What is an Alloy Toe Work Boot?

Choosing a profession which is full of casualties can be very challenging. At each step you have to be very careful starting from the day till the end of it. That is why it is very important to have both, proper work wear and gear. Many jobs demand the use of safety toe boots which can offer proper protection to worker’s feet.

Apart from offering compression resistance, a safety boot is also impact resistant and has got an impressive design that wraps around the toe box so that it can save you from different kinds of hazards.

The toe box in most safety boots is either steel, composite or sometimes an alloy metal. What are these alloy metals? Well, it can be any material like aluminium or titanium or the combination of other lighter materials.

Alloy toe work boots are as strong as steel and are becoming more popular in the market. Interestingly, alloy boots are lighter than steel toes and provide similar protection. Certified with ANSI, ASTM and OSHA safety standards, the alloy toe boots facilitate both comfort and protection.

While steel toe boots are still considered unmatched when it comes to safety, alloy work boots are rising every single day and are no less than steel ones.

This article is all about the alloy toe boots, their composition and the safety standards these boots have been following. Are these boots better than steel and composite toe boots? Well, stay with us till the very end to know the answer and whether you should invest in an alloy toe boot or not?

What are Alloy Toe work boots?

Alloy toe work boots are one of the most popular safety toes. These are made from lightweight materials such as titanium, aluminium or a combination of other light materials. While they are as tough as steel, the only real difference is in the components used in their manufacturing.

There are a variety of elements used in construction of alloy toe boots. Primarily

• • • Silicon
    • Iron
    • Copper
    • Manganese
    • Magnesium
    • Chromium
    • Zinc
    • Titanium

This variety of safety toe boots meet the ASTM F2413-11 M I/75 C/75 ratings which means they don’t compromise with the safety at all. The boots are available in comfortable designs so that you can work freely all day long.

These boots are functional at many sites mainly:

• • • Manufacturing industries
    • Landscaping
    • Utilities
    • Warehouses
    • At construction sites

Are the Alloy toe boots OSHA approved?

OSHA standards demand slip resistant and puncture resistant footwears and ones which have considerable impact and shear protection to save a worker’s foot from falling objects or heavy equipment.

Almost all the alloy toe boots meet  OSHA and ASTM safety requirements. However, they use aluminium and titanium in construction which might sometimes conduct electricity. Therefore the employer should choose these boots accordingly keeping the level of risk at their work site in their mind.

One thing that you should definitely pay attention to is that these toe boots are strictly prohibited to be used in jobs with electrical hazards since metal toes support conduction of electricity.

See also: Composite, Alloy, or Steel Toe Boots: Which One is More Comfortable?

How Steel Toes Compare with Alloy Toes?

You might be wondering how does an alloy toe even come in to comparison with the age-old steel toes; but let me tell you alloy toes have some really great advantages over the steel toes!

While the basic difference between alloy toes and steel toes remains in the composite of both the toe caps, the alloy toe caps are made with lighter materials such as aluminum and titanium and also counterparts of steel.

Alloy toe caps are lighter than the steel toe caps and also are more comfortable to wear as materials such as titanium are definitely thinner than the steel and therefore, offer more room in the toe area for flexible movement of the toes.

Confused between steel toe and alloy toe and can’t decide which one to buy? Well, let me tell you some of the major differences between the two!

Let’s have a detailed look into some of these differences:

Old vs New

While steel toe boots are relatively older, alloy toe boots have gained popularity in the past few years only. Steel toe boots are tried and tested to meet all the safety criteria.

Alloy toe boots also meet safety regulations and standards but these are not as resistant as their steel capped counterparts when it comes to protection against heavy loads.

Weight of alloy toe vs steel toe

Steel toe boots are cumbersome and can be a bit heavy if you lug them around all day. Besides steel toe can make the footwear more compressed leaving less room in the toe box for your feet.

On the other hand, an alloy cap is much lighter and can be a perfect choice if your work demands you to stand all day on your feet. Alloy toes are lighter and thinner and offer wide room for your feet making the shoes more comfortable.

Cost of alloy toe vs steel toe

The alloy toe boots can go a bit heavy on your pockets. Thanks to the relatively expensive materials like titanium and aluminium which are relatively expensive. Whereas, if you take steel toe boots into consideration, these are reasonable and easily available. 

Alloy Toe Vs Composite Toe

The comparison table below will show you the difference between alloy toe caps and composite toe caps:

Material

As discussed in the above paragraphs, alloy toes are made using materials like aluminium and titanium or amalgamation of some other lighter components.

Composite toes are constructed with strong non metals such as kevlar, fibreglass and carbon fiber.

Weight

Composite toes are 30% lighter than steel toe boots in general but are heavier than the alloy counterparts which are 30 to 50 % lighter than steel toe boots.

Talking about the weight these two can actually be near then I would have to say that alloy toes are much more stronger and can hold more weight than the composite ones. Similarly, alloy toes have the ability to bear more compression than the composite toes.

Durability

If we talk about durability then both of them are durable. It depends on how much and where you expose these safety caps. But if we see in general then alloy toe caps can withstand more number of impacts while composite toes which are made of plastic can get damaged after one or two injuries.

Insulation

We all know that metal are poor insulators and can transfer heat and cold from the environment to the inside of boots and that is why alloy toe boots are very poor insulators. 

On the opposite, composite toes which are made of plastic, kevlar, carbon fibre, fiberglass which are very good insulators. So if you are working outdoors in a colder environment then it’ll be a blunder if you’ll choose alloy toe work boots.

Comfort

Both composite as well as alloy toe boots are lightweight in comparison to their steel counterpart and are comfortable to wear. Alloy toe boots are very thin and your toe feels free instead of feeling stuck inside a hard metal.

Pros and Cons of Alloy Toe work boots

Nothing comes perfect and when we talk about alloy toe work boots these have pros but cons as well. Let’s have a look at both the advantages and disadvantages of these amazing safety toe

Pros of Alloy Toes

• • 1. These boots are thinner than steel toe boots.
    2. 30 to 50 percent lighter than the other two safety toe boots.
    3. Because of their thinner built, these boots provide some more in the toe box.
    4. Very resistant and protective

Cons of Alloy Toes

• • 1. These boots are usually more expensive 
    2. The boots are good conductors of electricity hence these are not ideal for people working in electrical fields.
    3. The strength of an alloy toe boot is not as great as a steel toe one, that is they could shatter under the weight of heavy equipment.
    4. Airport-alarm triggering/ set off metal detectors.

Best Alloy Toe work boots Available in the Market

1.) Timberland Pro Men’s Stockdale GripMax Alloy Toe Work Boot

This toe boot is a sight for sore eyes. Made of 100% synthetic material, the boots have got rubber soles. The boots have got following impressive features

• • • Ankle high height for a complete wear
    • Breathable mesh lining
    • Durable full-grain leather upper with PU flex welt cast bond craftsmanship
    • Padded tongue and collar for more stability and comfort
    • Weight 1 lb 9 oz
    • List Element
    • Air-textured nylon tongue for comfort

2.) Keen Utility Men’s Seattle Alloy Toe Waterproof Work Boot

Keen never fails to impress us and with this 100% man made alloy toe work boots it offers safety which can never disappoint us. The shaft measures approx 6” from arch giving proper coverage to your legs. Boot opening measures approx 12” around.

The boot has got left and right asymmetrical aluminium toes which weigh 35% less than the steel toes. Meet or exceed ASTM F2412 and F2413 MI/75 C/75 EH standards which ensures that no hazard can harm your feet.

The boots have got impressive traction which make them oil and slip resistant. The rubber outsoles in these boots exceed ASTM F1677 Mark II and ASTM F2193 SATRA non slipping testing standards. Not just this, the lug sole patterns in the boots gives you a good grip on slippery surfaces.

Keen Dry boot has got a waterproof and breathable membrane that lets vapour out without allowing the entry of water thus keeping your feet dry and comfortable.

3.) Timberland Pro Men’s Powertrain Mid Alloy-Toe Industrial Work Boot

Shoes that have got both style and protection? Well Powertrain Mid Alloy-Toe ESD has got it all! Equipped with ASTM rated ESD protection, the boots keep the wearer actively safe and energetic. Here are some of the impressive qualities of these boots:

• • • Mid cut work boot with ghillie-style lacing for a sure fit
    • Alloy safety toe for maximum protection
    • Cement construction for more flexibility and less break-in time
    • ESD protection from static buildup or discharge
    • Breathable mesh upper
    • Weight 1 lb 10 oz

FAQs

Will alloy toe set off metal detectors?

As alloy toe caps are made of combination of metals such as steel, aluminum, titanium, etc. they will definitely beep once you pass the metal detectors which means they will definitely set off metal detectors!

Do alloy toe boots get cold?

Yes, alloy toe boots will definitely get cold in the winters because they are thermally conductive. Alloy toe caps are made of metals and metals obviously conduct heat and cold to the body. Alloy toe caps will conduct the outside cold to your feet and will make your feet cold.

But the alloy toes that are made of materials such as silicone, manganese, zinc, etc. will not be that thermally conductive and will not pass the outside heat and cold to the feet.

Is alloy toe the same as composite toe?

No, alloy toe is not at all the same as composite toe caps! In fact, they are totally different. 

While alloy toe caps ate made of combination of metals, composite toe caps on the other hand are made of non-metals such as Kevlar, fiberglass and carbon fiber.

Alloy toe caps are lighter than the composite toe caps are way more comfortable to wear. Also, alloy toe caps are much stronger than the composite toe caps and do not crack that easily.

But a negative point about alloy toe caps is that they will conduct electricity and you might be exposed to an electric shock while wearing them which is not the case with composite toe caps as they absorb shock and do not conduct electricity at all!

Final Thoughts

I hope through this article you are able to distinguish the very popular varieties of safety toe caps and which one’s best for you. In the end it all depends on your preferences and your job. Alloy toes are able to keep your feet safe while making them comfortable at the same time.

However everything comes with some cons and it is very important to understand them. So buy the best suited boot and keep your best foot forward!