If you’re a handy person or someone surrounded by powerful tools and other dangerous items while working, finding the right type of work boot is important.

For example, how do you choose between work boots and logger boots?

We’re not only talking about the function of the shoes but also their weight, dimensions, and durability.

The MyBestWorkBoots team will compare and review logger and work boots to help you choose the right pair and get you powering through your work days.

Keep reading to find out more…

What Are Work Boots?

Work boots are boots designed to protect the feet while working in any demanding, labor-intensive profession. 

The purpose of work boots is to protect the feet from various injuries, including cuts, burns, and other injuries at work.

The reality is…

Accidents are a very real possibility in certain workplaces, which makes it important to be as safe as possible. 

This is why work boots are considered the main item of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) in many companies, as they’re designed specifically to help prevent accidents and injuries¹.

What Are Logger Boots?

Logger boots are a type of heavy-duty work boot designed for harsh outdoor conditions where workers are constantly exposed to wet weather. 

Additionally, logger boots are used to work through grass, mud, and other types of vegetation, and to help with any necessary climbing. 

Logger boots are designed for logging workers, hence their name, and have a higher heel for this reason.

Similarities Between Work Boots & Logger Boots

The main similarity between work boots and logger boots is that both are characterized as work boots. 

This means that the similarities between the 2 types of boots all stem from their intended purpose: foot protection.

Both logger and work boots were designed to offer protection from hazardous work conditions; however, logger boots have been specifically designed for the logging industry to offer a more specific level of protection.

Differences Between Work Boots & Logger Boots

The main difference between work boots and logger boots is that logging companies require the strongest protection for workers’ feet when working outdoors in unforgiving conditions. 

Risks are everywhere and differ from site to site, which is why different types of work boots have been created.

For example, logger boots have spikes, unlike most work boots.

Let’s take a look at a few more differences:

Safety Features

Here are a few safety features to look out for:

Raised Heel 

The first noticeable difference between logger boots and work boots is that logger boots have a higher heel than normal work boots. 

The heels of these boots are about 2 inches high to prevent water ingress as workers walk through wet terrain². 

Additionally 

The logger boots’ elevated heel also prevents you from falling when you walk uphill or on uneven surfaces. 

Work boots don’t have a high heel but, instead, have a rubber heel designed to reduce shock and stabilize your feet. 

Traction Level

Work boots often come with wedge soles designed to resist oil and slipping. 

This is achieved due to the lug pattern of the outsole. 

Logger boots, on the other hand, have spikes and other features to ensure that the person is secured to the tricky surfaces they may be walking on or climbing.

Steel Shank

A steel shank is 1 of the main things that make logger boots different from other types of work boots. 

Loggers must wear protective boots with steel shanks to protect their feet when jumping up and down, which puts a lot of weight on their legs, seeking protection from puncture wounds.

Basically

A steel shank is a piece of metal that’s been placed between the sole and midsole of the logger boot for extra protection³.

Work boots don’t need to have a steel shank in the sole to be suitable for the workplace.

Steel Toe

Work boots are often used with steel caps because, for those who work on construction sites and other hazardous sites, foot protection is 1 of the most important things. 

Logger boots, on the other hand, don’t have steel toes, and they’re designed to withstand forces from different angles.

Electrical Hazards Protection

Electrical hazards are rare in logger jobs, which is why the steel shanks in these boots are there. 

Work boots, however, are generally more carefully designed to prevent electrical currents from being conducted.

Insulation

Based on what was said above about protecting against electrical hazards, it’s safe to say that work boots insulate better than logger boots. 

Comfort Features

Here are a few things to look out for to ensure comfort:

Weight

Standard work boots are usually heavier than logger boots. 

As we know, loggers and lumberjacks climb trees and sometimes walk in and across lakes; any added weight could slow them down, which is why logger boots tend to be lighter in weight. 

Flexibility

Logger work conditions require shoes that are flexible enough for certain tasks. 

When climbing trees, the workers will need comfortable shoes with good traction and flexibility.

Depending on the work environment, work boots may not be as flexible.

Breathability

Logger boots are often made of high-quality leather, which is both water-resistant and breathable. 

Loggers can keep their feet dry while walking in ponds and working in wet conditions.

On the other hand

Although breathability is important for logger work boots, that doesn’t mean that work boots are lacking in good ventilation.

Once again, depending on the work environment in question, work boots may provide more breathability than logger boots.

For example, work boots designed for factory workers may be rubberized to provide waterproofing, which in turn can affect the breathability of the boot.

Price

Given the more specialized nature of logger boots, they tend to be more expensive than standard work boots.

However, because the term “work boots” has the potential to be very vague and cover a wide range of industry-specific designs, work boots can be more expensive depending on the industry they’re designed for.

Work Boots vs. Logger Boots: Which is Best for You?

Logger boots and work boots aren’t quite interchangeable. 

Work boots focus on safety features that include toe protection and electrical insulation, while logger boots come with high heels and are made with high-performance leather. 

Still, both can keep your feet safe and comfortable at the same time, as long as you choose the right 1 for your work environment.

Common Questions

In Conclusion

Choosing the right work shoes, whether logger boots or work boots, increases your safety on the job. 

When you decide to start your search, consider whether logger or work boots align with the kind of work that you do and its environment. 

It’s important to look for work boots that are marked as “safety tested” or that meet the safety requirements in the work environment related to injuries, electrical hazards, and chemical resistance, as your health and productivity depend on it.