How to choose safety shoes: which class suits your job?

Your feet carry you all day, over rubble, wet ground and loose planks. Good work shoes protect them from falling materials, nails and slips, and keep you walking comfortably at the end of the day.

But what do SB, S1P, S3 or S5 actually mean? And what changed with the revised 2022 standard? In this guide you will learn which safety class suits your job, what to look for in fit and comfort, and when it is time for a new pair.

What is the difference between work shoes and safety shoes?

Safety shoes have a protective toe cap and meet the European standard EN ISO 20345. The toe cap is tested with a 200 joule impact test and a 15 kilonewton compression test. You can recognise the classes by the letter S: SB, S1, S2 and so on.

Work shoes without a protective toe cap fall under EN ISO 20347. Their classes start with an O, such as OB or O1. They do not protect your toes against falling objects.

So the first question is always: could something fall on or hit your toes? On a construction site the answer is almost always yes. In that case, choose a safety shoe.

💡 Tip: check that the shoe carries a CE marking and read the information supplied with it. It tells you what the shoe protects against, how to care for it and how long it lasts.

What do SB, S1, S1P, S2, S3 and S5 mean?

Each class builds on the previous one. The higher the class, the more protective features are added.

• SB: the basic level. A protective toe cap and a basic slip resistance test. The heel may be open.
• S1: SB plus a closed heel area, antistatic properties and a shock-absorbing heel.
• S1P: S1 plus a metal penetration-resistant midsole against nails and other sharp objects. With a non-metal midsole the shoe is called S1PL or S1PS.
• S2: S1 plus an upper that resists water penetration and absorption for a while (WPA). S2 has no penetration-resistant midsole.
• S3: S2 plus a penetration-resistant midsole and a cleated outsole. With a non-metal midsole it is called S3L or S3S.
• S4 and S5: boots made entirely of rubber or polymer. S4 is comparable to S1. S5 adds a penetration-resistant midsole and a cleated outsole, just like S3 (also as S5L or S5S).
• S6 and S7: new since 2022. These are S2 and S3 shoes where the whole shoe has been tested as water resistant (WR).

What changed in the 2022 standard?

EN ISO 20345 was revised in 2022. The main changes for you:

• Three types of penetration-resistant midsole: P is a metal midsole, tested with a 4.5 millimetre nail. PL is a non-metal midsole, tested with the same thick nail. PS is a non-metal midsole, tested with a thinner 3.0 millimetre nail. Among non-metal midsoles, PS therefore offers more protection against thin, sharp objects.
• New names: this creates classes such as S1PS, S1PL, S3L and S3S. A shoe may now only be called S1P or S3 if the penetration-resistant midsole is made of metal.
• Slip resistance is a basic requirement: every safety shoe must pass a test on a ceramic tile with a soap solution. There is no separate code for this. The old codes SRA, SRB and SRC have disappeared.
• SR means extra grip: the shoe has also been tested on a ceramic tile with glycerine, a more slippery surface. If the shoe is marked Ø, slip resistance has not been tested.
• Water: WPA replaces the old code WRU. The code WR (whole shoe water resistant) is tested more strictly and belongs to the new classes S6 and S7.
• Fuel oil resistance (FO) is no longer a standard requirement from S1 upwards, but an additional property.

Shoes certified to the older 2011 version may still be on sale for some time. So check the year of the standard on the label or in the product information.

What do the extra codes on the label mean?

Extra codes for specific risks can follow the class. A few you will often see in construction:

• SR: extra slip resistance, tested with glycerine.
• FO: outsole resistant to fuel oil.
• HRO: heat-resistant outsole.
• CI / HI: insulation against cold or heat.
• M: metatarsal protection.
• AN: ankle protection.
• LG: ladder grip, a tread that gives hold on rungs.
• SC: abrasion-resistant scuff cap.

Which safety class should you choose for which job?

The class you need follows from the risks of the work. If you are employed, your employer chooses the protection based on the risk assessment and provides it free of charge. As a rule of thumb, ask yourself: is there a risk to your toes, are you working in wet conditions, and could sharp objects pierce the sole?

Which class do you choose on a construction site?

Construction sites are full of nails, screws and rubble, and you often work outdoors in changing weather. An S3 shoe or boot (or S3L or S3S) is the usual choice here: toe cap, penetration-resistant midsole, water-resistant upper and a cleated outsole. You will find low models among our low shoes and high models among our boots.

What should you wear for demolition work?

Demolition means lots of protruding nails, screws and sharp debris. An S3 shoe or boot is a logical choice here. If you prefer a flexible, metal-free midsole, look for the PS version (S3S), which is tested with the thinner nail. If heavy parts could fall, ask about metatarsal protection (M).

Which shoe suits tiling work?

When tiling, you spend a lot of time on your knees and your feet flex constantly. A flexible, lightweight shoe is more comfortable. If there is still rubble or there are tile shards on the floor, choose a shoe with a penetration-resistant midsole (S1P, S1PL, S1PS or an S3 variant). Working on smooth tiles with water or adhesive? Then SR gives extra peace of mind. Protect your knees too with knee pads.

What is enough for interior finishing?

Working in a dry, tidy room with no risk of nails in the floor, for example when fitting or finishing? Then an S1 shoe is often sufficient. If there are screws or nails around, choose S1P, S1PL or S1PS.

What do you choose for wet work, concrete and mud?

Standing in water, mud or wet concrete? Choose an S5 boot made of rubber or polymer, or an S7 shoe if you prefer leather. Wet cement is highly alkaline and can cause burns if it stays in contact with the skin. So choose a boot that is high enough and wear your trousers over the boot, not tucked in. See our rain boots, including rubber safety boots.

Steel or composite toe cap: what is the difference?

Both must meet the same EN ISO 20345 requirements: a 200 joule impact test and a 15 kilonewton compression test. With a certified shoe, you are well protected with either.

• Steel toe cap: thin and strong, with a slim profile. But heavier, and steel conducts cold and heat. It will set off metal detectors.
• Composite toe cap: made of plastic or fibre material. Lighter, metal-free and better insulated against cold and heat. To reach the same strength, the cap is sometimes slightly thicker.

💡 Tip: do you walk a lot, or often work outdoors in the cold? Then you will soon notice the lower weight and insulation of composite.

Why is a penetration-resistant midsole so important?

Without protection, a nail in a plank or a sharp piece of metal easily goes through an ordinary sole. A penetration-resistant midsole stops that. S1 and S2 do not have one; S1P, S3 and S5 do.

• Metal midsole (P): sturdy and proven, tested with a 4.5 millimetre nail.
• Non-metal midsole (PL or PS): for example made of textile. Lighter, more flexible and metal-free. PS is tested with the thinner nail.

No sole is impenetrable under all circumstances. So keep walkways as free as possible of nails and sharp debris.

How do you get a good fit and comfort?

You will not enjoy wearing a safety shoe that pinches. And a shoe you do not wear does not protect you.

• Measure or try on at the end of the day. Your feet swell slightly during the day.
• Try them on with the socks you wear at work and measure standing, not sitting. Go by your larger foot.
• Check the toe room. Your toes should be able to move and must not touch the toe cap. A common guideline is at least 1 centimetre between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe.
• Look at the width too. Room at the front matters especially with a protective toe cap. If you have wide feet, choose a wider fit.
• Your heel should sit firmly and not slide up when you walk. Take a few steps, bend your knees and feel whether anything presses.

Do you use orthotic insoles? A different insole changes the tested shoe. So choose an insole that the shoe manufacturer has approved for that model. Our shoe accessories include insoles; always check with the manufacturer's information that they suit your shoe.

How do you look after your work shoes?

With good care, your shoes stay comfortable and safe for longer.

• Brush and wash mud, cement and dirt off the soles and uppers regularly.
• Treat smooth leather regularly with shoe polish or a care product. Brush suede and spray it now and then with a water repellent.
• Let wet shoes dry properly and store them in a cool, dry place.
• Always follow the manufacturer's care instructions.

💡 Tip: do not store a spare pair for years in a damp shed or basement. Polyurethane (PU) soles can then start to crumble by themselves.

When do your work shoes need replacing?

There is no fixed expiry date: how fast a shoe wears depends mainly on the work and the surface. Replace your shoes in any case if:

• the toe cap is dented, broken or exposed, or something heavy has fallen on it;
• the sole is pierced, cracked or coming away from the upper;
• the outsole tread is worn, so you have less grip;
• the upper is torn;
• the shoe no longer supports your foot properly or no longer fits well.

In doubt whether the shoe still protects you? Then it is time for a new pair.

Checklist: which safety shoe suits you?

• Could something fall on your toes? Choose a safety shoe (EN ISO 20345).
• Nails, screws or sharp debris around? Choose S1P, S1PL, S1PS or higher.
• Working outdoors or in the wet? Choose S3; standing in water or wet concrete, choose S5 or S7.
• Working on slippery floors? Look for the SR code.
• Steel or composite: choose what suits your work and comfort.
• Try on at the end of the day, with work socks, and check toe room and width.
• Check your shoes regularly for damage to the toe cap, sole and tread.

Also read our guide to safe working on the construction site.

Frequently asked questions about safety shoes

What is the difference between S1P and S3?

Both have a protective toe cap, a closed heel, antistatic properties, a shock-absorbing heel and a metal penetration-resistant midsole. S3 also has a water-resistant upper and a cleated outsole, which makes it better suited to outdoor and wet work.

What does S3S or S1PS mean?

The S or PS means the shoe has a non-metal penetration-resistant midsole tested with a 3.0 millimetre nail. With L or PL, the non-metal midsole has been tested with a 4.5 millimetre nail.

What does SR mean on safety shoes?

Since the 2022 standard, every safety shoe must pass a basic slip resistance test. SR means the shoe has also been tested on a ceramic tile with glycerine. SR replaces the old codes SRA, SRB and SRC.

Is a composite toe cap as safe as a steel one?

Yes, both must pass the same 200 joule impact test and 15 kilonewton compression test. Composite is lighter and insulates better; steel is slimmer.

Which safety shoes do I need on a construction site?

On a construction site, S3 (or S3L or S3S) is the usual choice. If you stand in water, mud or wet concrete, an S5 boot is more suitable.

When should I replace my safety shoes?

When the toe cap is damaged or exposed, the sole is pierced or coming loose, the tread is worn or the shoe no longer fits well. If something heavy has fallen on the toe cap, replace the shoe as well.

Can I use my own orthotic insoles in safety shoes?

A different insole changes the tested shoe. So only use an insole that the shoe manufacturer has approved for that model.

Get to work safely with Saniso

Saniso, the online building supplies store for building and renovation, offers safety shoes, workwear and PPE alongside building materials and tools.

• Browse our footwear: low shoes, boots and rubber boots.
• Complete your kit with workwear and our full workwear & PPE range.
• Create a customer account and order easily.
• Working on a larger project? Request a project quote.
• Book a showroom visit in Zwaag, at least 24 hours in advance.
• Not sure which safety class suits your job? Contact us.

Saniso – Build your home with Saniso.