The Best Work Boots and Engineers Money Can Buy

Viberg Service Boot

In the first year of the Stitchdown Patina Thunderdome, Viberg boots took four of the top ten slots, including first. No other bootmaker scoops up enthusiasts quite like the Canadian brand founded by Edwin Viberg in 1931.

Their Service Boot, first made for Saskatchewan farmers and prairie labourers, is their longest-lasting model. In the midst of the heritage revival, the Service Boot was re-imagined as a long-lifecycle lifestyle boot. Available in a wide range of lasts and leathers, you can never take a wrong step if it’s into a Service Boot.

Our favourites include the 2030 in Black and the sprung-toe 310 in Oak Chromepak.

White’s Semi Dress

America’s oldest surviving bootmaker, White’s can point to an unbroken line of craftsmanship stretching all the way back to 1853, when Edward White established his one-man shop in Connecticut. The brand eventually settled in Washington, where they helped put the Pacific Northwest on the map for boot lovers.

You won’t find a single loser in White’s lineup, but there are a few standouts. We’re big fans of the seven-inch version of their Semi Dress, a boot originally designed for working men during the Depression that could (and still can) be worn for almost any occasion. It’s a ditch-digger at heart, but it cleans up real nice.

The seven-inch Semi Dress is also available in Black, or you can always go with their classic six-inch version in either Brown or Black, or their literally fireproof Smokejumper.

Alden Indy

Alden is now the last surviving shoemaker from what was once a thriving community of cobblers in New England that, at its peak, employed nearly 40,000 men. Founded in 1884, Alden has seen America through wars and depressions, outfitting soldiers, labourers, and adventurers–including the boot’s namesake. 

The Indy is an elegant take on the moc toe that doesn’t need to be put through the wringer to reach its stylish potential. Like the professor and part-time Nazi-puncher who wore Alden boots on the big screen, the Indy can transition between adventure and ivy without ever losing its cool.

Alden also do a very good Chukka. If you don’t like the moc toe stitching on the Indy, take a look at their Plain Toe boots.

John Lofgren Combat

John Lofgren might not have shoemaking in his blood like some of the other makers on this list. As a buyer and seller of vintage Americana first in California and then in Japan, Lofgren learned how to spot talent. Lofgren’s team of Japanese craftsmen are second to none, and his Sendai Speedway shop is a shangri-la for leather lovers.

Lofgren has a deep catalogue of serious boots, but it’s his take on the vintage combat boot that rises to the top. Based on an American-issued boot with its heyday at the peak of WWII, the combat boot, complete with broguing across the toe, is handsome enough for a parade but serious enough for dirty work.

The Combat Boot is also available in Black Shinki Horsebutt, and there’s a plain toe version of the M-43 Service Boot if you’re not a fan of broguing. If you’re in the market for engineers, Lofgren’s Engineer Boots are among the best.

Crockett & Jones Coniston

If you don’t regularly find yourself walking through a minefield of rusty nails and broken glass, a boot crafted particularly for more gentle use might be just the ticket. Using the country derby boot and its military predecessors as inspiration, Crockett & Jones have created this sleek and elegant urban boot that will turn heads wherever it goes.

Worn by the likes of James Bond, Crockett & Jones are best known for their elegant footwear aimed at the upper crust. They’ve leveraged their nearly 150 years of shoemaking experience to produce some truly stand-out boots, with the Coniston being our favourite among them.

The military dress boot, The Moray, and their Shannon commando boot are also head-turners.

Tricker’s Stow

Most of the boots above feature smooth toes, perhaps with a touch of broguing at the toe cap stitch. For Tricker’s, who have been making shoes in Northamptonshire for nearly two centuries, perforated toes are something of a trademark. If you’ve been scrolling down this list looking for some proper broguing, you can give your fingers a rest.

Tricker’s is the oldest established shoemaker in England, and this unrivalled heritage gives their claim to make the world’s best country shoes some heft. Still made entirely in the UK, Tricker’s Stow is a true original for those who enjoy the finer (and more delicate) things.

The Stow Country Boot is available in a wide range of colours and leathers.

Grant Stone Diesel

According to our boot expert, Grant Stones are the best thing going at their price point (slightly higher than comparable Red Wings). The company, which combines a New England pedigree and Chinese manufacturing, may still be in their first decade, but they’ve wedged themselves into the conversation with their elegant and well-made boots.  

Their Diesel features full cork filling and a steel shank, and they continue to impress with their selection of character-rich full grain leathers. It’s a simple boot done to an exceptionally high standard. Bang for buck, it’s tough to beat.

We can also recommend Grant Stone’s Brass Moc Toe, which consistently beats out the Red Wing 875 in head-to-head showdowns.

Kreosote Nail Shank

After a stint with one of Texas’ premier cowboy cobblers, Missouri bootmaker J.D. Gabbard started MYG Handmade in 2015. Since rebranding as Kreosote, he has belched fire and brimstone, blazing an entirely new path in a scene that offers very little in the way of surprises.

Kreosote boots, each one hand built by Gabbard himself, are shock and awe pieces. His Nail Shank takes its name from the railroad nail that Gabbard has hammered flat for use as an arch-supporting shank. Forged in fire and quenched in brine, they have a bad attitude. Grin at them if you like, just don’t expect them to smile back.

Kreosote’s line-up, which changes frequently as limited boots get scooped up, has no second-place finishers. It’s a deck full of black aces.

Rolling Dub Trio Roots

Tokyo’s Rolling Dub Trio utilise old-world construction techniques to produce stitch-perfect versions of both classic and modern styles. They boast some of the cleanest finishing in the game, and they make their mark in every nook and cranny with meticulous attention to the all-important details that separate good boots from great ones.  

Made from stiff horsebutt, you can expect these boots to put up a fight for some time, and you can expect to wait a while before getting into a pair. The small-batch bootmaker is only available at a few retailers, and you’ll need to join pre-order lists to get your hands on a pair of their most popular models.

The sleek Casper Side Zip and a brown version of their 8.5” Roots boot are available without a pre-order, but sizes are limited.

White Kloud Customs

White Kloud take bootmaking artistry above the clouds and into the stratosphere. Goto-san, who trained as a reflexologist and masseur, understands the mechanics of the foot better than just about anybody. He uses extremely expensive Badalassi Carlo leather for the insoles, he polishes the edges and heels by hand, and he even manufactures his own thread.

A pair of custom White Klouds will run you well into four figures. At this price point, you can expect nothing short of perfection, and, according to one very satisfied owner who has dozens of pairs from the world’s best makers, the White Klouds are worth every penny. They’re not just his favourite pair. They are, he says, the “best boots in the world.” If you won’t take our word for it, take his.

Moto Leather Plain Toe

The hassle of ordering a pair of Moto Leather boots from Japan is more than worthwhile. They might be the boot world’s best-kept secret, and they’re almost certainly the best bang-for-buck boots on the market. They have more conservative options, but these Plain Toe boots are a great example of what makes Moto special. 

The style is distinctly Japanese and will not work for everybody. The combination of the flat and wide toe box and the sprung toe can give these boots a somewhat clownish character in larger sizes. This becomes far less noticeable when the boots are paired with wide-legged vintage cuts–as they almost always are in Japan.

Sagara Cordmaster

We’re closing out the work boots list with an entry from Indonesia. For boot fans, Indonesian brands like Benzein and Onderhoud can go toe to toe with some of the world’s best makers. We’re giving the last slot to Sagara, though. Their lace-to-toe Cordmaster is a fitting finale for our boot roundup. 

It’s a love-it-or-leave-it style that has its origins in the Czech military. For some, it’s the absolute ultimate in style and comfort and a cornerstone in their collection; for others, it’s a never-in-a-million-years style. The fact that this boot sells out far faster than they can be re-stocked suggests that there are more of the former than the latter.

If you’re one of the latter, Sagara also makes a gorgeous plain-toe Legatant and Boondockers.

Engineer Boots

The slip-on engineer boot, with origins in the horse-mounted military, is today mostly enjoyed by motorcycle enthusiasts or those who aspire to high-octane style. While the boots below will be perfectly at home on highway pegs, their style potential extends well beyond motorcycle-adjacent scenes.

Wesco Mister Lou

Our first engineer boot on this list is also the most popular slip-on in the denim scene–and for very good reason. With its streamlined shaft, you’ll be hard pressed to find a boot that pairs better with slim straights or wide-legged vintage cuts. Like Kobe beef, there’s simply no fat to cut off this boot. 

Built on a Motor Patrol last, the Mister Lou looks most in its element when it’s perched on highway pegs, but it will go anywhere that denim goes without a struggle. Ease them through their break-in period with daily wear and scuff them up a bit. They’ll start to show their true colours and kick your rebel style into overdrive.

Mister Lou is also available in Brown and Natural CXL. For a little less money, Wesco’s Boss will produce a similar effect.

Skoob Wander Engineers

A newcomer to the scene, Skoob has caught the eye of boot lovers with their combination of timeless style and an attractive price point. Their engineer boots, featuring cat’s paw half-soles and heavy-as-hell leather have all the makings of a serious contender.  

This is one of the few boots on this list that we haven’t had the chance to examine in person. They’ve been around for a few years in Japan, but they’ve only recently made their debut in Europe. Their size range is extremely limited, but that may change if their footprint grows in the West.

We’re also impressed by Skoob’s simple yet striking M-43 Service Shoe.

Role Club Engineers

Proving year after year that the best things are worth waiting for, Brian the Bootmaker has been making custom boots out of his small shop in Los Angeles. No single maker has done as much to elevate the conversation surrounding heritage boots as Brian, and his prices (and long wait list) reflect this.

His engineer boots are grail pieces for many in the scene. They’re so beautiful out of the box that you might be tempted to put them on a pedestal or behind glass, but well-worn pairs will produce gasps of admiration from those in the know–or from anybody that can appreciate fine footwear.

If engineers aren’t your bag, Brian’s ankle-height boot, The Underdog, can go toe to toe with any lace-up boot on the market.

Clinch Engineers

What began as a repair shop specialising in early-twentieth-century boots turned, for its owner, into a master’s class in the lost art of hand-crafted footwear. Proprietor Minoru Matsuura fused the old ways with the new to create what are arguably the best ready-to-wear boots in Japan. 

Shaped around hand-carved wooden lasts, Clinch’s boots are built with the same level of craftsmanship as you find in bespoke shoes from the world’s finest makers. The overdyed horsebutt engineers will start out black but, with regular wear, they will fade to a rich dark brown. A boot fit for the connoisseur, they won’t come cheap or easy.

If you can never have enough eyelets, the Clinch Highliner should be on the top of your list.

Addict Steerhide Boots

An early lover of British motorcycle style, Addict founder Satoshi Ishijima was staggered by the differences between vintage and contemporary pieces. After years of collecting, he set out to create leather jackets in the British style (more toned down and refined than their American counterparts) that could bridge classic and contemporary. 

His shop has since become a beacon for Japan’s intensely passionate community of motorcycle enthusiasts. Ishijima-san’s road-ready engineers, with their round toe, are built for cruising speed. They’re as impossible to ignore as a full-throttled V-twin.

Addict offers a wide range of Engineer Boots and an equally impressive range of Lace-Up Boots.