Necessity really is the mother of all invention, especially when it comes to work boots. In New England, moc-toe hunting boots helped trappers handle harsh northern winters. In the Midwest, work boots ...

Roberta Shoemaker runs a family-owned company that has produced rugged men’s work boots for 92 years. But as the first woman to run West Coast Shoe Co., she has itched to produce a feminine boot line.

Oakland-based Standard and Strange collaborated with heritage bootmaker Wesco on a new limited-edition boot that costs a hefty $775. While the price is higher than many boots on the market, it’s not ...