Design
Quality of Materials
Value for Money 
Craftsmanship 
Fit and Sizing I still remember my first Carhartt jacket. It’s almost like a right of passage when you’re working in general contracting.
But since then, I haven’t crossed paths with Carhartt too often—which I know might be surprising.
I see a lot of guys wearing Carhartt boots. And knowing that they don’t actually have their own boot factory, I was curious to see what level of quality the boots are at.
So I picked up one of the brand’s most popular models: the Waterproof 6-Inch Steel Toe Wedge Work Boot.
By the end of this review, you’ll know if Carhartt boots are up to the job.
Table of Contents
Carhartt Steel Toe Wedge Work Boot Overview
The Carhartt Steel Toe Wedge Work Boot is a Goodyear welted wedge boot with full ASTM F2413-18 safety rating standards.
It’s a moc toe style boot, which if you don’t know, refers to the unique “U” shaped stitching on the toe. Moc is short for moccasin.
The first brand to make this style was Red Wing back in the 50s, and it’s been one of the most popular work boot styles ever since.
Carhartt claims this Wedge Work Boot is waterproof, but it isn’t actually waterproof, which I discovered in my tests. It’s quite water resistant, but if you’re standing in mud all day, you run the risk of getting your feet wet.
The Carhartt Waterproof Steel Toe Wedge Work Boot isn’t actually waterproof, so that’s an issue. But besides that, it’s a decent boot that can get you through some tough jobs. If you can save up a little extra, the Thorogood Moc Toe is US-made and is a better boot all around.
Things to Consider Before Buying Carhartt Boots
Carhartt boots are made in China, and while that doesn’t necessarily mean anything negative in terms of quality, it’s an issue I know is important to a lot of Carhartt fans.
If you only like to buy American-made, then I have some recommendations below that fit the bill.
It’s also important to consider if you really need a steel toe boot. Generally, I stay away from steel toe boots unless I’m working a job where it’s really important.
Each boot is 2lbs 3oz, which is quite heavy. All that weight on your foot over many hours and many days can take a toll on your ankles and knees.
So only get a steel toe boot if the protection benefit outweighs the potential drawbacks. Or get a second pair of soft toe boots you can wear when the job is a little less dangerous.
Carhartt Wedge Work Boot Review
First Impression
The Carhartt Steel Toe Wedge Work Boot has a similar look to pretty much every other moc toe work boot out there, so I got exactly what I was expecting.
It’s a bulky boot with the total height of the toe box (with the sole included) measuring three inches tall.
This is bigger than the Thorogood Moc Toe and while the tip of the toe is as tall as the Red Wing Classic Moc, the Carhartt has more of a uniform shape throughout the vamp so it’s much bulkier looking. This causes some issues with the fit, which I’ll address more below.
Part of the reason the boot is so bulky is because of the steel toe, so it’s not surprising. After all, these aren’t fashion boots. They’re work boots.
This Carhartt boot has six eyelets and a single speed hook at the top. I’m pretty curious why they designed it that way. Because there’s only one speed hook, it doesn’t make the boot any easier to lace up, and because it’s at the very top, it actually comes undone more often than regular eyelets.
It’s not a major issue, but it’s something that’s caused me a minor annoyance a few times.
The Carhartt Waterproof Steel Toe Wedge Work Boot isn’t actually waterproof, so that’s an issue. But besides that, it’s a decent boot that can get you through some tough jobs. If you can save up a little extra, the Thorogood Moc Toe is US-made and is a better boot all around.
Leather Quality and Care
The leather is pretty solid on this boot. I couldn’t get any detailed information on where it’s from, though I’m sure it’s Chinese tanned leather. But I measured it out and it’s 1.8mm thick, which is solid enough to add a decent amount of protection against sharp sheet metal or anything else you might encounter on the job site.
Brands like Thorogood and Red Wing usually have slightly thicker leather, but not by much.
The leather doesn’t need much care. It’s a genuine chrome tanned pull up leather. That means it’s soft, packed with oils and waxes, and should be fairly water resistant right out of the box.
As for conditioning the leather, you don’t need to do anything to this boot out of the box if you don’t want to. But if you work in muddy conditions or think you might encounter some rain soon, then I recommend coating them with a few layers of mink oil or Huberd’s Shoe Grease.
I like Huberd’s—it’s a pine tar formula and balances conditioning the leather with waterproofing. Plus, it sort of smells like bacon. The downside is that it’ll darken your leather by several shades.
I like Huberd’s---it’s a pine tar formula and balances conditioning the leather with waterproofing. Plus, it sort of smells like bacon. The downside is that it’ll darken your leather by several shades.
Sole
Like most moc toe boots, this boot has a wedge sole. A lot of guys love wedge sole boots because they often offer more arch support than boots with a heel.
So if you’ve always struggled with knee or back pain, and you’re not entirely sure why—give a wedge sole boot a try and see if that doesn’t help.
A buddy of mine who works in a shop always had knee pain, but it went away quickly once he switched to wedge soles.
As for the sole on this boot, it’s a decent, slip resistant rubber. Of all the moc toe boots I’ve tested in the past, Thorogood’s sole offers the most slip resistance. But I think most moc toe brands are good enough to where I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
This Carhartt is made with a Goodyear welt construction, which means the sole is attached with a stitch rather than just glue. That’s a good sign. Though the welt is made of plastic, and if that breaks, then you’re back to relying just on the glue.
A truly well-made Goodyear welted boot will have a leather welt.
These boots have a removable insole, which is great if you need orthopedic inserts—you can just pop out the factory supplied insoles and add your own.
The footbed is fiberboard with some low density foam on top. If I can, I avoid fiberboard footbeds, because if the boot gets soaked through, you’ll need to thoroughly dry the boot which is actually pretty difficult.
If you leave the boots wet for two or three days, the insole can get moldy and mushy, which can ruin the boots.
Fit and Sizing
Carhartt boots fit true to size, so you should order whatever shoe size is most common in your closet.
These Carhartts don’t fit like many American heritage brands do: brands like Wolverine, Red Wing, and Thorogood tend to run a half-size larger.
But that’s not the case here.
So if you most often wear a size 10, then get a size 10 in your Carhartt boots.
With all the high density foam through the insole and footbed, these boots are quite comfortable, even when brand new.
My foot did have a bit too much room along the instep (the top of my foot) because of the height of the boot. The tall toe box wasn’t an issue for my toes, but because of the steel toe, the instep doesn’t taper back in.
While my Carhartt’s were comfortable, they left a little more room in the forefoot than I usually like and weren’t as snug as I want in a work boot. And I know I got the right size because my heel is nice and locked in and the ball of my foot fits perfectly.
Break-in Period
There’s basically no break in period with these Carhartt boots. Because they’re chrome tanned pull up leather, they’re soft immediately. And the footbed is all foam, so there’s nothing there that needs to be broken in, either.
If you get these boots and you’re having blisters or foot pain, you may have gotten the wrong size. You might have minor discomfort the first day or two you wear these, but really, they should be comfortable right away.
What do Other Reviewers Say?
A lot of reviewers reported having sweaty feet when wearing these. That’s because of the synthetic lining. While a lot of brands say the fabric lining helps keep the boots breathable compared to leather, it’s just not true.
The lining is made with polyester, which doesn’t wick sweat at all. It’s basically plastic. Wrestlers wear that stuff when they’re trying to sweat and cut weight.
The best way to combat foot sweat in work boots is to actually wear lightweight wool socks. You might be thinking, isn’t wool meant to keep you warm?
Well, wool is a natural insulator, but in warm weather it actually helps cool your feet more because it draws the sweat away from your foot and helps the evaporative process.
My favorite wool work socks are from Camel City Mill. They’re pretty expensive, but I think they’re totally worth it. Plus, they have a 10-year guarantee and they’re made in North Carolina.
Made with Ironside Merino wool, these work socks feature compression through the calf which promotes better bloodflow and helps your feet recover after a long day. Plus, because they're Merino wool, they're breathable and completely knock out foot-sweat.
Carhartt Work Boot Alternatives
Thorogood Moc Toe
The Thorogood Moc Toe is a big step up in quality compared to the Carhartt work boot, plus it’s union-made in the USA.
The leather is thicker, the sole is more durable and offers more slip resistance, and because it’s unlined, you won’t have to contend as much with sweaty feet.
There are safety toe versions of the Thorogood Moc Toe available, and you can also find an 8-inch version, too.
I’ve found my Thorogoods to be much more comfortable a few months in because the insole is made with thicker high density foam. Plus, because the leather is both a higher grade and thicker, I feel more confident when I’m working around demolition sites or sheet metal.
The Thorogood Moc Toe is a step up in price, but I think they’re well-worth it.
The Thorogood Moc Toe is a great work boot, plus it’s union-made in the USA. The leather is thick, the sole is durable and offers slip resistance, and because it’s unlined, you won’t have to contend as much with sweaty feet.
Red Wing Classic Moc
If you can take another step up in price from the Thorogood Moc Toe, then I really recommend the Red Wing Classic Moc Toe.
It’s another American-made moc, but this one will easily last you three years of hard work, five days per week. Plus, because it has a leather welt instead of plastic, you can have a new sole added on when the first one wears out.
Unlike both Carhartt and Thorogood, the Red Wing Classic Moc insole and midsole are entirely natural materials (leather and cork). This means that the footbed actually breaks into the shape of your foot and is super comfortable and supportive.
Red Wings get more comfortable over time. Carhartt and Thorogood get less comfortable over time.
And not that it matters much, but I think the Red Wing Classic Moc is the best looking boot of the bunch.
It’s another American-made moc, but this one will easily last you three years of hard work, five days per week. The Red Wing Classic Moc insole and midsole are entirely natural materials (leather and cork).
My Thoughts Overall On Carhartt Boots
What I Like
- The sole is slip resistant and offers a lot of shock absorption.
- The leather is decently thick at 1.8mm and doesn’t need much care.
- It’s Goodyear welted, which means the sole won’t likely come unglued (though it is a plastic welt).
What I Don’t Like
- The fabric lining is thin and I have serious doubts it’ll last much longer than a few months.
- They’re not actually waterproof—as a Goodyear welted boot, they can resist water, but there’s still a chance they can soak through.
Who is the Carhartt Wedge Work Boot for?
If you need a budget-friendly steel toe boot to wear one or two times per week on the job site, but want to still use a different soft-toe everyday work boot, then the Carhartt Steel Toe Wedge Work Boot is a good option.
The Verdict
The Carhartt Steel Toe Wedge Work Boot will get the job done, but some issues like the fabric lining and plastic welt don’t give me a lot of confidence in its longevity.
If you need a steel toe, personally, I like Thorogood. The leather is thicker and I think the Thorogood Moc Toe is more comfortable. Plus it doesn’t have the fabric lining, which is the first thing to break down in the Carhartt boot.
If you can really splurge, then take a look at the Red Wing Classic Moc. That boot just gets more and more comfortable as the years go by.
While the Carhartt Wedge Work Boot is solid and can get the job done, I don’t expect it to last much more than a year of consistent wear. And knowing I can spend about 50% more and get 100% more life out of a boot, I’d rather spend a bit more to get a more dependable boot.
The Carhartt Waterproof Steel Toe Wedge Work Boot isn’t actually waterproof, so that’s an issue. But besides that, it’s a decent boot that can get you through some tough jobs. If you can save up a little extra, the Thorogood Moc Toe is US-made and is a better boot all around.
FAQs
Does Carhartt have decent boots?
Carhartt boots aren’t terrible, but at the end of the day, Carhartt is a clothing brand and not a boot brand. If you’re willing to spend a little extra, you can get boots from Thorogood or Red Wing that are much better.
Do Carhartt boots run big or small?
Carhartt boots are true to size. They’re quite bulky, so if you have narrow feet, you may need to size them down, but I have average width feet (D) and found my Carhartt’s to fit like most standard US men’s shoes.
Are Carhartt boots good for snow?
Carhartt boots aren’t insulated, so they’re not great for very cold conditions. However, wedge soles do pretty well on snow and ice, and because the boots are six inches tall and made with pull up leather, they’re a solid option if you don’t have a dedicated snow boot.
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