There are different types of boots that you can buy for casual wear or for work. Knowing what kind of boots you are purchasing is essential, especially if you are buying boots for work. With so many boots to choose from, we sometimes get confused about which is which. If you’ve ever purchased a work boot before, you might already know what steel or composite toe boots are. But, what is a moc toe boot?
Moc toe boots are boots with a U-shaped design and have raised seams or stitching on the top of the boots. These boots are made for outdoor use and the raised stitching made the boots have a higher sidewall which makes them comfortable to wear.
Moc toes are not just for everyday wear. We will discuss how moc toes differ from steel toes, and their advantages and disadvantages. We will also be answering other questions you might have, so stay until the end.
What Are Moc Toe Boots?
Moc toe boots are a type of boots that has U-shaped stitching on the top of their box. It is inspired by the moccasin shoes worn by Native Americans.
Aside from boots, there are also moccasin shoes, which are usually slip-on shoes.
The company, Red Wing, introduced the first moc toe boots in the 1950s – The 877 8-inch Classic Moc Toe.
The Classic Moc Toe was developed for people who mostly spend their days working under strenuous conditions. Moc toe boots are also good to wear in wet and cold conditions.
Not only are moc toe boots great for work, but they are also very versatile. They have a stylish design which makes them a choice for regular, everyday wear.
Aside from being stylish boots, moc toes are also designed for comfort. Since the moccasin-style stitches are raised on the top of the box of the boots, there is more room for the toes, making them comfortable to wear throughout the day.
Materials Used In Moc Toe Boots
Moc toe boots are usually made from high-quality leather which is very durable and breathable. The classic moc toe boots have a rubber sole so it is very comfortable to walk in as the rubber sole helps minimize the impact of walking on hard surfaces.
Are Moc Toes A Safety Boot?
Moc toe boots are associated with safety boots but not all of them are. Safety boots are boots that have a protective toe box, whether steel or composite, to protect the feet from injuries.
While moc toe boots are designed to protect people who work outdoors and those who work with physical labor, moc toes are just a wide-toe style of boots.
But, most moc-toe boots have steel toe caps making them suited for heavy-duty work that requires safety boots. Most moc toes are also Electrical Hazard (EH) rated, so they can be used by electricians even if they do not have safety toes.
Difference Between Moc Toes And Steel Toes
Steel toe boots have a steel toe cap to protect the feet from risks in a manual labor workplace. These kinds of boots can withstand and protect your feet from rolling or falling objects.
OSHA requires companies for their employees to wear protective footwear when they are working with heavy types of machinery in the workplace. Steel-toe boots are usually worn by people who work in hard hat zones.
Moc toes are designed to be comfortable and flexible. These boots are ideal for electricians, farmers, plumbers, etc. Moc toes can also be steel-toe boots as some have steel-toe caps while some do not.
As we said earlier when working in places where there are electrical hazards, moc toe boots that are EH-rated can be worn and are safe to use.
Advantages Of Moc Toe Boots
Safety
Moc toe boots are originally developed for people who spend their day on their feet. Now, there are moc toes that are in compliance with ASTM safety regulations which means that they are safe to wear for workplaces that require physical labor and heavy types of machinery.
Moc toes that have the ASTM tag have been tested and passed the ASTM safety standard.
Insulation
Most moc toe work boots have insulation that can keep your feet warm, especially in wet and cold weather conditions.
Slip-resistant
Moc toe work boots offer slip and weather-resistant wedge soles making them safe to wear outdoors and in extreme weather conditions. You do not have to worry about slipping and can focus more on your day-to-day duties.
Moc toe boots also often have waterproof linings as well to help keep the boots dry.
Flexible And Versatile
Moc toe boots are flexible and durable shoes because of the moccasin style stitch at the top. It is also versatile in a way that you can use these boots for regular days off work as well. Moc toe work boots can look like casual boots and you can definitely wear them after work without the need to change into a different pair of shoes.
Moc toe boots can be dressy but not overly formal.
Comfort
Since moc toe boots have a higher sidewall design because of the raised seam, it is more comfortable than the other type of boots. The feet, especially the toes, have more room and it does not feel as if your toes are being cramped inside of the boots.
Moc toe work boots can also be comfortable even if they have a steel toe cap because of the U-shaped design.
Disadvantages Of Moc Toe Boots
Like any other type of boots, moc toe boots do have their disadvantages.
Some people who wear moc toe boots have said that the boots do not offer much arch support since the insoles are flat and there is not much heel structure.
And, while these boots are very comfortable, some said that moc toe work boots are not ideal for every job.
Some moc toe work boots also do not have safety toes which, if you are working in a hazard-prone area, you would want to invest in a work boot that has a safety toe.
Moc Toe Work Boots
Different companies have moc toe work boots that have safety toes.
Wolverine and Danner are some of the brands that have steel toe caps in the moc toe work boot collection. Some that do not have steel toe caps are EH-rated which means you can use those for work in the electrical field.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are There Moc Toe Boots For Women?
Yes, there are moc toe boots for women.
Timberland, Danner, and Red Wing are some of the brands that offer moc toe boots not just for men, but for women as well.
Are Moc Toe Boots Better Than Plain Toe Boots?
This definitely will depend on your personal preference but in general, moc toes are more comfortable because the toes have more room than those of plain-toe boots or round-toe boots.
Moc toe boots are also a good option for people with wide feet because of the U-shaped design.
How Much Time Does It Take To Break In Moc Toe Boots?
The break-in period will depend on how much you wear your moc toe boots. The more often you wear them, the faster they will break in.
But, work boots in general need a break-in period as they are often stiff, especially when brand new.
It can also depend on the brand because some boots break in more easily than other boots.
Conclusion
Moc toe boots are comfortable to wear because they have a higher sidewall making more room for your toes. The two pieces of leather stitched together make the toes feel less cramped inside.
We have discussed the pros and cons of moc toes so see for yourself if this is something that you want to add to your boot collection. If you have more questions, let us know.
