Le 3 March 2023

Safety boots: how to choose them and when to wear them?

Wearing boots in green spaces is almost indispensable, but do you know why? Resistant to punctures, impacts, waterproof, made of pvc, rubber, lightweight or lined, let's see together what safety boots are for gardeners and landscapers and how to choose them.

Summary :

Protection

Advantages

Uses

What protection does a safety boot provide?

In green spaces professions, it is almost impossible not to be equipped with a pair of boots, whether for rainy days to keep feet dry and warm, not fear mud or even to avoid falls or protect from water infiltration when work must be performed with feet in a humid or immersed environment.

These are all good reasons to equip yourself with gardener boots, but not only. Safety boots are standardized and therefore very monitored for their operation and resistance. A standardized S5, S6 or S7 boot is considered " safety ", it provides several safety aspects to the wearer :

Safety toe cap : protecting toes against crushing
Midsole steel or composite : protects against punctures or cuts
Waterproof : protects against water infiltration, mud, snow or other
Outer sole : non-slip and cleated, allowing solid grip regardless of terrain
High shaft : protecting the ankles and calves from all dangers and discomfort
Insole : comfortable, the insole is also treated anti-fatigue absorbing the impact of steps while walking

Work boots do not have as many advantages, but still provide a high level of protection, especially in terms of waterproofing, non-slip capacity and lower leg protection.

What are the advantages of a boot over a shoe?

Called work or safety boots, gardener boots are, most often, made of PVC or rubber plastic allowing better resistance and a real waterproof alternative unlike all other safety shoes, let's see what the advantages of a boot are :

Really high shaft : making it very difficult for external elements to penetrate, grass, stones, branches, water, dirt, etc.
Waterproof : the boot is the only real barrier to water and humidity, made of plastic, without opening and having a very high shaft, boots make it very difficult for water or humidity to penetrate.
Material : Whether made of water-repellent leather or plastic, boots will be more resistant and secure than safety shoes.
No laces : Having no laces, boots are very easy to put on and take off, but are also less fragile. Indeed, laces tend to loosen throughout the day, but are also more difficult to subject to humidity or heat (sparks or other) thus opening a dangerous breach. Without laces, the boot is completely closed, thus securing your feet more.

Always choose your pair of boots or shoes according to your activities and needs. If you are required to work in cold conditions, perhaps opt for a pair of lined safety boots. On the contrary, if it is summer work, take advantage of the lightness of plastic for an aerated boot, but protective.

The different uses of safety boots

The green spaces professions are vast and diverse, however, the equipment is more or less equivalent except for chainsaw and pruning work where one would prefer a "lumberjack outfit" specially adapted and standardized boots EN 17489 and/or EN 381 against cuts from chainsaw and saw.

Gardening : Ideal for gardening, but not mandatory, boots allow you not to get dirty and not to fear slipping on dirt or grass. Also, if you wear a pair of safety boots, you ensure maximum protection against impacts. If one of your tools happens to slip from your hands, your toes are safe.

Pruning and arboriculture : Mandatory, safety boots allow you to be fully protected. Make sure nevertheless that the boots have the necessary qualities for this exercise, namely : the EN 381 anti-cut standard.

Lawn mowing : Boots will allow you not to slip on your freshly cut lawn and, depending on your mowing tool, will protect you from cuts, impacts and projected grass.

Landscaping : Garden landscaping, whether public or private, is always complex due to its diversity of activities. Mowing, planting, pruning, etc. It goes without saying that safety boots are more than recommended for landscapers. An added bonus if there is a fountain or water feature to install.

In summary, boots are essential for green spaces professionals without being indispensable since there exists today, and on VET SÉCURITÉ, a multitude of safety shoes corresponding to the needs of green spaces. Nevertheless, safety boots provide additional safety thanks to their design, as we have seen : high shaft, rubber, pvc, quite resistant, without laces as well as their wide and cleated sole.

Don't hesitate to take advantage of our promotions in progress and our deals to equip yourself with a pair of garden boots for your work or pleasure ! And don't forget, whether you are a Sunday gardener or it's your profession, don't skimp on your safety.

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