Irish Setter Mesabi 8 Inch Steel Toe Logger Boot Review (2026)

Is the Irish Setter Mesabi 8 Inch Steel Toe Logger the right boot for timber and terrain work?

Short answer: Yes — if your workday involves slopes, deadfall, climbing spurs, or ladder rungs, the Irish Setter Mesabi 8 Inch Waterproof Steel Toe Logger delivers the classic logger package: raised heel for terrain bite, 8 inches of waterproof full-grain leather, and an ASTM F2413 steel toe with EH rating from Red Wing's Irish Setter work line at $189.95. If you work flat concrete all day, the logger heel works against you — the Wolverine Trade Wedge wedge sole or a standard 6-inch lace-up like the Ariat Treadfast is the better buy.

Logger boots are a purpose-built format, not a style statement. The raised, stacked logger heel exists to lock against uneven ground, dig into slopes, and hook ladder rungs and climbing spurs — which is exactly why it's the wrong sole for flat-slab work, where it concentrates pressure and tires the arch. The Mesabi is one of three loggers in our steel toe boots collection and waterproof work boots collection, and this review covers what the format wins, what it costs you, and how the Mesabi stacks against the Carolina CA9821 and the composite-toe Georgia Boot LTX.

Editorial verdict: 4.5/5. The Irish Setter Mesabi 8 Inch Waterproof Steel Toe Logger is the strongest all-around logger we stock: ASTM F2413 steel toe, EH rating, waterproof full-grain leather, and a full size run from 8 to 13 at a flat $189.95. Buy it for timber, line clearance, and slope work; skip it for flat concrete, where the raised heel is a liability, not a feature.

VIEW ON WC SAFETY → CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →

As an Amazon Associate, WC Safety earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the date shown and are subject to change.

Who the Irish Setter Mesabi is for

• Timber, forestry, and land-clearing crews — the logger heel is the working standard on slopes and deadfall, and the 8-inch shaft supports the ankle on uneven ground
• Line clearance and utility right-of-way workers — the EH rating adds a secondary layer around energized equipment, and the heel seats against ladder rungs and pole steps
• Farm, ranch, and rural property work on broken ground — hills, mud ruts, and creek crossings favor a tall waterproof boot with a heel that digs in; see our safety-toe decision guide for when the steel cap becomes mandatory
• Anyone who climbs as part of the job — spur climbing and fixed-ladder work are what the raised heel was designed for

Who should skip it

• Flat-concrete trades — warehouse, shop, and slab-pour crews should buy a flat or wedge sole; the Wolverine Trade Wedge ($104.98) is purpose-built for exactly that surface
• Buyers who need certified slip resistance — the Mesabi's listing doesn't claim an SR rating; the Carolina CA9821 logger does, for $199.99 — our Carolina logger review has the details
• Weight-sensitive buyers — the composite-toe Georgia Boot LTX logger drops the steel cap for a lighter build at $165; our Georgia LTX review covers the trade
• Mud, manure, and washdown work — leather has limits in standing muck; the all-rubber Muck Boot Chore Classic ($93.75-108.75) is the purpose tool there

What the Mesabi does well

The logger heel, used for what it's for

A logger's raised, stacked heel changes how the boot meets the ground: on slopes it digs in and resists downhill slide, on deadfall and rock it locks the foot against rollover, and on ladder rungs and climbing spurs it seats positively where a flat sole slips forward. That geometry is the whole reason the format survives — and the reason it punishes you on flat slab, where the same heel concentrates load under the arch. Buy the Mesabi for the terrain, not the look.

Full certification stack for regulated sites

Per Irish Setter's listing, the Mesabi carries an ASTM F2413 steel toe (impact/compression) plus the EH designation — the same stack OSHA 29 CFR 1910.136 policies point to, and the reason it holds a slot in our best EH work boots guide. Decode what those label codes actually certify in our ASTM F2413 reference.

Eight inches of waterproof leather

The 8-inch waterproof full-grain shaft buys two things a 6-inch boot can't: a higher wade-and-splash line for creek crossings and wet brush, and lace-up ankle support that matters when every step lands on something uneven. It's a meaningful middle ground between a standard 6-inch boot and a full wellington like the Irish Setter Marshall.

A complete size run at one price

We stock the Mesabi in 8, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 12, and 13 — every size at $189.95. In a category where size gaps are common (the Carolina logger currently has no 10.5), a full run is worth calling out.

Where it falls short

It's a specialist, priced like one

$189.95 buys the logger format, not extra protection. The Ariat Treadfast matches the steel toe, EH rating, and waterproofing in a 6-inch lace-up for $134.95. If your ground is flat, the extra $55 buys you a heel you'll curse by lunch.

No slip-resistance rating claimed

The listing claims steel toe, EH, and waterproofing — not a tested slip-resistant outsole. Lug soles grip well on soil and bark, but if your site's policy requires a rated SR outsole, the Carolina CA9821 claims one.

Steel cap weight in a tall boot

Eight inches of leather plus a steel cap adds up on a long day of climbing. If weight is your first complaint about work boots, read our steel vs composite comparison and consider the Georgia Boot LTX.

Verified specifications

How it compares to the logger and terrain field

Check prices on Amazon → Irish Setter Mesabi Carolina CA9821 Georgia Boot LTX

The logger field — Mesabi vs Carolina vs Georgia

We stock three loggers, and they split cleanly:

• Buy the Mesabi when you want the strongest all-around steel-toe logger: F2413 steel toe, EH, waterproof leather, and a complete 8-13 size run at $189.95.
• Buy the Carolina CA9821 when a rated slip-resistant outsole or welt construction tops your list — it's $10 more at $199.99, and our Carolina review covers its size-run gap at 10.5.
• Buy the Georgia Boot LTX when weight matters more than an EH rating — the composite cap makes it the lightest logger here at $165; the full case is in our Georgia LTX review.

Shop logger boots on Amazon → Mesabi 8" Logger Carolina 8" Logger Georgia LTX Logger

Sizing and fit

The Mesabi runs a full size range — 8 through 13 with half sizes at 9.5 and 10.5, all at $189.95. Fit an 8-inch logger with the socks you'll actually work in, lace it fully (the top hooks control ankle support on slopes), and confirm your longest toe clears the steel cap with a thumb's width to spare. Tall lace-ups reward a careful first fitting; work through the checklist in our how to choose safety boots guide if this is your first logger.

ASTM F2413 and OSHA context

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.136 requires ASTM F2413-compliant protective footwear wherever falling or rolling objects threaten the foot — felled timber, chokers, and skidder work all qualify. The Mesabi's listing claims F2413 impact/compression plus the EH designation, which adds secondary protection against accidental contact with energized circuits in dry conditions — relevant on line-clearance and right-of-way jobs, but never a substitute for electrical safe-work practices. Decode the label codes in our ASTM F2413 reference, and if you're unsure whether your operation triggers the safety-toe requirement, start with the safety-toe decision guide. For foundry-grade top-of-foot hazards, step up to a met guard from our metatarsal boots collection like the Timberland PRO Endurance.

Final verdict: 4.5/5

The Irish Setter Mesabi 8 Inch Waterproof Steel Toe Logger earns its 4.5/5 as the most complete steel-toe logger in our catalog: certified toe, EH rating, waterproof full-grain leather, and a heel geometry that actually earns its keep on slopes, spurs, and rungs. It's the logger pick in our best steel toe boots guide and holds a terrain slot in the best waterproof work boots guide. Buy the Mesabi if your ground is steep, soft, or vertical. Buy the Carolina CA9821 if you want a rated SR outsole in the same format. Buy the Wolverine Trade Wedge or a 6-inch lace-up from the safety footwear collection if you work flat concrete — the logger heel is the wrong tool there.

VIEW ON WC SAFETY → CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →

Irish Setter Mesabi FAQ

Is the Irish Setter Mesabi steel toe ASTM rated?

Yes. Per the manufacturer listing, the Mesabi's steel toe meets ASTM F2413 impact and compression requirements, satisfying OSHA 29 CFR 1910.136 where safety-toe footwear is mandated. Our ASTM F2413 explainer covers the label codes.

Is the Irish Setter Mesabi EH rated?

Yes — the listing claims an EH (electrical hazard) rating, meaning outsole and heel are designed to reduce hazard from accidental contact with live circuits in dry conditions. It appears in our best EH work boots guide and the electrical hazard boots collection.

Is the Irish Setter Mesabi waterproof?

Yes — waterproof full-grain leather with an 8-inch shaft, giving it a higher splash-and-wade line than the standard 6-inch boots in our waterproof work boots collection.

What is a logger heel for?

The raised, stacked heel digs into slopes and soft ground, locks the foot against rollover on deadfall and rock, and seats positively on ladder rungs and climbing spurs. It's a terrain and climbing tool — which is exactly why it's uncomfortable on flat concrete all day.

Are logger boots good for flat concrete work?

No — that's the format's one honest weakness. The raised heel concentrates pressure under the arch on hard flat surfaces and tires the foot over a full shift. For slab and shop floors, buy a flat or wedge sole like the Wolverine Trade Wedge instead.

Is the Irish Setter Mesabi good for logging and forestry?

It's built for exactly that: steel toe for felled timber and chokers, EH rating, waterproof leather for wet ground, and the logger heel for slopes. Confirm any employer-specific requirements (some forestry operations also mandate cut-resistant or caulked boots) against your safety policy and our jobsite PPE hub.

Irish Setter Mesabi vs Carolina CA9821 logger — which should I buy?

Both are 8-inch waterproof steel-toe EH loggers within $10 of each other. The Carolina CA9821 adds a rated slip-resistant outsole and welt construction at $199.99 but currently has no size 10.5; the Mesabi runs a complete size run at $189.95. Pick by size availability and whether a rated SR outsole is required on your site.

Irish Setter Mesabi vs Georgia Boot LTX logger — steel or composite?

The Georgia Boot LTX swaps the steel cap for a lighter composite toe and costs $25 less, but its listing doesn't claim an EH rating. If your job involves line clearance or energized equipment, the Mesabi's EH designation decides it; if weight is the enemy, the Georgia wins.

Is the Irish Setter Mesabi slip resistant?

The listing claims steel toe, EH, and waterproofing — it does not claim a tested slip-resistance rating. The lug sole grips soil and bark well, but if your employer requires a rated SR outsole, choose the Carolina CA9821.

What sizes does the Irish Setter Mesabi come in?

We stock men's 8, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 12, and 13 — all at $189.95. That's the most complete size run of the three loggers in our catalog.

Is the Irish Setter Mesabi insulated?

No insulation is claimed on the listing. For cold-weather work, pair it with heavier socks or look at the insulated options ranked in our best waterproof work boots guide.

Who makes Irish Setter boots?

Irish Setter is a brand of Red Wing Shoe Company, positioned as its work and hunting line. The Mesabi carries that heritage into the steel-toe logger category, alongside the Irish Setter Marshall wellington we also stock.

Is the Irish Setter Mesabi good for climbing ladders and poles?

The raised logger heel is designed to seat against ladder rungs and climbing spurs — it's one of the format's core advantages. For utility and line-clearance work, the EH rating adds a relevant secondary protection layer.

Is the Irish Setter Mesabi worth $189.95?

If your ground is steep, soft, or vertical: yes — it's the most complete logger we stock. If you work flat surfaces, no: the Ariat Treadfast matches the certifications in a 6-inch lace-up for $134.95.

Does the Irish Setter Mesabi work for mud and washdown environments?

Waterproof leather handles wet ground and creek crossings, but standing muck, manure, and chemical washdown favor all-rubber construction — that's the Muck Boot Chore Classic's job; our Muck Chore Classic review covers it.

What else should I compare before buying the Mesabi?

Review the ranked field in the best steel toe boots guide, browse the steel toe boots collection, and if a lighter cap tempts you, cross-check the best composite toe work boots guide before deciding.