Composite Toe vs Steel Toe: Which One is Best for Your Safety? (2024)

Comparison

Mar 14, 2024

By Operations Support

When it comes to choosing safety shoes, one of the most important decisions you'll need to make is whether to go for composite toe or steel toe. Both offer excellent protection for your feet, but there are a few key differences you need to consider before making your choice.

You may find yourself asking all sorts of questions when it comes to the different types of safety toes. We hope we did a good job answering those in this article.

Feature	Steel Toe	Composite Toe
Material	Steel	Composite material (such as carbon fiber, Kevlar, or fiberglass)
Weight	Heavier	Lighter
Conductivity	Conducts heat and electricity	Does not conduct heat or electricity
Metal detection	May set off metal detectors	Does not set off metal detectors

Impact protection	Higher level of impact protection	Lower level of impact protection

What are Composite Toe Shoes?

Composite toe shoes are made from a combination of materials, such as Kevlar, carbon fiber, or plastic. They're designed to offer the same level of protection as steel toe shoes, but with a few added benefits.

Lighter weight:Composite toe shoes are much lighter than steel toe shoes, which makes them more comfortable to wear for long periods, especially if you're walking or standing for most of the day.
Non-metallic:Composite toe shoes are non-metallic, which means they won't set off metal detectors. This makes them ideal for workers who need to go through security checkpoints, such as airport employees or government workers.
Northside Work Shoes:At Northside, we aim to provide boots and shoes at inexpensive costs. These include composite toe, steel toe and nano toe shoes. You can view our NWS collection here:Northside Work Safety Shoes

What are Steel Toe Shoes?

Steel toe shoes, as the name suggests, have a steel toe cap that protects your feet from heavy objects or falling debris. They're the most traditional type of safety shoe and have been around for decades.

Superior impact and compression protection:Steel toe shoes offer superior protection against impact and compression. They're ideal for workers who are exposed to heavy machinery or tools, such as construction workers or factory employees.
Typically less expensive:Steel toe shoes are typically less expensive than composite toe shoes. This is because steel is a less expensive material than the materials used in composite toe shoes.
Metallic:Steel toe shoes are metallic, which means they'll set off metal detectors and aren't suitable for workers who need to go through security checkpoints.

Is Composite Toe the Same as Steel Toe?

Steel toe and composite toe boots are both designed to protect the feet from impact and compression injuries. However, there are some key differences between the two types of boots.

Steel toe boots are made with a steel cap in the toe area. Steel is a strong and durable material that can withstand a high level of impact. However, steel toe boots can be heavy and can conduct heat, which can make them uncomfortable to wear in hot weather. Steel toe boots can also set off metal detectors, which can be a problem for workers who need to pass through them regularly.

Composite toe boots are made with a composite material, such as carbon fiber, Kevlar, or fiberglass. Composite materials are lighter than steel and do not conduct heat or electricity. This makes them a good choice for workers who need to wear boots in hot weather or who work around sources of electricity. Composite toe boots are also less likely to set off metal detectors.

Both steel toe andcomposite toe bootsmeet the safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

Ultimately, the best type of boot for you will depend on your specific work environment and needs. If you need a boot that can withstand an extreme level of impact and you don't mind the weight, then a steel toe boot may be a good choice. If you need a boot that is lightweight, comfortable, still withstands impact and does not conduct heat or electricity, then a composite toe boot may be a better option.

You may ask yourself, is composite toe as good as steel toe? Well, we put together a quick table to shoe you all of the differences to help you make an informed decision.

Which One is Right for You?

Now that you know the key differences between composite toe and steel toe shoes, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

If you're looking for a lighter, more comfortable shoe that won't set off metal detectors, then composite toe shoes are the way to go.They're ideal for workers who are on their feet all day, such as warehouse employees or delivery drivers.
However, if you're looking for the ultimate in protection against heavy objects and falling debris, then steel toe shoes are the way to go.They're ideal for workers who are exposed to heavy machinery or tools, such as construction workers or factory employees.

Other factors to consider:

Warranty:Many manufacturers offer a warranty on their safety shoes. This warranty typically covers defects in materials and workmanship. It is important to read the warranty carefully before purchasing a pair of safety shoes. Grabbing a pair like Northside Work Safety ensures a 90-day trial.
Durability:While steel toe shoes are better for extreme impact, both composite and steel toe are very durable and will protect your feet meeting ASTM safety standards.

You can also use our comprehensive guide to help you choose just click here

At Northside, we offer a wide range of safety shoes, including both composite toe and steel toe options. No matter what your needs are, we have the right shoe for you.

A Few of Our Favorite Composite Boots:

The Garner Mid -Non slip, full leather composite toe workboot with a puncture resistant outsole

The Axson Mid - Also Non-Slip, more rugged, and both feature electrical hazard ASTM certification. Composite toe and puncture resistance.

The Walcot -Non slip, Rubber work boot, great for hunting as well, never cracks. Check out an article with information on it: FLEX-TUFF Rubber Hunting Boots

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FAQs

Composite Toe vs Steel Toe: Which One is Best for Your Safety? ›

Steel toe boots offer more protection than composite toe boots since they can withstand higher impact. They are less expensive than composite toe boots. However, steel toe boots are heavier and do not breathe as well as composite toe boots.

Know More ›

Which is safer, steel toe or composite toe? ›

If you need a boot that can withstand an extreme level of impact and you don't mind the weight, then a steel toe boot may be a good choice. If you need a boot that is lightweight, comfortable, still withstands impact and does not conduct heat or electricity, then a composite toe boot may be a better option.

Is a composite toe OSHA approved? ›

Are Composite Toe Boots OSHA Approved? Composite toe boots meet OSHA and ASTM safety requirements. They are made of non-metallic fibers like Kevlar® and do not conduct electricity. Composite toe boots are preferred by engineers, electricians and some independent contractors.

What are the pros and cons of composite toe? ›

COMPOSITE TOE WORK BOOTS

The Pros: They're good for extreme high or low temperatures because they won't heat up or cool down like a metal toe would. They're 30% lighter than steel toes. The Cons: They can't take as much impact or compression as a steel or alloy toe.

Is carbon toe as safe as steel toe? ›

Aluminum toe work boots are lighter and more comfortable than steel toe work boots, but they don't offer as much protection. Carbon toe work boots are the lightest and most comfortable type of safety toe work boot, but they don't offer as much protection as steel toe work boots.

Keep Reading ›

Are steel toe boots really safer? ›

Steel toe boots are not more dangerous than regular boots. and with the amount of pressure and weight they're designed to handle, chances are very slim that you'll encounter something that can crack your steel toe boots. Plus, imagine what would your feet would look like after an accident without a protective toe!

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How much weight can a composite toe boot withstand? ›

For example, a C/75 will guard against compressive loads of up to 2,500 pounds. A C/50 pair can protect against compressive loads of up to 1,750 pounds.

Read On ›

Is composite toe safe for electricians? ›

The safety toe material has no effect on the effectiveness of Electrical Hazard Safety Shoes.

What does OSHA say about steel toe shoes? ›

Safety toe protective footwear must be worn at all times regardless of the presence of a hazard; and the safety toe protective footwear must meet the following requirements - leather uppers, oil resistant and non-skid soles, and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F2413-05 with an impact resistance rate ...

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Can steel toe shoes cause foot problems? ›

Because safety boots are made from solid, rigid materials that are meant to protect the feet from work-related injuries, it can severely restrict the natural movement of the joints in the feet. Over time, this can lead to stiffness and persistent discomfort and pain.

Find Out More ›

Does carbon toe meet OSHA standards? ›

OSHA recommends conducting an assessment to determine the need for personal protective equipment and the type of footwear workers must wear. That said, most carbon fiber, including CarbonMax toe work boots are OSHA-approved.

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Is composite toe safe for electrical work? ›

Myth 4: Composite Toe Boots Do Not Offer Electrical Hazard Protection. Fact: Many composite toe boots are equipped with electrical hazard protection. The non-metallic nature of the composite toe makes these boots an excellent choice for workers in environments where protection against electrical hazards is crucial.