probably wouldn’t want to wear these heavy work boots in unnecessary situations, but steel-toed boots are great safety shoes to have when you need them.
Why Good Socks Are Important For Wearing Steel Toed Boots
Steel toe boots aren’t the most comfortable type of footwear, but when safety is concerned, comfort is not usually the top priority for protective footwear.
Steel-toe boots need a little help to attain maximum comfort. That’s where a good pair of socks comes in.
The right pair of work socks will make all the difference in how it feels to stand and move around in these types of boots all day. If you choose the wrong socks, you’ll find out quickly why socks matter.
Below you’ll find a list of a range of work socks that will be the best choice for wearing in your steel toe boots in any work environment.
Characteristics Of Good Socks For Steel Toed Boots
Looking for these important sock features will set you up for success in finding a good pair of socks to wear in your safety footwear.
There are many different options for socks out there in the retail world, but all the good ones will have the same key features. These features together will make the best work socks to make your steel toe boot-wearing experience much more enjoyable.
Plenty of Padding
Boots with steel in the toe area often also have steel bottoms and can lack comfort and cushioning. Extra padding from socks is a plus.
Moisture Wicking
Having your feet inside of boots for a long time can cause them to get hot and sweaty. Moisture-wicking capabilities are a must-have in boots.
Arch Support
Compression in the arch of the foot is a plus when you’re wearing heavy and sometimes hard-soled boots for long hours.
Decent Thickness
Thicker socks will be more comfortable in boots all around because the boots rub around your ankles and are typically a tight fit. A nice thick sock provides a buffer between your skin and the boot as it rubs against you.
Compression
This feature may not be for everyone because some find it uncomfortable, but compression can be helpful. If you’re on your feet all day at work, compression socks can help reduce fatigue, pain, and swelling by increasing blood and oxygen flow in the legs and feet.
Crew Sock Length
Since the top of steel toe work boots tends to land right above the ankle, you’ll need at least a crew sock that rises a little higher than that. This will prevent the cuff of the boot from rubbing against your leg and causing irritation and discomfort.
Top 10 Best Socks To Wear With Steel Toed Boots
1. FoxRiver Unisex-Adult Steel Toe Heavyweight Work Crew Socks
These socks are made specifically for steel toe boots and provide extra cushion over the toe and above and around the heel.
They have a smooth and flat toe seam for extra comfort. These great socks stay dry all day long and prevent your feet from hurting during and after a long work day.
2. Carhartt Women’s Force Midweight Crew Sock
These Carhartt work socks have added cushioning in the heel, arch, and toe. They are ribbed around the leg to provide ventilation in the ankle of the sock and boot. They are thinning than some other boot socks, but still provide ample cushioning, moisture wicking, and support.
3. Work & Outdoor True Fit Impact Cushion Socks
These Tru Fit Impact Cushion socks offer maximum air circulation as well as arch support and a reinforced heel that won’t wear out easily. The memory knit compression around the arch of the foot adds an extra bit of comfort that you will notice as soon as you put them on.
4. YUEDGE Women’s Moisture Wicking Cotton Cushioned Crew Socks
Yuedge socks provide cushioned footbed and arch support as well as exclusive moisture wicking management for dry, happy feet all day long. They are reinforced with extra yarn in the bottom to provide more protection for high impact and durability to increase the lifetime of the socks.
5. Buttons & Pleats Wool Socks
These socks are 80% Merino wool that is ultra soft and cozy and reinforced for durability. The strong wool fibers will last much longer than regular socks and will keep your feet both dry and cool in the hot conditions of summer and warm and insulated in the winter months.
6. Alvada Thermal Wool Boot Socks
These wool socks feature ankle vents that reduce bulk to make it easier to bend your ankle as you’re moving in your work boots. These type of socks work great for work and any high movement activities. They have an extra cushioned footbed and arch compression support.
7. Timberland PRO Women’s Half-Cushioned Crew Socks
These Timberland socks provide cushioning in all the right places as well as aerator mesh that makes them breathable and keeps your feet dry. They have the perfect arch support compression as well as slight compression through the ankle and top of the sock for extra support.
8. DANISH ENDURANCE Merino Wool Socks
These Danish Endurance socks were designed by the first Danish climber to conquer Mount Everest. They are high endurance, high performance socks that provide all the characteristics of the right socks for steel toe boots. If these socks are perfect for climbing Mount Everest, they are sure to get you through your work day with your feet feeling great.
9. CWVLC Crew Boot Socks
These socks offer a no slipping, no bunching, no blisters performance fit. If you’re doing a lot of walking, bending, and hard work in your boots, these socks will be great. These socks are durable with a shock absorbing Terry structure that is thick and designed to be both comfortable and long lasting.
10. KEECOW Cushioned Moisture Control Crew Quarter Socks
These socks are designed for comfort on impact and they won’t slip, bunch, or shrink when you wash them.
Their memory knit compression will keep these socks in shape and in place all day long. They’re strong, durable, and breathable and won’t need to be replaced for a long time, no matter how much you wear them.
How To Stop Steel Toe Work Boots From Hurting
Pain from wearing steel toe boots is a common issue. Some of it is a matter of getting used to this particular type of boot. But beyond wearing the right socks, there are a few things you can do to make wearing steel toe boots more comfortable.
Buy The Right Fit
Choosing the right size steel toe boots is very important. You want to have room for your heavy-duty work socks so you’ll need to have room in all the right places.
When choosing steel toe work boots, consider sizing up a half size. Steel toe boots tend to have less room in the toe box because of the extra space the steel takes up.
Sizing up will allow more space for your socks and for your toes to move around easily. Remember, when you’re on your feet all day they can swell and may need more space to feel comfortable.
The steel toe in boots typically ends right where the boot bends when you walk or squat down. This makes for a really uncomfortable feeling on the top of your foot and is an important reason to have plenty of space in the toe box.
Take a nice thick pair of steel toe work socks with you to try on with your potential new boots. That way you know you have all the space you need in the steel-toe construction of the toe box and the reinforced heel.
Shop Women’s Insulated & Waterproof Steel Toe Safety Boots
Break In Your Work Boots
Definitely don’t take these boots right out of the box and straight into your work day. Even if you buy a really good pair of boots with the right material and quality boot socks, you need time to break them in.
Even the best work boots are stiff and difficult to move around in when they’re brand new.
Wear Cushioned Socks
We’ve already talked about the importance of the right work socks to feel more comfortable in your boots. This is a can’t-skip step to making your day in a pair of steel toe boots much better.
Take Care Of Your Boots
If your steel toe work boots are made of leather, they should be regularly treated with leather conditioner.
Not only will this make your boots last longer, but it will also make the leather softer and more bendable without cracking. Conditioned leather moves easily while still being super durable.
Choose A Wider Fit
If you sized up but still feel like you don’t have a lot of space in the toe box, try choosing a wide fit. Even if you don’t have a wide foot, this can be the perfect solution to feeling cramped in a steel toe boot.
Your toes should not touch the end of your steel toed boots, even with your thick socks on. Experimenting with a combination of sizing up and choosing a wide fit should help you get the comfortable fit that you are looking for.
Replace Footbeds With Inserts
Some footbeds in steel-toe boots can be excessively thick. This might be good for comfort when standing, but it may also squish your foot up against the top of the boot and the steel insert.
Removing the factory footbed and replacing it with a thinner, but comfortable insert may help this issue.
How Do You Keep Your Toes Warm In Steel Toed Boots?
Quality socks are your main concern when trying to keep your feet warm in steel toed boots. Wool fabric makes for a comfortable pair of socks in the cold and hot weather.
Wool fabric wicks away moisture in the summer, keeping your feet dry and cool and it insulates in the winter, keeping your feet warm.
Should I Wear Double Socks With Steel Toe Boots?
No. Although it sounds like it might help, this will actually just be more uncomfortable. Finding a pair of high-quality socks that offer comfort, moisture-wicking properties, and proper cushioning is key.
Finding the right socks for your steel toe boots is important to prevent pain throughout and at the end of the day. Choose one or more of the socks on our list and you’ll be good to go with both comfort and safety in your steel toed boots.
