What should I look out for when choosing work shoes?
EUROPEAN STANDARDS for footwear
EN 345: Specification for safety shoes with protective toe cap (min. 200 joules) made of leather or other materials (with the exception of solid rubber or all-polymer shoes)
S1 - closed heel area, antistatic outsole, shock-absorbing sole (20 joules), no wet insert
S2 - closed heel area, antistatic, against water penetration and water absorption, slip-resistant, resistant to oil, acid, petrol and grease
S3 - like S2, additionally puncture-resistant
S4 - rubber or plastic boots, fully moulded or vulcanized, 100% waterproof
SRC - slip-resistant sole
P - puncture resistant
EN 347: Specification for occupational footwear. These have a general protective function, but there is no minimum requirement for a protective toe cap.