When examining the different types of materials used to make engineer boots, leather and rubber seemed to be paramount. The main reason that we used the material as a guideline is that the material is going to affect the entire performance and durability of the engineer boot.

In terms of leather being used, it is the most durable of materials. It is the most widely known having been used for thousands of years in the goods we consume. Leather can come from many types of animals prominently including cows, pigs, and deer. Other sources not widely known about could include kangaroo, elk, and ostrich. Depending on the good desired some leathers are preferred over others. Leather has a great reputation of lasting a long time so consumers feel more confident in purchases involving high-quality leather.

Leather, when used for engineer boots, adds a layer of protection that was originally needed in the design of these boots. Engineer boots were created to protect the legs and feet of workers in “engineer” jobs shoveling hot coals into furnaces. Leather is a very rigid material and can withstand the conditions these workers faced.

The only downfall to leather in terms of buyers purchasing these boots for aesthetic reasons is the chance that the leather boot could stain with raindrops, splatters, etc. The color selection of the leather plays a part in this as darker leathers tend to not show stains as much as lighter leathers would.

Secondly, we found rubber to be used widely in the designs of the boots that we reviewed even if they did not make the top ten list. While rubber has a few advantages over leather, the longstanding durability was not so high as leather. Rubber boots having the advantage of being easier to manufacture thus generally keeping costs down in production of these boots.

Rubber, while not as guaranteed for the long haul, can withstand just about any element it is worn in. Snow, rain, dirt, sand, and concrete are just some examples of the conditions these boots would superbly perform. A simple wash down at the end of the day is all the upkeep these boots need. Due to the material not being porous, the chance of it staining are slim to none. Rubber can also be made in any color or pattern designed since it is a manufactured product.

The sole of the boot could very well be labeled the “soul” as it is probably the most important part of the boot. There are many materials and styles that are used in the construction of engineer boots. A sole needs to be strong, stitched tightly or cemented heavily, and have a thick tread pattern to prevent slips. Also, having a large impact on the sole is the comfort level it provides.

A rubberized sole might have more spring and give than a sole made of steel. A thick-tread rubberized bottom will give wearers the best protection against slips. It will essentially provide a barrier again oils and other materials reaching the bottom of the sole bed, thus prolonging the life of a boot and providing the slip protection.

Having a sole that is reinforced with a steel shank is ideal for buyers that need even more protection from an engineer boot. This would be great for people working in fields such as construction or ones that walk on uneven terrain. It helps to keep the boot more sturdy and prevent injury to the foot and leg.

One huge difference in the make of these boots is whether the soul is cemented or stitched. Cemented boots mean the sole is attached to the main part of the boot with cement. This type of construction is mostly valued amongst workers that require “no frills” such as construction or hard labor where the stitching on other boots might someone fray or come apart more easily.

In converse of the cement, we found the other type of assembly is welt stitching. There is the premier type of welt construction and that is the Goodyear method. The name is in fact from the same Goodyear that developed the tires, although this method was developed from the son of the famed Charles Goodyear of the tires. This process enables the boots to be resoled separately if need be as opposed to buying an entirely new boot. The Goodyear welt method universally is approved as the highest standard and thereby raises the cost of boots that are made this way. However, higher cost pays off for this because it can greatly extend the life of the boots.

Buyers that are searching for boots are looking at the ability of the boot to repel water. To a high degree that the boots stand up to wet conditions is the main characteristic a reliable engineer boot needs to have. Are the boots rendered useless if caught out in the rain? That would be a negative factor of a bad engineer boot as they were originally designed to soar through tough conditions.

Is the boot made of a material that is totally waterproof such as rubber or is it a pretreated leather that can do the same, or close to the same job as rubber? Most leathers will be water resistant. However, it is important to see if the leather will tarnish or change colors under wet conditions, never to return to its original sheen and hue. Should buyers decide to go with a leather boot, many spray treatment options are available to up the water resistance factor and add life to the boots.

If caught in a rainstorm, wearers need to feel confident in the boots on their feet in terms of lasting through the rain and providing traction to walk on surfaces covered in water. Many shoes in other categories are not made to provide slip resistance; whereas the engineer boot is. Providing a safe and sturdy walk surface for people to resist slipping is a huge selling point of great boots. Engineer boots we evaluated all have the essential requirements to provide this, such as a thick tread on the sole, but buyers should closely examine the tread patterns on these boots to evaluate which sole will meet their needs the best.

Some of the boots in this category did not have a tread as high as others but are still the engineer boot style. These boots did claim to be slip resistant; however, will not perform as well as boots that have a one-inch tread section.

The price of a boot can sometimes be a deal breaker. That’s part of the reason why footwear manufacturers invest time and energy into creating cost-effective technologies to incorporate into their shoes to make them durable, long-lived, versatile, and inexpensive. And Engineer boots are no exception. When looking at the value of these boots, we took many pieces of criteria into consideration. We wanted to make sure they weren't only inexpensive, but that they would last you a decent amount of time, especially for the price you pay. The criteria we looked at was:

Durability & Longevity
Footwear, usually, lasts more than a few months, because shoes that are going to fall apart after a few months of use aren’t worth the investment of more than a few dollars. Leather and synthetic overlays can be used to make the shoes more durable without sacrificing flexibility. Firm leather or synthetic uppers provide durability and support.

Versatility
Great footwear can be used for more than one activity. Walking and running shoes, for example, can be used in some casual sports. Stylish athletic footwear could be used in informal work environments. Sandals can be used in casual and semi-formal settings. The more situations you can use the shoe in, the more value it offers for the price.

Maintenance
Good footwear is easy to maintain and clean. They don’t require a lot of expensive shoe treatments or time-consuming upkeep. Shoes that need a lot of effort, time and money to maintain, don’t sell as well as shoes which are easier and cost less to keep.

Removable inserts
As mentioned earlier, removable inserts in footwear make it customizable, but that’s not the only bonus to removable inserts. Removable inserts increase the longevity of the shoe, which is why some come with removable inserts.

Cost
A hefty price tag can be a deal-breaker for people on a budget. That’s why many can be found in the low-to-middle price range. They’re affordable, and if they are priced a little higher than others, then they offer many features to make the footwear worth the extra investment.