Workwear: safety shoes

The EN ISO 20345 standard: what the toe cap guarantees

A safety shoe is recognised by its protective toe cap, tested according to the European standard EN ISO 20345: it must withstand an impact of 200 joules, the equivalent of a mass of twenty kilograms dropped from one metre, and a compression of 15 kilonewtons, or about one and a half tonnes, without crushing the toes. The categories then add further requirements. The S1P combines a closed back, antistatic sole, energy absorption at the heel, and a puncture-resistant sole; this is the case with the Aimont Heron, designed for dry surfaces. The S3 adds a water-resistant upper and a treaded sole, as seen on the Aimont Ibis or the Jallatte Jalnation.

SRC, ESD, CI: reading the labels

The letters that follow the category detail additional protections. SRC indicates a sole tested against slipping on both soapy tiles and glycerin-coated steel; the European version of the standard published in 2022 replaced this code with a mandatory base test and an optional SR marking. ESD signals a shoe that safely dissipates static electricity, required near sensitive electronic components. CI provides insulation from cold in the sole, tested down to minus seventeen degrees: an advantage in cold storage or outside in winter.

The other sports on the site have their own page: Motorcycling, Camping, Fishing.

Low or high shoes depending on the job

The low shoe is suitable for jobs where you walk and bend down a lot: order preparation, workshops, maintenance. Light and flexible when bending, like the Jallatte Jalaero, it is less tiring over a long day. The high shoe, like the Aimont Pelican, wraps around the ankle: it limits sprains on uneven ground, scaffolding, and muddy sites, and keeps gravel out. Comfort is as important as protection since the pair is worn from morning until night: removable insole, soft midsole, lacing that holds the heel. With shoes that are too stiff, you quickly end up walking on the edge of your foot.

The other sports

The other sports on the site, swimming, padel, badminton, handball, basketball, golf, fitness, climbing, camping, fishing, motorcycling, gymnastics, athletics, can be found on the other sports page.

Jallatte, Aimont and safety shoes for women

Jallatte was established in 1947 in Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort, in the Gard, by Pierre Jallatte, and has specialised in safety shoes. Its Jalnation and Jalaero models combine S3 category, ESD protection, and CI insulation, a sought-after combination in logistics and industry. Aimont complements the selection with lines named after birds, Ibis, Heron, or Pelican, from the low model for dry surfaces to the high upper for construction sites. A woman’s foot is generally narrower at the heel and slimmer at the front: the Jallatte Jallady is a model designed for women, which avoids a loose heel and the chafing of a men’s shoe simply downsized.

Good deals

Good deals can also be found in the bargains, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and dispatched in 24 hours. The key times of the year follow a stable order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the end-of-year festivities, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by summer sales and back-to-school season.

Frequently asked questions

Are safety shoes provided by the employer?

Yes: as soon as the risk assessment requires safety shoes, the Labour Code obliges the employer to provide them free of charge, maintain them, and replace them. The employee must, for their part, wear them on the job concerned.

How to find the right size for safety shoes?

Try on the pair at the end of the day, with the socks worn at work: the toes should not touch the toe cap, even when squatting. The heel should stay in place when walking, without sliding or rubbing.

Steel or composite toe cap: which one to choose?

Both pass the same impact and crush tests. Steel is thinner and cheaper; composite, being lighter, does not conduct cold or electricity and does not trigger detection gates at secure sites.

When to replace safety shoes?

After any significant impact on the toe cap, even without visible damage, and as soon as the treads are smooth, the upper is pierced, or the sole detaches. A worn sole loses its grip and can expose the puncture-resistant protection.

What does the term workwear mean?

The English term workwear refers to work clothing and shoes. The term also describes an urban style inspired by these sturdy pieces, but here it relates to protective equipment that meets European standards.