The rubber outsole is a recognisable feature of Buckbootz work shoes and work boots. Yet a sporty Wheelz has a different construction from a leather slip-on or a BBZ neoprene boot. Buckshot, Tradez, BBZ S5 and K11 each combine their own tread pattern with a different footwear construction. This creates practical differences, from abrasion resistance during intensive use to weight savings or extra grip on ladders. All four outsole families in this comparison are also non-marking: they are designed not to leave sole marks.
Four Buckbootz outsoles side by side
| Outsole | Tread and material | Practical benefit | Non-marking | Example model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Buckshot | Deep tread blocks and wavy grooves. | Abrasion-resistant rubber for intensive use, with heat and fuel oil resistance. | Yes Non-marking | BSH006 |
 Tradez | Angular, wedge-shaped tread blocks with TPU inserts at the arch and heel. | Slip resistance and fuel oil resistance in both sporty work shoes and high-cut leather work boots. | Yes Non-marking | Blastz |
 BBZ S5 | Rubber tread with ladder grip and a non-marking outsole. | Ladder grip, SR slip resistance and HRO heat resistance beneath a waterproof neoprene boot. | Yes Non-marking | BBZ9000 |
 K11 | Two densities and extra rubber on the heel contact area. | Weight savings in a robust leather slip-on, with extra rubber on the heel contact area. | Yes Non-marking | B1180 |
Non-marking for work on finished floors
A non-marking outsole is an important selection criterion when employees walk on floors that need to remain clean and presentable. Examples include installation and technical maintenance in offices, shops or hospitality venues, as well as work on finished floors in production and logistics buildings. The practical benefit is preventing marks caused by the outsole material.
Buckshot, Tradez, BBZ S5 and K11 all offer this property. Non-marking can therefore be combined with different types of footwear: a leather slip-on, a sporty work shoe or a waterproof boot. Slip resistance, ladder grip and heat resistance remain separate properties alongside non-marking.
Buckshot: abrasion resistance for intensive use
With Buckshot, the connection between the shoe and the sole is created through an injection-moulding process. The rubber outsole is combined with polyurethane. The BSH006 demonstrates this construction in a leather slip-on with elasticated sides and heel reinforcement.
The BSH006 has a steel safety toe cap and a penetration-resistant midsole. The S3 HRO SRC version combines this protection with a heat-resistant rubber outsole. The abrasion-resistant rubber is intended for work that places heavy demands on the outsole. HRO adds resistance to contact heat, and the fuel-oil-resistant outsole makes this a practical combination of materials for maintenance and technical work, for example. The non-marking version is useful when outdoor work alternates with work on finished indoor floors.
Tradez: a sporty construction with work-focused features
Tradez is used on both the high-cut Blastz and the low-cut Wheelz. The shoes differ considerably above the sole: Blastz has a leather upper with laces and a side zip, while Wheelz Low has a mesh/KPU upper and a dial fastening.
Their safety specifications also differ. Blastz is available as a waterproof S7S shoe, while Wheelz Low is an S1PS model. Both combine a Tradez rubber outsole with a cemented construction, so the outsole name tells only part of the story. In both models, the Tradez outsole offers slip resistance, fuel oil resistance and non-marking properties. A non-marking work shoe is therefore available both in a low-cut, airy version for warehouse and maintenance work, for example, and in a high-cut waterproof version for alternating indoor and outdoor work.
BBZ S5: the outsole beneath the neoprene boot
In the BBZ9000, the vulcanised construction forms an integrated whole with the rubber/neoprene upper. The BBZ S5 rubber outsole combines SR slip resistance, LG ladder grip, FO fuel oil resistance and HRO heat resistance. LG provides extra grip when in contact with ladder rungs. Combining this with a non-marking outsole is useful when the same job involves both ladders and finished floors.
The waterproof shaft and metal-free protection make this boot an interesting option for work in wet environments. The BBZ9000 adds metatarsal protection. The outsole and shaft thus complement one another: the outsole provides the grip and material properties mentioned above, while the rubber/neoprene upper keeps water out.
K11: two densities in the B1180
The K11 outsole of the B1180 uses two densities and is designed to save weight within a robust Goodyear welt construction. Extra rubber is applied to the heel contact area. The benefit of this construction is reduced outsole weight while retaining extra material in an area that has frequent contact with the ground. Ladder grip provides extra purchase on ladder rungs; non-marking makes the same slip-on an attractive option for work on finished floors.
The B1180 combines this outsole with an aluminium protective toe cap and a non-metallic penetration-resistant midsole. This creates a different combination of materials from the steel components in the BSH006. The result is a robust slip-on that limits the weight of the outsole and protective components.
Other Buckbootz outsole families
K3 is used on various traditional Goodyear welt models. Nubuckz, Buckzviz, Dealerz and Lacerz use a deep tread that works together with a polyurethane layer. Wizardz has its own chunky rubber tread. K12 appears on older BBZ8000 versions; the current BBZ S5 outsole is a more recent development. Older and newer product generations with similar model names may therefore differ.
Frequently asked questions about Buckbootz outsoles
Which Buckbootz outsoles are non-marking?
The Buckshot, Tradez, BBZ S5 and K11 outsoles in this comparison are all non-marking. This property is therefore available in leather shoes, sporty models and neoprene boots alike.
Do all Buckbootz shoes have the same rubber outsole?
No. Buckbootz uses different rubber outsole families. The tread and the connection to the upper differ, for example between Buckshot, Tradez, BBZ S5 and K11.
Is an insole the same as an outsole?
The insole sits inside the shoe, directly beneath the foot. The outsole is the outer part that touches the ground. Other components sit between them, including the penetration-resistant layer in safety footwear.
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