Yup 
Yup. 

I agree.

When I was in the middle east and welding, I gave up layers to help shed heat. I have the scars to prove it. One layer of cotton overalls was about all I could stand to wear while welding. 

If you ever get over to the US, there are several good brands of boot makers that are starting to cater to women. They aren't cheap, but... Loosing toes or being in pain or having swampfoot is worse. 😁 

 I bought a caterpillar safety shoes which ended up being super uncomfortable, then switched to reebook, then stopped wearing them altogether and just put on gaiters lol  

 I don't blame you for not wanting to wear uncomfortable footwear. 

If you ever get the chance, go to a Redwing store and have them fit you. (That presumes you ever visit a major metro area in the US.)  

 Ahh redwing were super heavy for my feet, the EHS officer at the company gave them to me first, but to be fair they were 2 sizes bigger than my foot size, and they weren’t for women.
They were too big that a weld spark slid over them and burned by sock lol
But I wore Reebok when I was forced to go on sites. 

 Really? Mine are the lightest steel-toed boots I've ever worn. Granted, I bought these for that reason, and there are many much heavier types in their catalog.

I'm very curious as to the type you wore.

I have those scars, too. 😅