best moc toes

Over the years, I've made hundreds of boot reviews, and during that time, I've amassed a pretty sizable collection — and I always come back to moc toe boots as my go-to style for casual situations. While there are some slimmer models out there, and that moc stitching isn't impossible to dress up (I've got a couple of slim and dressy options later on this list), this is nonetheless the style of boot most commonly worn on jobsites. This is partly because moc toes boots are usually roomier than average to allow dynamic movement, and they tend to come with flat rubber soles to keep you from catching your heel on nails or uneven terrain. The roomy fit and rubber sole also make for a damn good casual boot and one of the few that can be effortlessly dressed down with jeans and a t-shirt without necessarily looking like you belong on a construction site. It's the best casual boot, and to honor the humble moc toe, I've decided to put together a list of the best moc toe boots on the market. (If I say so myself, I'm the guy to ask.) I'm breaking these mini-reviews down by best overall, the best value, the toughest, and more. https://youtu.be/omR-DP7wPkM What’s a Moc Toe Boot? Moc toes are short for moccasin because the toebox stitching draws its inspiration from the traditional footwear first worn by indigenous First Nations peoples. A moc toe used to mean it was made with genuine handsewn construction, a now-rare technique that has one piece of leather running underneath the foot and up to the top of the shoe: so there are no seams on the sides of the foot. But today, the moc stitch is usually decorative, and it can be found on boots in so many shapes and sizes that it’s hard to say a moc toe has any benefits or drawbacks as a whole — there are slim ones, chunky ones, wedge soles, heeled ones, and so on. But generally speaking, moc toe boots tend to be made with more room and higher side walls than other boots to facilitate more dynamic movement. In other words: moc toe boots are usually chunky, and so are most of the boots on this list — but I think you'll be surprised by the variety you'll find. Let's get started. Here are my favorite moc toe boot brands. Easily the most iconic moc toe boot on the market. Best Moc Toe Overall: Red Wing Heritage's Classic Moc Made in Minnesota Durable and resoleable Works with any casual clothes, from workwear to streetwear ~10 colors and two widths available $320 - $360 There's no contest: the most beloved, popular, and American moc toe boot is Red Wing Heritage's Classic Moc. This is America in a boot. Made in the USA by a privately owned company that's been headquartered in Red Wing, Minnesota, for over a hundred years, Red Wing cut their teeth making work boots for literal iron miners and railroad workers in the pre-war Midwest. While their technology has evolved with time and they sell plenty of boots made with Gore-Tex, composite toes, and all manner of ASTM ratings, they wisely retained their old-fashioned boots in their Red Wing Heritage line. The well-worn Charcoal Classic Mocs from Stridewise's editor Nick — his first ever Goodyear welted boots, though this color is hard to come by these days. Today, Red Wing is two companies: the OSHA-safe, largely Asian-made work boots and their more fashion-focused Heritage line that meets the exact picture you have in your mind of a cool boot: timeless and understated good looks, leather that ages well, and a water-resistant build that can be resoled infinity times. (I resoled my own with a lot of help from cobblers in Tennessee.) So it's plenty functional: while the Heritage line is low on ASTM ratings, this old-fashioned build conforms to your foot with wear and offers the kind of stability that many blue-collar men need when spending all day on their feet. But it also looks terrific with anything casual, whether you're someone who totally avoids conforming to a particular "look" or if you're a legit fan of streetwear, heritage workwear, Brooklyn hipster, and everything in between. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vDn6vah2T7hQ These are all the reasons why, when I filmed a group of Red Wing employees naming their favorite boots, they said the 875 — the one in that golden leather — is the brand's most iconic model. That said, the break-in is no fun — take a day off between wears when the boots are new and stiff. Red Wing Moc Toe Price $320 to $360, depending on which leather you get. Believe it or not, that's a fantastic price for a resoleable boot that's made in America. Thanks to Red Wing's size and closed production loop (they own their own tannery), they manage to keep costs relatively low. This is solid value. https://youtu.be/nLZrCdLHMrA Best Value Moc Toe: Thursday Boot Company Diplomat Unusually sleek, modern aesthetic Resoleable and water resistant 6+ leathers, two soles, and two widths available $199, with free shipping and returns Red Wing has the best value American-made moc toe, but the best value moc toe period is, without a doubt, the Diplomat from Thursday Boot Company. The best way to make a boot that's easy to resole as many times as you want is Goodyear welt construction, and it's not cheap. Before Thursday came along, you were unlikely to find a pair for under $300 — the fact that the Diplomat is under $200 is mind-boggling, especially because the price hasn't changed in over ten years. Most come in the brand's famous Rugged & Resilient leather, which is loaded with so many oils and waxes so that it doesn't really need any care — a big bonus for guys who don't like sweating the ins and outs of conditioning boots. This leather is designed to be easy to beat up and age well while it's at it. These are also leather-lined for extra comfort (unliked Red Wing), which is yet another reason the price is bonkers. I’ve made boots by hand before, and leather lining really does add a significant amount of extra work to the process. On top of all that, I think this might be the most versatile moc toe. This kind of boot tends to be chunky and voluminous, making it hard to wear with tapered jeans or trousers, but Thursday has produced a sleeker, lower profile moc toe that can be worn with just about anything — especially since they have two kinds of soles to choose from. Thursday Diplomat Price A jaw-dropping $199. You won't find any better value anywhere on Earth. The Luxury Moc Toe: Grant Stone Brass Boot Premium leathers from the world's best tanneries Available in over 12 leathers and three widths Slightly more refined and versatile than most moc toes $395 - $435 Some guys want value, and some guys want the best, and believe it or not, there's an argument that Grant Stone's Brass Boot gives you both. It's more expensive than the previous models on this list, but it's the kind of product designed for the world's most discerning boot nerds. The leathers come from the world's finest tanneries: Horween's Chromexcel, CF Stead's Waxy Commander, Badlassi Carlo's Minerva, and even Maryam's kangaroo. People who aren't immersed in the world of high-end boots won't recognize those words, but believe me when I say that those leathers, combined with insanely meticulous quality control and consistency, make for a boot that guys in the know consider a great bargain — even if it is made in China. https://youtu.be/eZb1sInLjb4 It's also very versatile: it's still able to be worn with loose jeans and a t-shirt, but the slightly refined toe and subtle moc stitch make it easier to dress up a skosh, especially if you get it with a lug sole. Finally, they offer more sizes and widths than most of their competitors, and they're great at giving sizing advice and providing lightning-quick sizing exchanges from their Michigan distribution center. Grant Stone Brass Boot Price $395 to $435, depending on the leather. These boots are universally considered to offer great value and have become a go-to brand for guys who have no problem spending four figures on footwear. The Alden Indy in brown Chromexcel leather The Best Dressy Moc Toe: Alden Indy Premium American craftsmanship Anatomical last is famously comfortable Smart and versatile design ~$700 Moc toes are just about always casual, but this is one of the most coveted, high-end boots on the market. It's perfectly suitable for a sports jacket and a tie, or with loose chinos and a leather jacket. And maybe a fedora. Because this is Indiana Jones's boot. Alden was founded in the late 19th century and still proudly makes their footwear in Massachusetts. The "Indy" boot comes in several leathers: the best known is the 403, and some will tell you the 405 is the most authentic, but Alden has put out countless different riffs on the model with their own unique vibes (and they're usually exclusive to a particular store.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?vbMee9YUc5j0 This story might be apocryphal, but legend has it that Raiders of the Lost Ark's costume designer assigned the character Red Wings, but Harrison Ford insisted on Alden, because they were the boots he wore when he was working as a carpenter and trying to get his acting career off the ground. But as you can see, this is not a chunky work boot. Alden has a history of developing orthopedic footwear, and the last is famously comfortable and anatomically correct. So American craftsmanship, superb comfort, a dressy bent, and the right to tell everyone you’re wearing Indiana Jones’s boots. What else could you want? Alden Indy Price My pair was about $550 in 2017, but today the classic brown Indy runs just over $700. Best Moc Toe Boots for Work: Irish Setter's Wingshooter ST Lightweight Waterproof Heat resistant to 475º Fahrenheit ASTM rated for Safety, toe, slip resistance, and electrical hazards $230 Most of these boots are for casual wear, but what would a working man actually wear — and afford? The team at Stridewise loves all manner of boots, which is why we have a team of work boot reviewers who test out products in fields like sheet welding and water plant management. This means we're aware that it's a little silly to call one boot the best boot for work. Different jobs have different requirements: some require a flat sole to keep your heel from catching on nails, others require a heel to help you get purchase on ladders and shovels. With that all said, our team was most impressed by Irish Setter's Wingshooter ST. It's got the kind of balance of lightweight, durable, and well-priced that anybody will appreciate, and it has a wide range of ASTM ratings that make it appropriate for all manner of environments: electrical hazard resistant, slip resistant, and it has a non-metallic toe that also meets ASTM Safety Standards. Irish Setter Wingshooter ST Price $230, and it's an extra $10 if you're after an 8-inch tall boot. Best Moc Toe for Hunting: Russell Moccasin's Backcountry Genuine handsewn moccasin construction is very rare Double vamp construction makes it practically waterproof Made in Wisconsin since 1898 $850 If you're not a patient man, you can skip this section, but if you don't mind waiting for quality, well, I couldn't finish a list of the best moccasin-style boots without mentioning Russell, a company that made its name on high-end moc toe boots and has been producing stellar products in Wisconsin since 1898. Their famous comfort, due to a rare form of shoemaking called genuine handsewn moccasin construction, has made them a favorite of everyone from George H.W. Bush to Harrison Ford. But with product names like Birdshooter and Backcountry, you won't be surprised that their most dedicated fans are hunters. There are a lot of rare techniques that elevate these boots above the fray and make their price pretty justifiable. The genuine handsewn build is one, another is the double vamp: with two layers of leather encircling your foot, you're essentially wearing two boots at once — and it makes them reliably waterproof enough for marshy hunts. Me and my Backcountries. Russell Moccasin Birdshooter Boot Price $850 for these Birdshooters, and try to order a model that's in stock, or you'll be waiting several months for your boots to be made. Honorable mention: Red Wing's Moc Oxford, the shoe that's built like a boot! Wrapping Up I've worn a huge range of boots, and I think there's something for everyone here; I hope there's something on here that helps you find the moc toe of your dreams. This remains one of the most popular boot styles out there and a fixture in the Goodyear welted boot market, and even if you happen to be someone who thinks they're too bulky and voluminous, you now know there are more variations on this style than you might think — and I'm confident there's a boot for you on this list.