Safety Shoes

Questions people ask

What is the difference between safety shoes and safety boots?

Height. A safety shoe is cut below the ankle and a safety boot covers it. Both use the same certified toe cap and can carry the same rating, so a shoe gives the same toe and underfoot protection in a lighter, cooler package. Choose a boot if you need ankle support, work on rough ground or need protection from water above the shoe line.

Are safety shoes as safe as safety boots?

For the toe and the sole, yes. Safety shoes and boots are tested to the same standard, EN ISO 20345, with a toe cap rated to 200 joules of impact. What a shoe does not give you is protection or support around the ankle.

What does S1P or S3 mean on a safety shoe?

S1P is a toe cap, antistatic build, heel energy absorption and a penetration-resistant midsole. S3 adds a water-resistant upper and a cleated outsole. An S or L on the end, as in S3S, S3L or S1PS, means the anti-puncture midsole is non-metallic, tested against a 3 mm nail for S or a 4.5 mm nail for L. Each product page states the rating for that style.

Are safety shoes VAT free?

No. The UK VAT relief for protective footwear covers protective boots, not low-cut shoes or trainers, so safety shoes are priced with VAT included. If you need a VAT-free option, our VAT-free safety boots collection lists every boot that qualifies.

Do you sell composite toe safety shoes?

Yes. Many of our safety shoes use a composite, metal-free toe cap, including the Portwest Composite range. Composite toe caps are lighter and pass through metal detectors, and meet the same 200 joule standard as steel.

Do you sell slip-resistant safety shoes?

Yes. Most of our safety shoes carry an SR slip-resistance mark under EN ISO 20345, and many add an SRC or similar marking from the earlier standard. The marking for each style is on its product page.