All boots have a few characteristics in common. Generally, they tend to be larger, heavier, and sturdier than ordinary shoes. They also tend to have a shaft, (a term usually applied to cowboy boots), that rises above the ankles for stability and/or added protection. However, there are many different types of boots. In this case, we are interested in the difference between hiking boots and work boots.
While these two boot types are perhaps more similar than a number of other boot types, they are significantly different and should not be used interchangeably.
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Hiking Boot vs Work Boot At A Glance
Here’s a quick look at the main differences and similarities between these two boot types.
Hiking Boots
A hiking boot should be lighter and more flexible than a working boot. It will provide protection from rocky surfaces. It may offer a degree of water resistance. Some hiking boots may feature breathable surfaces for ventilation.
A hiking boot will have a relatively flexible sole that is thick enough to protect the foot from sharp rocks, but supple enough to facilitate superior traction on wet and unstable terrain. They are, in a word, more “sporty” than working boots.
Work Boots
A work boot will tend to be heavier than a hiking boot. The lacing eyelets may be sturdier and use a heavier shoelace. The sole will be thicker, harder, and less flexible. Work boots tend to be heavier and much more rigid than hiking boots. They will also often feature a hardened shield over the toe made of steel or a polypropylene-like plastic.
Of course, there are a lot of different models and brands out there. There are work boots meant for welding shops, construction zones, for use on boats, and much more. Likewise, there are hiking boots that might be best suited for use in dry dusty environments, others for rock climbing, and yet others for wetlands and so on. So we’ll need to go into detail a bit more.
Hiking Boots VS Work Boots In Depth
To select the right work or hiking boot, you’ll need to look at your specific use case. Are you going to be using them in a specific location or location type? Do you need a hiker that can go anywhere or a work boot that is good on a number of different job types?
These are the kinds of things to keep in mind when you’re looking for the perfect boot:
Hiking Boots
Hiking boots are designed and constructed with the outdoor lover in mind. They are made to stand up to all kinds of punishment. They will often feature a wide range of technology designed to make them ideal for a specific environment or use. Still, some are meant to perform optimally in a number of environments.
To understand hiking boots, we’ll need to go into the technology types that are used to allow them to perform optimally under specific circumstances.
Waterproofing
One of the most important features of an advanced hiking boot is water resistance. While a soaked sock might not stop you, it can put a damper on your agenda.
Not all boots will have this ability, and it can be tempting to go without it. But if a sudden rain comes down, or if you slip into the river, you’ll wish you had it.
Most hiking boots offer at least some water resistance, and when your foot sinks into the mud and silt, you’ll be glad if you’ve got the best.
Comfort & Support
Most hiking boots are marketed as having good support and a comfortable interior, but the proof is always in the pudding. A top-shelf inner sole will support your arch, offer a reasonable amount of padding, and allow you to hike further and faster.
EVA is one of the most successful inner sole comfort technologies for these kinds of boots. It conforms to the shape of your foot, which is the next best thing to an inner sole that is custom moulded to your foot.
If you suffer from supination or pronation, EVA is a must-have. If you do have serious foot issues like these, a custom-made inner sole is recommended- especially if you’ve got a long hard hike ahead of you.
The Outer Sole
The outer sole of your hiking boot is among the most important aspects to consider. You want an outer sole that is strong and flexible to provide good grip and decent protection. The ability of the outer sole to flex and grip will depend on the quality of the material and the design of the boot.
Different hiking boots will have different levels of flexibility. If you’re going to be trekking across a lot of sand, less flex and more tread might be what you need. Conversely, if you’re going to be crossing a lot of rocky, jagged terrain, you want the best of both worlds.
Possibly the most important thing is grip, especially in wet surfaces. You might not think so, but when you slip off one of those big river rocks, you’ll change your tune.
Ventilation
If you’re going to spend more than one hour in your hiking boots, working up a sweat, and especially in hot weather, ventilation is a must. Even if it’s not especially hot, your feet are likely to sweat. That can lead to foot odour and even athlete’s foot and toenail infection.
One of the premier ventilation technologies today is called Gore-Tex. It does a good job of helping to keep your feet dry. It also helps air to circulate in the boot after you’ve taken it off.
Work Boots
Work boots are probably the oldest type of boot on Earth and are sold around the world. The features of these pieces of footwear will vary greatly depending on the industry they are made for and the types of work environments they are meant to perform in.
You may find some of the features found in hiking boots in work boots like ventilation and water resistance. But where safety and protection are at a premium, comfort, and flexibility may be sacrificed.
Protection
Welders often wear boots with a thick leather exterior to resist falling slag. Electrical workers also need to be sure their boots are insulated against shock. Possibly the most common protective feature is the steel or hardened toe.
Sometimes a metal plate will be inside the sole of the boot if workers need to be concerned about stepping on nails or other sharp debris.
Comfort
Comfort may not necessarily be sacrificed as work boots can have high-quality inner soles. A high-quality boot can be very expensive with all of the above, and in the most extreme cases where workers are on a tight budget, a high-tech inner sole might not be on the cards.
However, workers who do a lot of heavy lifting would do well to consider a high-quality inner sole as part of their overall protective equipment.
Where Hiking Boots & Work Boots Cross Over
The thing that makes these two types of boot different is the disparity between protection and flexibility. It’s a simple engineering issue. Flexibility has to be sacrificed for protection and vice versa. Steel toes and steel plates in the sole pretty much mean you’re looking at dedicated, protective work boots.
There’s little chance you’ll ever see a serious hiker out with a pair of steel toes and plated soles. But it wouldn’t be a great shock to see a painter or a gardener wearing hiking boots. Likewise, a light pair of work boots might be a reasonable choice for a bit of trail walking.
In testing, it’s been found that most work boots offer a fair amount of water resistance, but they are not waterproof. Working boots that favour water resistance tend to lack ventilation, but not always.
Some boots designed for loggers or similar activities in wooded areas can be a lot like hiking boots. More often than not they will offer more protection than a dedicated hiking boot.
It’s easy to understand why, but there may be some boots marketed to people who do this kind of work that look a lot like a hiking boot.
Some brands like Timberland and KEEN have gone some distance to bridge the gap between these two genres of boot. Another well-known example you may have thought of is military-style or tactical boots.
These often offer a moderately protected toe with semi-hard soles that are thinner than those of most work boots.
Most importantly, they feature thin or flexible material around the ankle portion of the shaft for ease of movement. These are common in the Army. Navy boots on the other hand are much more like traditional work boots.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to durability, hiking and work boots get comparable marks. The important thing to keep in mind when choosing a boot is what you will be doing in them, what kind of surfaces you’ll be walking on, and what kinds of hazards you expect to encounter.
You may be in an area that feels like hiking, but if you’re handling a lot of heavy equipment, protective work boots may be a smart choice.
On the other hand, you may be involved in a labour-intensive activity, but don’t need the protection of a work boot. In that case, a good hiking boot might be a lot more comfortable.