A common concern when working around nails, screws, and other sharp materials is stepping on them and turning feet into swiss cheese. A common way to prevent your feet from getting stabbed is to wear puncture-resistant work boots. So naturally, people wonder are steel toe boots puncture-resistant? In short Yes, steel toe boots are puncture resistant.
Of course not all steel toe boots are considered puncture-resistant, only those with the “PR” symbol on the boot tag near the ASTM standard are considered puncture resistant. You’ll find this symbol usually next to other features of the boot like being waterproof, composite toe, slip resistant, or electrical hazard rated.
Being puncture-resistant means the work boots can withstand a minimum puncture resistance of 270 pounds through the sole and heel. This means that the boots will have a typical break-in period just like other steel toes/ safety toes.
Who Needs Puncture-Resistant Work Boots?
Puncture-resistant boots protect your feet from sharp objects stabbing your feet. If you’re often around nails, screws, or similar objects then puncture-resistant boots are going to be a good choice.
A few jobs that need puncture-resistant boots are construction workers, carpenters, and roofers.
How To Tell Which Work Boots Ones are Puncture-Resistant
When you’re purchasing new work boots there are a couple of ways to tell which ones are puncture-resistant and which ones aren’t.
On the inside the boot’s tongue where the ASTM rating is stated and in the Bottom right there will be “PR” printed. Also on the box, there will be a symbol with “PR,” which stands for puncture resistance or should explicitly say “puncture-resistant” on the box.
If the boots are not rated for puncture resistance they will not have “PR” on the box or the tongue label. The boots will NOT say “not puncture-resistant” either.
Do You Need Puncture Resistant Boots?
Not everyone is going to need puncture-resistant boots. Even those who are traditionally thought of to wear them might be ok without puncture resistance. All boots are going to have a type of “shank” in-between the insole and the outsole.
A shank is a small piece of material made from steel, Kevlar, fiberglass, nylon, plastic or other material. The shank is used to keep your boots form as you walk and reduce stress as you climb ladders, stairs, and uneven surfaces.
The shank runs between your heel down to near the balls of your feet. Because the shank is strong and made from materials that are seldom penetrated this does add a degree of puncture resistance on its own.
Having said that, the shank is only a small strip of material, think the width of a ruler, so the amount of additional safety it provides is minimal. Also being minimal is the amount of weight it’s going to add to the boot. It will add some weight but so much you’ll be able to tell the difference from nylon to steel.
For those who can’t find puncture resistance boots or prefer those without it, know your feet aren’t completely vulnerable.
Are They More Expensive?
No puncture-resistant boots are not more expensive. Of course, different brands are going to be more expensive than others but in general puncture-resistant boots are not more expensive.
For example:
The Wolverine W191006 is a puncture resistant work boot costs on average $99.95 as of writing this
Wolverine Men’s Marquette W04713 Steel Toe Steel Toe Work Boot non-puncture resistant work boots also averaging $99.95
What Makes Them Puncture-Resistant
What makes work boots puncture resistant is a layer in between the outsole and the insole. This is a layer of thicker rubber or other material that will stop a nail or other object from stabbing your foot.
Often used is a steel plate that sill bends and moves with you as you’re walking.
Are Puncture Resistant Boots Heavy?
No puncture-resistant boots are not heavy. What makes a boot heavy or light is usually the type of rubber that is used for the sole and not the small material used to stop nails from entering your foot.
Of course, that material, be it steel or rubber or something else, is going to add a small bit of weight but mostly insignificant in the big picture. Also if I’m working around nails all day with the risk of stepping on one I’m much more concerned with keeping nails out of my foot rather than the small amount of weight added.
Are Puncture Resistant Boots Stiff?
No puncture-resistant boots are not stiff.
Puncture-resistant boots do have a material in the midsole that stops nails and screws from hurting you but that material doesn’t necessarily make them stiffer. Every boot is going to be different and the best way to see how flexible they are is to bend them. Every boot is going to be different in this aspect and not because of the puncture resistance.
Are all Steel Toes Puncture Resistant
No not all steel toe boots are puncture resistant. Also, not all puncture-resistant boots are steel toe. To be considered puncture-resistant a boot must be able to withstand 270 pounds of penetration force.
All steel toes are going to provide more protection from nails and other puncturing materials in comparison to tennis shoes because the sole is going to be made out of a thicker rubber.
Is The Whole Boot Puncture Resistant?
Only the sole of the boot is considered puncture resistant. The top where the leather or cloth is not punctured resistant other than the steel toe if you have one. There are other protections for the top of the foot such as a metatarsal guard which protects against the dropping of heavy objects on the top of the foot. It’s basically an extension of the steel toe for the top of the foot.
Conclusion
People who work around nails, screws, or other things that might stab through the bottom of a boot and into feet should wear puncture-resistant boots.
Being puncture-resistant means a boot can withstand 270 pounds of penetration force without breaking. To do so steel plates or other materials are made placed between the insole and the outsole. This material will add a small amount of weight but will not make the boot significantly heavier.
When comparing the weight of boots the sole of the boot adds most of the weight not the small amount of material used for puncture safety.
If you cannot find puncture-resistant work boots all boots will come with a shank. A shank is a material that gives boots structure and reduces stress when walking on uneven surfaces or climbing ladders. The shank can be made out of steel, nylon, kevlar, fiberglass, or other materials.
This will give some protection against punctures but is only the width of roughly a ruler.
Puncture-resistant boots are not more expensive than non-puncture resistant boots. Often they are identical in price.
Boots that are puncture-resistant are not significantly stiffer than other work boots. The steel plate is made to flex with your feet just like a shank is.
When purchasing new steel toe boots look for a “PR” symbol on the box. If there is no “PR” symbol on the box there may be one in the tongue of the boot near the ASTM rating. Only boots with PR in the tongue can withstand 270 pounds of puncture force, not all steel toes are puncture-resistant.
Of course, only the sole of the boot is puncture-resistant not the whole boot.
Keep these things in mind before going on the job-site and purchasing your next work boots and your feet will thank you1