Can’t go wrong with Redwing iron rangers which I think go down to a US size 5 (not sure what that is in European but you mentioned 6 in your post being a bit too big)

Anything with a good year welt would be good. White’s Boots, Nick’s Boots, Red Wing, Danner, Crockett & Jones, and Cheaney are good options and will likely last you forever

I wear a small size too. My Eddie Bauer hiking boots are holding up very well. Also have ancient Timberland hiking boots but they are on the small side and narrower, so not as good for actual hiking. Both are lace up. I don’t wear other boots much, so can’t speak to other styles.

Try Timberland. Also very comfortable.

Have you looked at Keen? Also, given your likely adorable sizing problem, have you considered having boots custom made?

Have a look at dealer boots. Brands im not sure but in terms of zipper free they might fit the profile.

Second this. Redwing makes really good boots. Iron rangers or the Moc toes. If you’re on a budget look on Sierra, they often have factory seconds that’s are usually just a little scuffed

I second all of these brands. They also sell in different widths (wide, and narrow) that may be helpful for someone describing themselves as petite. Go get fitted because these boots are not cheap!

Seems like you might be in Europe based on listing European sizes. Altama (https://originalfootwear.com/) seems to make boots down to men's size 4 and they ship internationally. Mostly combat boots/police boots. They make boots for the US military. They're not Goodyear welt, so you might not be able to have them resoled, but they should last for a while. When I used to wear Altama boots I had to size down a little too.

Drew's Boots makes boots down to a women's 5, which would be a men's 4. More expensive but a different style and more BIFL.

Women's Corcoran jump boots go down to size 4. They have some other styles down to a women's 4, but it seems kinda random as to what they make that small. Their factory store doesn't ship outside the US, but you should be able to find the same boots getting sold by a retailer that does.

Keens are ass.

Nicks/whites/Wesco will get the right size for you. No boots are bifl but they will last decades. They are extremely expensive though

Also highly recommend these. I have two pairs and I love them. They do go down to size 5. An fyi in terms of sizing: I'm usually a 6.5 and tried on both the 6.5 and 6 initially. The 6 felt a little tight but the salesperson assured me they were the correct choice and they'd loosen up with wear. They fit perfectly now.

My wife is a 4.5 in most shoes but Red Wings in whatever their smallest women’s size is fit her fine with decently thick socks.

Great question. I wear a women's size "4.5 Narrow" US, and finding ANY shoes that last is nearly impossible without spending a small fortune. Kids shoes, aside from looking like kids shoes, are definitely not made to last.

I had a friend that could wear Doc Marten's, and they held up well, but they're too wide for me. I wish you luck.

I buy doc martens in the smallest size then wear them with insoles and they work perfect. I’m a size 5

Maybe look at Danner. I have a Quarry pair in a US women’s 5/36 and Pacific Rim in a 5/34.5. I wear thicker socks with them but they fit.

Limmer sells a women's 5.5.

i do have a pair of docs from the old made in england series and they're indeed cool, but i did have to wear two-three pairs of socks with them, unfortunately

thanks for the recommendations, i'll make sure to check them out! and yup, i'm european; polish, to be exact :)

thanks, i'll check out their offerts!

5.5 would be too big for me, unfortunately, but thanks anyways!

i'll check them out, ty!

thanks, i'll make sure to look there before buying them full-price!

thanks for so many suggestions, i'll look at all of them <3

Palladium! They make a women's US 4.5, if not smaller. It will either say women's US 4.5 or 'big kids' 3 - they are equivalent.

PALLATROOPER HI-1
PAMPA CUFF WP LUX
PAMPA SHIELD WP+ LTH
PAMPA SPORT CUFF WPS
LEGION HIKER
are leather, no zipper, bifl-worthy boots by Palladium available in W US 4.5

I don't love the US site's search/filtering capabilities so I recommend contacting their support if you don't see what you want - and I know settling for something that says 'kids' on it is not ideal, but I hope this helps some.

'likely adorable' 🤮🤮🤮

Have you tried buying the doc marten insoles? They also make kids sizes that will definitely fit you.

i'll check them out, thanks!!

I feel your pain, sister. I wear a US 6.5, UK 4 and there is very little available. I find the biggest problem is consistency. Redwing used to have more heritage boots, but now I don't see a basic moc toe on their site, just fashion boots, i.e. high heel. Ditto Chippewa, I bought a neat pair of short top engineer boots off Sierra trading post but they appear to have gotten out of the heritage boot game altogether. Head on over to the Goodyear welt subreddit and I think there is a women's manufacturer spreadsheet pinned. Good luck!

that's an awesome suggestion, tysm!

Adelante boots in Guatemala handmakes boots in many sizes.

What kind of price range? Wesco boots will make you custom boots made specifically for your foot, but they are expensive

Cartalana , opinacze army boots

I’ve definitely worn Docs in kids sizes before lol also check out Red Wings and Blundstones

Nicks has a selection if you want to take a look

https://nicksboots.com/in-stock-boots/store-stock/store-stock-sizes-4-6-5/