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When you walk into a budget shoe store, they have plenty of work boots for men. But in the lady’s section it’s mostly sandals, beaded pumps and stilettos. Nothing practical at all.
Imagine if you had something really heavy land on your feet with those on – it doesn’t bear thinking about!
But, there’s no need to worry. The solution is to find yourself a good pair of women’s safety boots online. And you’ve come to the perfect place.
We’ve been checking out some of the best women’s work boots on the market at the moment. And, after much deliberation, we were able to hand-pick our top 5 favorites to review for you here today.
Our reviews are unbiased and contain both pros and cons. And, the boots are all bestsellers. Moreover, they are all boots, rather than shoes.
But we totally get that it can be hard to pick a pair. When it comes to safety at work, you’ve got to get the decision right. Which is why we’ve also put together a handy buying guide that will walk you through the key points to think about before you buy.
Then we’re going to top that off with a section where we answer some of your most frequently asked questions on the subject.
And, without further ado…
In a hurry? Check out our top pick!
Our Best Work Boots For Women Reviews
Timberland PRO Women’s Direct Attach Work Shoe
This work boot comes from a top brand, and is a very prominent bestseller with the leading online retailers. It has been selling in its thousands and has been met with excellent customer ratings and reviews.
First things first, it features a strong, hard capped toe, made of actual steel, so you’ll be entirely protected from impact on your feet.
And you don’t have to worry about any slipping either, thanks to the thick rubber outsoles with deep lugs for better traction. These rubber soles also happen to be heat, oil, and abrasion resistant. Pretty tough, huh?
The outer material is made from 100% genuine leather. And you can happily wear them outdoors whatever the weather, because they’re entirely waterproof.
They’re incredibly comfortable to wear, offering a whopping 200 grams of insulation for warmth. And the insoles are extra comfy, with shock absorbing geometrical technology to prevent the fatigue that can sometimes set in from being on your feet all day.
There are two great color options to choose from, specifically Turkish Coffee, which is a nice mid-brown with accents, and Wheat Nubuck, which is kinda a camel color.
It’s available in a wide range of sizes, starting at 5.5 and going up to 12, including half sizes. The line runs true to size. If you hit “Check price” the product page will open up on another tab, where you will be able to see the manufacturer’s size guide.
Amazon occasionally has deals on these particular work boots, simply click on “Check price” to see if there happens to be a deal on now.
Pros
- Has a strong, steel capped toe
- Thick, durable rubber outsoles
- Has 200 grams of insulation
- Comfy, shock absorbing insoles
- Wide selection of sizes & colors
Cons
- It’s so popular that many retailers frequently run out of stock of certain sizes
- Not available in wide sizes
KEEN Utility Women’s Seattle 8” Alloy Toe Waterproof Work Boots
Now, if you’re in need of work boots with protection against electrical hazards, these could be the very boots for you. They are EH rated with underfoot protection, so if you were to accidentally contact a live electrical circuit, you’ll be completely fine.
And unlike men’s or unisex work boots, these boots have truly been designed with women’s feet in mind. It’s based on a slightly wider foot form and has been field tested by real women in their work.
They feature special aluminum alloy safety toes. They offer just as much impact protection as regular steel capped toes, but they’re much more lightweight, a whopping 35% lighter to be specific. They meet ASTM standards F2412 and F2413, and also M I/75, and C/75 EH standards.
It has good, sturdy rubber outsoles that are both slip and oil resistant. They disperse any liquids they come into contact with for maximum traction with the ground below. They meet both F2913 SATRA and ASTM F1677-96 safety standards.
It has a wide boot opening, so getting your feet in and out of the boot is easy.
The outers are 100% waterproof, so you can stay out with them in all weathers, without ever having to worry about your feet getting wet.
The other great thing about these work boots is that they have a liner, which is integrated with the waterproof outer, is not too hot or uncomfortable, and has a breathable membrane.
It’s available in a wide range of sizes, starting at 5 and going up to 11, including half sizes and wide versions. The line runs true to size.
Pros
- Meets several safety standards
- Designed for & tested by women
- Protection from electrical hazards
- Lightweight aluminum alloy toes
- Liner has a breathable membrane
Cons
- Only available in one color option (but it’s a nice one – gingerbread)
- Premium product at a premium price
Skechers For Work Women’s Workshire Peril Steel Toe Boot
This work boot comes from a top brand, and is a very prominent bestseller with the leading online retailers. It has been selling in its thousands and has been met with excellent customer ratings and reviews.
They meet a great many ASTM safety standards, specifically F2412/2413-2011 I/75 C/75, EH.
This is much helped by the steel capped toe, which will protect your feet from any potential heavy impacts.
It’s a very tough and rugged boot, with a thick, durable outsole, which is oil-resistant to prevent slipping, and features a lug pattern for better traction and grip on the ground.
But what we really love about this particular boot is that it features a gel infused footbed with memory foam cushioning for the ultimate in comfort.
But, if you find the boot is too tight with the memory foam cushioning, you can remove it entirely.
The outer part of the shoe is 100% leather, and looks very smart, with minimal logos. It offers a relaxed fit and has a traditional lace-up design with sturdy metal eyelets.
It’s available in 3 great color options, black, brown, and dark brown.
It’s available in a wide range of sizes, starting at 5 and going up to 11, including half sizes and wide versions. The line runs true to size. If you hit “Check price” the product page will open up on another tab, where you will be able to see the manufacturer’s size guide.
Pros
- Has excellent customer ratings
- Meets ASTM safety standards
- Has a genuine steel capped toe
- Has memory foam cushioning
- Available in half and wide sizes
Cons
- The price goes up with size
Timberland PRO Women’s Hightower Industrial & Construction Shoe
This work boot comes from a top brand. It has been selling incredibly well and has been met with excellent customer ratings and reviews.
The star feature of this brand is how it uses sustainable and recycled materials in both the shoes themselves and their packaging.
The capped toe is made with a composite alloy rather than with solid steel. It offers the same level of protection as a steel capped toe, but is significantly more lightweight, making it much more comfortable to wear all day.
It also features a thick, durable, synthetic sole that offers excellent grip and traction.
On the outer, it features premium grade full-grain leather that has been treated so that it’s entirely waterproof and ready for whatever the weather brings.
It has a comfortable foot bed imbued with anti-fatigue technology, so you can carry on about your business on your feet all day with minimal, if any discomfort.
It’s available in a wide range of sizes, starting at 5.5 and going up to 12, including half sizes. The line runs true to size.
It’s available in two different color options, namely black, and Turkish Coffee.
Amazon occasionally has deals on certain sizes in this line, simply click on “Check price” to see if there happens to be a deal on now.
Pros
- Has a strong, steel capped toe
- Thick, durable rubber outsoles
- Has 200 grams of insulation
- Comfy, shock absorbing insoles
- Wide selection of sizes & colors
Cons
- Not available in wide sizes
Ad Tec 6in Steel Toe Lace Up Leather Work Boots for Women
If you’re looking for quality safety boots available at a bargain price, then this is it – they’re available for under $100. They’re really good quality for the price.
They feature a genuine steel capped toe to protect your feet from impact damage.
There’s a tough, thick rubber outsole with good traction and plenty of wear. It’s oil resistant, slip resistant, and even acid-resistant. Super durable.
The outer of the boot is made of 100% leather, and is designed to withstand the elements. It has a bold lace-up design, and ankle support.
They’re also designed for comfort, with a padded collar, so you don’t feel the laces on your feet. And there’s a padded foot bed to cushion your feet throughout the day.
They’re safe enough to be classed as work boots, but they look pretty casual, so you may be tempted to wear them outside of work as well. They’re available in two color options, namely black and brown.
It’s available in a range of sizes, starting at 6 and going up to 10, including half sizes. The line runs true to size.
Pros
- Bargain, affordable price tag
- Genuine steel capped toe
- Tough thick rubber outsole
- Padded for cushioning
- Range of sizes & colors
Cons
- Available in main sizes only
Take a look at our best boots for UPS drivers here.
Best Work Boots For Women – Buyer’s Guide
As promised, here’s your buying guide. It will walk you through the key points to consider before you buy. It makes for a handy checklist.
Size And Fit
It doesn’t matter what safety features your work boot has if it doesn’t fit you properly. A boot that’s too tight will cause you hours of discomfort, and one that’s too big won’t protect you from harm.
This means that you should know your shoe size before shopping for work boots online. AND it also means that you should check that the range you are looking at is true to size. And if you’re a size 6.5, be sure to get a 6.5 and not a 7.
Meeting Of ASTM Safety Standards
If you’ve been given safety guidelines for your work boots, you must check that the boots you buy meet the specified ASTM safety standards, or any other standards, such as EH standards.
If you want to be sure that the work boots you buy have been tested to ensure that they meet safety standards, we would recommend our number 2 pick, the KEEN Utility Women’s Seattle 8” Alloy Toe Waterproof Work Boots, or our number 3 pick, the Skechers for Work Women’s Workshire Peril Steel Toe Boot.
Hard Toe: Steel Vs Composite
One of the more important aspects of a safety boot is that it should feature a hard toe. That way, if something heavy were to land on your work boot, your toes won’t get crushed and you will be in a position to pull yourself out and not get trapped under heavy machinery.
Traditionally, these hard toes in safety boots were made of steel. But these days you can also get composite toes, which are made from other materials. These composite toes are just as safe to wear and use as their steel toe counterparts.
A Good Outsole
A thick outsole is required to resist wear. Rubber is good, but synthetic is also fine.
Work boots also need to have a non-slip outsole. The last thing you want to happen is to slip when you’re handling something very heavy or something very sharp.
Comfort
A good pair of work boots will offer ankle support, cushioning, warmth, and ideally, breathability, too.
Water Resistance
There’s little worse than spending the whole day with wet feet. So, if you work outdoors, be sure that your chosen work boots have a waterproof outer.
Other Features
You may also be interested in work boots with shock absorption, such as our number 1 pick, the Timberland PRO Women’s Direct Attach Work Shoe.
If you want protection against electrical hazards, we can recommend our number 2 pick, the KEEN Utility Women’s Seattle 8” Alloy Toe Waterproof Work Boots.
If you like the sound of memory foam in your boot’s insoles, we can recommend our number 3 pick, the Skechers for Work Women’s Workshire Peril Steel Toe Boot.
Brand
Because we have only chosen bestsellers for our shortlist, you will see some well-known brands there. You can be confident about buying safety boots from big name brands such as Caterpillar. Skechers, and Timberland, because they have a reputation to maintain.
Value For Money
Cheaper shoes do not necessarily translate to better value for money. When buying industrial work shoes, you should put safety first, and be prepared to pay the going price for a quality pair. You can expect to pay over $100.
If you’re limited to a budget, be sure to check prices as you go along.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Comfortable Work Boot For Women?
This isn’t a straightforward question to answer. Because people have different preferences…
Some people would prefer a softer toe, but this won’t offer you much impact protection. Composite toes are more comfortable to wear than steel capped toes because they are more lightweight. If this is of interest to you, we can recommend our number 4 pick, the Timberland PRO Women’s Hightower Industrial & Construction Shoe.
If, to you, comfort means insulation, we can recommend our number 4 pick, the Timberland PRO Women’s Hightower Industrial & Construction Shoe.
But if you would prefer breathability, we would recommend our number 2 pick, the KEEN Utility Women’s Seattle 8” Alloy Toe Waterproof Work Boots.
But if, like most people, you feel that memory foam in the footbed would be the ultimate in comfort, we would recommend our number 3 pick, the Skechers for Work Women’s Workshire Peril Steel Toe Boot.
Find out how to break in Work Boots here.
What Are The Best Quality Work Boots for Women?
We would argue that all of the work boots that made our shortlist are all of excellent quality.
Buying from a well-known brand is often advised because such brands have a strong reputation to maintain, and they become bestsellers because of the quality of the products they produce. This includes the likes of CAT and Timberland.
But perhaps the best sign of quality in a work boot is whether they meet (or exceed) safety standards.
If you want to be sure that the work boots you buy have been tested to ensure that they meet safety standards, we would recommend our number 2 pick, the KEEN Utility Women’s Seattle 8” Alloy Toe Waterproof Work Boots, or our number 3 pick, the Skechers for Work Women’s Workshire Peril Steel Toe Boot.
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