The materials used in the manufacture of safety shoes : a comprehensive guide

What are the components of a safety shoe ?

Safety shoes are complex, they are similar to a puzzle where each piece has a specific role to play. To ensure that these pieces fit together perfectly, the manufacturing materials are carefully tailored to each component of the shoe.

Some elements can be added based on the specific requirements of standards and professions, such as anti-penetration or antistatic features.

To better understand the composition of a safety shoe and the materials involved, let's review the different elements that make it up.

The Upper

The upper represents the top part of the shoe that wraps around your foot. This component is essential and complex because it can be made from various materials. The choice of materials for the upper depends on both the intended use of the safety shoe and the standards and requirements it must meet.

In general, the upper can be made of leather (whether suede, smooth, grained, etc.) for high durability, or microfiber and other textiles for lightweight and breathability while still maintaining tear and abrasion resistance.

The choice of materials for the upper is dictated by the specific needs of the safety shoe, such as resistance to water penetration, breathability, ease of cleaning, and more.

It is crucial to consider safety standards and additional requirements that the shoe must comply with. This may include specific safety specifications, protection against chemicals or liquids, or other specific features.

Lacing System

In the choice of materials for safety shoes, it is essential not to forget one of the most visible and functional elements: the lacing system, which plays a crucial role in the fit and overall safety of the shoe.

There are various lacing methods, each suitable for specific needs.

Here's an overview of the different lacing options you may find:

1. Traditional Laces : These classic laces offer a custom fit and great versatility. They are perfect for those who prefer traditional lacing.

2. NBS Quick Lacing System : If you're looking for a quick lacing solution, our NBS système allows you to slip on your shoes in a snap.Si vous recherchez une solution de laçage rapide, notre  vous permet d'enfiler vos chaussures en un clin d'œil.

3. SPEED LACE : Our PLANET models feature the SPEED LACE system, designed for quick and easy installation.

4. Zipper closure : Some of our shoes come with a zipper for easy on-and-off and optimal fit.

5. Velcro straps : Hook-and-loop closures, like those found on the RILEY FRESH model, are ideal for quick and secure adjustments and are suitable for many work situations.

6. ÉlastiquesElastic Inserts : Dans nos modèles adaptés à l'agroalimentaire, comme IMPALA ou CARIBU, nous utilisons des élastiques pour faciliter l'enfilage et le retrait tout en maintenant un ajustement sûr. In our footwear designed for the food industry, such as IMPALA or CARIBU, we use elastic inserts to facilitate putting on and taking off while maintaining a secure fit.

The choice of lacing system will depend on your personal preferences, professional needs, and the level of safety required for your work.

Lining

The lining, located inside the safety shoe, is in direct contact with your foot, much like the insole. Linings are generally made from textiles, such as polyamide or polyester.

As you may have guessed, as with every element that makes up the safety shoe, the choice of materials used for this lining is based on user needs.

The selected materials mainly focus on moisture-wicking, breathability, and maintaining optimal comfort, ensuring a comfortable interior environment throughout the workday.

Thus, you can find several types of linings:

• 3D Micro-Aerated/Three-Dimensional: This lining offers exceptional breathability, keeping you cool even during long workdays.
• Waterproof-Breathable: Designed to keep your feet dry, this lining prevents moisture penetration, providing optimal comfort even in wet conditions.
• Made from Recycled Materials: Recycled polyester (PET) is derived from plastic bottles.
• Synthetic Fur: Perfect for keeping your feet warm, especially in cold weather.

Protective Toe Cap 

This is a fundamental part of safety shoes.

The protective toe cap is the front part of the safety shoe that covers the toes. It protects the toes from any impact that could cause injury.

At Lemaitre Sécurité, we use four types of toe caps when designing our safety shoes:

• Aluminum: Very thin and lightweight.
• Stainless Steel: Thin and relatively wide to ensure freedom of movement.
• Polycarbonate: Offers significant thermal resistance while remaining very lightweight and non-magnetic.
• Composite Fiber: Also non-magnetic and insulating against heat and cold.

To ensure your safety, all toe caps are carefully selected and meet the EN ISO 20345 standard.

This standard ensures that toe caps can withstand:

• An impact of 200 joules, equivalent to a 20kg object dropped from a height of 1 meter.
• Compression for a force of 1500daN, which is more than 1500 kg.

Anti-Penetration Inserts

A crucial element of any safety shoe is the anti-penetration insert.

At Lemaitre Sécurité, we are proud to introduce our exclusive solution, the DUOPROTECTION®, which guarantees enhanced protection against sharp objects on construction sites.

This Lemaitre-exclusive patent is the result of extensive research and collaboration with the construction sector, where the risk of penetration is higher. It offers a double layer of protection, combining stainless steel and a high-strength composite textile. This combination ensures optimal protection against sharp objects on construction sites, ensuring your safety in the field.

• Superior Performance to Standards: Shoes equipped with DUOPROTECTION® patent exceed the requirements of EN ISO 20345 for anti-penetration protection. They have been rigorously tested to ensure maximum safety.
• Resistance: These shoes offer superior resistance to forces exceeding 2000 N (newtons) for a 4.5 mm truncated tip. This resistance is essential to prevent potential penetration.
• Enhanced Protection for the Entire Sole: Thanks to the intelligent combination of stainless steel and high-strength composite textile, DUOPROTECTION® provides complete protection for the sole of your foot, allowing you to work with confidence even in extreme construction conditions.

Insole

The insole, is the part of the safety shoe that comes into direct contact with your foot.

Its primary role is to provide optimal comfort to the user. To achieve this goal, insoles are typically made from materials such as foams and textiles. These materials are chosen for their ability to offer plush comfort while promoting breathability. They often contain activated charcoal for its odor-neutralizing and antibacterial properties, thus limiting unpleasant odors.

Some insoles are specially designed with memory foam. This feature allows these "anti-fatigue" insoles to adapt to the shape of your foot over time, in addition to providing shock absorption at the heel. This offers continuous comfort throughout your workdays and helps reduce foot and body fatigue.

You can find more information about our insoles in our upcoming blog post!

Outsole

The outsole of the safety shoe is the part that is in direct contact with the ground. Its design aims to ensure optimal grip on a variety of surfaces while resisting wear and tear from daily use. The choice of materials for the outsole will vary depending on the specific needs of the shoe, although polyurethane and nitrile rubber are often preferred. These materials are known for their durability and ability to be molded to create different sole designs that meet the requirements of various professions and safety standards.

At Lemaitre Sécurité, we primarily work with polyurethane soles developed by our Research & Development teams, such as ParaBolic soles .

We also collaborate with renowned brands such as Vibram®, known for its expertise in designing high-performance nitrile rubber outsoles.

To offer safety shoes tailored to all needs and professions, we provide a wide range of soles, each with its own specific features, which you can find on our website..

Responsible Quality Materials

Lemaitre Safety Green Label (LSG)

At Lemaitre Sécurité, we attach the utmost importance to the quality of the materials we use while adhering to our environmental commitment. As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, we have developed an in-house label called Lemaitre Safety Green. This initiative is based on the expertise and diligent work of our Research and Development (R&D) team.

Take, for example, our TRAINER LSG range. For this Lemaitre Safety Green-certified range, you will find:

• An upper made of water-resistant microfiber and textile, with 90% recycled PET: lightweight, breathable, tear-resistant, and abrasion-resistant.

• A 100% recycled forefoot lining.
• A single-density antistatic outsole made of polyurethane containing recycled polyol from our production waste.
• A tongue lining made from 61% recycled materials (bamboo and recycled polyester): hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and thermoregulating.
• The counter: 23% recycled.
• An HDFC composite fiber protective toe cap.
• Eyelets: 100% recycled.
• An anti-penetration insert: 78% recycled.
• 100% recycled laces.
• An insole: textile covering with 85% recycled PET + PU foam, 73% recycled, from production offcuts.

>> Discover our  Lemaitre Safety Green certified models <<

In addition to using recycled materials, we also ensure that our raw materials come from local sources to limit our carbon footprint.

That's why at least 80% of our materials originate from Europe or the Mediterranean region, and our soles are injected in France at our factory.

Our commitment is based on three essential pillars: safety, quality and environmental responsibility. Every component of our safety footwear is meticulously selected to meet the most rigorous standards, ensuring your protection.