Rigger boot - Definition and Overview

A pair of typical Rigger boots

Rigger boots are a particular type of safety boot. The name "rigger" comes from the fact that they were first originally used by the tradesmen of the same name, but are nowadays worn by most types of manual worker as a general purpose workboot. They are particularly popular in the United Kingdom.

"Riggers", as they are commonly nicknamed, are usually tan in colour and go approximately third of the way up the leg and feature a steel toe cap for safety. Other distinguishing features of the boots include pull-on loops around the top of the boot's shaft and internal fur lining. The boots are sometimes made in other colours, most commonly black, where they can be worn as fashion items on the skinhead and punk scenes, where it is fashionable to wear them with football socks tucked in at the top.

Rigger boots are also popular fetish items among some gay men, since they are often looked upon as imparting an air of masculinity on those that wear them.