Safety Toe Vs. Steel Toe

In certain industries, workplace safety requires proper foot protection to guard against falling or sharp objects. In construction or manufacturing jobs, employees are required to wear either steel toe boots or safety toe boots made of a composite material.

Steel Toe Boots

• Steel toe boots are designed with a steel cap that covers and protects the toe. Steel toe boots offer heavy-duty protection from compression or impact from falling objects. Industries with a higher risk of foot injury may require workers to wear steel toe boots.

Safety Toe Boots

• The more generic safety toe or composite toe boots are made from a composite material rather than steel. The composite material makes the boots lighter, but they're designed to meet the same safety requirements as steel toe boots. They are non-metallic and non-magnetic.

Which to Choose

• Steel toe boots may be preferred in industries requiring the highest standard of foot protection. Safety or composite toe boots, on the other hand, are advised for workers who must pass through metal detectors, such as workers in power plants or security personnel. Workers who must walk long distances, such as forest rangers or meter readers, also find safety toe boots more comfortable than steel toe boots.