Protective Footwear FAQs
Tyndale sells both EH and non-EH rated boots. All safety-toe boots that Tyndale sells meet the requirements of ASTM F2413, the specification for performance requirements for protective footwear. ASTM 2413 requires protective footwear to meet impact and compression-resistance tests, but an EH rating is not necessary for compliance to the standard. Because many utility companies require boots to be EH rated in addition to compliant with ASTM 2413, it is important to carefully read the product descriptions that accompany each item in your catalog.
A boot is filled with steel BBs, and placed on a steel plate. A positive electric wire is placed in the BBs, and a negative is connected to the steel plate. The test measures how much current can travel through the sole of the boot. EH rated boots have been tested and found to offer sufficient resistance to electric currents up to 600 volts.
ASTM F2412 specifies that footwear must have an electrical resistance with a lower limit of 10.6 ohms and an upper limit of 10.8 ohms. The standard also gives compression resistance ratings of 75, 50, and 30, which correlate to 2500 pounds, 1750 pounds, and 1000 pounds of compression. All compliant footwear must be Class 75.
Steel toe boots provide a steel protective covering over the toe, which protects the wearer from injury - meeting ASTM standard F2412-11 for impact and compression resistance. Steel toes are generally required by most industries, but are uncomfortable for people who walk long distances (like meter readers) and difficult for those who go through metal detectors in the course of their daily work (like nuclear workers). These workers might instead use composite toe boots, which are non-metal plates protecting the foot. Tyndale offers many boots with protective toe coverings, both steel and composite.
A composite toe boot features a non-metallic, non-magnetic protective covering over the toe, which resists corrosion and serves the same function as the steel toe without setting off metal detectors. Composite toe boots are well suited for workers who must go through metal detectors at work or workers exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Composite toe boots are tested to the same ASTM standard F2412-11 for impact and compression as steel toe boots, and offer the equal protection to the worker.
A steel shank is a metal plate in the sole of a boot that makes it more comfortable for a worker to stand for a long time on a narrow peg. It provides extra support for the foot, and is beneficial when climbing utility poles.
A composite shank is a non-metal plate in the sole of the boot, serving the same function as a steel shank.
Boot height is measured as the height that the boot goes up the wearer's leg. Most utility work requires a minimum boot height of 6". Tyndale sells boots with 6”, 8”, 10”, and 12” heights.
Insulated boots are lightweight and quick-drying, with moisture resistant insulation that helps to keep feet warm. Waterproof boots offer seam-sealed construction and waterproof leather, and help to keep feet dry in wet environments.
If you typically order a size 9 shoe, order a size 9 overshoes. Overshoes are meant to fit over the size shoe you usually wear.
If you typically require a "wide width" shoe, you will also need a "wide width" boot. Boots typically come in Medium (M) and Wide (W or EE). Most manufacturers refer to wide boots as W; Carhartt refers to wide boots as EE.
Yes, Tyndale offers women's boots with protective toes and recommends purchasing these instead of men's boots when a protective toe is needed.
Tyndale does not recommend that women purchase men's sized boots when a protective toe is needed. If you are ordering boots without protective toes, you may consider ordering men's boots for more options. Typically, you would need to order one-and-a-half (1-1/2) to two (2) sizes smaller than your usual size, depending on the manufacturer. For example, if you are usually a size 8 in women's shoes, you would need to order a men's size 6 or 6-1/2. If you have any questions about boot sizing, please call Tyndale Customer Service at 800-356-3433.