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There is nothing worse than cold, painful feet when your focus is on getting work done. If the conditions are harsh, it’s easy to put on another sweater, but you can’t put on a second pair of boots.
When you need all-day protection from the elements, insulated work boots are a necessary part of your cold weather gear.
There are not enough insulated women’s work boots out there, but here are the top women’s work boots for winter we found that are popular, well-rated, and ready to work.
It’s easy to assume that your general-duty work boots will be good enough year round, but proper insulation requires layers. Warm socks can help but the extra insulation of insulated women’s work boots give you the edge you need for long days in the cold, ice, and snow.
Women’s Work Boots for Winter 1-4
Our top recommended winter women’s work boots have all the features you need to keep your feet safe and warm.
Timberland Pro Direct Attach Insulated Safety Toe Work Boot for Women
The Timberland Pro Direct Attach Insulated Safety Toe Work Boot has classic styling plus all of the features you need for warm and safe work.
With a steel safety toe, 400g insulation, and a long list of technologies dedicated to foot comfort, these boots have all of the features you need for a long day in cold, wet environments.
Features:
- Seam-sealed waterproof leather upper
- Timberland PRO® 24/7 Comfort Suspension™ technology cushions every step to help to reduce foot fatigue
- Padded collar for added comfort
- Breathable mesh lining with antimicrobial treatment for odor control
- 400g Thermolite® insulation delivers warm comfort in cold conditions
- Open-cell polyurethane footbed with antimicrobial treatment for breathable comfort and odor control
- Lightweight blown-thermal plastic midsole for flexibility and cushioning
- Nylon shock diffusion plate for support and torsional rigidity
- Non-marking rubber outsole features rubber lugs for durable traction and oil resistance
- Steel safety toe meets I/75 and C/75 impact and compression and ASTM F2412-11, ASTM F2413-11 and ASTM F2892-11 electrical hazard safety standards
XTRATUF Legacy Insulated Steel Toe Work Boot for Women
XTRATUF Legacy Insulated Steel Toe Work Boots for Women are built for the harsh elements of the Alaskan commercial fishing industry.
They offer flexibility, warmth, safety, all-day comfort, and certified protection against acids, corrosives, and contaminants.
No matter where you work, these boots will keep you protected.
Features:
- Steel toe cap meets ASTM F2412-11 M I/75 C/75 safety standards
- Viral Penetration Resistant per ASTM F1671 / F1671M – 13
- Temperature rating down to -10°F
- 100% waterproof rubber boots are made of an ozone-resistant latex neoprene and have a hand-layered construction for a softer, lighter, and pliable design
- Triple-dipped shells have a seamless barrier that makes them highly resistant to many organic and inorganic acids, chemicals, and contaminants
- Breathable textile lining for added comfort
- Breathe-O-Prene® insole provides underfoot cushioning and arch support, guarding against foot fatigue and lessening stress on the legs
- Non-marking outsole is slip resistant
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Timberland Pro Hightower Insulated Safety Toe Boot for Women
The Timberland Pro Hightower Insulated Safety Toe Boot for Women has it all…
With a safety compliant composite toe, 600g of Thermolite insulation, and waterproof membrane, these boots will keep you safe, warm, and dry in winter conditions.
Features:
- Premium full grain waterproof leather upper
- Composite safety toe shaped for a women’s foot
- Waterproof membrane delivers maximum waterproof protection and blood-borne pathogen resistance and meets ASTM F1671-07 safety standard
- Lightweight 600g Thermolite® insulation for warmth without bulk
- Breathable mesh lining with antimicrobial treatment to prevent and control odors
- Fiberglass shank for structural support
- Cushioned PU footbed with dynamic arch support
- Non-marking all-weather TPU (thermoplastic urethane) outsole is slip, oil and heat resistant to 248°F/120ºC
- Composite safety toe meets I/75 and C/75 impact and compression ASTM F2412-11 and ASTM F2413-11 safety standards.
- Meets ASTM F2412-11, ASTM F2413-11 and ASTM F2892-11 electrical hazard standards
Carolina Elm Insulated Work Boot for Women
Carolina Elm Insulated Work Boots for Women offer protection for almost every hazard in a harsh work environment.
Waterproof with 600g of Thinsulate insulation, they will keep your feet warm and dry.
They don’t come with a safety toe, but if you don’t have to worry about any crush hazards, then these are a great, all-around winter work boot.
Features:
- Copper Crazy Horse Leather Upper
- Waterproof SCUBALINER™
- Taibrelle Lined
- 600 Grams of Thinsulate™ Insulation
- Removable PU Dual Density Memory Foam Footbed
- Electrical Hazard Rated
- Non-Metallic Shank
- Oil & Slip Resisting Rubber Outsole
Women’s Work Boots for Winter 5-8
The next set of recommended winter women’s work boots don’t have all of the features we’d like to see, but come close.
Bogs Neo-Classic Tall Work Boot
The Bogs Neo-Classic Tall Work Boot for Women doesn’t have a safety toe but it has the insulation, waterproofing, and height to make a great winter work boot.
100% waterproof rubber with 7mm stretch inner bootie provide protection and insulation from the elements.
Interior technologies keep your feet comfortable and dry.
Features:
- 100% waterproof
- Durable hand-lasted rubber upper with 7mm Neo-Tech four-way stretch bootie construction
- Seamless construction is 30% lighter
- Pull-on work boot with dual-side handles
- Max-Wick™ moisture-wicking lining helps keep feet stay drier
- Interior is treated with DuraFresh anti-odor protection
- Features Rebound technology provides shock-absorbing cushion and support
- Flex Width insole adapts to your foot
- Contoured eco EVA footbed with gel cushioning
- Nonmarking BioGrip rubber outsole for superior slip resistance
- Comfort rated to -58°F/-50°C
Bogs Neo-Classic Mid Work Boot for Women
The Bogs Neo-Classic Mid Work Boot for Women doesn’t have a safety toe but it has the insulation, waterproofing, and height to make a great winter work boot.
Three inches shorter than the “tall” version above, this boot provides the same protections but in a “mid” height.
100% waterproof rubber with 7mm stretch inner bootie provide protection and insulation from the elements.
Interior technologies keep your feet comfortable and dry.
Features:
- 100% waterproof
- Durable hand-lasted rubber upper with 7mm Neo-Tech four-way stretch bootie construction
- Seamless construction is 30% lighter
- Pull-on work boot with dual-side handles
- Max-Wick™ moisture-wicking lining helps keep feet stay drier
- Interior is treated with DuraFresh anti-odor protection
- Features Rebound technology provides shock-absorbing cushion and support
- Flex Width insole adapts to your foot
- Contoured eco EVA footbed with gel cushioning
- Nonmarking BioGrip rubber outsole for superior slip resistance
- Comfort rated to -58°F/-50°C
Muck Boots Chore Rubber Women’s Work Boots
Muck Boots Chore Rubber Women’s Work Boots are a popular and trusted option for people that need 100% waterproof protection from wet working conditions.
5mm of neoprene (wet suit material) provides extra warmth when the weather is cold while a breathable airmesh lining wicks away humidity and perspiration.
Features:
- 5 mm neoprene provides comfort and flexibility, along with excellent waterproofing, shock absorption and heat retention properties; adjusts to the shape of your feet to resist blisters and chafing
- Breathable Airmesh lining wicks away humidity and perspiration, and allows air to travel throughout the boot while keeping water out
- Comfort rated from subfreezing to 65 °F/18 °C
- Women’s last is specially designed to support the female foot
- High-grade extended rubber exterior provides extra toughness and makes for a 100% waterproof work boot
- Rugged outsole offers durability and traction on slick surfaces
- Rear pull tab for easy on/off
- Heel measures approximately 1″
- Boot opening measures approximately 15″ around
Carhartt Steel Toe Wellington Work Boot for Women
The Carhartt Steel Toe Wellington Work Boot for Women does not provide any additional insulation, but it does have all of the other qualities of a great winter work boot. With room for warm socks, they are still ready to go.
10 inch height with full waterproofing keep the elements out while an integrated steel safety toe protects your feet from impact.
Several technologies keep your feet comfortable inside while the thick rubber tread is designed to shed mud and provide traction.
Features:
- Oil-tanned leather upper
- Carstrong® durable reinforced fabric prevents wear and tear
- Storm Defender® waterproof breathable membrane keeps feet dry and lets them breathe
- FastDry® lining wicks sweat and fights odors
- Steel toe protects against impact and compression hazards and meets ASTM 2413-18 standards
- Cushioned, polyurethane insole to absorb shock
- Rubber outsole
- Meets ASTM 2413-18 EH standards for secondary protection against incidental contact with electrical circuits of 18,000 volts or less under dry conditions
Benefits of Cold Weather Work Boots
Even when temperatures fall, you need to be protected by your insulated work boots. Your feet want to stay warm, dry and healthy.
To get the most of our your boots, consider all of the features you may need:
- Insulation: There are several types of insulation that can be added to give you the extra layer of protection you need in cold weather. Thinsulate and Thermalite are two of the most popular insulation materials available and they come in different levels from 200 grams to over 1000 grams. Most boots use one of these options.
- Waterproof: Cold weather often also means wet weather. Regardless of the temperature, the last thing you want in a long day is wet and uncomfortable feet. Waterproofing can happen at both the exterior and interior of the boot. While most people focus on the exterior, moisture-wicking membranes inside of the boot can be just as important to keep the environment around your feet comfortable.
- Good Grip: Work boots need to have good grip so that you do not fall when you are focused on your work. The rubber sole has to hold on to the ground whether you step in water, ice, oil, or grease.
- Comfort: Assuming your feet are warm and dry, comfort depends on cushioning and insoles so that you can work for long hours without suffering any pain. A good pair of warm socks is also important to your overall comfort. Heated socks raise your comfort to the highest level in the coldest temperatures.
- Nylon shanks: The shank in work boots is there to provide support in the sole. While they can be made from different materials, nylon is lightweight and will not transfer cold from outside into the boot while reinforcing the structure.
- Safety: Your feet also need protection from the work you are doing. Steel and composite toes keep you safe from bumps or heavy objects falling although composite are better are at preventing cold temperature transfer into the boots. Electrical hazard (EH) rating is designed to protect you from electrocution.
- Price: Prices vary across different makes and models of boots, and it is possible to get both quality and value in your next pair of boots. Remember, however, that you rely on your boots to protect you for long hours of hard work. The cheapest boots may not offer the adequate protection or comfort and paying a little more may go a long way to keep you comfortable and protected.
Dangers of Extreme Cold Weather
There are many dangers of working in cold weather and if measures aren’t taken then it may lead to health issues. A few major problems that can happen include:
- Frostbite is an injury caused by the onset of freezing of the skin and underlying tissue. First your skin becomes very cold and red, then numb, hard and pale. Frostbite is most common in the extremities such as fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin. Frostbitten skin can be painful and have a prickling and irritating sensation. Frost nip is the milder form of frostbite and does not cause permanent damage.
- Trench foot is a condition caused by prolonged exposure to cold and wet conditions. Blisters, blotchy skin, redness, and dead skin are all symptoms of this problem. Protective boots and dry socks will help to prevent these issues.
- Toenail fungus is more common in cold weather because nails become more dry and brittle. If your socks don’t wick away sweat and moisture, athlete’s foot and toenail fungus can breed more quickly.
- If you have any kind of circulation issues, there are even more problems that can affect feet as blood circulation decreases.
The right foot wear and proper planning can ensure that none of these issues affect you.
Boot Insulation Guide
With the help of an insulated pair of work boots, you can protect your feet and stay warm all day regardless of how long you work. Insulation adds warmth to keep you comfortable. This feature works with the waterproof outer layers that repel both cold water and cold temperatures to protect your feet.
Insulation is measured on a scale from 200 to 1000 grams. The required amount of insulation depends on the activity you are doing. Very active people who are on the move may require less insulation since there will naturally be more blood flow. Sedentary activities that force you to stay in one spot without much movement may need higher insulation to keep the feet warm.
Thinsulate is an advanced insulating material that is well-suited to extremely cold weather and is the most common option included in the boots recommended here. Here is a description of the different levels of Thinsulate insulation:
- 200 gram Thinsulate insulation works well at the start of the cold season. This amount of insulation is light weight and thin, taking very little space. If your activity level is high then you generate plenty of your own heat and will need less insulation.
- 400 gram Thinsulate insulation is the next level and will keep you warmer as the temperature drops. This level of insulation is very popular and covers most winter situations.
- 600 gram Thinsulate is recommended for cold conditions or when the activity level is low. If your work requires sitting or standing in the same place more often, you can count on this level of insulation to keep you warm.
- 800 gram Thinsulate insulation boots are for very cold conditions. Sitting or standing or very cold weather means less blood flow to naturally warm your feet.
- 1000 gram Thinsulate insulation is the highest level and is usually worn only in extreme cases. The ultra insulation of these work boots will keep you as warm as possible.
- Neoprene warmth is measured by its thickness. Neoprene of varying thickness is often combined with an internal bootie that work together for maximum warmth.
Wrap Up
If you need to work in cold conditions and keep your feet protected no matter what, then you need the right pair of insulated work boots.
Women’s feet need protection that is built for them and we found a lot of great options of women’s work boots for winter.
With good waterproofing, the right amount of insulation, and features that keep you comfortable, your boots will help you to get through any activity without the distraction of cold, wet feet.