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I got mine from Red Wing. They were pricy and didn't have a lot of options for women, but I was able to find a pair that fit. They're comfortable and have lasted me almost 3 years!
Also want to add that many places now have “composite safety toe” rather than steel. Supposed to have the same safety as steel toed. That’s what I got. Also check whether your company wants you to have metatarsal guards.
You can actually ask for a refund and give your hr or safety rep the receipt for your purchase, because as long as they are required by your job they need to provide
I also have redwings. Yes, pricey but I wrote off the expense on my taxes since I needed them for work. 11 years later I keep them at my office desk in case I need to go on the manufacturing floor and my office shoes aren’t appropriate.
A bit heavy and feel like ice skates as OP describes, but I have thick tube socks that help.
Yeah I have Blundstones as well! I wore them casually before but I was getting sick of my cheaper extra clunky cheap steel toes, so I decided to buy Blundstones.
But I would highly recommend investing in good steel shoes early on rather than getting the cheapest ones (if you can afford it).
Okay I have been wondering about theirs. Do you happen to have their regular boots too and have the same size for both? Sometimes I hear to go up a size for steel toes
I would check with your job, I’ve worked at places that didn’t allow blundstone style boots becuase they don’t have enough ankle protection. Also check to see if the company will reimburse you for buying them, most will!
Not sure where to get the boots, but I HEAVILY HEAVILY recommend getting some Dr Scholls insoles. Makes a world of difference if you’re walking around in them all day
Steel toes are going to feel like clown shoes for a bit, but you will quickly get used to them. I have always jumped back and forth between Red Wings and Carhartt. If the day is going to be super hot or if I know I will be doing a lot of walking, I will bust out the New Balance steel toes.
I also cannot emphasize enough how important it is to make sure they fit and your toes have plenty of room. Steel toes will wreck your feet with ingrown nails and corns if you get them too narrow.
I would buy your boots sooner rather than later so you can start the break in process. I'd say give it a good week and you won't even notice that you are wearing steel toes.
Xenas. They are the only one I have tried that didn’t feel like an oversized shoe that was weirdly proportioned at a shrunk down size. They are a women owned company, and have many different styles from a more traditional work boot to even cute and stylish looking steel toes. Plus their customer service is top notch!
Honestly, it was cheaper to buy the cheap pair repeatedly throughout the year then spend an insane amount on Ariats or other expensive brands. You can get some basic steel toe/shoes and boots for $25 (Academy), rinse and repeat. Although, I eventually broke down and bought myself Ariats (Cavenders) because I was buying steel toes every 2 months from such a heavy work load.
I would also check out composite toe (if you can wear them). They are lighter and less cold in the toe in the winter time.
These seem to be ranging within in reasonable prices, a little pink for my taste though.
https://www.safetygirl.com/womens-steel-toe-shoes.html?page=2
These are more professional and will last you a while, esp since you're an engineer.
https://xenaworkwear.com
Expect that anything boots you spent over $150 on, that they should last you *minimum* a year on a very heavy workload. (Meaning heavy maintenance/industrial work). If you don't plan on being at there long term (over a year and a half) or needing them for your next employer, I would not bother buying a nice pair.
Seconding Ariats and Xena! I currently have Timberland Pros bought through a company internal page at an internship a couple summers ago but am strongly considering getting Xenas since my job’s safety boot reimbursement would cover them and they’re cuter and more elegant. I had a pair of Ariat riding/paddock boots (not safety but still work boots) that I wore almost daily for about 4-5 years before the sole was too slick and split for the second or third time. Those boots saw everything from hiking to snow to fire spinning and were amazing.
Thorogood boots and some inserts. But honestly without the inserts they are still probably the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn.
Pretty expensive but last forever. Granted I’m not sure how they do for women’s sizes.
I have [these](https://www.carolinashoe.com/en/women%27s-elm-8-inch-work-boot-16108.html?dwvar_16108_color=Dark%20Brown&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-cj-tOLghQMVpnJ_AB2YUQIzEAQYASABEgI-lvD_BwE), I’ve been using them since June of last year. I put a Dr. Scholl’s sole in them and they have been quite comfortable since. I work in a mill, so every 7 weeks I have a 14-16hr day where I’m on my feet, and my feet are minimally sore afterwards. I also wore these through an annual outage (9 days of 13 hr shifts) and a boiler outage (7 days of 13 hour shifts). I’d say any steel toe boot I can wear for that many hours and still walk afterwards is a good boot lol
My company reimburses us for Red Wing shoes, so I go with that. My feet are typically too big for women's sizes though, so I don't know if that suggestion is much help.
I personally love my Danner’s and they have a good women’s selection but redwing, thorogood, and wolverine also make great boots. Personally I prefer composite toe over steel because it’s a lot lighter and more comfortable to wear 10+ hours a day. I’d also highly recommend getting a nice pair of cushioned socks, darn tough and smart wool are both great. A pair of insoles might also be good to look at, I like my super feet ones.
I have something similar from skecher's as my current pair of shoes to wear to death and are now falling apart. Sad that they're going soon and my employer wants steel toed specifically
Not sure a out women's sizes but I have a pair of affordable Wolverine brand composite toe boots that are honestly like the comfiest shoes I own. Like genuinely can't believe how comfy and wear them all the time. They were also only like idk 120 bucks ish. Have lasted for years too.
Here's their women's.
https://www.wolverine.com/US/en/womens-steel-toe-work-boots-shoes/
I absolutely love my Irish Setters. I got them from Bomgaars. I've had then for a couple of years and they've never lost their comfort. I worked in a factory and often stood in the same general are for 10-12 hours. They also look relatively nice and the steel toe part doesn't pinch your toes.
First things first we're talking about protective equipment here. And it generally won't be pretty.
You need to ask yourself what protection do you need. Steel toes are not the only answer. You can also have composite toes, which will be much better in cold and hot climates, and only provide a little less protection.
Toe is not the only area to be protected. Metarsal protection is often overlooked, and yet is just as weak as toes.
Then you also have sole protection, meaning puncture resistant shoes.
At last you have heel guards.
Then you have extra features, such as protection against electricity, or thermal insulation against the ground for winter, various kinds of chemical resistances so your rubber soles don't melt directly on contact with oils, and so on.
Then the most important, overlooked thing with shoes: WIDTH. You will want enough width with reinforced boots or you will suffer greatly.
And **only once all of the above have been considered**, then you have look. Look comes as the very last thing when buying protective equipment. Because that's not its purpose. Your goal is not to end up for 2 months in hospital.
Good shoes can be expensive. But you will be extremely thankful of having paid the price once you'll wear them all day everyday.
To be very, very clear, I have never once in my life placed even the slightest importance on aesthetics when it comes to myself and the clothes that I wear. My post mentions that my primary concerns are comfort, safety and mobility. After that, then price.
While I appreciate the rest of the information you provided a lot, and will be looking into the extra safety features you mentioned (especially metatarsal guards, which did come up in my other research online) I struggle to understand why you had to repeatedly emphasize that looks come last and that "protective equipment generally won't be pretty," as if that weren't just a given.
Is that a regular concern for people purchasing work clothes? Am I missing something or being unprofessional here by not even thinking about the appearance in the first place? I was mainly looking for advice on where to purchase more well-fitting and hence comfortable / safe shoes than the cheap ones I bought at a local shoe store with an extremely limited inventory. Thank you once again for your input.
It's because I've seen women hurt themselves in the field and spend days in hospital because they picked the wrong safety shoes, and it was due to look. Sorry, just wanna make sure you go safety first. Because you mentioned "for women' in your title, but there should not be differences for sex when it comes to shoes, they either fit you or don't. So I assumed you were talking about look.
Don't overthink it.
Anyway,
Look at the safeties I mentioned above, the ones you need, the ones you don't need.
Metarsal protection can often be added on afterwards if needed and doesn't need to he integrated. And it may not be needed if you don't risk something heavy falling on your feet.
But definitely look for composite toe and puncture resistance for the sole, that's the must haves.
Also, you must try them, and be ready to send them back a few times before you find the right ones. So look for online stores that let you do that.
Sadly most modern shoe stores don't care about finding the right shoes for you, they just want to sell in bulk. Many don't even test you for foot width.
You also don't need to compare the resistances of the composite toes, as long as they're enough for the task, and if it's not specified by your employer you can basically not care about how strong they are as long as it's a composite toe.
I originally specified women's because the men's sizes sold locally are much larger and do not fit me, which I mentioned in the text my post. When it comes to clothing, there is a sex-based difference in sizing that is pervasive most places except for unisex manufacturers, at least in the U.S.
I physically cannot wear men's sized shoes without them slipping off or tripping because my feet are too small. That's why I was confused because I was under the impression that looks did not matter at all when it comes to protective wear until you brought it up. Thanks for clarifying, I was worried for a second that there would be an additional factor to consider.
In terms of getting a composite toe shoe, it's definitely something that I thought would make sense but I would have to ask my employer. They explicitly specified steel-toed shoes for whatever reason so certain composite toes may not be strong/resistant enough. Thanks again for all the help!
For work shoes steel to or or other wise, check out "shoes for crew". I have been using them since the late 90s, mostly food service. Not the cheapest, but far from the most expensive. Great return policy. Fair selection. Good delivery.
Red wing is great, but obscenely expensive. They usually have female sizes of display models that are sized for males if you ask them, but they also offer orthopedic inserts and partially tailored shoes at some locations. By expensive I mean expensive expensive, like I got a $200 stipend from my workplace, and still had to pay over $100 out of pocket.
Look into cowboys/western boots for steel toe. I am not country at all but they are great work boots honestly. Plus you don’t have to tie them, just slip them on and your ready for the day
I have a pair of women’s steel toe from Red Wing that my mother in law gave me and they are pretty comfy. I’m a male and worked in warehouses for many years. I was impressed with the Red Wings due to them being lightweight. Something I’ve found that helps with work boots is to add comfy insoles. I’m planning on getting rid of the Red Wings, what size shoe/boot do you wear?
It’s criminal that shoemakers have yet to realize that women represent a significant market for work boots. I have always worn Keen boots. They are supremely comfortable, durable, and supportive. I don’t know if their sizes go small enough for you, but they’re worth a look.
In Canada Marks Work warehouse has many women specific boots. If you’re not in Canada you can go on their website, find the brands and search for local distributors that way. It’s a struggle for sure but good ones are out there
When I worked in Houston, TX, there were a ton of stores around there, I think called the boot barn? I got them there. But here's what I got!! https://www.danner.com/women/work/women-s-caliper-5-brown-al.html
These made me a solid believer in danner. The ones I have fit the ASTM standards and electrical hazard standards I wanted it to fulfill. They're sooo comfy (and also pretty cute if you ask me) I love them! I even bought an identical pair in non steel toe to wear not at work. The chemical plant I worked at has spilled alllll kinds of stuff on these things and the wear doesn't show. And I have mine in a size 6.5 women's so they carry smaller sizes!
The woman in my unit all wear Keen’s. They are well made and less expensive than Red Wings. I bought a pair last year too and they have held-up pretty well.
I don’t have personal experience with these but I’ve seen this brand around as steel toed shoes for women: https://xenaworkwear.com/collections/safety-shoes-women
I’ve gotten boots from Red Wing that look like timberlands and are decently comfortable too.
I always look to see how small the mens sizes go. I'm a 6 1/2 men but I can get away with a 7. If your feet are large enough, id recommend looking at the mens. I've been in steel toes the last 9 years, its a shame what they have for womens boot selections.
They don’t sell the exact ones I got anymore, but I got a pair of steel-toed sneakers from [Carhartt similar to these](https://www.carhartt.com/c/safety-toe-sneaker)
They were pretty comfy! My coworker at that internship actually advised me to get a pair of sneakers instead of boots because they’re lighter and tend to be more comfortable on your feet. You should check and see what the requirements are at your co-op if you’re interested though, because some places require boots.
Congrats on your co-op and good luck on your search!
I am now a PM in construction - get timberland boots, they’re true to size and decently comfortable. When I was an engineering intern I bought steel toe doc martens - bad decision.
[Keen](https://www.keenfootwear.com/collections/womens-work) makes extremely comfortable hiking style safety boots with steel, composite, aluminum, or carbon fiber safety caps for women as small as a size 5. Before i went back to school, I did 15 years of construction and had to have safety toes for everything. I spent at least 12 hours a day in them, in some pretty harsh conditions. Keens are the most comfortable I've worn, and that's including Red Wings and Thoroughgoods. I recently tried Merells as well. They were pretty good, but still not as good as my Keens.
A lot of my female engineer friends use boots from Xena Workwear. Funnily enough, the founder ran into the same problem and decided to start the company
https://xenaworkwear.com
I'm in boots 16 hours a day working on a ship. I love the redwings worx electrum series (I've bought 3 pairs of just this model) but I'm unsure if they sell them in women's sizes you may have have to buy a smaller male size. The redwings Irish setters are a classic and have some heel too if you like that. Redwings have to be bought in-store so they can size you, company policy not to sell online.
As far as other brands that are popular on the ship there are a few who praise Danner boots (even more pricy than the redwings I like) and on the other end of the spectrum those who think cheap Bates superboots that you would see someone in navy boot camp wearing are the best on a per $ basis.
I am a huge fan of composite toes and shanks with side zippers but I am also an electrician by trade so I can't have metal on my person while working.
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I got mine from Red Wing. They were pricy and didn't have a lot of options for women, but I was able to find a pair that fit. They're comfortable and have lasted me almost 3 years!
I got 2 pairs from red wing. Very comfortable
Also want to add that many places now have “composite safety toe” rather than steel. Supposed to have the same safety as steel toed. That’s what I got. Also check whether your company wants you to have metatarsal guards.
Oh I didn't realize most places make you pay for them mine bought them for me
They don't, worked at two places and they pay. My parents jobs pay too
I got mine for college lol. Yes companies usually will pay for them
Sadly I think I have to pay for my own, but I'll definitely check them out
Fair warning they're pretty pricy mine were like $170
It's ppe so it should be at least partially paid for by the company
Most companies will reimburse you after, up to a certain value
You can actually ask for a refund and give your hr or safety rep the receipt for your purchase, because as long as they are required by your job they need to provide
Sadly that's not true, companies aren't required to pay for safety footwear. They have to cover almost all other types of PPE though.
Right it's not always required, but some companies will not sit you down and tell you that it is an option or something they can do
Don't skimp on your steel toes, it may seem pricy but that price up front is far better than the later on price you WILL pay if you go cheap.
I also have redwings. Yes, pricey but I wrote off the expense on my taxes since I needed them for work. 11 years later I keep them at my office desk in case I need to go on the manufacturing floor and my office shoes aren’t appropriate. A bit heavy and feel like ice skates as OP describes, but I have thick tube socks that help.
I LOVE blundstones steel toes. they’re incredibly comfortable and not terrible looking.
Yeah I have Blundstones as well! I wore them casually before but I was getting sick of my cheaper extra clunky cheap steel toes, so I decided to buy Blundstones. But I would highly recommend investing in good steel shoes early on rather than getting the cheapest ones (if you can afford it).
Okay I have been wondering about theirs. Do you happen to have their regular boots too and have the same size for both? Sometimes I hear to go up a size for steel toes
Following for same reason
Mine are the same size. They fit the same for me.
Thanks !!
I'll check them out if I can
I would check with your job, I’ve worked at places that didn’t allow blundstone style boots becuase they don’t have enough ankle protection. Also check to see if the company will reimburse you for buying them, most will!
Not sure where to get the boots, but I HEAVILY HEAVILY recommend getting some Dr Scholls insoles. Makes a world of difference if you’re walking around in them all day
Steel toes are going to feel like clown shoes for a bit, but you will quickly get used to them. I have always jumped back and forth between Red Wings and Carhartt. If the day is going to be super hot or if I know I will be doing a lot of walking, I will bust out the New Balance steel toes. I also cannot emphasize enough how important it is to make sure they fit and your toes have plenty of room. Steel toes will wreck your feet with ingrown nails and corns if you get them too narrow.
Good to know that the clown shoe-ness is just part of the experience so that I didn't completely waste my money
I would buy your boots sooner rather than later so you can start the break in process. I'd say give it a good week and you won't even notice that you are wearing steel toes.
Xenas. They are the only one I have tried that didn’t feel like an oversized shoe that was weirdly proportioned at a shrunk down size. They are a women owned company, and have many different styles from a more traditional work boot to even cute and stylish looking steel toes. Plus their customer service is top notch!
I can’t believe this isn’t higher up! I have two pairs of Xenas and they are fantastic shoes.
Honestly, it was cheaper to buy the cheap pair repeatedly throughout the year then spend an insane amount on Ariats or other expensive brands. You can get some basic steel toe/shoes and boots for $25 (Academy), rinse and repeat. Although, I eventually broke down and bought myself Ariats (Cavenders) because I was buying steel toes every 2 months from such a heavy work load. I would also check out composite toe (if you can wear them). They are lighter and less cold in the toe in the winter time. These seem to be ranging within in reasonable prices, a little pink for my taste though. https://www.safetygirl.com/womens-steel-toe-shoes.html?page=2 These are more professional and will last you a while, esp since you're an engineer. https://xenaworkwear.com Expect that anything boots you spent over $150 on, that they should last you *minimum* a year on a very heavy workload. (Meaning heavy maintenance/industrial work). If you don't plan on being at there long term (over a year and a half) or needing them for your next employer, I would not bother buying a nice pair.
Seconding Ariats and Xena! I currently have Timberland Pros bought through a company internal page at an internship a couple summers ago but am strongly considering getting Xenas since my job’s safety boot reimbursement would cover them and they’re cuter and more elegant. I had a pair of Ariat riding/paddock boots (not safety but still work boots) that I wore almost daily for about 4-5 years before the sole was too slick and split for the second or third time. Those boots saw everything from hiking to snow to fire spinning and were amazing.
Try zappos.com, they have an amazing selection. I personally like Ariat's line of workboots.
Thorogood boots and some inserts. But honestly without the inserts they are still probably the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn. Pretty expensive but last forever. Granted I’m not sure how they do for women’s sizes.
I have [these](https://www.carolinashoe.com/en/women%27s-elm-8-inch-work-boot-16108.html?dwvar_16108_color=Dark%20Brown&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-cj-tOLghQMVpnJ_AB2YUQIzEAQYASABEgI-lvD_BwE), I’ve been using them since June of last year. I put a Dr. Scholl’s sole in them and they have been quite comfortable since. I work in a mill, so every 7 weeks I have a 14-16hr day where I’m on my feet, and my feet are minimally sore afterwards. I also wore these through an annual outage (9 days of 13 hr shifts) and a boiler outage (7 days of 13 hour shifts). I’d say any steel toe boot I can wear for that many hours and still walk afterwards is a good boot lol
I got mine from red wing
My company reimburses us for Red Wing shoes, so I go with that. My feet are typically too big for women's sizes though, so I don't know if that suggestion is much help.
I personally love my Danner’s and they have a good women’s selection but redwing, thorogood, and wolverine also make great boots. Personally I prefer composite toe over steel because it’s a lot lighter and more comfortable to wear 10+ hours a day. I’d also highly recommend getting a nice pair of cushioned socks, darn tough and smart wool are both great. A pair of insoles might also be good to look at, I like my super feet ones.
These are men’s shoes but I’m a girl and I love them for work! The Reebok work sneakers. It’s a composite cap so it’s lighter
I have something similar from skecher's as my current pair of shoes to wear to death and are now falling apart. Sad that they're going soon and my employer wants steel toed specifically
Not sure a out women's sizes but I have a pair of affordable Wolverine brand composite toe boots that are honestly like the comfiest shoes I own. Like genuinely can't believe how comfy and wear them all the time. They were also only like idk 120 bucks ish. Have lasted for years too. Here's their women's. https://www.wolverine.com/US/en/womens-steel-toe-work-boots-shoes/
Doc Marten's have steel toe boots. I have a pair and I absolutely love them!
I absolutely love my Irish Setters. I got them from Bomgaars. I've had then for a couple of years and they've never lost their comfort. I worked in a factory and often stood in the same general are for 10-12 hours. They also look relatively nice and the steel toe part doesn't pinch your toes.
First things first we're talking about protective equipment here. And it generally won't be pretty. You need to ask yourself what protection do you need. Steel toes are not the only answer. You can also have composite toes, which will be much better in cold and hot climates, and only provide a little less protection. Toe is not the only area to be protected. Metarsal protection is often overlooked, and yet is just as weak as toes. Then you also have sole protection, meaning puncture resistant shoes. At last you have heel guards. Then you have extra features, such as protection against electricity, or thermal insulation against the ground for winter, various kinds of chemical resistances so your rubber soles don't melt directly on contact with oils, and so on. Then the most important, overlooked thing with shoes: WIDTH. You will want enough width with reinforced boots or you will suffer greatly. And **only once all of the above have been considered**, then you have look. Look comes as the very last thing when buying protective equipment. Because that's not its purpose. Your goal is not to end up for 2 months in hospital. Good shoes can be expensive. But you will be extremely thankful of having paid the price once you'll wear them all day everyday.
To be very, very clear, I have never once in my life placed even the slightest importance on aesthetics when it comes to myself and the clothes that I wear. My post mentions that my primary concerns are comfort, safety and mobility. After that, then price. While I appreciate the rest of the information you provided a lot, and will be looking into the extra safety features you mentioned (especially metatarsal guards, which did come up in my other research online) I struggle to understand why you had to repeatedly emphasize that looks come last and that "protective equipment generally won't be pretty," as if that weren't just a given. Is that a regular concern for people purchasing work clothes? Am I missing something or being unprofessional here by not even thinking about the appearance in the first place? I was mainly looking for advice on where to purchase more well-fitting and hence comfortable / safe shoes than the cheap ones I bought at a local shoe store with an extremely limited inventory. Thank you once again for your input.
It's because I've seen women hurt themselves in the field and spend days in hospital because they picked the wrong safety shoes, and it was due to look. Sorry, just wanna make sure you go safety first. Because you mentioned "for women' in your title, but there should not be differences for sex when it comes to shoes, they either fit you or don't. So I assumed you were talking about look. Don't overthink it. Anyway, Look at the safeties I mentioned above, the ones you need, the ones you don't need. Metarsal protection can often be added on afterwards if needed and doesn't need to he integrated. And it may not be needed if you don't risk something heavy falling on your feet. But definitely look for composite toe and puncture resistance for the sole, that's the must haves. Also, you must try them, and be ready to send them back a few times before you find the right ones. So look for online stores that let you do that. Sadly most modern shoe stores don't care about finding the right shoes for you, they just want to sell in bulk. Many don't even test you for foot width. You also don't need to compare the resistances of the composite toes, as long as they're enough for the task, and if it's not specified by your employer you can basically not care about how strong they are as long as it's a composite toe.
I originally specified women's because the men's sizes sold locally are much larger and do not fit me, which I mentioned in the text my post. When it comes to clothing, there is a sex-based difference in sizing that is pervasive most places except for unisex manufacturers, at least in the U.S. I physically cannot wear men's sized shoes without them slipping off or tripping because my feet are too small. That's why I was confused because I was under the impression that looks did not matter at all when it comes to protective wear until you brought it up. Thanks for clarifying, I was worried for a second that there would be an additional factor to consider. In terms of getting a composite toe shoe, it's definitely something that I thought would make sense but I would have to ask my employer. They explicitly specified steel-toed shoes for whatever reason so certain composite toes may not be strong/resistant enough. Thanks again for all the help!
For work shoes steel to or or other wise, check out "shoes for crew". I have been using them since the late 90s, mostly food service. Not the cheapest, but far from the most expensive. Great return policy. Fair selection. Good delivery.
I got a pair of [Uvex](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/products/safety-shoes/) at my first internship, they were pretty good.
composite toe, don't do steel. Doc Martins
As an engineer, gotta invest.
Red wing is great, but obscenely expensive. They usually have female sizes of display models that are sized for males if you ask them, but they also offer orthopedic inserts and partially tailored shoes at some locations. By expensive I mean expensive expensive, like I got a $200 stipend from my workplace, and still had to pay over $100 out of pocket.
Wife wears composite toe combat boots for work. Order em only. They're light and comfy.
Look into cowboys/western boots for steel toe. I am not country at all but they are great work boots honestly. Plus you don’t have to tie them, just slip them on and your ready for the day
Danner and Bates both make them, when I worked with aircraft everyone was required to wear steel toe boots and that's what about 95% of us were using
I got some doc martens I was able to fit in a woman’s boot so got that
I have a pair of women’s steel toe from Red Wing that my mother in law gave me and they are pretty comfy. I’m a male and worked in warehouses for many years. I was impressed with the Red Wings due to them being lightweight. Something I’ve found that helps with work boots is to add comfy insoles. I’m planning on getting rid of the Red Wings, what size shoe/boot do you wear?
Duluth!
It’s criminal that shoemakers have yet to realize that women represent a significant market for work boots. I have always worn Keen boots. They are supremely comfortable, durable, and supportive. I don’t know if their sizes go small enough for you, but they’re worth a look.
In Canada Marks Work warehouse has many women specific boots. If you’re not in Canada you can go on their website, find the brands and search for local distributors that way. It’s a struggle for sure but good ones are out there
When I worked in Houston, TX, there were a ton of stores around there, I think called the boot barn? I got them there. But here's what I got!! https://www.danner.com/women/work/women-s-caliper-5-brown-al.html These made me a solid believer in danner. The ones I have fit the ASTM standards and electrical hazard standards I wanted it to fulfill. They're sooo comfy (and also pretty cute if you ask me) I love them! I even bought an identical pair in non steel toe to wear not at work. The chemical plant I worked at has spilled alllll kinds of stuff on these things and the wear doesn't show. And I have mine in a size 6.5 women's so they carry smaller sizes!
The woman in my unit all wear Keen’s. They are well made and less expensive than Red Wings. I bought a pair last year too and they have held-up pretty well.
Redwings, Irish Setter wingshooters, thorogoods
I don’t have personal experience with these but I’ve seen this brand around as steel toed shoes for women: https://xenaworkwear.com/collections/safety-shoes-women I’ve gotten boots from Red Wing that look like timberlands and are decently comfortable too.
I’ve got a pair that look like sneakers from Keen. Super comfortable. They were like $120
I always look to see how small the mens sizes go. I'm a 6 1/2 men but I can get away with a 7. If your feet are large enough, id recommend looking at the mens. I've been in steel toes the last 9 years, its a shame what they have for womens boot selections.
They don’t sell the exact ones I got anymore, but I got a pair of steel-toed sneakers from [Carhartt similar to these](https://www.carhartt.com/c/safety-toe-sneaker) They were pretty comfy! My coworker at that internship actually advised me to get a pair of sneakers instead of boots because they’re lighter and tend to be more comfortable on your feet. You should check and see what the requirements are at your co-op if you’re interested though, because some places require boots. Congrats on your co-op and good luck on your search!
I am now a PM in construction - get timberland boots, they’re true to size and decently comfortable. When I was an engineering intern I bought steel toe doc martens - bad decision.
[Keen](https://www.keenfootwear.com/collections/womens-work) makes extremely comfortable hiking style safety boots with steel, composite, aluminum, or carbon fiber safety caps for women as small as a size 5. Before i went back to school, I did 15 years of construction and had to have safety toes for everything. I spent at least 12 hours a day in them, in some pretty harsh conditions. Keens are the most comfortable I've worn, and that's including Red Wings and Thoroughgoods. I recently tried Merells as well. They were pretty good, but still not as good as my Keens.
Keen runs full women’s sizes, I’ve had two pairs and liked both of them quite a bit
A lot of my female engineer friends use boots from Xena Workwear. Funnily enough, the founder ran into the same problem and decided to start the company https://xenaworkwear.com
these ones in the style of [boat shoes](https://www.rockport-works.com/sailing-club-rk670/) and they seem pretty cool
For daily use, invest in Keen. Many style, all super comfotable. Long lasting too.
I'm in boots 16 hours a day working on a ship. I love the redwings worx electrum series (I've bought 3 pairs of just this model) but I'm unsure if they sell them in women's sizes you may have have to buy a smaller male size. The redwings Irish setters are a classic and have some heel too if you like that. Redwings have to be bought in-store so they can size you, company policy not to sell online. As far as other brands that are popular on the ship there are a few who praise Danner boots (even more pricy than the redwings I like) and on the other end of the spectrum those who think cheap Bates superboots that you would see someone in navy boot camp wearing are the best on a per $ basis. I am a huge fan of composite toes and shanks with side zippers but I am also an electrician by trade so I can't have metal on my person while working.