Working in an industrial environment exposes your feet to impacts, falling objects, slippery surfaces, and long hours standing up. industrial safety footwear is not just a regulatory requirement: it is the first line of protection against the most common risks in factories, warehouses, workshops, and production plants. At Suecos® we design safety trainers and shoes that combine technical certification with the lightness and comfort you need to keep up with a full shift.

What Should You Look for in Safety Footwear for Industry?

The three elements that make the difference in safety footwear for industry are the safety toe cap, the anti-slip sole, and the anti-penetration midsole. The safety toe cap protects against impacts and falling objects — in Suecos models it is made from composite fibreglass, 50% lighter than steel with the same resistance. The anti-slip sole is essential on floors with oil, water, or dust. The anti-penetration midsole protects against sharp objects on the ground.

This is complemented by certifications according to the specific risk of the role: SB for basic impact protection, S1/S2 for greater resistance with antistatic properties, and antistatic footwear if you work near electrical installations or in ESD environments. Choosing the right certification is not a formality — it ensures the footwear matches the real risks of your job.

SB, S1, S2 and S3: What Each Certification Means

SB is the basic level: a toe cap resistant to 200 joules of impact. S1 adds antistatic properties and energy absorption in the heel — the most common standard in general industry. S2 adds resistance to liquid penetration in the upper, making it suitable for wet environments. S3 also adds an anti-penetration midsole and a cleated sole, for the most demanding environments. All are regulated by the EN ISO 20345.

Fibreglass Toe Cap vs Steel Toe Cap

The steel toe cap is heavier and conducts cold in winter and heat in summer. The composite fibreglass toe cap — used in Suecos models — offers the same certified resistance to 200 joules with 50% less weight, without thermal conduction and suitable for passing security checks in airports and hospital environments. For long shifts, the difference in weight on your feet is noticeable from the very first kilometre.

Safety Clogs, Safety Trainers or Safety Shoes: Which Should You Choose?

• Safety clogs: easy to slip on, ideal for frequent entry and exit in the plant.
• Safety trainers: maximum lightness and flexibility without compromising certified protection.
• Safety shoes: greater support and stability for jobs involving more movement.

Comfortable Safety Footwear for Long Industrial Shifts

Uncomfortable industrial safety footwear not only causes fatigue: it can lead to postural problems and strain on the knees and back if worn 8 hours a day. The discomfort that builds up during a long shift is not just a wellbeing issue — it is a risk factor that increases mistakes and accidents in the plant.

Our ActiveFoam and HoneyComb insoles are designed to absorb impacts and keep the foot stable throughout the working day, without sacrificing the lightness you need to move with agility. The X-Cell™ technology in the sole distributes the energy of each step and reduces the accumulated strain on the joints — so that tiredness at the end of the shift comes from the work, not the footwear.

Certifications and Sectors of Use for Industrial Footwear

Our industrial footwear meets the needs of logistics, maintenance, manufacturing, and construction, with models certified according to the standard EN ISO 20345 (safety footwear with toe cap) and EN ISO 20347 (professional footwear without a toe cap). The choice between one or the other depends on the level of impact risk in the job role — in environments without a risk of heavy objects falling, EN ISO 20347 footwear offers greater lightness and comfort without compromising the necessary protection.

If your work involves a risk of electric shock, see our antistatic footwear. If you work with oils, lubricants or hydrocarbons, oil-resistant footwear with FO certification is the right option.

Safety Footwear by Industrial Sector

Logistics and Warehousing

A lot of movement, varied flooring, and a risk of falling objects in loading and unloading areas. The priority is ultralight safety footwear with a certified toe cap and anti-slip sole that can handle miles without causing fatigue. Models with Velcro or elastic fastening make it easier to enter and leave restricted work areas frequently.

Factory and Production Plant

Long shifts in fixed or semi-mobile roles, with specific risks depending on the type of production: oily floors in automotive and mechanical settings, electrical risk in electronics, wet surfaces in the food industry. The footwear must match the specific risk of the role — there is no universal model suitable for all factory environments.

Workshop and Industrial Maintenance

Regular contact with oils, lubricants and tools. Workshop footwear needs resistance to hydrocarbons, a protective toe cap and an anti-slip sole for greasy surfaces. Models with combined FO and SR certification cover the two main risks in maintenance environments.

Footwear Designed for Safety and Industry

• Ultralight safety footwear: certified protection without giving up lightness during plant shifts.
• Impact-cushioning footwear: shock absorption for impacts and hard surfaces in industrial environments.
• Antistatic footwear: suitable for jobs with a risk of electrical discharge or ESD environments.
• Oil-resistant footwear: reliable performance in workshops and areas with hydrocarbons or lubricants.
• Anti-slip footwear: secure grip on slippery industrial surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions about Industrial Safety Footwear

Why is it important to wear safety footwear in industry?

Because it protects feet against impacts, falling objects, punctures and slips, reducing the risk of workplace accidents. In many roles, it is also a legal requirement under occupational risk prevention regulations — the employer is obliged to provide certified safety footwear when the role requires it.

What is the difference between SB, S1, S2 and S3 certifications?

SB is the basic level of toe impact protection. S1 adds antistatic properties and energy absorption in the heel. S2 adds resistance to liquid penetration in the upper, ideal for wet environments. S3 also includes a puncture-resistant midsole and a cleated sole for the most demanding environments.

Is anti-slip safety footwear suitable for any industrial floor?

SR certification guarantees slip resistance in the most common industrial flooring conditions. However, in environments with oil or lubricants, it is advisable to choose models with FO certification as well as SR — the chemical resistance of the sole is just as important as slip resistance in those cases.

How do I choose between safety trainers, shoes or clogs?

Trainers offer more lightness and flexibility for jobs with a lot of movement. Shoes provide greater support and stability for roles with lateral load or uneven ground. Clogs are practical for frequent entry and exit from the work area. In all cases, the safety certification is independent of the format — choose the format based on comfort and functionality, and the certification based on the risk of the role.

Can I wear safety footwear with an orthopaedic insole?

Yes, as long as the insole is not non-antistatic and does not interrupt the electrical dissipation circuit in models with antistatic certification. All Suecos models with antistatic certification have a removable insole compatible with antistatic orthopaedic insoles.