Slip-on safety boots have been a staple in the workplace for decades, and have made their way into men and women’s fashion in the last 10 years. The history of slip-on safety boots is a fascinating one, dating back to the mid 20th century, after safety boots first became the standard.
The first safety boots were introduced in the early 1900s and were designed to provide workers with protection from impact, puncture, and other hazards. These boots were laced up and had a high-cut design to protect the ankle. However, these boots were not slip-resistant and did not provide adequate protection against slips and falls.
In the 1930s, rubber-soled shoes were introduced, which improved slip resistance. However, they were still not adequate for hazardous environments. It wasn’t until the 1950s that slip-on safety boots were introduced. These boots had a unique design that allowed workers to easily slip them on and off, without the need for laces.
Slip-on safety boots were a game-changer for workers in hazardous environments involving hot materials. They provided all the same impact protection, with one major advantage: they were quickly and easily removable.
When a hot piece of metal fell into a worker’s boot, laces would take too long to undo, and burns would be significantly worse because of it. Slip-off boots gave metal workers a much better chance of reducing injury in such a case.
In recent years, slip-on safety boots have undergone several advancements in design and technology. Some boots now feature composite toe caps, which are lighter and provide better insulation than steel toe caps. Others have advanced slip-resistant soles, which provide better traction on slippery surfaces. These advancements in technology have made slip-on safety boots even more effective in protecting workers from hazardous environments.
Tatra offers many options for slip-on (or slip-off) safety boots, including, non-steel toe, steel toe, metatarsal protection, and a variety of colors. Check them out here!