Composite Toe Cap vs Steel Toe Cap: What Is the Difference?

As we have already seen when we talked about the codes and abbreviations for safety footwear standards, safety shoes and boots can present many different features and it is extremely important to understand which ones are essential for the task we have to perform to be always protected. In particular, today we will focus on composite toe cap vs steel toe cap.

According to an article published by EHS Today, there are over 50,000 foot injuries a year and as an employer it is your responsibility to do all you can to avoid this from happening, which also includes selecting the right type of protective toe cap.

Composite Toe Cap vs Steel Toe Cap: Let’s See the Difference

While both types of toe caps meet the EN regulation requirements of a 200 joule protective cap, there are some differences you must be aware of when buying safety footwear to make sure you make the right choice. Let’s go through them together.

Composite Toe Cap

Composite toe caps are made of non-metallic materials like plastic, kevlar, fiberglass, or carbon fibre, which makes them lighter than steel toe caps. For this reason, they can be worn for a longer period of time without compromising comfort and safety. The material they’re made from also makes them non-conductive, meaning that they do not get cold or hot and they do not conduct electricity. This makes composite toe caps ideal for people working in hazardous electrical environments, or in jobsites where workers have to pass through metal detectors like airports, courts, security and nuclear plants.

Steel Toe Cap

Steel toe caps have been around for many years and are still a popular option when it comes to protective footwear, while also being the cheapest one. They feature heavy duty steel in the toe area, which makes them more suitable than composite toe caps for workers who have to handle heavy weights and are therefore exposed to risks like crushing, puncturing, falling objects or accidental compression. In fact, they are mainly used in construction and manufacturing. However, unlike composite toe caps, steel toe caps will conduct cold and heat and, because of the material they are made from, are less comfortable to wear.

Now that you found out all you need to know about composite toe cap vs steel toe cap, browse our full collection of Safety Footwear. You’ll find a wide range of both Steel Toe Cap Footwear – Safety Steel Toe Boots, Shoes, Trainers and Wellingtons – and Composite Toe Footwear – Safety Composite Toe Boots, Shoes, Trainers and Occupational Boots, Shoes and Wellingtons.

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