Textile or leather: construction makes a difference
Textile work footwear includes options such as knitted uppers and ripstop. Leather provides a different outer layer; the collection contains both textile and leather models with a water-repellent finish. The material alone therefore does not tell you how much water protection the complete shoe provides.
Leno is one example with flyknit textile and a mesh lining. Orello uses water-repellent ripstop textile, while Talin is among the models with a water-repellent leather upper and a PU scuff cap. This type of scuff cap is on the outside; it is not the same layer as the protective toe cap inside the shoe.
Safety class and protection underfoot
A trainer-style appearance says nothing about the safety class. Leno, for example, is marked S1PS, while Orello and Talin are S3S styles. These examples have a composite protective toe cap and a metal-free penetration-resistant layer. Those components do not replace the complete class designation. Read more about these markings in our guide to safety footwear standards.
PU/PU or EVA with rubber
A PU/PU sole uses two densities: a softer upper layer and a denser outsole. The low footwear collection also includes EVA with a rubber outsole, as used in Orello. The footbed sits above these layers and has a different function from the penetration-resistant layer. These differences are explained in the sole construction of Herock work footwear.
Lining and protection against water
A mesh lining is different from a waterproof membrane. Water-repellent leather, as used in Talin, does not automatically make a shoe waterproof either. For models with a HYDROSHIELD membrane and for lined boots, explore high Herock safety footwear. The full footwear range is shown in Herock work footwear.
Further reading
From high trainers to footwear with a membrane.
An overview of the different types of footwear.
What the markings on your work footwear mean.