Here at WorkStuff UK, we know that choosing the correct footwear for the job can be a difficult task.
That’s why we’ve put together some helpful tips to make that task a little easier.
Puncture Protection Midsole
The Midsole is a layer of material that lays between the sole and base of the boot, this will protect you if you stand on any nails, glass or anything sharp.
It is essential on many construction sites and recycling plants.
You can choose from either Steel Midsole or Composite Midsole.
Advantages of Composite
– They’re very light, if your job includes lots of walking this will be crucial.
– Very flexible, if you’re bending down often the boots will bend rather than remain rigid.
– They are metal-free if this something your job requires due to metal detectors on site this may be crucial, also no risk of conducting electricity or creating sparks.
Disadvantages of Composite
– Generally more expensive due to manufacturing difficulty and cost.
– Some studies show that a sharp point such as a needle could be thin enough to penetrate through the woven material.
– Cannot offer as much concentrated protection, if you work in high risk environments they won’t offer as much protection compared to Steel.
Advantages of Steel
– Generally cheaper than Composite due to Steel being readily available.
– Steel can often highly exceed the protection regulations when compared to Composite, could be argued that it’s more protective in extreme cases.
Disadvantages of Steel
– Very heavy, can take its toll when walking around all day.
– Not very flexible, if you’re bending down often the rigidity can hurt your feet.
– Steel can trap in heat during Summer months, making your feet very warm and can become extremely cold in Winter months making your feet very cold. Wouldn’t recommend for Cold Storage jobs.
– Steel will trigger metal detectors off every time if your job includes you to walk through them regularly.
Toe Caps
These will protect your toes if you drop anything heavy on your foot.
In this day and age Safety Boots will come with a Toe Cap as minimum and construction jobs often require them.
You can choose from Steel, Aluminium and Composite Toe Caps.
Advantages of Steel
– Generally cheaper due to Steel compound being readily available and easy to manfuacture.
– Exceeds Crush Protection Regulations when compared to competition so could be argued is the most protective of the three.
Disadvantages of Steel
– Steel is very heavy can become tiresome when walking all day.
– Steel isn’t flexible so can hurt your feet if bending down a lot.
– Can trap in heat during hot summer months, making your feet very warm and unable to cool down. In addition, Steel can become very cold during winter months making your feet very cold.
– Will trigger metal detectors if you have to pass through them for your job.
– If footwear is worn down and metal becomes exposed could pose a very dangerous threat of electrocution as Steel is a conductor.
Advantages of Aluminium
– Stronger than Steel, could be argued they’re the strongest of the three.
– 30-50% lighter than Steel, makes walking around regularly far less tiresome.
– Thinner compound than Steel so will leave more room in toe box for comfort ability.
Disadvantages of Aluminium
– In most circumstances are more expensive than Steel due to their advantages.
– Just like Steel, will trigger metal detectors so can become an inconvenience if you regularly have to pass through one.
– Not as impact or compression resistant as Steel.
Advantages of Composite
– Can offer just as much protection overall as Steel and Aluminium.
– Much more comfortable than the competition, with it’s flexibility and weightlessness, makes walking and bending down regularly a breeze.
– 100% Metal-Free so will not trigger any metal detectors and pose no threat to causing electrocution as composite is not conductive.
– Can be fitted throughout the entirety of the shoe rather than just the toe area, so will protect a wider area of the foot.
Disadvantages of Composite
– Do not typically exceed Protection Regulations like Steel and Aluminium do.
– Not as affordable as Aluminium and Steel due to the difficulty of manufacturing.
Sole Unit
A Sole Unit is what gives the Boot Slip Resistance.
The majority of soles are crafted with Rubber or Polyurethane (PU).
It depends on your environment on what material is best for you.
Polyurethane (PU)
You can get two different PU Density: Double Density and Single Density PU.
Double is hard and more resistant. It is also anti-static.
Single Density is essentially a less durable and resistant version.
Advantages of PU
– PU is soft material with very flexible grip in various areas meaning it’s comfortable and slip resistant.
– PU tends to be more durable and not get worn out like rubber sometimes does.
– It’s soft, pliable and flexible, which basically makes it a good product for grip.
Disadvantages of PU
– Not as heat resistant as Rubber, could make it a bad option if you’re working around heat regularly.
Rubber
Not all Rubber soles are the same.
Depending on the Brand and Type, the attributes will vary.
Double check when purchasing which type of Rubber the Soles are.
Advantages of Rubber
– Rubber Soles offer more balance and is well known for being durable and sturdy which would make it the better option if you’re not the best on your feet.
– It’s water and heat resistant.
– Rubber can stand up to 300 degrees Celsius whereas PU only 120, this may be the better option if working on hot tarmac.
Disadvantages of Rubber
– Rubber tends to wear easier which could have an effect on the Slip Resistance after time.
In today’s market you can combine the two with a PU rubber sole, the first layer is PU to give the shoe a spongy feel and the second layer is Rubber.
It is possible to overprotect, for instance if you are wearing high levels of grip in a dry environment, you could fall over in very dry environments, making sure your Sole Unit is appropriate to your working environment is essential.
SRA
Tested on Ceramic Tile Wetted with Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (A Diluted Soap Solution)
SRB
Tested on Steel with Glycerol
SRC
Tested Under Both SRA and SRB Conditions
Safety Ratings
When purchasing your work boots you’ll notice Codes in the tongue of the boot. These corollate to different safety ratings and different levels of protection.
SB
Safety Basic
– Steel Toe Cap upto 200 Joules
S1P
Safety Rating 1 Penetration
– All Previous Properties
– Penetration Resistant Midsole
SBP
Safety Basic Penetration
– Steel Toe Cap upto 200 Joules
– Penetration Resistant Midsole
S2
Safety Rating 2
– All Previous Properties
– Water Absorption
S1
Safety Rating 1
– Steel Toe Cap upto 200 Joules
– Closed Heel Area
– Energy Absorption at Seat Area
– Anti-Static Properties
– Resistance to Fuel Oil
S3
Safety Rating 3
– All Previous Properties
– Penetration Resistance
– Cleated Outsole
S4
Safety Rating 4
– Steel Toe Cap upto 200 Joules
– Polymer/Rubber Upper (e.g. Wellies) Making Them Waterproof and Leak Proof
– Anti-Static Properties
– Energy Absorption
S5
Safety Rating 5
– Penetration Resistant Midsole
– Steel Toe Cap upto 200 Joules
– Polymer/Rubber Upper (e.g. Wellies) Making Them Waterproof and Leak Proof
– Energy Absorption
– Anti-Static Properties
– Cleated Outsole
Additional Symbols
P – Penetration Resistance
C – Conductive
A – Anti-Static
I – Electricity Insulating Footwear
WR – Water Resistance
M – Metatarsal Protection
AN – Ankle Protection
CR – Cut Resistance Upper
WRU – Water Penetration & Absorption Upper
HRO – Heat Resistant Outsole to 300°C
We hope this Blog helped you find the correct footwear that you need.
If you would like to view our extensive range of Footwear, you can do so by clicking here…
