As a professional steel toe shoes factory in China, Ningbo Toprise Security Products Co., Ltd would like to share the ABC of safety boots.
Steel Toe Shoes for Workplace Safety
In construction, manufacturing, warehouses or any other industry with potential dangers from heavy objects, sharp tools, and slippery surfaces, it’s essential to have steel toe shoes for foot protection. In 2018 over 96,000 foot and ankle injuries resulted in lost workdays. The average 2017-2018 workers compensation claim for ankle injuries was $17,210 for medical costs with an additional $13,276 of indemnity. Workplace foot injuries were similarly expensive, averaging $15,762 in medical costs and $11,866 in indemnity.
Steel toe shoes is characteristic of a steel toe cap, which can withstand high levels of pressure. Under safety standards (like ASTM F2413), the steel toe cap can endure up to 2,500 pounds of compression. So quality protective shoes would be highly effective in protecting toes against any falling heavy objects.
Quality Standard of Steel Toe Safety Shoes
ASTM F2413 Steel Toe Shoes
As the primary safety standard for protective footwear in the United States, it requires that the steel toed shoes shall withstand an impact force of at least 75 foot-pounds and up to 2,500 pounds of compression.
EN ISO 20345 Steel Toe Shoes
Under the European standard for safety footwear, steel toe boots must resist an impact of at least 200 joules (equivalent to 148 foot-pounds) and withstand 15 kN of compression force (about 3,300 pounds). There is one more specific standard called EN 12568 in EU countries. The EN 12568 safety shoes are equivalent to work boots under EN ISO 20345.
CSA Z195 Steel Toe Shoes
Under the CSA Z195 footwear standard in Canada, steel toe work boots shall meet a minimum of 125 joules of impact and 10 kN (2,250 pounds) of compression force.
ANSI Z41 Steel Toe Shoes
ANSI Z41 was the previous U.S. standard for protective footwear before ASTM F2413 became the standard in 2005. It is no longer actively used, but older shoes may still carry this certification. ASTM F2413 standards have largely replaced ANSI Z41.
Types of Steel Toe Shoes
The key types of steel toe shoes can vary based on factors such as material, design, and additional safety features. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of steel toe shoes and their specific applications.
Composite Toe Shoes vs. Steel Toe Shoes
Based on types of steel toe cap, there are mainly two types – Composite Toe Shoes and Steel Toe Shoes on market. Here’s a comparison table to get a better understanding of the two types of work shoes:
| Feature | Composite Toe Safety Shoes(also known as plastic steel toe shoes) | Steel Toe Safety Shoes |
| Material | Non-metal materials like Kevlar, carbon fiber, plastic | Steel, a durable metal alloy |
| Weight | Lighter, typically 30% lighter than steel toe | Heavier |
| Protection Level | impact & compression protection up to safety standards (200 joules for EN ISO 20345) | often stronger than composite materials |
| Conductivity | Non-conductive, ideal for electrical environments | Conducts electricity, not for environments with electrical hazards |
| Temperature Sensitivity | Doesn’t get as cold or hot, better for extreme temperature environments | Conducts heat and cold, uncomfortable in extreme weather conditions |
| Magnetic Sensitivity | Non-magnetic, suitable for metal detection or magnetic interference | Magnetic, unsuitable for environments with metal detectors or magnetic interference |
| Durability | Durable, but generally less impact-resistant than steel under extreme conditions | Very durable, offers strong protection from both impact and compression |
| Comfort | more comfortable for longer wear | Heavier, less comfortable for extended wear |
| Cost | Typically more expensive | Usually more affordable than composite toe shoes |
| Suitability | Ideal for jobs in electrical, outdoor, or cold environments | Ideal for jobs that require heavy-duty protection, like construction, manufacturing, or industrial work |
| Compliance | Meets safety standards like ASTM F2413 and EN ISO 20345, just like steel toe shoes | Also meets safety standards like ASTM F2413 and EN ISO 20345 |
| Flexibility | Slightly more flexible due to lighter materials | Less flexible because of the rigidity of steel |
Leather Steel Toe Shoes
Genuine or full-grain leather work shoes are highly durable and moderately breathable, though not as much as synthetic ones. The leather can be treated for water resistance, for which we can wear the shoes in wet or muddy environments. Leather steel toe shoes are widely used in heavy-duty industries like construction and manufacturing.
Synthetic Steel Toe Shoes
Synthetic safety shoes are made from man-made materials such as nylon, polyester, or microfiber. Although generally less durable than leather, the synthetic safety boots with steel toe cap still offer good foot protection. Moreover, this kind of safety shoes are lightweight and highly breathable. And many of them are of waterproof performance. These work shoes are suitable for lighter industrial environments that require more mobility, such as warehousing, logistics, or light manufacturing.
Mesh or Flyknit Steel Toe Shoes
Flyknit safety shoes are known for its excellent breathability. They are not as durable as leather or synthetic. And flyknit safety boots are not waterproof. But they are flexible and breathable. So the mesh steel toe safety boots are perfect to wear in hot environment. They are suitable for logistics, light industrial work, or indoor dry environments.
Nubuck or Suede Steel Toe Shoes
We put the two types of safety shoes together, as both of them are part of leather work shoes. Here’s a comparison table between Nubuck Leather and Suede Leather Steel Toe Shoes:
| Feature | Nubuck Leather Steel Toe Shoes | Suede Leather Steel Toe Shoes |
| Material | Top grain leather, sanded for a velvety texture | Underside of the hide, softer and less durable |
| Durability | More durable, handles wear and tear well | Less durable, prone to scuffs and wear |
| Texture | Soft, smooth, and velvety with a refined finish | Fuzzy, soft, with a more casual and rugged look |
| Water Resistance | Moderately water-resistant with proper treatment | Highly absorbent, requires frequent waterproofing |
| Breathability | Moderate breathability | Good breathability, but may absorb moisture easily |
| Maintenance | Easier to maintain, but requires periodic care | Needs frequent care and protection against water and stains |
| Appearance | Refined, polished, and upscale | Casual, rugged, and less formal |
| Comfort | Comfortable, durable for extended wear | Very comfortable, softer but less suited for rough conditions |
| Protection | Provides strong protection with steel toe cap | Provides protection but may wear out faster |
| Applications | Heavy-duty work (construction, industrial) | Lighter-duty work (warehousing, indoor jobs) |
| Cost | More expensive due to higher-quality leather | Generally more affordable |
| Ideal Environment | Outdoor and indoor, with occasional exposure to water | Indoor or dry environments, not suitable for wet conditions |
Rubber or PVC Steel Toe Shoes
Steel toe work boots made from rubber or PVC are extremely durable and resistant to chemicals, oils, and water. They are not very breathable and less suitable for hot environments. But the shoes are excellent in wet conditions like agriculture, chemical handling and food processing. For more guidance about the chemical resistance difference between the rubber and PVC steel toe shoes, we have created a table below for reference:
| Feature | PVC steel toe boots | Rubber steel toe boots |
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent resistance including acids, alkalis, salts, and oils. | Good resistance, but less resistant than PVC, particularly with certain solvents and oils. |
| Resistance to Acids | Highly resistant to both weak and strong acids | Moderate resistance to acids, better for natural rubber than synthetic rubber |
| Resistance to Alkalis | Excellent resistance to alkalis | Generally good |
| Resistance to Oils and Grease | Moderate to good resistance, especially against oils and greases | Natural rubber has poor resistance to oils |
| Resistance to Organic Solvents | Poor to moderate resistance to organic solvents (e.g., ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons) | has better resistance to organic solvents |
| Resistance to Abrasion | Less resistant to physical wear and abrasion compared to rubber | More resistant to abrasion and physical wear, making rubber suitable for harsher environments |
| Resistance to UV and Ozone | Vulnerable to degradation from UV exposure unless treated | prone to ozone and UV degradation; |
| Flexibility | Less flexible, especially in cold temperatures where it becomes brittle | More flexible, maintains its properties better over a range of temperatures |
| Cost | Generally less expensive than rubber | Often more expensive |
| Applications in Chemical Environments | Ideal for environments with exposure to acids, bases, salts, and oils | Best for environments requiring flexibility and resistance to organic solvents, moderate oils, and abrasion |
Conclusion
Steel toe shoes come in a variety of types, each designed to meet the specific needs of different industries. Understanding these different types ensures that workers can select footwear that not only meets safety standards but also provides the durability and comfort needed for their specific tasks. To customize your steel toe safety boots, click here for further discussion.
