Entries by Nick Bryant

Safety Boots and how the sole is attached

An excellent question as there are many misconceptions about the sole of the shoe or boot being stuck on, glued on or stitched on. All of these processes are accurate for different types of fashion footwear, dress shoes, running shoes, sneakers and even veldskoen. What is the PU injection process for safety boots? Polyurethane injected […]

Heat Resistant Outersoles

Most work environment applications are covered by the standard Polyurethane outsole. Lightweight, flexible, excellent slip resistance, heat resistance between 90’ and 110’ degrees, and durable. They are anti-static and also resistant to oil, petrol and diesel. Whether fruit picking, building on a construction site, working in an engineering environment or even on an oil rig […]

Antistatic vs Non-Conductive vs Conductive

Your sole compound on your safety footwear can offer various and different grades of protection. Requesting safety footwear that simply conforms to ISO 20345:2014 is just the tip of the iceberg when assessing risk in your specific work environment. When addressing the issue of anti-static safety boots, one clearly needs to understand the different compounds […]

Salt Spues and Fatty Blooms

Gasp! Shock! Horror! Have you ever opened a brand new box of leather shoes or boots, which you purchased a few months ago – only to find what looks like a white mould on the leather upper? Either in a small amoeba like pattern or streaky lines? You need not panic nor throw a tantrum. […]

Safety Footwear A Brief History

Where and when did safety footwear begin? Why was it invented? And what should I be looking for today? The Origins of Safety Footwear Interestingly enough, safety footwear can track its origins back to the beginning of the 18th century, when industrial safety workwear first became an issue. Previously it was cheaper to replace an […]

The Importance of Wide Fitting Boots/Shoes

When trying on a standard pair of casual shoes, loafers, sneakers or running shoes, most are manufactured from materials that stretch easily and quickly. That said, steel toe cap safety shoes and safety boots are made of soft, pliable and comfortable leather – but as the name suggests, the front part of the product is […]

The Different Sole Compounds

It is a part of your safety shoe or safety boot that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Again, a critical component that needs understanding in order to make an informed decision prior to your purchase. All shoes have a sole, which is the bottom of a shoe, the part that comes into full contact with the ground. Modern […]

Leather : The Various “Grades” and What You NEED to Know!

What Is Genuine Leather? (What Animal Hides or Skins Are Used?) Make no mistake (and it’s an eye-opening fact for many to sometimes hear) if you are walking in a pair of genuine leather shoes… those leather uppers once walked around themselves. Leather is an animal skin (or hide), predominantly bovine – from a cow […]