Safety footwear ratings explained: SB, S1, S1P, S2, S3 — what do they actually mean?
If you've ever tried to buy safety boots or shoes online, you've probably stared at those three-letter codes and thought: what's the difference between S1 and S1P? Or S2 and S3?
Most site managers and business owners we deal with at Colbrook don't have the rating system memorised. And honestly, you shouldn't need to. But when you're spending money on work boots for your team, it helps to know what you're paying for.
So here's the plain English version.
What are safety footwear ratings?
Safety footwear in the UK and Europe is tested against EN ISO 20345:2022 — the current standard. It replaced the old EN ISO 20345:2011, so if you've got boots bought before 2022, the ratings shifted slightly. The new standard tightened things up, especially around slip resistance.
Every pair of certified safety boots or shoes will have a rating stamped somewhere on the inside or on the tongue. That code tells you what level of protection the footwear offers, from basic toe protection all the way up to boots that can handle water, punctures, and oil-resistant soles.
The ratings go: SB, S1, S1P, S2, S3. Each step adds more protection.
But — and this is the bit most people miss — more protection doesn't always mean better for your job. An S3 steel-toe boot is overkill if you're indoors on a clean warehouse floor.
SB — the baseline
SB stands for "Safety Basic." It's the absolute minimum.
To get an SB rating, a boot must have a toe cap that can withstand 200 joules of impact — think a 20kg weight dropped from a metre. It also needs to resist 15kN of compression, which is around one and a half tonnes.
That's it. No slip resistance test. No anti-static properties. No heel energy absorption.
SB-rated footwear is rare these days. Most manufacturers start at S1 because the extra features don't cost much to add and make the boot a lot more useful. If you see SB, it's probably a basic wellington or a budget shoe where weight and price are the main concerns.
S1 — where most safety boots start
S1 is where the practical range begins. It includes everything SB has, plus:
- Closed heel — the heel area is enclosed, giving better stability
- Anti-static properties — the boot dissipates static electricity, important if you're working with electronics or in environments where static sparks are a fire risk
- Energy absorption in the heel — the heel absorbs shock on hard surfaces, which saves your joints on a long shift
S1 is a solid choice for indoor work where floors are dry and clean. Warehouses, logistics centres, light assembly. You get the protection without the bulk of a heavier boot.
Just be aware: S1 boots are not puncture-resistant. Drop a nail and stand on it — you'll feel it.
S1P — the one most people need
S1P is S1 plus puncture resistance. A steel or composite midsole sits between the outsole and your foot, so you can stand on a nail, a shard of glass, or a sharp bit of debris and not end up in A&E.
This is the rating we sell most of at Colbrook. S1P is hard to beat for general construction, maintenance, or outdoor work where the ground isn't perfectly clean. You get anti-static protection, heel absorption, and a shield against punctures.
The tradeoff is weight. That puncture-resistant midsole adds a little heft. But most modern S1P boots use composite midsoles instead of steel, which keeps them lighter than the old versions.
S2 — water resistance, no puncture plate
S2 takes S1 (not S1P, interestingly) and adds water-resistant uppers. The leather or material is treated so water beads off rather than soaking in straight away.
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Water-resistant is not the same as waterproof. S2 boots can handle splashes, rain, and standing in shallow water for a bit. They're not designed for wading through puddles all day.
S2 is a decent middle ground if you work outside in the British weather. Which, if you're based in Scotland like us, means rain most of the year. But S2 doesn't require puncture resistance by default, so check whether the specific boot you're looking at adds it anyway.
S3 — the full package
S3 is the top of the standard safety line. It combines everything:
- Toe protection (200 joules)
- Closed heel, anti-static, heel energy absorption (S1)
- Water-resistant upper (S2)
- Puncture-resistant midsole (S1P)
- Cleated sole
The cleated sole is what really sets S3 apart. The deeper treads are designed for muddy, uneven, slippery outdoor ground. They give you grip where a standard flat sole would slide.
S3 is what you want for outdoor construction, groundworks, forestry, or any job site that's wet and rough. It's a heavy boot. But it's built for heavy conditions.
What about safety trainers?
A lot of modern work footwear is labelled "safety trainers" rather than boots. They carry the same ratings — you can get S1P or S3 safety trainers — but they trade some ankle support for lighter weight and a more comfortable fit.
They're popular in warehouses and on sites where you're on your feet all day but not climbing scaffolding. We stock a range of safety trainers in S1P and S3 ratings at Colbrook, from Portwest and V12 among others.
Which rating should you choose?
Here's a rough guide:
- Clean warehouse or factory floor — S1 or S1P trainer
- General construction or outdoor maintenance — S1P boot
- Wet conditions with splashes and rain — S2 boot
- Muddy, uneven, heavy outdoor terrain — S3 boot
- Electronics or flammable environments — S1 or above (anti-static is standard from S1)
And if you're buying for a whole team, ask: does everyone actually need the same level? A lot of businesses buy S3 across the board because it's the "safest" option. But your warehouse staff might be more comfortable — and just as safe — in S1P trainers.
The 2022 standard change
The new EN ISO 20345:2022 standard changed a couple of things worth knowing.
The biggest one: slip resistance is now mandatory for all ratings. Before 2022, it was optional. So if you're buying new stock, you can assume every pair passes a slip test. Look for SRC on the label — that means the sole has been tested on both ceramic tile with detergent and steel with glycerol.
Also, what used to be called S1 with an optional puncture plate is now a proper standalone rating: S1P. They cleaned up the classification.
Getting safety footwear right means matching the rating to the actual risks. Over-spec and you waste money and comfort. Under-spec and you're not compliant.
At Colbrook, we stock safety boots and shoes across all ratings — from lightweight S1 trainers to heavy-duty S3 boots.
We're Scotland-based, so we know a thing or two about wet weather and tough conditions.
If you're not sure what you need, give us a call on 01236 755544 or drop an email to sales@colbrook.co.uk. We're happy to talk it through.
