Men's Work Boots

The difference mainly lies in the material and the level of waterproofing. S3 boots are usually made of leather, are breathable, and water-repellent (waterproof for up to an hour). S5 boots are made of rubber or plastic and are completely liquid-proof. Both classes have a safety toe and a puncture-resistant sole.

That doesn't have to be the case anymore. Although rubber boots can be heavy, modern PU work boots (polyurethane) are often lighter than leather work shoes. They provide excellent thermal insulation while tiring your legs less quickly during walking.

Most manufacturers already account for the space for work or thermal socks in their sizing. We recommend ordering your normal shoe size. However, if you have very wide feet or wear extremely thick wool socks, a size up can sometimes be more comfortable to avoid restricting circulation.

Replace your boots when the tread wears down to under 2mm, if the material shows cracks (which compromises waterproofing), or after a heavy incident where the safety toe has taken a hit. Also, if the sole comes loose, safety is no longer guaranteed.