Background <p>Working conditions and the variety of activities performed in different occupations require footwear that meets the safety needs of the worker. More and more females are entering the industrial environment, which until recently was dominated by males, so there are indications of problems in adapting safety footwear to female feet. The aim of this research was to evaluate foot characteristics as well as perceived comfort, functionality and attractiveness of safety boots and their mutual relationships among production workers.</p> Methods <p>The study included 80 industrial workers aged 50–60 years (35 females; 45 males). The foot was evaluated using the CQ-ST Podoscope. Perception of comfort, functionality and attractiveness of GALMAG safety boots were evaluated. The research results were analyzed using Student’s t-test for independent variables, Mann-Whitney U-test and Spearman’s rank correlation.</p> Results <p>Statistically significant gender differences were found in terms of individualization (<i>p</i> = 0.044) and attractiveness of shoes (<i>p</i> = 0.041), as well as relationships of right (<i>p</i> = 0.010) and left (<i>p</i> = 0.030) foot width with shoe length perception, and Clarke’s angle of the right (<i>p</i> = 0. 004) and left (<i>p</i> = 0.020) foot with heel cushioning, Clarke’s angle of the right (<i>p</i> = 0.020) and left (<i>p</i> = 0.003) foot with shoe weight ratings, and Clarke’s angle of the right (<i>p</i> = 0.007) and left (<i>p</i> = 0.029) foot with shoe breathability. Clarke’s angle of the right (<i>p</i> = 0.020) and left (<i>p</i> = 0.049) foot also correlated with ratings of shoe style, and β angle of the right foot with shoe weight (<i>p</i> = 0.042) and breathability (<i>p</i> = 0.043).</p> Conclusions <p>It is necessary to develop recommendations for designers and manufacturers of safety boots to move away from the production of unisex footwear and the use of female’s lasts in the production of female footwear. Different widths for the same length should be considered when designing safety boots. People with high arches need better cushioning and therefore prefer insoles made of soft, flexible materials. More comfortable footwear is also more functional and aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, considering these aspects in the design and manufacture of footwear can result in the proper functioning of the worker in the workplace.</p> Trial registration <p>Not required, as the study design envisaged no health interventions whatsoever.</p>