Buying Wome’ns Steel Toe Boots
Women’s steel toe boots are boots or shoes that have a steel cap in the toe area which serves to protect the sides and toe area from being crushed or injured by falling objects and protecting the foot when making contact with hard or sharp objects.
Nobody looks twice these days when they notice women working in places that used to be thought of as only a mans world. Construction sites and other places that were once the sole domain of “men at work” now have women performing those same functions.
With this in mind, safety in the work place remains an all important factor and women now have to consider various factors when it comes to protecting their feet. Apart from the steel cap in women’s steel toe boots, the rest of the “shoe” is usually made from either a composite, canvas, rubber or leather material depending on the application that it was intended for. These safety boots or shoes are designed to take a lot of heavy industrial wear and tear in order to serve their purpose which is to protect your toes and to a certain extent the rest of the foot.
Women’s Steel Toe Boot – Terminology
This brief terminology table will help you in understanding some of the more common and basic steel toe boot terminology…
Terminology |
Description |
| Steel Toe | Steel cap in the front of the boot that protects your toes from being injured |
| Composite | Two or more materials used to engineer a significantly different material for a specific purpose |
| Insulated | The material used to engineer the boot will resist the flow of electric current |
| Metguard | Patented product that is attached to the top of steel cap footwear and secured with existing laces or straps.Helps prevent crushing and spreads the load on the foot in the event of impact. |
| Side Zipper | The boot zipper is located on the side of the boot |
| Slip Resistant | Patented sole patterns that resist slipping |
| Slipon | The slip-on boot or shoe does not have laces or straps for securing. It is just “slipped on”. |
| Static Dissipating | Capable of dissipating an electrostatic charge in a controlled manner. |
| Water Resistant | Capable of resisting water from entering the boot |
| Quick Release | The method of loosening the boot for removal is very fast and easy to perform |
Safety Criteria
The following safety criteria information for both women’s steel toe boots and mens steel toe boots is provided courtesy of Wikkipedia
United States
Most safety shoes have symbols on the outside, to indicate the protection the shoe offers. Examples are:
- Green Triangle indicates that it is a class 1 toe cap with puncture resistant sole.
- Yellow Triangle indicates that it is a class 2 toe cap with puncture resistant sole.
- White Square (with ohm symbol) indicates electrical protection.
- Yellow Square(with SD) indicates anti-static protection.
- Red Square (with C) indicates electrically conductive.
- Fir Tree indicates protection against chain-saws.
Canada
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) have been using symbols on safety footwear for a total of 13.5 years. Each shape & color represents specific safety criteria for all safety footwear and apearal purchased in Canada. (A useful chart is available on-line describing the CSA symbols)
- Green Triangle with CSA symbol – Sole puncture protection with a Grade 1 protective toe. (Heavy work environment: construction; machine shops; where sharp objects are present)
- Yellow Triangle with registered symbol – Sole puncture protection with a Grade 2 protective toe. (Light industrial work environments)
- White rectangle with orange Greek letter “Omega” & CSA symbol – Soles that provide electric shock resistance. (Any industrial environment where live electrical conductors can occur)
- Yellow rectangle with green letters “SD“,a grounding symbol & CSA symbol – Capable of dissipating an electrostatic charge in a controlled manner. (Any industrial environment where a static discharge can be a hazard for workers or equipment)
- Red rectangle with a black letter “C”, grounding symbol & CSA symbol – Soles that are electrically conductive (Any industrial environment where low-lower electrical charges can be a hazard for workers or equipment)
- White label with green fir tree symbol & CSA symbol – Provides protection when using chainsaws. (Forestry workers & others required to use a chainsaw)
- Blue Square with CSA symbol – Grade 1 protective toe only. (For all other environments not listed above)
Safety Boot Brand Names For Women’s Steel Toe Boots…
- Ariat
- Blundstone
- Working Person
- Herman Survivors
- Street Sport
- Brahma
- Nautilus
- Avenger
- Georgia Boot
- Skechers Shape-Ups
- Caterpillar
- Herman Survivors
- Danner
- Wolverine
- Rocky
Is Brand Important When Shopping For Women’s Steel Toe Boots?
The choosy shopper has many choices available to him or her, yet it would be wise to select your women’s steel toe boots from a well known brand. When you buy from a well known boot manufacturing brand you are guaranteed for the most part of getting the quality, durability and excellent customer support service you expect.
Just as there are many different safety boots in the market,different tasks require a different type of boot, so it is critically important that you choose the most suitable, comfortable which isn’t always the most expensive. Some of the better brand for women’s steel toe boots also have steel protection in the sole of the boot. This prevents any sharp objects from penetrating through to the soft flesh of your foot.
Which Women’s Steel Toe Boots Do I Choose?
There are many varieties of womens steel toe boots available. The type you require depends on the various hazards you may face in your profession. Boots are a better choice if there are spark or splash hazards from chemical or molten substances present. If you are working near cutting oils, petroleum , corrosives or caustic products, then nitrile or neoprene boots are more resistant to these substances from entering the boot.
In welding and foundry operations, the “Gaiter” style boots often feature elasticised insets or quick-release fasteners which assist in the “speedy removal” of the boot in case any hazardous substances enter the boot. In the case of working with electricity there are special electrical hazard boots which have zero conductive material used in their design except for the steel toe which is super insulated.
When working with electricity, a worker may need to wear special electrical hazard boots that are designed with no conductive materials other than the steel toe (which is properly insulated). Understanding the various potential hazards of the work that you do will help you in making the correct choice when it comes to buying women’s steel toe boots that will be just perfect for you.
(Need more info on choosing womens steel toe work boots?)
Safety Boots Are Important – Stylish Women’s Steel Toe Boots Are Better!
Safety is an all important criteria and no one would didagree on that point, but from a womans perspective this does not neccesarily mean that style has to go out of the window in the process. Performing work that once was only done by men in the past does not mean that women have to wear steel toe boots and shoes that make them look unattractive and masculine.
“There is a wide variety of choices nowadays when it comes to women’s steel toe boots and shoes, from hiking boots to biking boots there is a safety boot or shoe to suit.” When it comes to safety shoes and boots that must perform a dual function of protecting the feet and toes while on a construction site and doubling at looking attractive during off site meetings, you will find many options from which to choose.
Many women enjoy riding motorcycles nowadays too, for this reason there is a vast range of women’s steel toe boots specifically designed to fit the part of really standing out in design, while still protecting the feet and toes. The modern woman of today needs safety in the workplace and while at play. The demand for women’s safety boots that serve this purpose has been the driving force which has led to a vast range of women’s steel toe boots becoming available at very affordable prices.
Women’s Steel Toe Boots – “Crime Protection Boots?”
You may choose to wear your steel toe boots for activities other than just for your line of work. If you live in a neighborhood that poses a potential crime risk, your women’s steel toe boots can provide a nice additional measure of security. A well aimed kick can cause serious damage and potentially deter any would-be mugger or thug. I certainly wouldn’t want to mess with you, thats for sure.
Fitting Your Steel Capped Boots
Don’t make the mistake that so many buyers of women’s steel toe boots do, and that is allowing yourself to be influenced by the decisions of those around you. Your steel toe boots may look extremely comfortable on the outside but you will never know untill you try them on yourself.
Whats more, everyone has different size and shape feet. You will be sorry after taking your friends word as gospel that a certain shoe or boot is comfortable without trying them on yourself. Make sure that your boots are not loose and that the arch feels comfortable too. Loose boots are dangerous as they don’t support your ankles and can cause you to trip and fall.
Keep in mind that you are the one who has to wear your steel toe boot day-in-and-day-out.
Believe me, women’s steel toe boots where the steel cap is brushing against one of your outer toes all day becomes unbearably painful indeed.
Apart from this, remember that you are buying women’s steel toe boots to protect your feet and not your friends