Safety Footwear Buying Guide - Toolstation

Safety boots are the most common choice for a range of tradespeople. They feature protective toe caps, slip-resistant soles and, if they’re rated S1 P, S2 P, S3 or above, they’ll have a penetration resistant midsole.  A durable midsole can protect your feet from anything that may stick into the shoe, like nails or screws. They also feature a high ankle, offering extra support on uneven work surfaces. 

Jianlida Product Page

Some safety boots have a zipper on the side which makes them easy to put on and take off quickly. You’ll also find some safety boots with elasticated sides to make them even easier to slide on and off. There are also many style options available, from casual to more formal depending on your needs and personal preference.

Safety boots are heavier and bulkier than safety trainers or shoes, which could make you more tired during the day. Also, without high quality socks, they could irritate your ankle or calf. Safety boots are also harder to wipe clean than wellingtons or rigger boots, meaning they’re less suited to very wet and muddy environments.

Safety shoes and trainers are another popular choice and, like safety boots, have protective toe caps. If they’re rated S1 P, S2 P or S3 and above, they’ll have a penetration resistant midsole to protect against upturned screws or nails. They have a low ankle compared to boots, and are ideal for tradies who are after a good level of protection with a more casual appearance.  They also make for a good option in the summer months when safety boots may be a bit too hot. 

Safety shoes and trainers are more lightweight than safety boots, making them easier to wear for longer periods of time. They also offer a good range of movement, ideal if you carry out a lot of DIY jobs while kneeling or crouching. 

This type of safety footwear offers less ankle support than safety boots, which could cause injury if you’re working on uneven ground. They're also a little harder to clean and disinfect compared to wellington boots or rigger boots, which could be a problem if you’re working on an extra-mucky project.

Safety wellingtons are made from waterproof PVC and have a penetration resistant midsole. Rigger boots offer the same higher leg protection but can be made from leather, PU or PVC and have a soft lining and padding. All have a protective toe cap and, if rated S1 P, S2 P or S3 and above, will have a penetration resistant midsole. If rated S3 or above they will also be completely waterproof. Both boots are a popular choice for tradies working with drains, waste water or in very wet and muddy conditions.  This is because the material is resistant to water and very easy to clean.

You’ll find boots with a range of safety features, including a reinforced shin and heel, antistatic (which means electrical charge is sent into the ground rather than the body), as well as heat, fuel and oil resistance. The higher leg helps to ensure that any mud and water doesn't go over the top and into the boot, making them a good choice for groundworkers.

Compared to safety boots and shoes, they have less ankle support as they’re not fitted snugly, this could lead to injuries if you’re working on uneven or rocky terrains. These boots are also heavier and bulkier which could make them more difficult to move around in. You’ll also find non-safety wellingtons tend to cost less but won’t have the same features of toe caps or midsoles.

Steel toe caps are a popular choice when it comes to protecting toes from tools and materials. They’re perfect for jobs that involve heavy parts, materials, and machinery such as forklifts as they’re strong and reliable.

Compared to alternative materials, they tend to cost less, making them perfect if you're on a budget or need to replace your safety boots often. Steel toe caps are found on a wide variety of safety footwear, so you’ll find the right style for you. 

It's important to note that steel toe caps conduct heat and electricity so they could get a little hot in the summer months. They’re also unsafe to use if you’re working with electricity.  Steel toe caps are also heavier than alternative materials, so wearing them for long periods may be tiring. They'll also set off metal detectors, which could be a problem if you’re working on high security sites.

Composite toe caps are made from a variety of materials, often a mixture of kevlar, fibreglass, plastic and carbon fibre. These toe caps are formed using nanotechnology, which creates thin layers of fibre that are fused together tightly to make a thin, lightweight and ultra-strong cap. 

Safety shoes with composite toe caps are especially popular for those working with electricals or in hot or cold environments as they won’t conduct heat or electricity. These toe caps also won’t set off metal detectors, which is ideal if you’re working on sites with high security measures.

Compared to steel, composite toe caps come at a higher cost which means they’re not suitable for every budget – especially if you need to replace them often. There's also less variety in terms of style and size of shoes when compared to safety footwear with steel toe caps.

Aluminium toe caps are very similar to steel toe caps but are much more lightweight and slightly thinner, so they take up less room in the shoe. They’re used for a range of jobs that involve heavy parts or machinery, just like steel alternatives.

Aluminium toe caps make the shoes more comfortable to wear for a longer period of time because they won’t tire you out as easily. 

Want more information on Welding Safety Shoes? Feel free to contact us.

Like steel, aluminium toe caps will conduct heat and electricity. A composite or fibreglass toe cap could be a better option if you’re working in extreme temperatures or near electricity. They’ll also set off metal detectors so consider the security measures of the sites you'll be working on. They typically carry a higher price tag compared to steel toe caps, similar to composite and fibreglass alternatives.

For years now I’ve championed the idea of saving up for the best work boots you can possibly afford. I’ve been an electrician for over twenty years and learned this lesson the hard way- I got my first work boots out of a dumpster.

There is no “perfect work boot”

Since then, I’ve owned dozens of work boots, both cheap and expensive and feel qualified in making some recommendations to you. This guide is difficult to make since most work boots are designed for a specific function. There is no such thing as the all-purpose perfect work boot since conditions and tasks vary widely.

Some boots have a waterproof sock liner for working in wet conditions, others are designed to be as lightweight as possible, some for electrical hazards, and others to resist sparks and welding slag. So take the following as a general guide in broad terms, but always follow the safety guidelines of your specific job.

Tier 1: “Good” Work Boots

At this level you can expect boots made of lower-tier leather or synthetic textiles designed to be as durable as possible, often at the expense of finishing or design. A lot of synthetic components like the midsole, heel counter, and toe are to be expected along with cemented construction in many cases. These are the kind of boots which greet you with an overwhelming smell of adhesives and chemicals when new rather than the smell of leather.

Affordable work boots are a gamble though, and even though most work boots under $200 will rely on synthetic materials, some brands do it better than others. One of my early videos on cheap vs expensive work boots detailed my experience with a horrible pair of Brahama work boots with little between me and the ground but a cheap leather sole and foam.

Often lower tier boots will cut corners where you can’t see it, like the midsole. Generally, some type of foam is used between the insole and outsole, poor examples use an industrial foam not unlike carpet underlayment, decent options will use Poron or similar engineered foam. This is important because inferior quality foam will compress and not give your feet the support they need. 8-hour days feel like 12 in boots like this, and fatigue is a dangerous thing when you’re working near hazards.

If boots like this are all you can afford, put some money aside for decent insoles at a minimum. Work boot insoles are available, but I would avoid gel inserts when possible. And don’t forget that most of these boots are all made in the same factory, just stamped with a different label and sent out the door. So, you may not see any improvement at all if you switch between brands at this tier.

Examples of good work boots:

• Georgia Boots
• Wolverine
• Ariat
• Danner (foreign)
• Chippewa
• Timberland Pro
• Caterpillar
• Carolina
• Silverado
• Keen Utility
• Jim Green Razorback

Tier 2: “Better” Work Boots

The middle tier is where most guys I know will end up buying their boots. $250-$350 goes a long way in work boots. Here you’ll find leathers which are as beautiful as they are durable, more natural materials or more thoughtful designs and components. Boots which can, and will be resoled since they’re worn for long hours in harsh conditions.

Boots at this tier usually need a fair amount of time to break-in since they’re more solidly constructed often with more and thicker leather. For most workers, even the most seasoned tradesmen, these are the boots most seen on the jobsite. Sometimes it doesn’t make much sense to spend more than $250-$350 on boots which see a ton of abuse or lots of grease and oil, making them unwearable after a year.

Synthetic materials at this tier are chosen for a specific purpose rather than a cost saving measure. While some boots are more traditional, some go the route of technical boots incorporating innovative materials and technologies to provide lightweight and tough work boots.

Examples of Better Work Boots

• Danner USA
• Red Wing
• Crispi
• Drews Wildlander
• Goodyear welt Whites
• Thorogood
• Lowa
• Zamberlan

Tier 3: “Best” Work Boots

The best work boots in the world are those with careful design backed with decades of experience. Since there’s no one-size-fits-all best work boot due to the wide variety of conditions, its best to focus on companies with a rock-solid history of outfitting the men and women in your field.

For general construction it doesn’t get much better than the companies found in the pacific northwest where they’ve developed models based on wildland firefighting – some of the harshest conditions out there. They then took that knowledge and applied it to other boots for specific trades. At this level you’ll find thick leathers, tried and true design, and no expense spared in the quest to make (possibly) the last work boots you’ll ever buy.

These are the boots which only get better as you wear them. More interior leather components mean these boots mold to your feet over time for an almost custom fit. They can also be resoled multiple times, adding up to a cost per wear that’s even better than the budget boots. Some companies even have custom fit options where they will size the boots to your feet!

Wesco, Nicks, Whites, Franks, Drews, and JK round out the pacific northwest lineup, with similar designs but slight variation among them.

Canadas Viberg boots offer a monster nail-down constructed boot with a 1” triple midsole and 8oz leather with their 75x Lineman CSA. This is the most heavy-duty work boot I’ve ever seen, and it’s meant for people who need extreme support.

For more Customized Durability Fire-Resistant Welded Shoesinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Examples of Best Work Boots