All you need to know about safety shoe materials
The selection of materials used in safety shoes is important. The materials used to construct safety shoes must meet the requirements of the work environment and the wearer's needs (comfort, ventilation, etc.).
In this article, we’ll start by looking at the materials used to make the uppers of safety shoes, including their pros and cons. Then, let’s take a look at the materials used in the soles of Parade Protection safety shoes and work shoes.
1. What is the upper part of the shoe?
The part of a shoe that covers the foot is called the “upper”. The upper can be made from a variety of materials, including leather (full grain, split, nubuck, etc.), microfiber, fabric, and many others. The choice of upper components depends on the intended use of the shoe, for example, resistance to liquids, breathability, resistance to hydrocarbons, and ease of cleaning, but also on additional standards and requirements that the shoe must meet.
2. Upper material
A different movie
Leather is a natural material made from animal hides. It consists of two layers: the "grain" (outer layer) on the hair side and the "hide" (bottom layer), which is the meat side.
- Full Grain Leather: Full Grain leather is best suited to the bare hair side. The grain is the first outer layer of the animal's skin that has fur. This is leather that has not been polished against the grain and has a high quality appearance. This is the strongest layer of the skin and naturally protects against external aggressions.
- Split Leather: Split leather is the thickness of the hide obtained by splitting animal hides to obtain the desired thickness. Splitting is the process of dividing the hide into several layers to obtain the grain (hair side) and the hide (meat side). Split leather is therefore the bottom (inner) layer of the material.
- Nubuck leather: is a leather that has been slightly polished from the original surface (wood grain), giving it a peach-like feel and a soft feel.
- Oiled leather / Pull-up leather: This leather is soaked in oil. This oil helps nourish, waterproof and protect.
Advantages of leather
The coat is a material that is comfortable, stable, isolated and breathable.
Leather is comfortable, strong, insulating and breathable.
Leather is renowned for its durability and strength, and is naturally resistant to liquids. At Parade Protection, the majority of our S3 safety shoes are made of leather, as this standard requires a water-repellent upper, i.e. a material that slows down the penetration of water into the shoe.
Furthermore, it is a truly breathable and absorbent material. Leather is a natural material that allows vapor to pass through, which is very useful when it comes to perspiration, making it a great temperature regulator. As for the absorbency of the material, leather can absorb 3 times its own weight.
For those who have sweaty feet, we recommend safety leather shoes. These will facilitate the exchange of air between the outside and inside.
Disadvantages of leather
As we mentioned above, leather is a natural material that is susceptible to damage and can be prone to aging, drying out, or staining. For these reasons, as well as for aesthetic reasons, resilience, and strength, leather needs to be cared for.
For more information on caring for your leather shoes, check out our article on how to clean your safety shoes.
Choosing PARADE Leather Safety Shoes:
Microfiber
Microfiber is an artificial leather made from synthetic fibers.
Like real leather, it has a very soft touch and the surface can be embossed with wood grain and different colors.
Advantages of microfiber:
-Microfiber is a soft material, making safety shoes comfortable to wear.
- Microfiber has the same natural liquid resistance as leather.
-Microfiber is very easy to clean, so you can wash your shoes in soapy water.
Disadvantages of microfiber:
Microfiber can change color if it is of poor quality and exposed to sunlight.
Leather and/or microfiber safety shoes are suitable for outdoor work environments where the wearer may be exposed to liquid splashes. In addition, S2 and S3 safety shoes have a "WRU" requirement, i.e. the upper material must be made of a water-repellent material (which slows down the penetration of water into the shoe).
PARADE PROTECTION Microfiber Safety Shoes Available in:
cloth
Fabrics are made from natural or synthetic fibers. "Fabric" is the term used to define the group of materials that are made from yarn.
Advantages of fabric:
-The fabric is a breathable material that is suitable for summer.
- In terms of aesthetics, fabrics can be used to create a variety of designs for the uppers of safety shoes.
-Cloth shoes are generally cheaper.
Disadvantages of fabric:
-The fabric is impermeable to liquids.
- They can get dirty more easily.
-Because the fabric has a woven surface, it is easily damaged.
-Because of these fibers, the fabric tends to change shape. Moreover, the color of the fabric shoes tends to fade when exposed to weather conditions such as sunlight.
Fabrics need to be waterproof to provide greater water repellency. Waterproofing fabric shoes will protect them from dirt and premature deterioration.
Fabric shoes cannot be put in a washing machine. Use a damp cloth to clean them instead.
Choosing PARADE PROTECTION fabric safety shoes:
EVA
EVA stands for "Ethylene Vinyl Acetate". Its properties make it a "rubber" material. It is flexible and soft. It is a lightweight material, so safety shoes are lightweight.
Advantages of Eva:
- Soft and flexible for comfortable wearing
- Truly durable and long lasting
-EVA can absorb very high impact when you walk or jump.
-EVA is waterproof.
Disadvantages of Eva:
-EVA is a material that does not allow air to exchange between the inside of the shoe and the outside, which can increase moisture inside the shoe and cause unpleasant odors.
At Parade, we have created openings in the EVA safety shoes to let your feet breathe!
PARADE PROTECTION EVA work shoes:
At Parade, we use a mix of materials for our safety footwear, pairing the properties of one material with another.
If your feet are sweaty, don't forget to think about what material your socks are made of! Choose socks that allow for more heat exchange. The TOKYO and MIAMI socks are especially breathable for you.
And don't forget to change it every day! ;)
3. Outsole material
Safety insoles guarantee comfort and shock absorption stability. The insole and upper can be assembled in a number of ways. At Parade, our safety insoles are injected directly into the upper. The safety insoles and work shoes we produce can be made from the following three materials: polyurethane, EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) or rubber.
rubber :
Rubber is a material derived from the secretions of certain plants, but can also be synthesized.
It is a material that is abrasion resistant and has adhesive properties. It can also withstand heat up to 300°C.
Safety shoes with rubber soles are ideal for jobs in the metalworking industry or jobs that require a lot of walking, as rubber tends to wear out less than other materials.
Polyurethane (PU) :
Polyurethane is a plastic. It is an abrasion-resistant material that gives the soles of shoes a long life. This resistance is well known, but it still lags behind rubber. This strong material makes the soles ideal for outdoor jobs such as gardening and construction. PU also has excellent shock absorption and slip-resistance properties. Finally, another advantage of PU is linked to the manufacturing process of safety shoes: the PU sole is injected directly into the upper, making the two parts virtually indistinguishable.
EVA :
EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) is also a plastic.
It is a soft material that provides true flexibility. Moreover, EVA is lightweight, so safety shoes are very light. Finally, EVA can absorb very high impact when you walk or jump.
EVA shoes are more suitable for the healthcare sector as they are machine washable and can be disinfected.
Using the materials used in the upper and/or sole of Parade safety shoes on boats will help you find the right product for you in all aspects, in line with the requirements of your working environment and your specific needs (comfort, breathability, flexibility, etc.).
