What does S1 mean on safety footwear?

S1 under EN ISO 20345 means a 200 joule toecap plus a closed heel, an antistatic build and an energy-absorbing heel. It is designed for dry indoor work and does not include a penetration-resistant midsole or a water-resistant upper.

What is the difference between S1 and S1P?

S1P is S1 plus a penetration-resistant midsole that protects the sole against nails and sharp objects. Everything else is the same, so S1P is the choice where debris on the floor is a risk.

Are S1 safety shoes waterproof?

No. S1 has no water-resistance requirement. S2 adds a water-resistant upper, S3 adds that plus a midsole, and S7 adds whole-boot water resistance.

Is S1 antistatic footwear the same as ESD?

No. Antistatic is a requirement of S1 and dissipates static through the sole. ESD is a stricter, separately tested standard for electronics and clean environments. A style that is ESD certified states it on its product page.

S1 Safety Footwear

S1 is the rating for dry indoor work where the floor is clean and the hazards are dropped objects and long hours on your feet. It takes the SB toecap and adds a closed heel, an antistatic build and an energy-absorbing heel, which is why S1 styles are typically the lightest, most breathable certified footwear a brand makes. What S1 does not include is a penetration-resistant midsole or a water-resistant upper; if either matters on your site, look at S1P or S3 instead. Each style states its own rating on its page.

What S1 certifies

A 200 joule toecap, a closed heel, an antistatic build (A) and an energy-absorbing heel seat (E). Styles certified to the 2011 edition also carry a fuel and oil resistant outsole (FO); under the 2022 edition FO is marked separately. We list 79 S1 styles ready to order.

Why S1 is the light option

No midsole plate and no water-resistant upper means less weight and more airflow. That is exactly what you want in assembly, electronics, light manufacturing, retail stockrooms and driving roles.

Antistatic, not ESD

The A in S1 discharges static through the sole. It is not the same as ESD certification, which is a tighter test under EN 61340 for electronics environments. Styles that meet ESD say so on their page.

When to step up

£91.99

No VAT

11 sizes

How to choose S1 safety footwear

S1 is the sensible default for indoor jobs that a risk assessment describes as dry and clean: warehouses without pallet debris, assembly lines, workshops with swept floors, catering back-of-house and delivery driving. The antistatic build keeps static from building up as you walk, the energy-absorbing heel takes the edge off concrete floors, and the toecap covers the classic dropped-object risk. Our ratings guide explains how each rung of the ladder differs.

Most S1 styles here are low-cut shoes and trainers, in both composite and steel toe, so they feel closer to everyday footwear than a boot. Sizing varies by brand; use the size and fit guide before ordering. Qualifying safety boots bought for your own use at work are sold VAT-free, confirmed with one tick at checkout, as our VAT-free page explains.

Questions people ask

What does S1 mean on safety footwear?: S1 under EN ISO 20345 means a 200 joule toecap plus a closed heel, an antistatic build and an energy-absorbing heel. It is designed for dry indoor work and does not include a penetration-resistant midsole or a water-resistant upper.
What is the difference between S1 and S1P?: S1P is S1 plus a penetration-resistant midsole that protects the sole against nails and sharp objects. Everything else is the same, so S1P is the choice where debris on the floor is a risk.
Are S1 safety shoes waterproof?: No. S1 has no water-resistance requirement. S2 adds a water-resistant upper, S3 adds that plus a midsole, and S7 adds whole-boot water resistance.
Is S1 antistatic footwear the same as ESD?: No. Antistatic is a requirement of S1 and dissipates static through the sole. ESD is a stricter, separately tested standard for electronics and clean environments. A style that is ESD certified states it on its product page.