Every manufacturer or retailer of S3 safety shoes knows this complaint: "My S3 shoes (or S3 boots) are not waterproof." S3 shoes are often used in workplaces where water and moisture are a problem. For example, an S3 boot is a typical construction site shoe and is therefore used outdoors in all weather conditions. The type of use is crucial in determining how well the safety shoe meets the wearer's expectations, i.e., how well it protects them from wetness. A brief excursion by the safety experts into the world of protection classes is helpful here, as almost all users know that S3 denotes a very high protection class.
Standards for safety shoes
Let's start with the lowest protection class S1. S1 safety shoes (or boots) have a toe cap according to the EN standard, which must withstand an impact of 200 joules without injuring the wearer. They are slip-resistant (standard SRA, SRB or SRC), with an antistatic, oil- and petrol-resistant sole. If the shoe also has a penetration-resistant sole, it complies with the S1P standard. Both S1 and S1P shoes are intended for use in dry areas and are therefore not waterproof.
This is different for S2 shoes; these are "water-repellent" (marking "WRU"), but unlike S3 shoes, they do not have a penetration-resistant sole.
Safety shoes: water-repellent or waterproof
Water-repellent is not the same as "waterproof". Rain should not affect the safety shoe much during the first 60 minutes. On the other hand, one cannot expect an S3 shoe to let no water through at all when wading through water. Even today, the upper part of S3 safety shoes (the so-called shaft) is usually made of leather.
The leather is treated to make the shoe upper water-repellent. The more the leather is pre-treated, impregnated, or polymer-coated, the more likely it is that the safety shoe will be water-repellent. However, the downside of such leather treatment is that comfort is impaired because breathability suffers. The breathability of leather (a natural product) is crucial for the foot climate in the shoe. If breathability is too low, the foot sweats. Comfort suffers greatly, and sweaty feet can develop. Therefore, shoe manufacturers try to find a compromise between water impermeability and breathability in order to ensure comfort and acceptance.
Safety shoes with membrane as a solution
The experience of many safety shoe providers is that work shoes are often improperly or not at all cared for. An S3 shoe maintained with a suitable shoe cream will retain its water-repellent properties much more readily than an uncared-for shoe.
Water impermeability can be further improved by the manufacturer if the shoe's construction includes a waterproof and breathable membrane. Shoe manufacturers often use membranes and systems from manufacturers such as Goretex, Sympatex, and many other less well-known manufacturers, such as the Andy Aqua with the waterproof climate membrane GERMTEX®. When using shoes with a membrane, one can assume optimal protection against water ingress.
Waterproof safety shoes
An even higher level of protection against moisture and water ingress is provided by safety shoes and boots in protection classes S4 and S5, as the material (often PU or PVC) is completely waterproof. However, such shoes are not breathable. A loss of comfort is unavoidable here. However, the intended use of the safety boot justifies the loss of comfort.
In summary, the safety professionals on this topic can say that S3 safety shoes offer good protection against water and dampness. However, they are not completely waterproof. S4 and S5 shoes, on the other hand, can guarantee absolute waterproofness. Depending on the industry, activity, and intended use, shoes of the respective safety class should be used. Professional advice from a specialist retailer can assist you in selecting the right safety shoe.
