If you work on a job site where your feet can potentially be hurt by falling, piercing, or rolling objects, then you definitely need a pair of steel-toe boots. There are quite a few brands that offer durable steel toe boots, and among them is the iconic Dr. Martens.
Dr. Martens offers unisex steel toe boots, but they also have a few that only cater to women. Some of their steel-toe boots include Icon 7B10 Leather Steel Toe Work Boots, 1460 Slip Resistant Steel Toe Boots, 101 Exposed Steel Toe Leather Ankle Boots, 1925 Exposed Steel Toe Shoes, and Arbor Women’s Steel Toe Work Boots.
Interested to learn what makes Dr. Martens a favorite when it comes to steel toe boots? Read this blog post until the end! I also shared some tips to maintain the quality of your steel toe boots, so you’ll definitely find this helpful guide.
What are steel toe boots?
Steel toe boots are also known as steel toe cap boots, safety boots, industrial boots, and steel-capped boots. It is durable footwear designed to protect your toes from falling, rolling, and piercing objects. In other words, it is strong enough to keep your feet safe from puncture, impact, and compression.
Steel toe boots were actually invented in Germany at the end of World War II. Each pair of boots went through strict tests to ensure that they met the standard of most job sites.
Top steel toe boots from Dr. Martens
If you use the search filter on Dr. Martens’ website, you’ll see a full list of all their steel toe boots. However, it can be overwhelming because they all look nice and sturdy.
In this part of the article, I’ll make choosing easier for you by sharing what’s to love about each steel toe boot from DM.
Unisex
These selections are made for both men and women. If you want more feminine-looking steel toe boots, head over to the next sub-section.
1. Icon 7B10 Leather Steel Toe Work Boots
Icon 7B10 Leather Steel Toe Work Boots is one of Dr. Martens’ best sellers when it comes to steel toes. It comes in black industrial bear color, and most customers say that it’s true to size.
Icon 7B10 is actually a high-cut, rugged work boot with a steel toe and slip-resistant sole. It can also protect your feet from electrical hazards, unlike most work boots.
As per materials, it is constructed with only the best industrial-grade leather uppers and moisture-wicking lining that is welted and heat-sealed to the boots’ classic PVC outsole.
2. 1460 Slip Resistant Steel Toe Boots
Next on our list is the 1460 Slip Resistant Steel Toe Boots. It has a black industrial full-grain color, and it is also true to size.
If you love the iconic 1460 style of Dr. Martens, then you would definitely love this one, too. It is re-engineered so it can serve as work boots for people who work 8-hour shifts. It also has extra cushioning, so you’ll feel comfortable wearing it all day long.
As for the toe caps, Dr. Martens claims that the 1460 toe boots conform to and even exceed the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard.
Another thing you’ll love about this steel toe is that it uses GripTrax™ slip-resistant thread, which reduces your risk of falling on dangerous or hazardous surfaces.
This steel-toe boot can also protect you from electrical charges since it has additional insulation.
With all that I mentioned, you probably thought that this pair of boots is not breathable. The truth is, it allows air and moisture to pass through!
3. 101 Exposed Steel Toe Leather Ankle Boots
The 101 Exposed Steel Toe Leather Ankle Boots is probably the cheapest Dr. Martens steel toe boots, but it is also one of the highly rated. It is made of smooth black leather and is also true to size!
What makes this pair iconic is that it looks like the classic Dr. Martens industrial boots but is enhanced with a steel toe cap that conforms to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard.
We can consider these 101 ankle boots as one of DM’s signature because it also exhibits the 6-eye silhouette. What’s more, it is made of smooth leather so you can polish and scuff depending on your preference.
Its Goodyear-welted lines are carefully heat-sealed and strengthened by Dr. Martens’ signature welt stitch. It also has an AirWay earloop.
4. 1925 Exposed Steel Toe Leather Shoes
Similar to the 101 Exposed Steel Toe Leather Ankle Boots, the 1925 Exposed Steel Toe Leather Shoes also look like typical DM signature boots. However, instead of a 6-eye silhouette, it only has three.
The upper of these steel toe boots are made of 100% leather, while the inner is 60% leather and 40% textile. As for the sole, it is 100% PVC, just like most DMs. You’ll also notice that it has Goodyear-welted lines that are reinforced with the iconic DM stitches.
Right now, this pair is not available on Dr. Martens’s website. But you can also check out other online stores or buy this preloved.
5. 1461 Slip Resistant Steel Toe Shoes
If you’re a fan of oxford shoes, these boots will catch your eyes. This has been re-engineered so it can be used on factory or shop floors. It also runs true to size and comes with the black industrial full-grain color.
What’s so stylish about 1461 Slip Resistant Steel Toe Shoes is that it has a three-eye accent. This is typical of Dr. Martens’ shoes and boots, along with the yellow stitching.
The upper is made of full-grain leather, and it has a flexible rubber sole. The toecaps exceed the standards, while the sole is very slip-resistant.
You are also assured that you are safe from electrical charge since these boots have additional insulation.
On a final note, this is a must-have if you want to remain stylish while using working boots.
Women
Now that we’ve covered the unisex steel-toe boots let’s look at the ones made for women!
1. Maple Zip Newark Women’s Steel Toe Work Boots
This steel-toe boot is a must-have for women who want to protect their toes from hazards but also want to remain stylish while doing so. It is true to size and comes in black Newark color.
The good thing about the Maple Zip Newark Women’s Steel Toe Work Boots is that it uses plenty of technology.
For starters, it has a SoftWair™ sock-liner that is made of contoured memory foam. It has extra cushioning at the forefoot and the heel. Its lining is anti-microbial and moisture-wicking, plus it has a medial zip.
As for the leather used in the upper, it is industrial tumbled for better durability. Meanwhile, the soles are made of an air-cushioned PVC outsole.
You can also expect a better underfoot airflow because of the raised grid pattern on the sock-liner.
2. Maple Zip Women’s Steel Toe Work Boots
This is very much like the Newark steel toe boots I discussed previously, but instead of a black Newark color, this sports a teak industrial bear shade.
As you would expect, these boots also use the technology you will see in Newark. It also has a hardy internal steel toe cap, outer industrial tumbled leather, anti-microbial, and moisture-wicking lining.
SoftWair™sockliner is also used in this pair, so you get extra cushioning and better airflow on your underfoot. The sole is air-cushioned, and it has a welted construction.
3. Arbor Women’s Newark Steel Toe Work Boots
The Arbor Women’s Newark Steel Toe Work Boots come in black Newark color and are said to run large.
It is a Chelsea-designed work boot for powerful women, but aside from protection, it also prioritizes comfort.
These Arbor work boots use a memory foam sock liner and a moisture-wicking lining. It also has extra cushioning so you can wear it all day long without suffering from sores and blisters.
As for hardiness, expect no less from these work boots since it has a high-quality steel toe cap, industrial-grade tumbled leather, and a Goodyear-welted lining.
Another advantage of these steel toe boots is that they can protect you from electrical hazards because of additional insulation.
4. Arbor Women’s Steel Toe Work Boots
The Arbor Women’s Steel Toe Work Boots are almost similar to that of the Arbor Newark. However, instead of a black Newark color, its leather sports a teak industrial bear.
Another thing to note is that, unlike the Arbor Newark, these steel toe boots don’t run large and are true to size.
All of its other features are pretty much the same, though. It also has industrial-grade tumble leather, a durable steel toe cap, a memory foam sock liner that comes with a raised grid pattern, and a Goodyear-welted classic PVC outsole.
These steel toe boots also protect your feet from electrical hazard, so it is quite better than the Maple Zip work boots.
How to care for your steel-toe boots?
It is fairly easy to care for your Dr. Martens steel toe boots. You just have to follow these basic steps:
- Step 1: Wipe all the dirt that accumulated on your boots using a nylon brush.
- Step 2: Wipe the upper leather with a damp cloth.
- Step 3: Air dry your boots. Avoid using a blow dryer because it will dry the leather and cause breakage.
If your boots are too filthy, use a soap and water solution to clean them thoroughly. Wipe it with a damp towel afterward.
As for the insoles, remove them every two to three months and clean them in your washer. The insides of the boots should also be cleaned to avoid any foul smell from developing. Use a low-pH shampoo and a towel for cleaning. Afterwhich, wipe with a dry cloth and air dry upside down.
Here are some other tips you can follow to prolong the life of your Dr. Martens’ steel toe boots:
- Put some baking soda inside your shoes if you want a natural deodorizer.
- Apply deodorant powder or spray inside your boots to reduce acid and salt accumulation that causes unpleasant smells.
- Condition any crack or crease on your boots by applying Wonder Balsam, coconut oil, or mink oil.
If you want more detailed tips on cleaning and maintaining your steel toe boots from Dr. Martens, check out the page dedicated to each boot on their website. As you scroll down, you’ll see detailed care instructions as well as the suggested products that you should use.
Dr. Martens steel toe boots: Are they worth it?
Dr. Martens’ steel toe boots are definitely worth your money! They use the best steel caps and high-quality leather, so they’re highly durable.
To recap, here are the 11 steel toe boots that Dr. Martens offers:
Unisex
1. Icon 7B10 Leather Steel Toe Work Boots
2. 1460 Slip Resistant Steel Toe Boots
3. 101 Exposed Steel Toe Leather Ankle Boots
4. 1925 Exposed Steel Toe Leather Shoes
5. 1461 Slip Resistant Steel Toe Shoes
Women
1. Maple Zip Newark Women’s Steel Toe Work Boots
2. Maple Zip Women’s Steel Toe Work Boots
3. Arbor Women’s Newark Steel Toe Work Boots
4. Arbor Women’s Steel Toe Work Boots
All these boots can last you a long time. It all boils down to your budget and style preference which one you should choose.