There’s no need to sacrifice style for safety anymore – casual steel toe shoes are the perfect solution for those who want the best of both worlds. Whether you’re working on the factory floor or going out for dinner, these shoes will keep you protected without compromising on comfort or style.
In This Post
What Are Steel Toe Shoes?
Steel toe shoes are innovative products that involve a protective reinforcement in the toe, protecting the foot from any compression or falling objects. Often known as safety shoes, industrial workers invest in a pair of these to keep themselves safe in dangerous factory environments.
Thanks to the contribution of innovative ideas and developing technology, workplace accidents have decreased drastically. So, why is this?
The answer to this lies with the increased use of efficient protective equipment that manufacturers across the globe now offer, including steel toe shoes. Read on to educate yourself on this type of shoe and where you can purchase the best ones!
Is Composite Toe the same as Steel Toe?
You may have heard ‘composite toe’ being thrown around as well as ‘steel toe’ when it comes to describing shoes. But how do these two terms differ?
The principal difference between steel and composite toe shoes and boots is the material used in the toe cap of each of these products.
Whilst the toe caps in steel toe shoes are – you guessed it – made from steel, composite toe shoes have toe caps made from non-metal materials. These materials can include plastics and fiberglass. Despite the material difference, each design offers the same sturdy level of protection from workplace hazards.
Steel toe shoes were actually invented quite some time ago, being the most popular choice for work boots until the later invention of composite toe shoes. Composite designs are relatively new and lighter than steel-based products. When combined to form a compound, the toe cap materials of composite toe shoes are incredibly durable.
How to Wear & Style Casual Steel Toe Shoes
If you’re wearing them to work, pair them with your favorite jeans or khakis. For a more casual look, go for a looser fit and rolled up pants. Add a plaid shirt or Henley for an extra touch of style.
If you’re going out in them, they’ll look great with a pair of dark-wash jeans and a button-down shirt. Add a blazer or leather jacket for a more dressed-up look. For a more casual outfit, try pairing them with khaki shorts and a polo shirt.
No matter how you wear them, casual steel toe shoes are a great way to stay safe without sacrificing your sense of style.
Popular Styles of Casual Steel Toe Shoes
There are several popular styles of casual steel toe shoes on today’s market. People are often drawn to the casual look of these shoes because they match more outfits whilst offering a solid backing of practicality and safety. Let’s take a look at the different styles below!
Does Hey Dude make Steel Toe Shoes?
No, unfortunately the popular brand Hey Dudes, maker of casual shoes currently do not make steel toe shoes. They do have a colorway called “Steel”, not to be confused with Steel Toe shoe materials.
1. Slip-on Steel Toe Shoes
Since increasing numbers of workplace hazards are being reduced daily, workers have now started to demand comfort when it comes to steel toe shoes. More customers are shifting towards wearing convenient and comfortable shoes, raising the demand for slip-on designs.
Slip-on shoe products are much easier to put on and take off than lace-up boots, and they offer the same protective toe cap design to help prepare you for any hazardous workplace environment.
Skechers for Work Hartan Men’s Steel Toe Slip-On Shoe
For example, Skechers offers a line of steel toe work shoes, designed with extended durability to keep any worker protected. Having been tested and certified to exceed ASTM ratings for protection, these slip-on shoes are guaranteed to protect you from compression forces and harsh impacts, not to mention electrical hazards.
These slip-on shoes offer the perfect secondary protection to anyone working with electrical and live current components. The product also provides high levels of grip and traction with its carefully constructed tread pattern on the outsole.
2. Business Casual Steel Toe Shoes
Business casual steel toe shoes are steel toe shoes which match your style and color. You can make business casual steel toe shoes work in formal situations when a dress code is required.
Caterpillar Men’s Oversee Steel Toe Work Shoe
This is a shoe that you can pull off in style when conducting business and everyday activities! Shoes work in almost any situation. This product offers a traditional lace-up design and non-slip rubber outsole, offering a formal look while keeping you safe.
With its steel toe cap, this product can provide safety, style, and comfort in different cases. The shoe also offers static dissipating protection for any worker operating with live electrical circuits, reducing the build-up of dangerous static electricity for your own personal security.
3. Steel Toe Casual Dress Shoes
Casual dress shoes are perfect for many situations, especially when you want to look smart in your workplace. So, why not add another layer of pure protection to yourself with steel toe caps concealed within a stylish look?
Rockport Dressports Men’s Steel Toe Oxford
For example, Rockport offers some traditional lace-up dress shoes with the additional features of slip-resistance, oil resistance, electrical hazard safety, and all-day comfort. These leather loafers boast a broguing design, helping you look ready for any dressy – or casual – occasion.
Popular Brands of Casual Steel Toe Shoes
Now that you know more about what steel toe shoes are and what different types are offered on the market, you may want to know the most popular brands. We’ve constructed a list of these brands, carefully selecting them based on quality, practicality, and customer satisfaction. Take a peek below to discover more!
1. Skechers
As one of the world’s most famous companies concerning footwear, Skechers originates from America, headquartered in California. Founded in 1992, this company is now the third biggest athletic footwear brand in the US. It hosts a range of steel toe footwear products designed to supply industrial workers with the protection they need to carry out various jobs.
2. Florsheim
Florsheim Shoes is another shoe brand situated in the US. Its team operates tirelessly to produce high quality and stylish dress work shoes at reasonable prices. You might want to check out what this company can offer you if you are hunting for more formal steel toe capped shoes.
3. Merrell
Merrell’s manufacturing business of footwear products is a notorious crafter of high-performance hiking boots and clothing items.
However, over the years, it has provided a range of protective work shoes that customers can choose from, for example, Merrell’s Men’s Fullbench Superlite Alloy Toe Work Shoe is just one product which can help consumers move light and work fast.
The designers have worked to produce a shoe which is lighter than the original Fullbench product, featuring COMFORTBASE™ footbed technology and an alloy safety toe cap. The protective synthetic toe cap is accompanied by mesh lining for ultimate breathability and convenience, feeding into the demand for comfort, style, and safety combined into one quality product.
4. Cat Footwear
Caterpillar, frequently shortened to Cat, is an incredibly famous corporation which has worked to design, develop, engineer, manufacture, market, and sell protective industrial equipment – otherwise known as shoes, boots, and sneakers fit for any hazardous workplace!
For example, Caterpillar caters to every worker, with its Elmore Steel Toe S1P Work Shoe available in both women’s and men’s fits. This Elmore collection offers safety shoes that incorporate a classic sneaker’s sporty, trendy design. Being lightweight, anti-scuff, and puncture-resistant, this work shoe is ideal for any man or woman working in hazardous workplaces. This product is even constructed with a fuel-, heat-, and oil-resistant outsole, featuring a compound that decreases the risk of accidental falls.
5. Timberland
American retailer and manufacturer Timberland focuses on selling outdoor wear, although it concentrates heavily on footwear products. After all, these items are cleverly marketed towards customers wanting to buy wear for outdoor use.
With such a broad range of products, it’s no surprise that Timberland also focuses on steel toe work shoes, offering those with the vision of working indoors in potentially dangerous conditions an opportunity to protect themselves adequately.
5. Wolverine
Our Original 1000 Mile boot is the soul of who they are. First introduced in the 1910s, it was named because it offered 1000 miles of wear. Workers loved its soft, long-lasting shell horsehide leather. Today, they are still handcrafting this American icon with the same methods. This is their third century of making quality boots.
Where to Buy Casual Steel Toe Shoes
If nothing has jumped out at you so far, an online retailer like the ones below can offer you a more extensive variety of options all wrapped up in one website!
Amazon
If you’re looking for a broader brand to scan, Amazon is a selling giant in all things – including steel toe shoes. Here, you can find a range of brands and hundreds (if not thousands) of customer reviews to help you decide which brand and design is right for you.
Zappos
Zappos is also an online retail company, operating similarly to Amazon. It offers many different manufactured shoes, including products from Reebok, Dr Martens, Merrell, and Durango, amongst a long list of others!
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, if you work in a job where you are on your feet for long periods or operate in hazardous environments, you may want to invest in a pair of steel toe shoes.
You need to consider multiple things when purchasing this type of work shoe. Indeed, it would be best to have comfort, safety, durability, and affordability all blended into one quality product. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time in these shoes, meaning they need to feel good and stay good for a long time. As covered above, there are various types of steel toe shoes on our market today, so whatever design you choose, casual or dressy, is entirely up to your personal preference and how you need to dress for a specific occasion.
Thus, do not think twice about slipping into your steel toe footwear when entering a potentially hazardous workplace. Your feet are precious and deserve all the comfort and protection that steel toe designs can offer!