There are countless variants of sports safety shoes for women (รองเท้า safety ทรง สปอร์ต ผู้หญิง which is the term in Thai) on the market. They differ in terms of protection class and design. But how is a safety shoe constructed?
The midsole is located on the outsole. This is responsible for the majority of the damping and is made of appropriately soft material. This can be TPU, PU, EVA, or a mix of different layers of these materials. In addition, many shoes have a cushioning element or other technology, such as stabilizers, built into the midsole. Penetration-proof steel inserts are inserted between this and the insole.
Depending on the type of nail protection, the insole can be found under or above the penetration protection. This sole usually consists of an absorbent fleece material that keeps moisture away from the foot. As a rule, this layer does not have any damping properties. Few safety shoes nowadays have no insoles. These are usually built up in several layers.
The lower layer is usually made of cushioning plastic, which is often provided with ventilation channels. The upper layer consists of absorbent and abrasion-resistant textile. In some cases, however, the insoles are almost even more complex than the safety shoes themselves.
Taking the “FX2”, these can be equipped with unique damping elements or reinforcements. Sometimes you can even adjust the width of the inner shoe with insoles to different foot types. In the case of shoes with textile penetration protection, this can be viewed simply by removing the insole.
The next layer, next to your foot, is the inner lining. Depending on the type and price range of the shoe, it is made of breathable textile. In classes S1 and S1P, mesh fabrics are often found, known for their excellent air circulation properties. Especially with very high-quality shoes, you can sometimes find a lining made of soft Nappa leather. This is very much appreciated for its high level of convenience. Membranes such as GORE-TEX are often installed between the inner lining and upper material to waterproof the shoe.
The upper material is the protective skin of the shoe from safety shoe shop (ร้าน รองเท้า เซฟตี้ which is the term in Thai) and consists of a wide variety of materials and material combinations depending on the shoe’s type, class, and area of application. Breathable textiles are often found in classes S1 and S1P, as they do not have to be water-repellent. Class S2 and S3 share many different types of leather, which, depending on the processing, can be breathable or highly robust. Rubber over the cap is often attached to the tip to protect the shoe from abrasion when working on the knees.
