Men’s Slip-Resistant Work Boots and Shoes
Muddy hillsides. Metal catwalks. Oily concrete. Slippery surfaces are a fact of life on many jobsites. Since slips and falls are one of the top causes of injury in the workplace, it’s vitally important to have footwear that helps protect against losing your footing. KEEN Utility slip-resistant work boots and shoes are built with grippy outsoles that maximize surface contact and shed water to keep you securely on your feet.
KEEN Utility makes two different types of slip-resistant outsoles. A siped outsole has thin slits cut into the rubber to disperse water and add traction on flat surfaces. A lugged outsole is built with deep indentations, or lugs, that provide reliable grip on uneven surfaces and muddy or rocky ground. Siping on the lugs dispels water on hard surfaces to keep your footing secure on all kinds of terrain.
Which slip-resistant work shoe or boot is best for your work? Here’s an overview of some of our favorite men’s styles:
Boots and Shoes with a Siped Outsole
“My workplace has concrete floors or other flat surfaces.”
The men’s and women’s San Jose boot is a great choice for carpenters working on a home remodel or mechanics working in a garage. One of the lightest 6” work boots KEEN Utility makes, it comes equipped with a KEEN Luftcell air-injected midsole that gives it a weightless feel when you’re walking and standing all day. An unlined, premium leather upper requires no break-in period, so they’re good to go right out of the box.
The waterproof version has a KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane for dependable protection in wet conditions. There are also options for toe protection — choose from boots with an aluminum or soft toe.
“Right out of the box, these were the most comfortable pair of work boots I've ever owned. I love the way they look and feel. For what I consider a light-duty safety toe boot, these are the boss.” — Nate L.
Part work shoe, part athletic hiker, the men’s and women’s Flint II series is ideal for carpentry, landscaping, warehouse work, and light manufacturing. It comes equipped with a KEEN.ReGEN midsole that returns 50% more energy with every step than a standard EVA foam midsole for all-day wearability. A moisture-wicking textile lining helps keep feet dry. Depending on the level of support and protection you need, you can choose a boot or a shoe, steel or soft toes, and waterproof or water-resistant options. For an even more athletic feel, the men’s and women’s Flint II Sport shoe is a lighter version, with a mesh and synthetic upper and a carbon toe.
“I work in an industrial occupation, in and around grease, oils, water, welding, grinding, you name it, and they hold up great. Love the toe-box design, and they work great with my orthotics.” — Sue
Another great choice with a hiking-inspired fit is the men’s and women’s Atlanta Cool II shoe. A KEEN.ReGEN midsole gives them a sneaker-like feel that keeps you moving easily throughout your day. A leather and mesh upper and moisture-wicking lining help feet breathe in warmer climates. For those who require Electro Static Dissipative (ESD) protection, the Atlanta Cool II is available with an ESD-rated outsole that helps reduce excess static electricity by conducting the charge from the body to the ground.
“I wear these all day long in a retail store on concrete floors. My feet are comfortable and cool during my eight-hour shift.” — Craig
Boots with a Lugged Outsole
“I work at a construction site with uneven surfaces like loose soil and gravel.”
Want to make a 12-hour shift at the construction site feel like eight? Check out the men’s Portland boots. They’re built with KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX technology, so the accordion-like bellows at the forefoot flexes and bends with up to three times less effort than those of other work boots. That makes the Portland a great choice for plumbers, electricians, and anyone else who spends the day kneeling, crouching, or crawling into small spaces. An air-infused KEEN Luftcell midsole and carbon safety toes that are 15% lighter than steel toes keep you feeling light on your feet.
Part of the American Built collection, the Portland series is assembled in the Pacific Northwest using carefully sourced materials from around the world. Our manufacturing facility combines time-honored, hands-on construction techniques with modern technologies to ensure the boots meet the highest standards of quality and durability.
“I am building houses this summer and needed a rugged boot to handle framing, roofing, and everything in between. These boots fit the bill, with durable construction and carbon toes (had a roof truss dropped on my foot on the first day and didn't even feel it!).” — Caleb
Another boot in the American Built collection you might consider is the men’s and women’s Dover boot. Rugged yet lightweight, it comes equipped with a KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane to keep you working through rainy weather. A KonnectFit heel-capture system provides a secure, locked-in feel. Long days on your feet feel easier thanks to the air-infused Luftcell midsole and lightweight carbon toes.
“This boot checks all the boxes for me! Safety toe, lightweight, waterproof, comfortable, and, most importantly, made in the USA! I'll keep buying them as long as they keep making them.” — Brad
When it’s time to tackle the toughest jobs, we recommend the men’s Coburg boot. It’s built for excavation, landscaping, or masonry work, with an abrasion-resistant leather upper and a KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane to keep out the wet. The steel toe boots are available in 6” and 8” versions, depending on the amount of ankle support and protection you need. Plus, they’re assembled right here in Oregon, using responsibly sourced materials from around the world.
“I work in industrial construction, and these boots are the best I've ever bought. They balance between comfort and durability — excellent in both categories. They are lightweight without feeling flimsy.” — Mike B.
Another rugged option is the men’s Logandale boot. Its synthetic upper with KEEN.WEB-TECH abrasion-resistant technology is designed to handle rough surfaces. Feet stay dry no matter what the weather has in store, thanks to a KEEN.DRY waterproof and breathable membrane. Part of the American Built collection, the Logandale boot is constructed using the direct-attach method, which makes it lighter in weight and more flexible than welted boots, yet more stable than most cement-constructed boots. The heat-resistant rubber outsole lets you work on hot steel plates or asphalt and resists temperatures up to 572°F/300°C.
“These boots are the most comfortable thing I've ever worn on my feet. I work highway construction and paving — 16-hour days. With these boots my feet never get tired or sore. I’ve tried lots of boots in 10 years of construction and none come close to the comfort of these. I wear them for everything outside of work as well.” — Ben
Whatever the job, the day goes more smoothly when you can depend on your work boots. Whether you’re climbing sandy slopes or carrying heavy gear across wet pavement, KEEN Utility makes a work boot that will keep you feeling steady and secure on your feet.