Types of Protective Footwear


We offer many different types of protective footwear to suit any job. Our range includes safety boots, safety trainers, safety shoes, and safety wellingtons. Before choosing your new footwear, consider the nature of your working environment, and any associated hazards.

Safety footwear is rated to certify that it meets or exceeds specific safety standards such as EN ISO 20345:2011, or the new and updated EN ISO 20345:2022 standard. Some of the common safety features you can expect to find are listed below.


Toe Cap Protection:

Safeguards the toe area from impacts such as the accidental dropping of heavy items. Steel toe caps are popular but many brands now offer toe protection made from lightweight composite materials, such as fibreglass or carbon fibre.


Midsole Protection:

Puncture resistant plates are built into the midsole. This reduces the risk of penetration injuries from sharp objects such as nails and spikes. Protective midsoles are usually made from steel, composite materials or Kevlar.


Slip Resistance:

Slip-resistant soles provide enhanced traction to reduce the likelihood of slips and falls. Slip resistance is vital in environments where slip hazards are commonplace, such as wet conditions, spills, or oily surfaces.


EN ISO 20345:2011 standards provide SRA, SRB, and SRC slip resistance ratings but these have been removed in the recently updated safety footwear standard, EN ISO 20345:2022. This is because slip resistance is now regarded as a crucial safety feature that all newly manufactured safety footwear must conform to. The new 2022 safety standard also provides an additional slip rating test labelled SR. Safety shoes with the SR rating have been tested on ceramic tiles coated with glycerin. Footwear bearing this safety rating demonstrates that it has passed the highest slip resistance test.


Heat Resistant Outsole:

The outer sole is capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 300 °C for 60 seconds. Heat resistant footwear is ideal for environments where workers are exposed to hot surfaces or substances.


Water Resistance:

Footwear designed to keep feet dry in wet conditions. Water resistance may apply to the upper fabric or leather only, or the entire shoe. Carefully check the footwear rating to ensure you get the appropriate level of water resistance that you require.


Anti-Static:

Footwear that features anti-static properties prevents electrostatic build up within the shoe and wearer. Shoes with this rating have an electrical resistance of 0.1 megaohm to 1000 megaohm. This type of footwear reduces the risk of accidental ignition of flammable substances. Shoes with this rating are ideal for working in environments with flammable liquids or vapours. The anti-static rating is not intended to protect against electric shock. If you need electric shock protection, invest in boots or shoes that conform to the Electro Static Discharge Resistant (ESD) rating.


Electro Static Discharge (ESD):

Footwear designed to protect the wearer from the risk of electric shock. This rating has a lower electrical resistance to anti-static rated shoes of 0.1 megaohm to 100 megaohm. Lower electrical resistance facilitates the flow of electrical charges through the footwear to prevent build-up of static electricity on the wearer. This type of footwear is vital in environments where electrostatic discharge must be minimised to protect the wearer and sensitive equipment from harm.


Metatarsal Guards:

Metatarsal guards are designed to protect metatarsal bones from potential workplace hazards, such as falling objects, and compression.


Shock Absorbing Heels:

Footwear with shock-absorbing heels is designed to absorb and disperse energy generated from movement or sudden impacts.


Chain Saw Cutting Resistance:

Safety footwear specifically designed to withstand chain speeds of 63 metres per second (m/s) in accordance with BS EN 17249:2013.


Does my employer have to provide safety footwear?

Employers have a legal obligation under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022 to ensure that suitable PPE is provided free of charge to employees who may be exposed to risk at work. This regulation includes both employees with a contract of employment, and casual or irregular workers. If you are unsure of your rights for free personal protective equipment (PPE), ask your employer for advice.