Reading the catalogue: safety ratings, sizes and codes

Most of the codes in a workwear catalogue certify something specific. Knowing the handful that matter makes ordering quicker and swaps rarer.

Safety footwear first, because it carries the most codes. Everything rated starts with a 200-joule toecap — roughly a 20kg weight dropped from a metre. SB is that baseline. S1 adds a closed heel, antistatic properties and heel energy absorption, which suits dry indoor work. S2 adds water resistance through the upper. S3 adds a penetration-resistant midsole and a cleated sole — the usual answer for construction and groundworks. Codes like S3S mean the midsole is non-metallic: lighter and more flexible, tested with a different nail, equal protection.

Slip ratings changed in the 2022 revision of the standard: SRA, SRB and SRC are being replaced with a single SR mark. Both appear in catalogues while stock turns over; they describe the same slip test family.

Sizes are the other trap. UK, EU and brand-specific systems sit side by side — a Snickers trouser size encodes waist and leg length in one number, Blundstone boots run whole sizes only, and continental chefswear runs a size small against UK casualwear. Every product page here lists the brand chart where one exists; the brand chart always beats the generic one.

Two habits save the most money on team orders. First, check size availability across the whole range before standardising on it — a missing size in the range causes the substitutions nobody records. Second, order one fitting sample before the bulk order. We can arrange sizing help in the shop for either.