If you’re a tradeswoman, skilled worker, or get-it-done-er accustomed to spending long hours on your feet, you know that the shoes or boots you wear can make or break your shift. But finding the right pair isn’t just a matter of the right safety features and size. Given the anatomical differences between men’s and women’s feet, you might be more comfortable in footwear that’s made specifically for women.
KEEN Utility has been a leader in designing work boots for women, and as more and more enter the trades, we’re doubling down. Whatever your trade or skilled profession, KEEN Utility has your back – by taking good care of your feet.
Women’s feet are generally shorter along the outside (lateral) edge than men’s feet and more curved along the inner (medial) side. They are wider in the forefoot than in the heel, and a woman’s arch is typically higher than that of the average male foot.
When stepping, women’s feet tend to flatten inward, which can lead to chronic pain if not properly accommodated. Add to that more flexible ankle joints and wider hips that distribute weight differently, and it’s easy to see the importance of wearing work boots or shoes designed for the shape and biomechanics of a woman’s foot.
KEEN Utility’s line of Tradeswoman Tested work boots are developed with and tested by a group of professional women workers from a wide variety of trades.
Wherever you see our Tradeswomen Tested (TWT) logo, you know the boot was anatomically designed for and wear-tested by women at work.
It’s not just work boots for women we sell either. KEEN Utility is committed to helping a new generation of women workers find success on the jobsite. Through our She Builds Grants program, we support nonprofits that are dedicated to helping educate and empower women who want to work in the trades.
If you’re new to the trades or ready to upgrade to a women’s-specific fit, KEEN Utility has women’s work boots and shoes for every duty: light, medium or general, and heavy. Here’s a brief overview of our lineup. Read below for more details about how these boots & shoes can best match your workflow.
| WORK BOOTS | Mesh Upper | Leather Upper | Waterproof Available | KEEN.ReGEN Midsole | Luftcell Midsole |
| Vista Energy | X | X | |||
| Arvada | X | X | |||
| Evanston | X | X | X | ||
| Seattle | X | X | |||
| San Jose | X | X | X | ||
| Flint II | X | X | X | ||
| Reno | X | X | X | ||
| Cincinnati | X | X | X |
Light-duty work boots, shoes, and sneakers are great for warehouse or assembly line work, transportation, delivery, and other jobs. When you’re on your feet and moving all day, wearing a lighter work shoe or boot can make a huge difference.
Start with the women’s Vista Energy collection. This style combines toughness and protection with a flexible, athletic fit and feel. Underfoot, a KEEN.ReGEN midsole gives you up to 50% energy return with each step. Non-metallic construction with carbon safety toes and an Electrical Hazard (EH)-rated outsole make them good for work around live electrical circuits.
Alternatively, if you work in aerospace or electronics manufacturing where excess static electricity is an issue, go with the ESD version of the Vista Energy. The soles on these work sneakers help dissipate excess static charges, protecting both you and whatever you’re working on.
Vista Energy work sneakers come in low-tops and mids and are available with internal metal guards for heavier-duty tasks. Enjoy the stability provided by the KEEN.KONNECT FIT system, which provides a locked-in feel for your heel. Don’t want to mess with laces? The Vista Energy Shift slips right on, lace-free, making it one less thing you have to think about.
KEEN Utility fan says:
“I spend about 10 hours on my feet on concrete floors. I used to get knee and back pain and sore feet. I found these shoes, and all of that went away! I would definitely recommend these shoes if you are on concrete or cement floors for your job.” - Shannon
The KEEN Utility Arvada is another light-duty option. Available in low-top and ESD-rated models for women and in a range of sporty colors, the Arvada is a work sneaker with safety toes. It fits and feels like an athletic shoe while performing handily on the jobsite.
The Arvada’s sneaker-like upper combines abrasion-resistant synthetic materials with a breathable mesh liner to help your feet cool off in warm conditions. For cushioning, a responsive KEEN.ReGEN midsole is lighter than standard EVA foam and returns up to 50% energy with every step. It also comes with a removable insole that you can swap out for one of our specialty insoles designed to provide custom arch support.
In terms of safety, all Arvada models are equipped with asymmetrical carbon safety toes that function like steel toes but are 15% lighter. The oil- and slip-resistant rubber outsole provides dependable footing, while the Electrical Hazard (EH) rating of 18kV provides a secondary source of protection in case of accidental contact with a live circuit.
Next up is general-duty footwear – work boots that are designed with extra-tough uppers (waterproof options, too) and added stability for jobs in construction, landscaping, carpentry, and more.
The women’s Evanston work boot is unique in the KEEN Utility lineup. It’s built to provide the protection of a work boot with the bouncy underfoot feel of an athletic sneaker. How? The burly leather upper keeps you safe, while an athletic-level KEEN.ReGEN midsole provides energy-returning comfort. It’s available in a waterproof, EH-rated version and a static-reducing ESD outsole version. Both come with our carbon toes for lightweight protection that won’t hold you back.
The women’s Seattle work boot is built with carpenters, electricians, landscapers, and fabricators in mind. This 6” work boot with a leather upper has aluminum safety toes that are 30% lighter than steel – a difference you’ll feel after a day on a construction site or standing for hours ripping plywood. A KEEN.DRY membrane keeps you dry during rainstorms or on wet jobsites.
The Electrical Hazard (EH)-rated rubber outsole is oil- and slip-resistant, providing traction you can trust while you’re working on slick concrete or wet metal plating. It’s also got a 90-degree heel, great for ladder work or navigating loose, uneven terrain.
KEEN Utility fan says:
“Love these boots! Perfect for working outdoors in landscaping and other tough situations. They're comfortable, sturdy, and protect ankles and feet very well. I love the design, and they're very well made and kind of stylish too. - Fran O.
Walking on hard surfaces all day requires lightweight, supportive, and protective work boots. Whether outdoors on a construction site, inside a manufacturing facility, or moving around a warehouse, sore and tired feet are a distraction you can’t afford.
Made for light- to general-duty jobs where spending all day on concrete slabs, wood subfloors, or compacted dirt is the norm, the KEEN Utility women's San Jose work boots combine a supportive upper, stable wedge sole, and the cushioning required for active shifts.
The women’s San Jose comes as a soft-toe boot or with protective and lightweight aluminum safety toes. There’s also the women’s San Jose waterproof work boots, made with a waterproof, breathable membrane that lets vapor out without letting water in. KEEN Utility San Jose boots feature the all-day support of an air-infused Luftcell midsole and the stability of a wedge work boot. Their lightweight feel and light-duty build make them a favorite of carpenters, electricians, plumbers, warehouse workers, and landscapers.
KEEN Utility fan says:
“I wear these boots for work every day as we are required to have a safety-toe boot. They are not bulky or heavy, they are roomy in the toe area, and my feet do not hurt at the end of the day as I am mostly standing all day! They are stylish as well, which I love. Great color and fit. I’m glad I chose KEEN!” - Shelby
Inspired by our signature KEEN hiking boots, our women’s Flint II work boots and shoes are made for the demands of the jobsite. Each pair is designed with protection and durability in mind but with the fit and stability of hiking footwear.
Ready for long days in the warehouse or around the storage yard, our lightweight KEEN.ReGEN midsole provides up to 50% more energy return with every step, so you feel energized throughout the workday. Ideal for carpentry, landscaping, warehouse work, and light manufacturing, the oil- and slip-resistant rubber outsole helps ensure your feet stay right where you need them.
Available as a boot, mid or work shoe, the Flint II women’s work boots come with either soft toes or steel safety toes. For reliable performance when working in inclement weather or in standing water, the women’s waterproof Flint II Mid soft-toe work boots keep your feet dry and your mind focused on the work, not the wet.
KEEN Utility fan says:
“Lightweight, pretty flexible, and super comfy. I was able to wear them immediately with no break-in period. I got a wide width, and they are actually wide—probably because they have soft toes. True to size. Tongue is slightly narrow for the boot, but as long as I align it correctly, it presents no problem. Very pleased.” - Emilvee
If you move constantly on the jobsite, the lighter and more flexible your work boots are, the better. Our women’s Reno work boots are designed for industrial athletes: tradeswomen who are on their feet all day building homes, maintaining roads, hauling freight, and doing everything else it takes to keep things moving.
One of the features that makes the Reno so comfortable is KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX, an accordion-like insert between the toe and the laces. It provides up to three times the flexibility in the place where your foot bends every time you step or crouch. This is a spot where other boots may crack or weaken over time. Not these boots though.
Ideal for roofing or framing, carpentry, landscaping and more, women’s Reno Mid work boots are made with a KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane that keeps your feet dry regardless of the conditions. The Reno comes with either a KEEN.PROTECT toe bumper (soft toes) or with carbon safety toes, depending on your jobsite needs.
KEEN Utility fan says:
“This is my latest purchase, and I’ve had them for a month. I will probably never buy anything other than KEEN from now on. I love these boots so much as they are everything I was looking for. Lightweight, comfortable from day one, and with no rubbing during walking or when flexing my feet while kneeling.” - Rich
Last up: heavy-duty work boots. Some jobs are dirty, difficult, and more hazardous than most. As with any job, you need the right tools and know-how to get it done, but you also need the right footwear to get it done safely.
The women’s Cincinnati 6" waterproof work boot is one made for tough jobs in carpentry, roofing, landscaping, road construction, and warehouse work. Built with a full-grain, Barnyard-Resistant leather upper with a KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane, they’re tough as nails and will keep your feet dry in a downpour. A lightweight Luftcell air-infused wedge midsole supports long days on your feet, while safety features like lightweight, asymmetrical carbon safety toes, and an Electrical Hazard (EH)-rated rubber outsole keep you protected on the jobsite.
Because women’s feet are anatomically distinct from men’s, wearing a men’s work shoe or boot that’s in your size simply isn’t going to cut it. KEEN Utility has a wide range of women’s work boots & shoes that are geared to suit a woman’s foot structure and mechanics from the ground up. Whatever your trade and wherever you ply it, KEEN Utility has an unbeatable selection of light-duty, general-duty, and heavy-duty work boots for women that keep you comfortable and protected on the jobsite.
