The Ultimate Safety Footwear Guide

Wearing the correct safety footwear is essential when doing work that requires safety from hazards. Protecting your feet by wearing safety boots can prevent injuries that may arise, creating a safer working environment.

Browse our collection of safety footwear here.

What is EN ISO 20345:2011?

All footwear which is classified as an item of PPE or safety footwear must be tested to the EN ISO 20345:2011 standard. This guarantees protection against impacts of at least 200 joules and 15 kN in compression force.

What is EN ISO?

When an international standard (ISO) is adopted by the European Union it becomes EN ISO.

Footwear Safety Ratings

In addition to the minimum level of protection covered by EN ISO 20345, there are various additional safety features that your footwear may offer. These are covered by the tables below:

Additional Safety Footwear Abbreviations

 Non-slip Safety Ratings

In many working environments it is also vital to wear footwear that will prevent you from slipping on the flooring and be sure footed. The certifications and explanations for these classifications is below:

FAQ’s

What are safety boots?

Safety footwear is meticulously tested to ensure that they comply with EN ISO 20345 as a minimum safety standard for safety footwear. Safety boots have additional safety features, including steel toe-caps, anti-penetration midsoles, and slip-resistant sole units.

What are safety boots used for?

Safety boots are used to help protect the feet of people who work in all industries, completely eliminating or reducing the severity of injuries that may occur in the workplace.

How do safety boots protect me?

Safety boots feature protective reinforcement at the front to make them more durable. This helps to protect feet from falling objects and unintended compression. Safety boots often also feature a mid-sole plate to prevent against punctures that may come from beneath. For any product to be categorised and certified as safety footwear it must meet or exceed EN ISO 20345 safety standards.

What are the lightest safety boots?

Composite toe-cap safety boots are usually much lighter than steel alternatives and therefore a great choice for high-performance workers who are looking for boots which aren't heavy.

When should safety footwear be inspected?

Safety footwear should be inspected every time they are being worn, to look for any damage such as holes, dirt and buckles. When not being worn safety footwear should be cleaned and stored in a clean, dry space.

How long do work boots last?

There is no official length of time for how long safety boots should last or when to replace your safety footwear, however shoes and boots often show significant signs of wear after six months to one year of daily wear.

How can I make my work boots more comfortable?

To make work boots more comfortable, we recommend wearing work socks with your boots and avoid wearing thin socks. You should get a certain amount of cushioning from your work socks to ensure a more comfortable fit.

Choosing the right safety footwear

1. Check the safety standards

It’s important to check the product’s certification and buy for the specific profession and conditions that you work in to ensure that the safety shoes that you buy are fit for purpose.

2. Wear the right socks

Wear work socks when trying on safety shoes, as your work socks may be thicker than your standard socks.

3. Try on properly

Make sure you try on properly before commencing work. Sizes can vary between each brand and style of safety shoe. As feet tend to swell throughout the day you should try on safety shoes at the end of a working day, so that your feet will be a more realistic size. Consider trying on a few pairs at the same time.

4. Simulate work-like movements

Recreate working conditions such as simulating work-like movements when trying on safety shoes, as this will be the most realistic movements you will make on a daily basis - any discomfort is a sign of an ill-fit.

How should work boots fit?

When wearing work boots there should be around 1 inch of space in front of your toes, with your heel being firmly in place and not rubbing against the back of the boot. If your feet feel pressure which causes you discomfort we recommend trying on a larger size.

How can I stretch or widen my work boots?

If you’re boots are a little too narrow you can try the water trick; Place a tied-up bag of water inside your boots and stick them in the freezer until the water freezes (usually after a few hours). Then simply remove them from the freezer, take out the bags and wear. You can repeat this process a couple of times until they've stretched enough for you.

Can work boots cause back pain?

If you aren’t wearing the correct footwear whilst you are on your feet for long hours then you will be putting strain on your feet and joints, which create misalignment and pressure on your lower back. Wearing comfortable work boots which have arch support and a shock-absorbing sole will help prevent back pain.

Can work boots cause knee pain?

People with musculoskeletal disorders such as plantar fasciitis often experience knee injuries, due to wearing work boots which provide inadequate sole or heel support.

Can work boots be used for hiking?

Work boots can be used for hiking, however it's important to remember that not all work boots are created the same, and some will leave your feet sore if you primarily use them as your hiking footwear.

Footwear Size Chart