For too long, women working across construction, engineering and the trades have had to make do with PPE originally designed around the male body.
When it comes to safety footwear, simply making a men’s boot in a smaller size isn’t enough. Differences in foot shape and proportions mean poorly fitting footwear can affect comfort, support and ultimately how well someone can perform throughout the working day.
“It may sound simple but the importance of gender-specific PPE in supporting women in the trades cannot be overstated,” says Peter Lawson, Brand Manager at Overland Shoes.
“For too long, the industry has relied on a ‘shrink it and pink it’ approach to women’s workwear, paying little, if any, attention to the significant anatomical differences between men and women. As a result, many female workers have been left with ill-fitting, uncomfortable PPE that simply isn’t fit for purpose.
“This outdated approach only reinforces inequality. If we want to build a truly inclusive future workforce, we must first equip it properly. Every worker deserves PPE that fits, protects and enables them to do their job with confidence.”
That thinking has shaped the Bobcat Safety Footwear women’s collection from the outset.
Rather than adapting existing men’s footwear, our dedicated women’s styles are built on anatomically correct, gender-specific lasts. This creates footwear designed around the proportions of the female foot, delivering the fit, protection and all-day comfort needed for demanding working environments.
Because the right safety footwear shouldn’t just meet the required standard. It should fit the person wearing it.