S1, S3, S7 — reading the new footwear ratings
Every safety boot carries a protective toe rated to a 200 joule impact — that is the baseline the standard requires. The letter and number after it describe everything else.
The common ratings
- SB. Toe protection only.
- S1. Toe, closed seat region, antistatic, energy absorbing heel.
- S1P. S1 plus penetration resistance. Not waterproof — the commonest misreading.
- S3. S1P plus water resistance and a cleated outsole. The site default.
- S7. Introduced in the 2022 revision — a waterproof boot with penetration resistance tested using the smaller 3mm nail.
The nail size matters
A steel midsole is tested with a 4.5mm nail. A textile midsole may be tested with the same nail, or with a 3mm one. The 3mm test is significantly harder to pass and better represents a fine nail on a strip-out. Codes ending in L or LA denote the 3mm test; that is what to specify for demolition and refurbishment.
Metal or composite
Composite toes are lighter, do not conduct cold, and pass through detectors. Steel is thinner for the same protection, so the toe box is less bulky. Neither is safer — they meet the same 200 joule requirement.
Written for Groundwork Workwear — a demonstration store. See the AgenticEcom Suite.