Safety footwear is designed to protect and safeguard the wearers feet from impacts, sharp materials and hazardous substances found on the floor. 

The impact and penetration protection is provided by a reinforced toe-cap and midsole. 

Under ISO 20345 (the safety standard for safety footwear) the toecap must protect from high speed impacts of up to 200 joules energy to the top and slow speed impacts (or squeezes) of up to 100 joules energy to the side.  The midsole must protect must from penetration hazards of up to 100 joules energy. 

To provide this protection manufacturers reinforce the toecap and sole area with high strength inserts that are built into the construction of the footwear’s upper and sole.

These inserts can be constructed from steel or a composite material. 

Steel toe-caps and midsoles are the traditional choice and have been main-stays of the safety industry for many years. 

It is from this tradition that terms like “steelies” have been coined. 

In comparison composite toe-caps and midsoles are relatively new and unknown. 

Both options offer the same protection as the footwear is certified under ISO 20345. There is no allowance for different performance levels. 

For our customers like waste collection or street cleansing teams we always recommend going for the composite options. 

Composite footwear offers a higher degree of flexibility and comfort for workers on their feet all day long.  The inserts are also less hard-wearing on the sole and upper they are part of and will often last longer in workplaces with high footfall/usage. 

Our Lightyear range of safety footwear is constructed exclusively from composite materials and is popular with all our customers in the waste and cleansing sectors.  Why not get in touch today to arrange an obligation free trial for your workforce today?? 

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