Answer

Answer

How many people do you know that have stood on a nail or something sharp? At the very least it’s a painful experience and at worst, it can drive contamination into the foot.

The midsole can also be referred to as an 'insert plate' or 'protective insert plate' in testing or manufacturing terms. There are primarily two types of puncture resistant midsoles available, Steel (metallic) or Composite (non-metallic). So, which is the better choice? Read on to decide what is best for you:

Pros and cons of Steel Midsole versus Composite

Steel midsoles have been in use for many years and are a foot shaped piece of steel around 0.5mm thick. They are cut from a roll of steel and the edges are treated to remove any sharpness or burrs. They are all one shape and have to be reversed to make a pair of midsoles. If selecting a boot with a steel midsole, we always recommend stainless steel as it will not corrode and break down - something to watch out for on cheaper footwear, which tends to use lower quality components. There is a degree of flexibility with a steel midsole and they protect the foot against the finest sharps and glass, including needles. If there is any down side to steel midsoles, it would be the fact that they are less flexible than composite, and because of the way footwear is constructed, a steel midsole doesn't cover the entire sole area to the edges, merely the part of the foot most at risk.

Composite inserts are now highly popular. They usually consist of several layers of woven material which are bonded together under intense pressure with hot-melt adhesive. They are mostly used in Strobel stitched constructions, provide great flexibility and protect the entire foot area from edge to edge. If there is any down side, it is the fact they are more expensive than steel, and it's possible that a very fine point-like needle under intense pressure could penetrate between the weave of the fabric. That said, there is little (if any) evidence to corroborate this in real life situations and it is likely that a robust rubber outsole would bend the needle tip before it struck the midsole material.

Is the test for Composite midsoles the same as for Steel?

They are both tested using a nail with the same force of 1100N. The tip of the nail must not penetrate through the test piece at all. Both types of midsole also undergo 1 million flexes to ensure they do not show signs of cracking, delaminating or disintegrating. The difference is that the steel midsole is tested for corrosion resistance whereas the composite midsole is tested for penetration, after being subjected to high and low temperatures and the effects of acid, alkali and fuel oil on the material.

How can I tell if my boots have a midsole?

Look inside on the label and if you can see if your safety standard footwear has a midsole:-

• S1P
• SBP
• S3

Answer

In construction, the last thing you want to be worrying about are your shoes. Heavy tools and equipment, plus wet mixes and cement lime all add up to a rich variety of hazards, from wet scaffold planks to trip hazards and ladder falls. That's why our construction boots are some of the best all-rounders we make.

WHAT FEATURES should you LOOK FOR? 

Toecap & Midsole

Choosing boots with a toecap and midsole will help prevent injury from falling objects and underfoot penetration. One of the more well known materials for safety toecaps and midsoles is steel. However, in regards to the steel toecap, this depends on your line of work, as steel offers superior protection from smaller objects, however, it may be less effective with a heavy object falling on your foot as the metal toecap can bend into a fixed position and can trap parts of the feet, making it extremely difficult and in some instances very painful to try and remove the foot, in extreme cases the footwear may need to be cut apart or dismantled

Answer

We know that steel toe and midsole safety footwear has been regarded as the favored choice for foot protection across most industries. More recently, without compromising on safety, metal-free footwear (also known as composite) is replacing traditional steel toe and midsole safety footwear at scale, which is not surprising given the many benefits of choosing to go metal-free.

1) Working in a security conscious environment

Metal-Free footwear is non-negotiable in high security environments, such as airports, military bases and government buildings, as workers are routinely scanned, preventing theft or prevention of weapons being bought in. In these environments if footwear is not metal-free, it must be removed beforehand, compromising on safety

2) Better protection without the unnecessary weight

Composite footwear (metal-free) features a toe or midsole that is made from incredibly tough, yet lightweight material, such as fibreglass, Kevlar or carbon fibre. Offering superior strength and support, as well as a thermoneutral temperature, and not to mention increased agility. In no way is the protection of the wearer's feet compromised, to be sure look for metal-free composite footwear that meet or exceed the stringent ISO 20345 - S1 or SIP standards.

3) Prevents post impact trapping

Composite footwear, in particular a composite toecap is made from material that lets the footwear recover its shape following significant impact. A steel toecap on the other hand, bends into a fixed position and can trap parts of the feet after a serious accident, making it extremely difficult and in some instances very painful to try and remove the foot, in extreme cases the footwear may need to be cut apart or dismantled. When buying or supplying safety footwear please ensure you take into consideration the impact rating and compression rating of the footwear. The impact rating will tell you the number of pounds or joules the shoe will protect you against, whilst the compression rating lets you know the amount of resistance the shoe could cope with before breaking.