Our Introduction to Safety Footwear

When it comes to protective clothing in the workplace, safety footwear is not often at the forefront of most people’s minds. However, wearing the right foot protection is a vital guard against injury in an accident or unnecessary expense. That’s why here at Active Workwear we offer a wide range of safety boots, trainers and shoes to help keep your feet safe while you are at work, at the same time offering both comfort and style.

Safety footwear comes in various guises, each boasting slightly different qualities. Does a boot have a steel toe cap or a steel mid-sole? Is your shoe water-repellent or is it chemically resistant? Here are just four kinds of safety footwear one can find available on the market and what distinguishes them from other types of footwear.

Rigger boots

If you’ve been in manual work long, you will likely have heard of rigger boots. Named after their use as a standard issue boot for workers on oil rigs in the North Sea, these pull-on safety boots made of leather or rubber are now an excellent choice for all types of manual workers as a general-purpose safety boot.

Rigger boots are often waterproof and come with steel toe caps and midsoles, along with a slip-resistant sole – making them ideal for working outdoors in blustery conditions.

Wellington boots

Wellington boots are a familiar sight at work sites and music festivals everywhere. Perhaps the most famous type of waterproof safety boots, these deep boots made of rubber and PVC plastic are an invaluable possession for those outdoors working in inclement weather, particularly deep water or mud. Their toughness also makes wellington boots excellent in cold environments, with some wellies such as Dunlop’s Purofort Thermo+ capable of handling temperatures as low as -50 degrees Celsius. 

Non-steel safety footwear

While steel toecaps are common in many types of safety shoe, some workers need safety footwear that offers greater flexibility, such as hikers walking in treacherous conditions, or where metal is not permissible. Non-steel safety footwear often comes with a toe cap made of a composite material instead of steel, offering protection while meeting the needs of their environment.

Contact us!

Here at Active Workwear we have safety footwear suitable for every occasion. If you have any questions about our safety footwear please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by visiting our contact page. We’d be pleased to help you find the right foot protection for your industry.