S1P, S3 and Other Safety Shoes: How to Choose the Right Pair

What S1P, S3 and the other codes mean

Professional safety footwear is classified using the codes of the EN ISO 20345:2022 standard. Reading the label is the first thing you should do, because it tells you which risks each model protects against. In the data sheets of the Bellota range you will find these combinations:

S1P (SB A E FO P): protective toe cap, antistatic, energy absorption in the heel, resistance to hydrocarbons and an anti-puncture midsole. It is the usual choice for working in dry conditions and with breathable footwear.
S3 (SB A E P WPA): includes all of the above and adds resistance to water penetration, useful if the ground is wet or muddy.
S5 (SB A E P WR): the class of safety wellington boots, waterproof, with a toe cap and anti-puncture midsole.
O2: occupational footwear according to EN ISO 20347:2022, with no toe cap, for jobs with no risk of impact or puncture.

Beyond the classes, also look for the sole codes: SR indicates slip resistance, and FO, resistance to hydrocarbons.

Toe cap and anti-puncture midsole: steel or metal-free

The data sheets in the range state a toe cap resistant to impacts of 200 J and an anti-puncture midsole of 1,100 N. The difference is in the material:

With metal: steel toe cap and steel midsole, as in the Bellota Classic 72300N S3 safety boot, in black water-repellent leather with a dual-density PU/PU sole, extra-wide fit and sizes 36 to 48.
Metal-free: composite or fibreglass toe cap and textile midsole. The Bellota Nonmetal Air 72226 S1P safety shoe protects just as well with less weight, in breathable split leather, light and flexible. The Bellota Duty S3S boot goes further: it is metal-free, eyelets included, with water-repellent crazy horse leather and reinforcements on the toe and heel for building sites.

Boot, shoe, trainer or sandal

The type of footwear depends on the job:

Boot: supports the ankle and is the usual choice on building sites and uneven ground.
Shoe: cooler and lighter, and suited to warehouses, transport and industry.
Trainer: the sporty ranges (Run, Flex, Space) aim for lightness and flexibility.
Sandal: the Bellota Summer S1P is very breathable, with a steel toe cap and hook-and-loop fastening.

There are also models for specific uses. For welding work, the Bellota Classic 72302 S3 welder's safety boot fastens with a quick-adjust metal buckle that lets you put it on and take it off in seconds. And for catering, the Chef range is made of water-repellent microfibre in class S2.

Water, mud and special environments

If you work in water, mud or fresh concrete, the Bellota S5 safety wellington boot is made of waterproof PVC, with a 200 J steel toe cap, a metal anti-puncture midsole and a slip-resistant, hydrocarbon-resistant sole. It comes in green and black, from size 39 to 47.

For jobs with no risk of impact or puncture (laboratories, healthcare, catering, electronics), the Bellota STEP O2 occupational trainer has no toe cap and has an SR sole, resistant to hydrocarbons, with an ESD design to dissipate static electricity.

How to choose your safety footwear

Identify the risks of your job: impacts, sharp objects on the ground, water, oils, heat or cold. That will tell you the class you need (S1P, S3, S5 or O2).
Decide whether you want metal or not: metal-free versions are lighter; steel ones are the classics.
Look at the sole: SR to avoid slipping; nitrile on models designed for oils and hydrocarbons or for heat resistance (HRO).
Consider breathability and fit: many models have an extra-wide fit and an EVA insole; breathable split leather is cooler than water-repellent leather.
Check your size: depending on the model, sizes run from 36 to 48.

Use and care

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use, which you will find linked on each model's page. Check the sole, fastenings and laces from time to time, and replace the laces when they wear out: in the collection you will find 120 cm replacement laces that resist tearing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between S1P and S3?

The main difference is water resistance: S3 includes it and S1P does not. Both have a protective toe cap, antistatic properties, energy absorption in the heel and an anti-puncture midsole.

What does SR mean on safety footwear?

SR means the sole is slip-resistant. The models in the Bellota range with a PU or injected PVC sole have it, and FO also indicates resistance to hydrocarbons.

Is metal-free safety footwear better?

It depends on the use: metal-free footwear weighs less and uses a composite or fibreglass toe cap and a textile midsole, while steel is the classic option. Both types appear in the range with a 200 J toe cap and a 1,100 N anti-puncture midsole.

What footwear do I need for building site work?

On a building site an S3 boot is usually chosen, which protects against water and mud and supports the ankle. One example is the Bellota Classic 72300N, with a steel toe cap and steel anti-puncture midsole, or the Bellota Duty S3S if you prefer a metal-free model.

What is O2 occupational footwear?

It is professional footwear with no toe cap, certified to EN ISO 20347:2022. It is designed for laboratories, healthcare, catering and electronics manufacturing, where there is no risk of impact or puncture.

Find all the models in the Bellota safety footwear collection.

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