Buzzlineman is reader supported. If you purchase after clicking the affiliate links, I’ll earn some money- maybe even enough to buy me a new pair of work gloves. You do not pay a higher price.
Lineman live in their work boots. From the early mornings until the sun starts to settle, we are often out in the elements working on the pole lines. Hell, a lot of times I eat dinner still in my boots so they don’t come off until right before bed. So having the most comfortable lineman work boot is essential.
Lineman spend the majority of their time doing two different things- either getting in and out of the bucket or with gaffs/hooks, climbing poles. For this article we are going to focus on boots that are great for climbing poles.
If you’re a lineman you know that climbers put a lot of pressure on the arch of your feet. For this reason lineman boots are specifically made to include steel shanks that provide relief to the arches of your feet. Below are some of the most trusted and recommended lineman boots that will aid you through your work day.
Best Overall: Hoffman 10″ Meindl Logger
Easily one of the most recommended boots on this list. Tons of lineman wear this boot….and love it. It’s durable, has superb waterproofing, and includes dual steel shanks. This German made boot is one of the easiest to put on and take off, check out the video below where Jason uses only 1 hand to get in and out of this boot.
This boot fits superbly well thanks to the ankle and leg support. The tongue is connected to the upper that rolls around the leg nicely while also keeping it waterproof. The removable insole adds comfort to your feet all day. The Meindl is made with the Vibram sole so you know you’re getting great traction and durability that you can count on.
The Meindl is a top tier boot for lineman that want comfort, durability, and piece of mind that they have a boot that is going to work has hard as they do.
Best Runner Up: La Sportiva Makalu
The La Sportiva Makalu gets a lot of attention in the lineman industry. This boot wasn’t really made for lineman, instead it was made for hikers and mountain climbers. However the superb shank makes it an excellent climbing boot. When climbing, this might be the most comfortable boot on the market; those shanks provide so much relief that it truly does take away any sense of pain to your feet.
However the waterproofing of this boot is poor, doesn’t have a safety toe, and takes longer to break in than most of the other boots on the list. That being said, it’s one of the most lightweight boots you’ll find for climbing. Lineman boots are notorious for being heavy, so the Makalu is a great option if you’re tired of using heavy boots.
Some say their Makalu boots have lasted them quite some time, while others say the durability is poor. In the video above you can see the durability issues with this boot. The vibram sole helps ensure great traction.
If you’re sick of feeling pain from those climbers and comfort is a priority, the La Sprortiva Makalu is a boot that sits atop the market. It boasts a superb full steel shank and lightweight roughout leather design. Some say it’s like walking on 2x4s, but you can rest assured the pain will be gone and you’ll feel lighter getting around in these 3 pound boots.
Best Slip On: Irish Setter Wellington
Slip on boots are convenient and quick. Not having to worry about tying your laces or the laces coming undone midday is a great quality to have in a boot. However, most slip on boots aren’t recommended for lineman work. These Irish Setter Wellington boots are a different breed though. Highly recommended by many lineman mostly for their short break in time and waterproof design.
Like the previous boots, these come with the trusted Vibram sole for awesome traction and durability. They aren’t as light as the Makalu boots, but at less than 5 pounds they sure do beat most lineman boots in the weight department.
The waterproofing is something of note with this leather boot as it has a lining that keep your feet completely dry, even in the harshest conditions. Sometimes those pole lines are in some pretty swampy areas and it’s nice to know these boots allow you to walk right through that muddy water with confidence.
Many speak of the break in time or lack there of. Straight out of the box they are ready to be worn with comfort. Can we all agree this is a great looking boot also?
These boots are equipped with lightweight non-metallic shanks. These foot supports aren’t as top tier as the previous boot recommendations, however many lineman still use them and get by just fine. So if you don’t spend most of your days on hooks then a shank design like this will work just fine.
The Irish Setter Wellington slip on boot provides excellent comfort straight out of the box, waterproof reliability, and looks great. If a slip on boot is what you’re after this is the one for you, even if it falls a bit short in the steel shank department.
Best Budget: Ariat Powerline Slip On
Another slip on boot option and this one DOES include the highly recommended steel shank. The Ariat Powerline boot might be the budget option, but it definitely has many lineman’s seal of approval. Ariat has prioritized comfort and lineman work with their extra wide steel shank that makes climbing effortless and the midsole inserts that allow your feet to work all day without pain.
This boot is trusted by many lineman that wear it from sun up to sun down and even years later it is still waterproof. Designed with 3m Thinsulate you can wear this boot comfortably during the cool months and it even thrives as a solid option in freezing temps as long as you wear the proper socks (wool).
Slip on boots are often notorious for a below average fit, they wiggle, don’t snug up well to your foot or around your ankle, and overall the fit isn’t as reliable as a lace up boot. However, most lineman love the fit of these Ariat Powerline boots and it’s one of their favorite aspects of the boot.
The collar of the boot is wrapped in a nice padding for added comfort on your shin. Also the heel of the boot has a molded protective layer which is a nice quality and blends well with the boot. These boots also have a relatively quick break in time, I’d say after your first week or so of daily use they are good to go.
The only complaint I have about these boots is that they are a bit warm during the hot summer days.
Final Words
Being a lineman that climbs poles is hard work, no doubt. And if you have been suffering through the pain that comes with boots that aren’t meant to climb in, do yourself a favor and pick up a new pair of these boots. When it comes to climbing poles, these are some of the most comfortable lineman boots recommended on the market.
Comfortable lineman boots are important, but so is a bell wrench, check out my favorite bell wrench in this article- The 5 Best Lineman Bell Wrenches in 2022.