These boots are made for working
October 1st 2007

Scientific insights, innovative materials, and processing technologies ensure that safety boots do more than just protect against risks. This year's A+A show in Dusseldorf presented the entire spectrum of novelties in the field of work and safety

Modern work boots fit so well - the wearer hardly notices them. In recent years, awareness about boots in the workplace has changed dramatically. Across all industries, work boots have become established as a major work wear element. Many users have come to realise that cheap work boots fail to live up to their promises. The renowned manufacturers, many of whom were represented at the A+A 2007, are reacting to the continuing demand for high-quality products with increasingly improved and more intelligent developments.

The product ranges of quality manufacturers offer solutions for a wide variety of work environments. In addition to mechanical protection by safety toecaps, they also provide protection against chemical impacts, heat, or electro-static charging.

Suitable materials, well-designed insides, and high-quality processing ensure a high degree of climatic comfort.

Mechanical protection The minimum requirements of safety boots have been set by the "European Standards".

Specific requirements depend on the respective area of use. EN 20 345 stipulates basic as well as additional requirements of safety boots, which must be fitted with safety toecaps that are capable of withstanding at least 200 joule. Under this standard, the boots summarised under S1 are fitted, for example, with antistatic protection. S2 books are watertight to a certain degree and S3 boots must have penetration-resistant soles.

Safety toecaps are one feature that is common to all safety boots. To realise this protection against heavy falling or rolling objects, caps made from steel, aluminium, or plastic are built into the boots, with steel being the most commonly used material. Plastic or aluminium caps make the boot somewhat lighter, but do not withstand very high loads. It is important that in the finished boots, the caps do not press when the foot is flexed during walking.

To this end, the edge of the cap is usually fitted with a rubber band that narrows towards the instep.

High-quality safety boots are also fitted with additional foam pads.

Another frequently required safety element is that of penetration resistance. At construction sites for example, it is of particular importance that sharp objects such as nails or glass shards do not pierce the soles. Usually, this degree of protection is achieved through steel-midsoles.

Special Kevlar-based fabrics are used more and more for this purpose, thus increasing the sole's flexibility and thermal insulation.

In the past, most boots had a full rubber sole, as this was considered to be particularly heat-resistant and abrasion-proof. Today, however, so-called Duo Soles are usually used. Because of its good insulation and cushioning characteristics as well as because of its light weight, the midsole is usually made from polyurethane (PU), the walking sole from more abrasion-proof thermoplastic elastomeres (TPE-U), rubber, or more densely compacted PU. This allows for a combination of good wearing comfort and a high degree of protection as well as durability.

Slip-resistance, heel-lift, cushioning In addition to the material, the sole's profile is another decisive criterion for a boot's slip-resistance. To extend a boot's life, Haix for example is working with a variety of profile layers. To support sideways movements, which nowadays need to be made again and again at a variety of work sites, Elten is fitting its soles with four rotation points. The sole has another major function: it is used for cushioning. Whereas Haix for example is moulding its boots with PU, Elten is fitting its boots with a cushioning inner sole; three varieties are available, depending on the wearer's weight. Steitz is offering four weight-based cushioning modules for a wide range of models, which are placed in the heel of the boot, below the insole.

When developing boots, special emphasis is also placed on the heel-lift. Heel-lift is the angle by which the boots are pulled up in front and sometimes in the back as well. This measurement determines the extent to which a boot conforms to the foot's natural flexing action during walking.

Ergonomics, fit, and comfortable climate Nowadays, to ensure the right fit, the range of available work boots covers both a variety of sizes as well as of widths, as the right fit considerably reduces the risk of twisting. To prevent just that, Haix, for example, has developed the "Arch-Support-System" with the aim of providing the best possible support for the human foot with its 28 bones and 30 different muscles. A completely new last was developed for a particularly foot-contoured fit, with space in the area of the ball and toes, and support for heel and joints. Under the brand name "Biomex", Elten, on the other hand, is offering boots fitted with a special cuff around the ankle, which stabilises the ankle joint in its natural movement.

Climatic comfort is at least as important as mechanical protection and the perfect fit. Climatic comfort is particularly complex, if a boot for both indoor and outdoor use is required. To the extent possible, innovative high-tech materials such as GORE-TEX, Sympatex, or in-house laminates support the human organism even during such changes. In addition to waterblocking and breathability, laminates frequently provide additional benefits, such as protection against chemicals, heat, or contamination by viruses or bacteria.

Interaction of many factors – quality and service The insole and the boot's overall construction also have an impact on its climatic function. The insole must store a significant portion of a working day's moisture, as options for releasing it through the sole are very limited. The insole should be washable and should dry quickly so that it can be used the next morning without any impact on its functional efficiency. It is ideally complemented by socks made from a wool-synthetic blend. As these transport moisture to the outside, they are the 'cogwheel' in the overall work boot system.

It is the interaction of the factors outlined above that makes a modern work boot, distinguishing it from cheap discounter products, which usually achieve their lower prices by cutting back on material quality, comfort, and durability. Those who chose quality, however, also benefit from special services. For example, many premium makers offer replacements for worn soles.

Optimal equipment for any task At the same time as a walk around A+A 2007 will have confirmed – makers now offer perfectly fitting footwear for a wide range of tasks. Haix, for example, has become a specialist for fire brigades, police, military, and forestry. Steitz' products mainly supply industries such as chemicals, pharma, electro, and automotive. With "Therm-IC", Elten's range includes a boot with an integrated heating element, which is able to provide up to 18 hours of heat at three different levels – ideal for anyone working in cold storages or for security guards in winter.

Boots with anti-static fittings become more and more important, as due to the increasing processing of electronic components, such parts may be damaged by electric discharge even before or during installation. By using the relevant material components, so-called ESD (electrostatic discharge) boots prevent electric charging of their wearer and thus any damaging discharge.

In spite of the various applications, the world of work and protective footwear has one thing in common: Boots must fit and function' so well that they are considered comfortable. Only then will the wearer enjoy wearing them and only then can they assist in preventing damage to their wearer's health. If, on top of all this the design is right, they are perfect.

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