When you’re scrambling up a utility pole, the last thing you should be worrying about is your footing. You’ve got live wires uncomfortably close to your face, and the risk of rain or snow makes things all the more dangerous. Never risk slipping or sliding just because you’ve got on the wrong pair of boots.
We’ve compiled a list of our five favorite lineman boots, crafted specifically for the hard-working tradies who keep our power and telephone lines operational. Through the ugliest and coldest weather, these boots are just what you need to keep your feet comfortable, secure, and protected.
Nicks Lineman
- Fully customizable and can be rebuilt or resoled, so they last a lifetime
- A good-looking and hard-wearing pair of purpose-built boots
- Excellent arch support and cushioning for all-day comfort
JK Boots Climber
- Composite safety toe is lightweight while still offering sufficient protection
- Multi-layer leather and Vibram rubber sole provide excellent cushioning and traction
- Brass details offer both stylish flair and quick lacing
Carolina Linesman 10
- Cost-efficient but highly reliable and durable
- Excellent moisture and temperature management so your feet stay dry and cool all day
- Anti-fungal footbed is ideal to improve foot hygiene even with long hours of daily wear
Georgia Boot Waterproof Lace-To-Toe
- Logger design is ideal for long-distance walking, while still being suitable for lineworkers
- More flexible and versatile while still offering ample protection
- Great blend of affordability and durability
Ariat Powerline 400g
- Keep your feet warm and dry on even the coldest, wettest day
- Excellent cushioning to prevent foot fatigue
- Very sturdy build
The right pair of boots may be the only thing between you and death—and I do mean that literally!
Sure, you’ve got a harness to secure you to the utility pole, but things could get awfully dangerous awfully fast if your feet slip on (or off) the rungs or pegs. Add in rain, snow, sleet, and cold, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster if you’re not wearing the right footwear.
A good pair of lineman boots will be specifically built for your job. They’ll keep your feet securely in place even if the pole is wet or icy, protect you from wet and weather, and provide a solid grip on the utility pole so you can focus on doing your job rather than worrying about your footing.
After testing every pair I could find, I’ve chosen a selection of the five best lineman boots on the market ideal for any lineworker in need of quality, purpose-built footwear.
My Top Pick: Nicks Lineman
I’m a big fan of Nicks Handmade Boots because, as the company title makes clear, every pair of boots is handmade. In all the pairs I’ve tested from the brand, I’ve found the quality of both the material and construction to be top-notch. You won’t find a tougher but more beautiful pair of lineman boots anywhere.
These Nicks lineman boots are purpose-built for lineworkers, with the lineman patch on the side of the boot to prevent wear. They also offer excellent arch support and cushioning to keep them comfortable when standing all day on utility pole rungs or a ladder. The flat, reinforced leather shank can handle the pressure of all your weight on a small point of contact (ladder rung/pole peg). The Vibram sole is also beautifully grippy so your footing is secure even if the pole is icy or wet.
Best of all, these boots are fully customizable. You can build them from the sole up, choosing length, width, height, leather style, and toe structure. And when they wear out, you can completely rebuild them, or simply resole them as needed.
What I Like
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The fully customizable design gives me total control over how the boots are built, and they can be re-soled or rebuilt so they last a lifetime.
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Ultra-tough smooth over roughout leather is incredibly durable and abrasion-resistant.
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The Vibram sole offers amazing traction on any surface, no matter how slippery.
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The 10” boot height offers great ankle support and protection to maximize waterproofing.
What I Don’t Like
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Because they’re both handmade and customizable, the delivery times can be a bit long (16-20 weeks, according to the manufacturer).
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The break-in time is a bit longer than average. The leather starts off stiff and a bit inflexible, though it becomes incredibly comfortable to wear when properly broken in.
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviewers love Nicks Lineman boots as much as I do. Praise for the boots includes everything from the way they look to how comfortable they are once broken in. Most reviewers loved the customizability of the boots, claiming the end-product was absolutely worth waiting for because the boots just fit right and wore amazingly.
The Verdict
For a pair of lineman boots built to last a lifetime, you won’t find better than Nicks. These bad boys are tough enough to handle 12+ hours a day of hard use, scrambling up phones and transformer towers, in any weather or conditions. Because they’re handmade using premium-quality leather, they’ll just grow more beautiful the more you use them as the leather develops a lovely patina. While they’re at the higher end of the price spectrum, you won’t find better.
Best Safety Toe: JK Boots Climber
For lineworkers who want a bit of added safety, these boots are a great pick thanks to their built-in hard-toe. Rather than using steel, however, the Climber comes with an ASTM-rated composite material that is as tough as any steel toe but far lighter and safer (won’t conduct electricity).
The shoes are specifically constructed to keep you comfortable when standing in stirrups or on pole pegs. The insole is crafted from multiple layers of oak-tanned leather finished with a Vibram RedX outsole. Combined, you get both good arch support and excellent traction.
The premium oil-tanned leather has a glossy look to it right out of the box, and with proper care, they’ll just get more beautiful.
What I Like
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Gorgeous brass eyelets add an elegant look that contrasts with the reddish tint.
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Eyelets make it easy to lace up your boots in a hurry.
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Layered leather and Vibram outsole offers excellent cushioning and grip.
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Just an all-around sturdy, well-crafted pair of boots custom-built for lineworkers.
What I Don’t Like
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Breaking in the uppers and toe is easy, but breaking in the heel cup can take weeks. They may be uncomfortable for the first month or so because of the long heel cup break-in time.
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The 10-inch uppers may feel a bit constricting on your ankles if laced too tightly.
What Other Reviewers Say
Lineworkers who’ve tested out these lineman boots tend to agree that they’re a great choice for their specific line of work. One reviewer found they didn’t work as well with standard ladders (with a thicker rung) because they were designed for the thinner stirrups, pole pegs, and transistor tower ladders. Reviewers praise their all-day comfort, saying they can stand in the boots for 8+ hours with no fatigue or blistering.
The Verdict
Give these a bit of time to break in (especially the heel cup), and you’ll find they will be one of the most comfortable and supportive lineman boots you ever wear. They’re tough, sturdy, crafted to withstand temperatures up to 900F, and offer the safe protection of an ASTM-rated composite hard toe. Like Nicks, they’re on the higher end of the price spectrum, but the quality on offer is outstanding.
Best Budget: Carolina Linesman 10
Stay well under-budget with these wallet-friendly boots. Compare the price of the Carolina Linesman 10s with the rest of the choices on your list, and you’ll see they come in at a fraction of the cost. But don’t think for a minute they went “cheap” on the quality just to keep prices down.
The Linesman 10s are built using tough black full grain for the upper, a heavy duty steel linesman shank in the footbed, welt construction, a removable polyurethane footbed for added support, and a rubber outsole made from a single piece of Vibram rubber. The result: a tough-as-nails pair of boots that’ll support your feet over long hours of standing on a pole or in stirrups.
What I Like
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The Cambrelle lining on the vamp provides excellent moisture management to keep your feet dry and cool all day long.
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The insole is both cushioned and features an anti-fungal treatment. It’s ideal for promoting better foot hygiene among those who keep their boots on for 6+ hours a day.
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The heavy-duty steel shank is specifically crafted for your right and left feet, and offers amazing support for standing on thin rungs/pegs.
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You won’t find many cheaper pairs of lineman boots around that offer this much value.
What I Don’t Like
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The boots are so popular they often sell out, and months can go by before they’re available again.
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Carolina makes these boots in the USA, but they use “global parts”. Sometimes, those parts come defective or flawed, forcing you to exchange the boots.
What Other Reviewers Say
All the reviews I’ve found about the Carolina Linesman 10s have been highly positive when it comes to comfort and support. One reviewer claimed they were the best pair of lineman boots he’d found to help him work despite his hip and back pain. Another reviewer has owned the boots for nearly 20 years, and loves them so much he’s gotten them resoled four times so he can keep wearing them.
Other reviewers, however, reported the occasional quality control issue (unmatching eyelets, off-centered tongue, poor stitching, etc.). I suspect this ties back to the use of “global parts” rather than any low manufacturing standards, however.
The Verdict
Don’t let the affordable price tag fool you: these boots are built to last. The use of “global parts” means they’re more budget-friendly to manufacture, but they’re still union-made in the USA and up to snuff with every other pair of boots on our list. They’re comfortable, supportive, and sturdy. Really, everything you need in a good pair of lineman boots.
Best Lace to Toe Logger: Georgia Boot Waterproof Lace-To-Toe
If you need to hike any kind of distance to reach your transmission tower or utility pole, these logger boots are a top choice. Logger boots are similar in design to lineman boots, offering excellent protection against electrical hazards and cushioning for your feet. However, they’re slightly heavier, fit wider/thicker feet, have a slightly higher heel, and offer better support for walking across uneven terrain.
These boots are built with zero nails in the construction, making them entirely safe to use on electrical work. They also meet and exceed ASTM standards. The addition of a steel shank provides good arch support for standing on ladders/rungs all day. They’re also oil-resistant, waterproof, and fully lined to keep your feet dry and cool.
What I Like
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They’re shorter than the average pair of lineman boots, so more flexible and versatile for walking/hiking to your work site.
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The Georgia Logger abrasion-resistant rubber outsole is as grippy on slippery rocks and logs as on icy poles and ladders.
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The steel shank offers amazing arch support and provides stability for hours of standing in stirrups or on a ladder/peg.
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The boots are very affordable while still being incredibly durable and long-lasting.
What I Don’t Like
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Sizing on the boots is a bit off. I found I had to order a full size up, while my brother-in-law had to order half a size down.
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The stitching on the underside of the boot is occasionally faulty and will come undone. Thankfully, Georgia Boot will gladly make the repairs and re-sole the boots.
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviewers who’ve tested out these boots tend to agree they’re some of the comfiest, most supportive logger boots they’ve owned. The boots score high marks on waterproofing, too. One reviewer said he’s used them working at a water plant and even after getting his feet submerged in flushed water, the boots remained totally dry. Clearly a good choice if you plan on working out in wet or rainy weather.
Users have mentioned that the sizing tends to be off, forcing them to return the boots multiple times to get the right size. A few reported quality control issues, but Georgia made the repairs/replacements quickly and efficiently.
The Verdict
If you want the support and rigidity of lace-to-toe boots to protect your feet and ankles over a long day of hauling your lineworker supplies around, you’ll want these boots. Though they’re logger boots, they’re crafted tough and supportive enough for linemen to use, too. You’ll find they’re incredibly supportive, comfortable, and most important of all, waterproof.
There are few things more annoying than working a full winter day with cold feet. Thankfully, these Ariat boots are built specifically to combat that. They integrate 3M Thinsulate insulation into the boot’s interior so your feet are warm as well as dry and comfortable on even the snowiest and iciest of days.
The DRYShield construction offers good waterproofing, too. You can slog through snow or slush without worrying about moisture getting into the boot. Thanks to the slip- and oil-resistant Vibram outsole, your footing will stay just as secure on both icy ground and icy utility poles.
What I Like
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The heavy-duty steel shank offers amazing support to keep your feet from feeling the strain after standing on a ladder rung or pole peg for hours.
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You’ll never have to worry about your feet getting wet or cold when in snow, rain, sleet, or slush.
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Very sturdy build. These are constructed to last you your entire lineworker career.
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The addition of cushioned midsole inserts is incredibly comfortable for heavier guys. Great for combatting knee, ankle, and lower back problems.
What I Don’t Like
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The boots can be a bit hot in the summer time. You may want to keep them only for use in the colder months.
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They feel a bit heavy and cumbersome at first. Once broken in, though, the feeling of “clunkiness” diminishes.
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviewers have commented that the sizing on these boots can feel a bit off—some will arrive too large, others too small. More than a few have also noted the opening is big enough that even boot-cut pants will have to be worn tucked in rather than covering your pants.
Positive reviews definitely are the overwhelming majority, though. Real-life users love the comfort, insulation, waterproofing, and the excellent traction offered by the Vibram outsoles.
The Verdict
Your work doesn’t stop because the weather gets cold, snowy, and icy, so you’ve got to prepare accordingly. These are the right boots for you to own for those winter months when you can expect temperature extremes. The combination of insulation and waterproofing makes them a truly excellent addition to your workwear.
3 Things Every Lineman Should Look for in His Boots
1. Good Traction
A grippy rubber or rubber composite outsole is an absolute must-have. You’re going to be up on a utility pole or transformer tower ladder when it’s wet, rainy, or icy. Without good traction, you’re at risk of slipping off.
2. Steel Shank
While you’re on a ladder or pole, all of your weight is going to be resting on one narrow rung, peg, or stirrup (roughly 1-2 inches wide). A steel shank integrated into the footbed is necessary for proper distribution of weight so you don’t strain your feet.
3. Work Safety Features
A good pair of lineman boots will be rated safe against electrical hazards by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). They’ll be tested to make sure they can withstand as much as 18,000 volts of electricity for up to 60 seconds without leaking (and injuring you). Linemen cannot work in any footwear that doesn’t have an Electrical Hazards (EH) rating.
Climb with Confidence
When you’re suspended from stirrups or standing on a utility pole 100+ feet in the air, a good pair of boots is absolutely crucial for your safety. With the proper comfort features (steel shank, arch support, cushioned footbed, etc.), you can stay comfortable even over an 8 to 12-hour work day. No pain or irritation will distract you from your work with a good pair of boots purpose-built for lineworkers.
Over the course of my research and testing, the Nicks Lineman boots stood out as the clear winner. Not only did they have all the safety, comfort, and support features necessary for lineman boots, but they were also the most stylish, a pair of boots I’d be proud to wear for years to come. The fact that they’re totally customizable and could be rebuild/re-soled put them head and shoulders above their competition.
