Best Footwear for Pool Service: What the Pros Actually Wear

Ask a room full of pool service technicians what they wear on their feet and you will get answers ranging from Red Wing steel toes to bare flip flops. Footwear seems trivial until you are doing cold spring openings with soaked socks, hauling a DE filter across a paver patio, or standing in 120-degree heat on dark pool decking that could fry an egg.

A recent discussion among pool professionals produced dozens of strong opinions, brand loyalties, and a surprisingly heated argument about whether your shoes affect what the industry gets paid. This guide distills all of it into a practical breakdown of the most popular options and what actually works in the field.

Waterproof Boots: The Most Popular Choice

When experienced pool technicians recommend footwear, waterproof boots come up more than anything else. The logic is straightforward: you are working around water every single day. Splashing, hosing down equipment, kneeling on wet decks, and occasionally stepping directly into puddles of backwash water are all part of the routine. Waterproof boots keep your feet dry and prevent the blisters, fungal infections, and general misery that come with spending eight hours in wet socks.

Huk Boots

Huk makes fishing boots that have found a loyal following among pool techs. They are designed for wet environments, offer solid traction on slippery surfaces, and are built to handle daily exposure to water without breaking down. Multiple professionals specifically called these out as their top pick, noting that the soles grip well on wet pool decking and the boots rinse clean easily at the end of the day. If you have ever worn fishing boots, you know the fit: roomy enough for thick socks, snug enough to move quickly.

Brunt Waterproof Boots

Brunt boots received some of the most enthusiastic endorsements in the discussion. One technician put it simply: once you try them, you cannot imagine wearing anything else. The brand focuses on work boots for trades professionals, so the construction is built for daily abuse. The waterproofing holds up through repeated exposure, and the comfort level is high enough for full-day routes. At the $130-$160 price point, they sit in the sweet spot between cheap boots that fall apart and premium boots that feel like overkill for service work.

Merrell Moab Waterproof

The Merrell Moab with Vibram sole has one of the more impressive track records in pool service. One veteran technician reported going through 22 pairs over a decade of daily use. That might sound like a lot, but the math tells a different story: roughly two pairs per year of full-time field work, with each pair lasting about six months of constant wet conditions, climbing in and out of trucks, and walking across every surface type imaginable. The Vibram sole provides exceptional grip and wears down predictably rather than failing suddenly. At around $120-$140 per pair, the cost-per-month is hard to beat.

Red Wing Boots

Red Wing is the name that comes up when someone wants to settle the "best boot" argument once and for all. Their 8-inch steel toe model is a favorite for techs who want maximum protection and bone-dry socks regardless of conditions. The height keeps water out during deep cleaning work and the steel toe protects against dropped equipment. For warmer months, the Traction Tred Lite Chukka 1221 works well with shorts and still delivers the quality Red Wing is known for. These are the most expensive option on this list, but the build quality means they outlast most alternatives.

Ariat Boots

Ariat brings the cowboy boot aesthetic into pool service, and a surprising number of techs swear by them. The western-style construction offers a taller shaft that keeps water out, and the soles are designed for all-day standing and walking. They look different from the typical work boot, which some technicians consider a plus: customers tend to notice and remember the tech with the cowboy boots. Whether that matters to you is a personal call, but from a functional standpoint, they deliver solid waterproofing and comfort.

Waterproof Hiking Shoes: The Lightweight Alternative

Not everyone wants to wear boots on a 40-stop summer route. Waterproof hiking shoes offer most of the water protection in a lighter, more breathable package. They are particularly popular in warmer climates where full boots can feel like ovens by midday.

Columbia Low-Cut Waterproof

Columbia's low-cut waterproof hiking shoes are a go-to for techs who prioritize agility and breathability. The waterproof membrane keeps splashes and wet grass from soaking through, while the low profile lets your ankles breathe. A detail that multiple pros mentioned: the non-marking soles. When you are walking across a customer's light-colored pool deck or patio, leaving black scuff marks is a fast way to create a complaint. Columbia's soles avoid that problem entirely, which is a small courtesy that homeowners notice even if they never mention it.

North Face Vectiv

The North Face Vectiv series has earned a reputation for being exceptionally comfortable right out of the box. Experienced technicians describe them as lightweight enough to feel like sneakers but durable enough to handle daily service work. The rocker-style sole geometry reduces fatigue on long routes, which matters when you are on your feet for eight to ten hours. They are not the cheapest option at around $150-$170, but techs who have tried them report that the comfort difference is worth the price, especially for those dealing with foot or knee issues from years of service work.

Keen Waterproof

Keen's waterproof hiking shoes are a practical mid-range choice. The waterproofing holds strong for about a year of daily use, which aligns with the typical replacement cycle for pool service footwear. After the waterproof membrane eventually wears through, many techs report the shoes are still comfortable enough to keep wearing through the dry season. The wider toe box is a selling point for those who find most hiking shoes too narrow. Expect to pay $110-$140 and get solid performance for a full year before needing to reassess.

Steel Toe Boots

Steel toe boots are more boot than most weekly service technicians need. But for techs who also handle installations, equipment swaps, or heavy repair work, the added protection is not optional. Dropping a pool pump or filter grid on an unprotected foot is the kind of mistake you only make once.

Caterpillar 6-inch boots are a popular entry point. They are available everywhere, reasonably priced, and the steel toe meets safety standards without excessive weight. For techs who want something tougher, Whites and Nicks represent the upper tier of American-made work boots. They cost significantly more but are rebuildable, meaning a $400 boot can last five or more years with periodic resoling.

Red Wing's steel toe models show up in this category as well, particularly the 8-inch version mentioned earlier. The overlap between waterproof boot and steel toe is where Red Wing really shines for pool service.

Salomon Tactical Boots are an unconventional pick that a few techs swear by. Originally designed for military and law enforcement, they offer exceptional ankle support and durability on varied terrain. The tread pattern handles wet concrete well, and the construction withstands the chemical exposure that pool service brings.

One of the more interesting recommendations was vintage U.S. Navy surplus deck boots from the 1980s. All leather, fully waterproof, and available for around $40 from surplus dealers. They were literally designed for standing on wet decks all day, which makes them oddly perfect for pool service. Availability is hit-or-miss, but for the budget-conscious tech who does not mind hunting through surplus shops, they are a remarkable value.

The Sandal and Flip Flop Contingent

Before you dismiss sandals entirely, consider this: in parts of Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California, pool techs regularly work in temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit. At those extremes, enclosed footwear goes from protective to punishing. The sandal crowd is not lazy. They are deploying survival tactics.

Crocs have become surprisingly common in pool service. They are waterproof by default, easy to rinse off after chemical spills, lightweight, and cheap enough to replace every few months without a second thought. Several experienced techs admitted to wearing them on summer routes, though most clarified they switch to proper boots for equipment work and cold-weather service.

Chacos occupy a step above basic sandals. The strapping system keeps them secured to your feet in a way that flip flops cannot match, and the Vibram soles provide genuine traction. Techs who run routes in extreme heat praise them for airflow while still offering enough foot protection for basic service stops.

Skechers slip-ons and Pali Hawaii sandals also came up as summer options. The common thread: maximum airflow, minimal weight, and easy cleaning. The trade-off is obvious. You give up foot protection, ankle support, and professional appearance. For some techs in extreme climates, that trade-off makes sense during peak summer months.

One useful tip from the sandal camp: wearing socks with sandals is not just a fashion crime in this context. Socks provide sun protection on the tops of your feet and actually help with cooling when they get wet. Several desert-climate techs reported this as a genuine comfort strategy, not a style choice.

The Professionalism Debate: Do Your Shoes Affect Your Pay?

This section generated more heat than any specific boot recommendation. The argument started simply: one experienced professional pointed out that flip flops project a less-than-professional image, and a less-than-professional image leads to less-than-professional wages. The logic was not about individual customer relationships. It was about how the broader public perceives the pool service industry.

The argument extended beyond just footwear. Proper shirts, embroidered company polos, clean trucks, itemized invoices, and professional communication all contribute to customer perception. When a homeowner sees a uniformed tech step out of a wrapped vehicle wearing proper work boots, the mental frame shifts. This person is a professional. When they see flip flops and a tank top, the frame shifts the other direction regardless of the technician's actual skill level.

The counterargument was equally passionate. You are paying for skill, not appearance. Sweating through a 120-degree Arizona summer in boots and long pants is unreasonable. Customers care about results, not outfits. And plenty of techs in sandals run successful businesses with loyal customers who would never consider switching.

Both sides have merit. But the professionalism argument makes a broader point worth considering. Pool service technicians are experts in gas appliances, electrical systems, plumbing, water chemistry, and mechanical repair. These are specialized skills that overlap significantly with union trades that command $80 or more per hour. Yet the average pool service rate is dramatically lower. Why?

Part of the answer is perception. The general public often views pool cleaning as unskilled labor rather than the technical trade it actually is. Every touchpoint a customer has with a pool tech either reinforces or challenges that perception. Your footwear, uniform, truck, invoicing, and communication all contribute. None of these factors alone will transform industry wages, but collectively they shape how millions of homeowners think about the value of pool service.

If you are starting a pool service business, consider your appearance as part of your brand strategy from day one. The boots versus sandals debate is really a question about positioning: are you building a premium service business or a budget one? Both can succeed, but the market you target and the prices you command will differ.

What to Look For in Pool Service Footwear

Regardless of which category appeals to you, here are the practical factors to weigh when choosing your next pair:

• Waterproofing matters most during opening season and cold weather. Spring openings involve standing water, hose work, and kneeling on wet surfaces for extended periods. If you only invest in waterproof footwear for one season, make it spring.
• Non-marking soles are a courtesy customers notice. Black scuffs on a light-colored pool deck are a silent complaint waiting to happen. Check the sole material before buying and test on a light surface if possible.
• Durability is measured in seasons, not years. Expect to replace service footwear annually at minimum. A $120 boot that lasts a full year beats a $60 shoe that falls apart in four months. Calculate your cost per month, not your cost at checkout.
• Climate dictates category. Full waterproof boots in Phoenix summers are a health risk. Flip flops during Minnesota spring openings are a misery guarantee. Match your footwear to your market.
• Your footwear is part of your brand whether you want it to be or not. Customers see your feet. Dirty, destroyed, or inappropriate footwear creates an impression that no amount of excellent water chemistry can fully override.
• Factor gear costs into your pricing. Boots, uniforms, and other wearables are business expenses. Use a cost-per-pool calculator to make sure your service rate covers the full cost of operating professionally, including the gear that wears out every year.

The best footwear for pool service is ultimately the pair that keeps your feet protected, keeps you comfortable through a full day of stops, and projects the image you want for your business. For most techs, that means a good waterproof boot or hiking shoe as the daily driver, with lighter options available for peak summer heat. Whatever you choose, treat it as a business investment rather than an afterthought. Your feet, your customers, and your bottom line will all benefit.