Best Shoes for Roofing to Purchase 2024: For Secure Roofing

If you are a roofer then you must know what a difficult and delicate task roofing is. You have to be conscious not just about your safety but also about the proper roof surface. There are different types of roofs which have different types of grips such as Asphalt shingles, slate and tile roof shingles, metal roof, and flat roof. This is why different types of roofs have different grips. For instance, there are asphalt shingles present in the form of small granules which assist in the drainage. Normal work shoes are rigid and heavy because of which they can damage and tread away these shingles, that’s why you need to opt for soft and lightweight shoes.

Well, all these troubles and difficulties can be eliminated and minimized just by wearing footwear specially designed for roofing. These shoes are lightweight and are equipped with a soft rubber outsole. You don’t need to worry more because I have come up with a list of the 5 best roofing shoes so that you can find a shoe of exactly your choice.

The first product on the list is “The Moab 2” from Merrell. While roofing, you don’t need to worry about the protection of your feet as this shoe has a protective rubber toe cap, which ensures your safety from any kind of impact. It has a Vibram outsole made of high-quality rubber which not only ensures durability but also excellent traction.

This imported shoe is known best for its breathability. It has a performance suede leather and meshes upper to keep the moisture away and at the same time provide the foot with breathability. Also, it includes the bellows, closed-cell foam tongue, which not only keeps the moisture but also the debris out of the shoe. While purchasing this pair, I would recommend you to stick to your actual size as the manufacturer mentioned that it is a true to size shoe pair. There are plenty of color combinations to choose from which makes it very likely that you will find the color of your choice.

Moreover, it is manufactured with an M Select FIT.ECO+ and blended with EVA contoured footbed which ensures comfort. Also, a zonal arch is added in the footbed for people with low to medium arches. This is not it; heel support and an air cushion in the heel area are also added so that your feet don’t feel strained even after a long day of roofing. The nylon shank in the sole provides with stability while working on the roof. What I love about this shoe is that it can provide you not only with comfort but also mobility; who doesn’t enjoy the perfect combination of stability and mobility while working.

On the downside, the cushioning of the shoe wears out over time and it gets uncomfortable then. All in all,  the Moab 2 ventilator is a great choice when it comes to breathability and durability. Also, one can never think of shoes from Merrell coming at such an affordable price.

If you are looking for a shoe that is a classic among all other shoes, then Vans Old Skool is the one you should set your eye upon. It is the pair that started the sneaker trend. A plus point if you are also a sneaker lover. The Old Skool got famous for its durability and unique sole design.

Three features every roofer keeps in mind while choosing a shoe are the shoe’s upper, its sole and durability. If you work in warm conditions, you must be looking for a shoe in which your feet do not sweat excessively. This is one reason you should buy this shoe because its upper is made from suede and comforting canvas materials. The canvas makes the upper lightweight, breathable, and much more comfortable by preventing the accumulation of sweat causing bacteria. Which not only provides you with comfort but also eliminates the smell. It also highlights the brand’s famous iconic side stripe.

The sole of this shoe is made up of rubber which makes the sole waterproof. It comes with a waffle grip with added vertical lines which resulted in their thread design. The new tread design offers the user with exceptional grip on dry and as well as wet surfaces. This is why it is a good fit for roofing without the fear of slipping. Moreover, when it comes to the durability it is the toughest shoe out there. This is because Vans also use the vulcanized shoe construction process in which the metal (aluminum) lasts are used rather than plastic ones to sustain the heat as a result of which the sneaker becomes much more durable and flexible.

Moreover, it is available in around 80 different color combinations in different sizes which increases the likelihood of you finding a color you love.

However, the only drawback of these shoes is that they are a little narrow in the forefoot area. I would suggest, if you have wide feet, to order a whole or a half size up from your usual size.

All in all, having a waterproof and water-resistant pair of shoes with an excellent tread on wet roofs makes it an excellent choice.

The third best roofing shoe on the list is Reebok Men’s Crossfit Nano 8.0 Flexweave Sneaker. This imported shoe has a flexweave synthetic upper which ensures breathability, security and durability. Also, it has a high abrasion rubber Cross-fit outsole which makes it slip resistant and durable at the same time.

As the manufacturer mentioned that the shoe is true to size, You should order it in your exact shoe size and Voila! It will fit you perfectly. The best part about this shoe is that it has a wide toe box, so it doesn’t provide your wide toes with any discomfort and also provide them with breathability along with space.

Reebok has made this shoe for ultimate comfort, as it has equipped it with new heel bootie construction which not only provides heel support but also an ultimate performance comfort. Plus, the extra added cushioning makes it very soft and comfortable as well. Along with forefoot cushioning, this shoe also provides protection to the toe area as it includes toe section. Moreover, it has a minimal drop outsole of only 4 mm which ensures ultimate stability. It provides me with ultimate traction especially on metal and asphalt roofs

However, you may notice some tears on the outsoles after a while. My best guess is that these shoes aren’t made to work in a rainy season.

All in all, undoubtedly this pair has impressed me with its ultimate comfort and traction on the roofs.

The fourth shoe is the famous Adidas Men’s Skateboarding, The Busenitz Sneaker. This shoe was specifically made for the famous Dennis Busenitz, who is well known to destroy his shoes at a quicker rate because of excessive skating. So, naturally, they are made to be extra durable. The upper has two layers of material. The first one is leather which hugs your feet like a second skin and provides comfort. The second and exterior layer is made up of nubuck which provides durability. This combination will surely help you on asphalt roofs. It is suitable for roofers with flat arches as it has a flat removable insole.

Also, it provides a lot of support in the heel and area. The best part about this shoe is its look. Who said roofers can only wear typical colored boring shoe as this fashionable roofing shoe provides you with a range of decent and hip color combination. It comes with 2 sets of laces, which includes both dark and light colors of the shoe.

This shoe is true to size and has a custom recessed eyelets which helps to keep your laces from shredding. Moreover, there is an added soft lining in the shoe for extra comfort. The Busentiz shoe come with a customizable tongue that allows you to choose according to your fit. Also, a Geofit collar is present which provides comfort and support. The problem roofers commonly face is cleaning of the shoe but it won’t be a problem here as these are very easy to clean.

On the downside, because of the double layering, this shoe is not breathable and it lacks ventilation. So, it is not suitable for roofers who spend longs hours working.

Conclusively, this shoe works great for roofing and it also comes at an excellent price considering that its long lasting and durable. It’s a very decent price to pay.

The last shoe on this list is KEEN Utility Men’s Flint Low Steel Toe Work Shoe. This shoe will provide you with maximum traction on the metal roofs. It has Torsional Stability Shank (TSS) which provides phenomenal traction and mid foot support. This imported shoe is made up of Nubuck waterproof leather upper which enables you to work even in a rainy season.

you should buy this pair in your actual size and opt for a wider version if you have wide toes . The best part about this shoe is its ESD steel toe which ensures ultimate protection to your toes specially if you are dealing with heavy materials while roofing. Moreover, it has a Removable Metatomical Dual Density EVA Footbed which ensures comfort and stability.

The specialty of this pair is that it has such an exceptional slip resistance that it doesn’t even let you slip while walking on an oily surface as it is equipped with Oil- and Slip-Resistant Non-Marking Outsole. Also, if you work for long hours and are concerned about the odor you don’t need to worry about it while wearing this pair as it has CleanSport NXT(TM) FOR Natural Odor Protection. The contoured heel lock system provides you with heel support and stability.

The problem with this pair is that the inner lining wears off quickly and can provide you with discomfort, especially in the heel area.

However, all things considered, this shoe is a great deal when it comes to protection and traction on smooth slippery roofs.