The most unusual work boots | Incl a zero drop safety shoe

Men’s work boots used to be a rather narrow category of footwear. Lots of companies made them, but there weren’t many style options. Women looking for work boots had to hope they could find a pair of men’s boots that was small enough to fit their feet.

Thankfully, manufacturers now provide men’s and women’s work boots in a wide array of materials, colors and styles. We’re going to showcase some of the most unusual work boots available today.

How did we choose the unusual typesChoosing the "most unusual" work boots was an interesting task. We avoided boots that were so unusual that they appeal to very few. We looked for well-rated boots that featured

Styles that were new OR

Fabrics or colors that were unusual OR

Boots that provided a new spin on a traditional style OR

A combination of all 3 factors

XTRATUF Performance Series 6" Men’s Full Rubber Ankle Deck BootRubber boots have been a staple of the men’s work boot market for decades. My dad’s chore boots were black pull-on boots that had lugged soles and reached to his knees. When Dad wore out a pair, he replaced them with another pair...of tall, black rubber boots with lugged soles.

This XTRATUF Performance Series Boot is a full rubber boot with a couple of key differences. The most obvious difference is its height. This Performance boot is only 6" tall. To make it easy to slip into, it features a side zipper and pull tabs at the front and back of the foot opening. Rather than a lugged sole, this lightweight, waterproof boot has a slip-resistant, non-marking Chevron sole. It also features a breathable, antimicrobial lining that fights odor.

A second unusual trait of this boot is its color. The 6" XTRATUF Performance boot comes in standard colors like black, gray and brown, but it’s also available in white, navy and a tie-dye range of blue shades. The pull tabs are in contrasting colors.

The XTRATUF Performance boot makes the list for taking a standard boot and thinking outside the (boot) box.

Reebok Work Dayod Safety ShoeThe Reebok Work Dayod Safety Shoe resembles a regular Reebok athletic shoe, but it boasts a number of unique features, including a non-metallic composite safety toe and a slip-resistant, oil-resistant sole that also provides EH (electrical hazard) protection.

Another unique feature of this leather, nylon and suede shoe is its zero-drop heel. Like all true zero-drop shoes, the Dayod features a toe box that is roomy. It is positioned at the same height as the heel. The midsole and insole are cushioned and provide support for long days on your feet.

Dr. Martens Vegan Smooth Combat Boot This lace-up Dr. Martens Vegan Combat Boot looks like a heavy-duty black combat boot with a lugged sole. The really unusual aspect of the 1460 is that it’s made without any leather. Synthetic "leather" replaces all genuine leather in the Vegan 1460 boot. The boot’s Goodyear welt construction allows you to replace the sole if it wears out, without having to purchase a new pair of boots. The rubber soles are abrasion-resistant and slip-resistant. This Dr. Martens boot gets good reviews for comfort and durability, without using any leather--which is the boot material that’s known for being comfortable and durable. The synthetic upper mimics the look of real leather so closely that most people are not likely to be able to tell that it isn't genuine leather.

Conclusion

These are our choices for the most unusual work boots. Not surprisingly, they provide an array of features. A couple come in a range of colors.

They are similar in that they are liked by the people who purchase them, and are durable enough to hold up to whatever your work day holds.

Maya Bleak is a nature enthusiast, prolific hiker and writer at TheFootFacts. When she’s not writing or editing, she’s most likely up a mountain in her hiking boots admiring a sunset.