Did you know that 15% of workplace/construction-related accidents involve the foot? This can be from something being dropped on your toes to punctures from sharp objects – we have seen it all. The best way to prevent these situations from happening is with a good quality pair of the best safety boots you can afford.
With steel toe-caps to protect against impact, anti-penetration soles to avoid sharp objects from cutting the base of your foot and generally comfortable, durable materials – safety boots are a must for pretty much anyone that is regularly completing DIY or spending time in the garden. Even if you aren’t often doing this – we believe you could find a use for a pair of safety boots!
There are hundreds of pairs of safety boots out there – but if you don’t buy the right pair then you will find them pretty useless when you need them. We compared some of the best safety boots to help you find the features that will be right for you!
Best Pick – DeWALT Men’s Titanium Safety Boots
- Full grain wheath leather upper
- Waterproof and breathable Sympatex membrane inner lining
- Padded tongue
- Padded collar
- Steel toe cap protection
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Only Got 5 Minutes?
Anyone who has just seen their friend or work colleague go through a rather nasty accident will rush to get their limbs protected – or maybe you don’t need that stark reminder of the damage that can be done! Either way, this part of the article contains all the essential information you must look out for when buying the best safety boots.
Safety First
If you want to purchase a pair of safety boots, then you are clearly safety conscious – which is the best way to be – so we have included all those safety features you should look for when purchasing your safety boots. Any pair of safety boots that can’t offer you all (or at least some) of these features aren’t worth it if you ask us!
- EN ISO 20345:2011 – This might look like a load of numbers and letters, but it is the regulation that ALL safety footwear must have to say that they are up to European standards and will do what they are designed to do! So, ensure your boots are up to this standard before purchasing!
- Steel toe-cap – As the name suggests, this provides a steel layer or “cap” that goes over the toe of the boot – but on the inside. This means your toes will be protected if you drop heavy tools, objects, or even sharp power tools. A toe break can be painful and a genuine inconvenience, so steel toe caps are essential!
- Anti-penetration soles – when the manufacturers make the shoe, they add a sole plate between the sole layers. This doesn’t reduce the shoe’s comfort for you, as there are plenty of other layers on top (more on this below), but it means that the sole cannot be penetrated from the bottom. So no matter what surface you are working on, or whatever you happen to stand on whilst working, nothing is getting through to pierce the base of your foot!
- Electrical hazard – Electrical hazard protection footwear offers the wearer an extra layer of electrically insulating material. This helps to reduce the chance of someone receiving an electrical shock. Hence, it is a fantastic idea for anyone working with high-voltage circuits or any electricity! However, it is essential to remember that they won’t eliminate the risk of electric shocks!
- Heat resistant – Only you know the environments you will be completing DIY in, and we are sure that you will unlikely be working with temperatures up to 300℃. However, opting for heat-resistant shoes where possible doesn’t harm! Even if it is to protect you from spilt brews!
- Metatarsal protection – If you are working with cumbersome and large pieces of material, you may feel that just having your toes protected from anything dropping on them isn’t quite enough – and we understand why! You have 52 bones crammed in both of your feet, and every single one of these needs protection, so it may be worth going for shoes that have protection up the front under the laces – this is known as metatarsal protection.
Safety Grading
Many manufacturers opt for using safety numbers and standards to make it easier to know exactly what it is that you are buying. These will align with European safety standards, so you know that it will be consistent!
But you must know what each number includes to know whether it is right for you! SB stands for Standard Basic, so you will find the basic level of protection in safety boots such as steel-toe caps. The standards then go up from 1 to 5, covering some of the above features and more. The higher the number, the more protection you will get, so this is important to consider before you buy.
TOP TIP: The British Safety Industry Federation has very strict standards for safety in the workplace, and this includes footwear. This means that if you see a manufacturer that is a member of the BSiF, you know that footwear will be of high quality and able to protect your feet from almost anything!
The Shoe
Now that you know about the key safety aspects that you need to consider before purchasing your safety boots, we can go into more detail about the actual shoe itself – because, let’s best honest – it can be the safest shoe in the world, but it if it isn’t comfy and practical then what’s the point?
Material
Safety boots are usually made from leather or synthetic materials. Still, all will be durable, waterproof and hardy to stop the risk of anything being able to cut through them and cause damage to the top of your foot. Leather will usually be more expensive, but this is arguably the strongest and best quality of materials to be used.
It will be long-lasting, and you won’t have to worry about the boots losing shape over time. Synthetic materials are usually cheaper and therefore make the cost of the boots cheaper – they also tend to be easier to clean and less likely to mark. However, we found that they are more likely to crack and peel over time, particularly if they are getting wet.
TOP TIP: Make sure that the material you go for offers breathability. This is so important for comfort if you wear your boots for long periods!
Sole
Look out for safety boots with multiple soles, as this will help increase the comfort of wearing your safety boots. The best outer soles will be made from EVA – a waterproof, flexible, but strong material that will help to avoid penetration and keep your feet warm. Not just that, but make sure that the grip on your shoes is of good quality to avoid slipping when you are working.
After your outer sole should be your steel sole, which is a solid layer that will prevent ANY sharp objects from penetrating the sole of your shoe, this is essential as even if you think you know the grounds that you are working in, you never know what you may end up standing on.
Safety boots will often have two or more padded inner soles, which help improve your comfort and warmth when working. Make sure that these layers offer comfort and breathability, as if you are working for an extended period, your feet will probably begin to sweat.
Colour
Almost all safety boots will come in shades of black, grey and brown. Whether you are fashion-conscious or not(!), these will be the best colours to go for as they will look new for longer and avoid becoming marked and scuffed quickly. If you are going for practicality, black will always be best, as it can hide any number of sins!
You will find a range of paler brown boots on the market, which have a nice look to them, but make sure that they have a protected layer/seal over the outer material so they can be cleaned and wiped down!
Fastening
You rarely find safety boots with anything other than laces because they can be adjusted to suit each foot to ensure that snug fit that will support your foot and keep you safe whilst you are working. Look out for a tongue attached to the sides of the shoe, as these will help prevent dust, debris and liquids from getting into the shoe. Then once you have found this, make sure the laces are good quality, but most importantly, the eyes and hooks are strong and durable! You can always replace the laces, but fixing a hook that has ripped off is much harder!
Best Budget – Dickies Antrim, Men’s Saftey Boots
- Steel toe-cap to en20345 (200 joules), steel midsole for underfoot protection, oil resistant, slip resistant, padded tongue, dual density pu sole
- Breathable textile lining
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Additional Safety Boot Features
Not all safety boots are made the same, and we presume you want the best safety boots you can find for your budget! Who wouldn’t? Here are some extra features that are worth looking out for before you make your purchase!
- Heel puller – Not all safety boots will have heel pullers, but we think it should be essential on your tick list! Boots aren’t always easier to pull on and off, but a secure and sturdy heel puller makes it much easier!
- Memory foam insole – If you know that you will be wearing your safety boots regularly, look out for ones with a memory foam insole; these will mould to your feet and offer increased comfort.
- Arch support – Anyone with a bad back or sore ankles and feet will benefit from arch support. Many safety boots will have this built-in to save you from transferring insoles to different shoes.
- Mock fur lining – If you want books that will be particularly warm and comfortable, look out for ones that offer a mock fur lining. This will help keep your feet warm through those winter months and offer increased comfort – it’s almost like wearing your slippers when working. However, it is worth bearing in mind that these will often be less breathable, so they could become smelly quicker if you put your feet through some hard work!
Best of the Rest
- SIX MONTH SOLE WARRANTY On All Our Footwear | 100% Approval Rate
- OIL AND SLIP RESISTANT long lasting soles with anti-static heels SRC | Comfort build from inside-out
- DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE AT WORK:Black Hammer leather safety boots offer heavy-duty protection while you tread over sharp, bulky, high voltage, slippery, wet, dangerous objects – or just stand on a concrete surface for several hours straight
- COMFORT-DRIVEN DESIGN: Our black work boots are heavy and stiff enough to protect your feet, but not more than they need to be. The mesh inner layer provides breathability and the super-soft insole cushions and cradles your foot for additional shock absorbance.
- DON'T TRUST US; TRUST OUR CERTIFICATIONS: We can supply certificates to prove our waterproof black leather shoes meet and exceed EU Safety Standards EN ISO 20345:2011 S3 SRC, which is required for a building site. Never think twice about the safety and quality of our boots!
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- 200 Joules composite toe cap
- Non-metallic, anti-penetration midsole
- Half moulded rubber and half water resistant leather upper
- Breathable waterproof membrane and mesh lining
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- Breathable upper: fashion appearance, these work shoes are light and comfortable, keeping your feet comfortable even after a long day of work, moisture wicking mesh lining for maximum airflow, mesh hole design highly breathable keep the feet stay fresh and odorless at all times.
- Anti-Smashing: Our safety shoes feature European standard widened steel toe caps that can withstand 200J of impact resistance. Not only can it better protect your toes but also provide plenty of inner space for your toes, making your feet more comfortable.
- Puncture Proof: The safety trainers with thickened Kevlar midsole can bear forces 1200N, which prevents foreign objects from penetrating the outsole and protect your feet while working in harsh environments or on outdoor adventures.
- Our soles have been upgraded with high quality, using TPR material to make our shoes lighter and more comfortable than other shoes on the market. Our TPR soles are ultra-wear resistant, non-slip, resilient, shockproof.The soles of the special lines have a strong grip, superior anti-skid performance, greatly enhance the safety.
- Multi-function: Steel toe cap trainers Perfect for drivers, warehouse personnel, logistics, auto mechanics, construction industry, machinery, carpenters, gardening, etc. in the tough working environment, our shoes are guaranteed to be comfortable, durable and safe.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Safety First!
Looking to stay safe when you are working? You could need more than just safety boots to do that. Check out the articles below for all the safety gear you need when working!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are work boots good for standing all day?
Certainly, the best safety boots are designed with comfortable and supportive features, allowing you to stand all day without discomfort. This is possible due to robust cushioning, ergonomic design, and proper arch support that safeguards your feet.
Should I size up or down for safety boots?
When it comes to finding the best safety boots, getting the correct size is essential. Typically, it’s recommended to size up rather than down. This ensures you have enough room for movement, preventing blisters and discomfort. Also, consider the thickness of the socks you plan to wear with them.
How do I make my safety shoes not hurt?
Ensure you’ve selected the right size and fit to prevent discomfort when wearing your safety boots. Additionally, wear them around your house to break them in before wearing them for a full workday. Invest in quality, cushioned socks and consider using insoles for added comfort.
How often should you replace work boots?
The lifespan of your best safety boots depends on usage and work conditions, but generally, they should be replaced every 6 to 12 months. Always check for signs of wear and tear, such as damaged soles, exposed steel toe caps, or deteriorating comfort.
Should you wear insoles in boots?
Yes, insoles can significantly enhance the comfort and support of your safety boots. They can help prevent foot fatigue, provide additional arch support, and may help extend the lifespan of your boots.
How do you break in steel toe boots?
To break in your best safety boots, wear them in a comfortable environment for short periods, gradually increasing the time and activity level. Use a leather conditioner if they’re made of leather to soften the material. Remember, breaking in should not cause pain—if it does, the boots may not be the right fit.
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