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Selecting the right footwear based on one’s profession is the first step towards safety and convenience. When your work makes you walk on shingle roofs, you must have specially designed boots for asphalt shingles to make the job easier and comfortable.

Going for regular boots is probably not the best idea to put into action when you are up on the roof. To seal your safety and comfort while you are working as a roofer, you need the best boots for shingle roofing.

However, If you work in the roofing industry, you know that having the right footwear can make a world of difference in your performance and safety on the job.

When it comes to shingle roofing, in particular, finding the best boots is crucial for protecting your feet from potential hazards such as slips, falls, and nail punctures.

With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to choose the perfect pair for your needs. That’s why we’ve compiled a comprehensive review of the best boots for shingle roofing based on factors such as comfort, durability, traction, and safety features.

Read on to know how to get hold of the best ones and what makes them important for this particular job.

Contents

What Are The Risks Involved In Shingle Roofing?

Shingles are flat and rectangular pieces of roofing materials usually made of asphalt, slate, metal, or composite substances, arranged upwards from the base of the roof, and overlapping each other for maximum coverage.

Shingle roofing is a risky and physically demanding job where you may face accidents if you lose your balance by chance while walking on the asphalt shingles.

Those overlapping pieces of roofing materials that may go up in a steep slope are not exactly meant for treading. The uneven surfaces can easily make you topple and skid if you are not careful with your steps while working.

One good thing about asphalt shingles is that they are not naturally slippery and do not generally get slippery when they are wet. The rock granules prevent them from turning slippery, unlike metal shingles that are extremely slippery and dangerous when wet.

But, at the same time, the granules often get loose with age and weather changes. Rain and snow may cause damage to the shingles and lead to loose granules falling off.

Such conditions can make a dry shingle roof more challenging to walk on by compromising your stability even more.

Read to know the home method of killing moss

Homemade moss killer for roofs — *Tired of mosses on your roof which makes it slippery to walk on?*

Moreover, if rain and snow lead to moss and mildew growth on your asphalt shingle roofs, there are high chances that the shingle roof turns badly slippery.

You will probably have a hard time climbing the asphalt shingle roofs if there is a layer of mildew growth on them because they make your feet slip and lose traction.

Therefore, you need to be extra sure about wearing boots on a shingle roof, particularly researching whether they are meant for the job before you put them on for work.

What Shoes To Wear When Roofing?

Roofers and contractors need dedicated footwear with specific features and designs to aid them in the roofing work. Your feet need particular shingle roof shoes to prevent you from falling or losing your balance.

These are specialized types of work boots and are very different from the other varieties of work boots available.

Firstly, they are reinforced with enhanced traction with rubber or synthetic outsoles and rubber or foam pads to ensure excellent grip on any surface you put your feet on.

It helps your shoes grip the trippy edges of the asphalt shingles while you tread. Some of these roofing boots also have integrated magnets in the soles for a steely grip.

Moreover, roofing boots concentrate more on comfortable insoles and ankle support than safety toes to minimize pains and fatigue while climbing steep shingle roofs and working on such hard and uneven surfaces for long hours.

Picking up the best boots to walk on shingle roof can be a challenging decision. There are tons of brands with various models of roofing shoes in the market.

Only a handful of them are equipped with perfect traction, comfortable design, and are durable enough to withstand the rough use without tearing off in a few days or months.

This article guides you to understand what to look for in the best boots for shingle roofing.

Why Are Shingle Roofing Shoes Vital?

As a roofer, inspector or contractor, you shall have to climb and walk on shingle roofs quite often as a part of your job. When you go about repairing or inspecting the shingle roofs, you do not refute the occupational hazards of walking on asphalt shingles unless you have chosen the best boots for shingle roofing to lock in your stability.

The uneven surface of shingle roofs does not make ideal terrain for walking. The steeper the roof, the more difficult it gets to climb and maintain stability while keeping the steps on the shingles.

Even though the asphalt shingles are not slippery, except when they have moss and mildew on them, they can trip you off if you lose your balance even slightly. Such accidents may cause grave physical injuries.

Therefore, the shingle roofs not only pose threats to roofers and inspectors but also hamper their confidence and performance at work. When you are not confident enough about balancing yourself throughout this dangerous task, you are more likely to work poorly.

The best boots for shingle roofing give you the confidence to climb up with ease by boosting your grip and stability at each step.

When your feet grasp the rugged surface like they have been stuck on them, you can be less scared of tripping and losing your balance accidentally due to the uneven and elevated edges of the shingle pieces.

Thus, safety and performance make it essential to have dedicated boots for shingle roofers.

Must-Have Features In Best Boots For Shingle Roofing

1. Traction

The greatest quality that you should look for while selecting shingle roofing shoes is traction. You need exceptional traction on the shingle roof to ensure maximum safety while working.

Boots for shingle roofers come with enhanced traction made by slip-resistant rubber outsoles with moderate lugs to grasp the edgy ends of the shingles. This feature helps to stick the feet to the surface, even if they are unsuitable for walking.

On the whole, traction is indispensable to help you prevent slipping on a shingle roof and minimize the risks of accidents.

2. Durability

Shingle roofing shoes should come with a highly durable build. These shoes have to withstand quite a lot of rough use all the time.

Asphalt shingles are generally quite harsh on the outsoles and can make them wear off very soon if they are not hardy enough to withstand the harsh contact with the shingles.

Thus, the shoes must have a robust build, sturdy soles, and firm uppers to avoid losing shape or tearing off at the seams in a few days. Goodyear welt construction is the best one to ensure the best durability.

3. Material

Since the material decides the comfort level and the durability, it is important to choose the right thing.

Leather is the best choice here for roofer boots because they are comfortable, sturdy, and can withstand the harsh use you would be putting them through on asphalt shingles. Leather boots also tend to be waterproof, which is a major benefit while working outdoors.

However, you may also choose shoes with a combination of leather and nylon uppers for breathability and comfort on hot and humid days. For the outsole, rubber or PU are the best options for outstanding traction.

4. Comfort

Another essential factor about roofer shoes is that they must provide you with adequate comfort while at work. Climbing steep asphalt shingles is quite hard for your feet and can result in pain and weariness after long hours.

The boots must have cushioned insoles to help walking on shingle roofs. It helps to reduce feet fatigue and absorb the shocks sent by the uneven and hard surfaces of the asphalt shingles.

A comfortable footbed and cushioned insoles are a must while purchasing roofing boots.

5. Support

Shoes for steep shingle roofs should provide you with good ankle support to help you climb easily without straining your feet.

Since you would be on your feet for a long time on the hard and rugged shingle roof, arch support is necessary as well to avoid having pain in the arches. Thus, you must look for adequate ankle and arch support in your ideal shingle roofing shoes.

6. Weight

Lastly, shingle roofing boots must be lightweight to reduce feet fatigue and avoid damage to the asphalt shingles while walking on the roof. Walking on the shingles can easily dislocate them, which is one reason why people are advised not to tread on shingle roofs.

But, if you are a roofer and need to climb up steep shingle roofs for installation, repair, or inspection, choose light roofing boots to avoid much damage or dislocation of the shingles.

Lightweight shoes also enhance performance and productivity than having to carry around heavy and uncomfortable boots.

7. Insulation

While all roofing boots do not come with insulation, some of the best ones do. Insulation is vital if you are working during the colder months.

Working outside on damp, cold, or windy days can be very uncomfortable if your feet are freezing. Leather roofing boots with waterproofing and insulation help to keep your feet warm and cozy.

Are Shingle Roofing Boots Expensive?

Professional shingle roofing boots can get pretty expensive based on the brand, quality, and features. The most well-known brands like Merrell, Thorogood, and Red Wing with the best boots for shingle roofing may cost you nearly $200 to $400.

If you are willing to invest in these superior quality boots once, they may last you for years to come. So, if you can afford them, just go for a professional roofing boot and reap the benefits for years.

However, if you are not comfortable with an expensive purchase, brands like Irish Setter, Timberland, and Carhartt get you high-quality, helpful, and durable shingle roofing boots for under $200.

These can provide you satisfactory performance and ensure your workplace safety while remaining within your budget limits.

Select the ideal pair for yourself after weighing the pros and cons of the boots, taking the budget into factor, and how frequently you plan to use them. It’s no point investing in something flimsy and not so durable if you have to climb and tread on shingle roofs every other day for long hours.

They would wear off in days, forcing you to invest in a new pair very soon. For such harsh use, you need tough and heavy-duty professional leather roofing boots to last you for a long time in all weather conditions.

Also, choose whether you need breathable roofing shoes with breathable nylon uppers or insulated and waterproof leather roofing boots, based on the climate you would be working in. Such factors often play a role in deciding the price of the boots.

Top 7 Best Boots For Shingle Roofing

Check out this absolute list of shingle roofing shoes that would help you double up your safety and comfort. Here are the top 7 best boots for asphalt shingles for roof inspectors, installers, roof cleaners, etc., if you need a lead to zero in on the most suitable one.

1. Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator: Our Top Boot for Shingle Roof

SPECIFICATIONS:

Origin	USA
Material	Suede leather and mesh
Sole	Synthetic
Safety toe	Rubber toe cap
Number of colors	17

Merrell comes up with the best type of shoes for walking roofs worth the money you invest. If you want shoes for steep shingle roofs that surprise you with their superb usefulness every time, just go for these.

Construction and Durability

The MOAB, or Mother Of All Boots models of shoes from Merrell are designed as hiking shoes to withstand tough conditions. The suede leather and mesh upper with a rubber toe cap can withstand wet, muddy, and rugged surfaces and yet hold up really well. They make an ideal choice for shingle roofing because of their design.

Comfort

Comfort is a key factor in buying these Merrell shoes. The improved footwear technology enhances comfort level the moment you try them on. Most importantly, the best part is that you can buy them either in a ventilator or waterproof version.

The former is a better option for summers when your feet must stay breathable, and the air must circulate. The waterproof version is a safe bet for rainy days and wet weather when you need to keep your feet dry and warm.

They provide adequate cushioning to the feet, and since these are hiking shoes, you can also expect great ankle support for long hours of work on the shingle roofs.

Traction

Traction is another best feature of these shoes that help you prevent slipping on shingle roof. Such risky jobs must have nothing less than an excellent grip on the surface.

The Vibram TC5-plus sole provides the best traction, helping you stick your feet to the shingle roofs.

KEY FEATURES:

Made from suede leather and mesh upper
Closed-cell foam tongue
Synthetic Vibram TC5-plus sole
Safety rubber toe cap
Mesh lining

PROS:

Good enough for daily use
Durable boots for shingle roofing
Breathable mesh lining keeps you comfortable
Wide toe box area

CONS:

Some customers prefer the MOAB 1 to the MOAB 2 in terms of comfort.

2. Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 6″ Moc Toe: Shingle Roofing Boot

SPECIFICATIONS:

Origin	USA
Material	Full-grain leather
Sole	Polyurethane MAXwear Wedge sole
Number of colors	5

Thorogood is unquestionably USA’s most popular brand for work boots. The American Heritage model can be one of the safest bets for shingle roofing with its exceptional build and traction. Without a doubt, these are one of the most recommended boots for shingle roofers.

Traction

Coming to the outstanding traction of the American Heritage Moc Toe Boots, you have a winner here. These boots have shown incredible performance and traction on shingle roof.

The MAXWear Wedge slip-resistant soles seem uniquely designed to help you remain steady on shingle roofs without losing your grip. These are one notch higher than Vibram soles and have enhanced performance and traction.

Durability

The full-grain leather body gives the shoes a sturdy exterior to withstand the wear and tear caused by asphalt shingles. The boots are waterproof and hold up strong even in wet weather.

Moreover, the MAXWear outsole lasts longer than the usual Vibram outsoles and makes the boots more durable.