My friend is an idiot and thinks a steel toe boot is defined by the steel plate in the sole. He thinks the cap that goes above your toe isn't relevant.
You can't even buy boots with a steel sole and no steel toe. But you can buy boots with a steel toe and no steel sole. Yet he doesn't understand.
I'd like as many people to comment on here what part of the boot defines a steel toe boot. Pretty fricken obvious...
I believe the ASTM standard is incorporated by reference in the OSHA regs, so search for the ASTM definitions. I would wager that it is the same up there, in the frozen north. By the way, many "steel toe boots" are no longer steel. Some are a composite material, but is is most certainly the toe.
Up here its a CSA standard. Steel toe/plate is indicated with a green triangle. Shock-proof (electrical protection) is an orange triangle. I wont buy a pair if they don't have both.
My current pair were $300 and have both ratings, plus a new-age insulation that holds heat in winter but wicks moisture in the summer so its really like 2 pairs in one. I don't have to have an insulated and uninsulated pair for the seasons.
You can't even buy boots with a steel sole and no steel toe.
Actually, you can. Most jump boots (paratrooper boots) have a steel shank through the sole to keep the foot from folding/breaking during a landing. None have a steel toe cap although the toe caps are a thicker, harder leather.
A steel-toe boot (also known as a safety boot, steel-capped boot or safety shoe) is a durable boot or shoe that has a protective reinforcement in the toe which protects the foot from falling objects or compression, usually combined with a mid sole plate to protect against punctures from below.
Although traditionally made of steel, the reinforcement can also be made of a composite material, a plastic such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or even aluminum.
Actually, you can. Most jump boots (paratrooper boots) have a steel shank through the sole to keep the foot from folding/breaking during a landing. None have a steel toe cap although the toe caps are a thicker, harder leather.
Well I learned something. But those still wouldn't be considered steel toe boots, so he's still a complete idiot.
A magnet should settle the argument once and for all.
FWIW ... The only broken bone I have ever sustained was partly caused by the steel-toed safety boots I was wearing at the time. The steel toe inserts made them larger than the shoes/boots I usually wore, and I stubbed a toe stepping over a slack rope. Entirely my fault, but it wouldn't have happened except for the boots.
N.B. I have a pair of Lucchese western dress boots with a steel shank (but no steel toe). Great fun going through airport security with them!
[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 09-13-2017).]
Boots/shoes can have either or both but two things do different jobs. "Steel sole" is for Puncture Resistant like stepping on nails etc. Steer and other reinforce toes are for protection from loads crushing the feet.
Many are Confused Steel Sole w/ Steel Shank and is not in the shoe/boot for safety. Is to spread the load to more area on bottom of feet like for Lineman and others who use spikes and ladders for hours each day.
Steel Toe will save the toe and feet a lot more then any standard footwear but does have limits same as hard hats and other safety items. Way before you reach those limits, the foot was gone w/o steel toe. MythBusters Episode 42: Steel Toe-Cap Amputation results: Busted.
I had Steel Toe boots shoes and even sneakers for doing IT work for Sun Oil and other sites required steel toe or you can't get into the site. ST shoes got stopped by Airport Security long before 9/11 because tripped metal detectors. Most times, If you worn them in the past then tell them so can quickly hand scan including your feet and not hold up the line.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Em, what part of steel TOED boot does he not understand?
BTW, does he have a sign around his neck that says "breath"?
Weirdly he doesn't have one. I'm not sure how he's survived this long being this stupid. It's a two word definition for the object you are buying. I can't make it any simpler.
