Portwest Steel Suede Leather Low Shoe S3L CI FO SR

The Portwest FT73 is a premium suede leather low safety shoe engineered to deliver comprehensive foot protection across demanding working environments — including those where cold underfoot conditions are a daily reality. Rated to EN ISO 20345:2022 +A1:2024 S3L CI FO SR — one of the most demanding safety footwear standards available — the FT73 combines a protective steel toecap, pierce-resistant composite midsole and cold insulation with a high-performance mono density PU/rubber outsole that delivers exceptional slip resistance, flexibility and all-day comfort.

Built with a cow suede leather upper, cushioned footbed and energy-absorbing heel, the FT73 is a serious safety shoe that doesn't compromise on comfort or build quality — making it an ideal choice for workers in cold storage, construction, engineering, logistics and manufacturing who need reliable, full-specification protection in a low shoe format.

Key Features

Steel Toecap Protection The FT73 features a steel toecap meeting the impact and compression requirements of the EN ISO 20345:2022 +A1:2024 S3 standard, providing robust certified protection against heavy falling objects and compressive loads across the toe area. Steel toecap construction offers proven, long-term durability in the most demanding working environments, making the FT73 a dependable choice wherever heavy materials, tools or equipment present a regular risk of foot injury.

Pierce-Resistant Composite Midsole The composite midsole provides certified puncture resistance across the full underfoot area, protecting against nails, screws, sharp metal offcuts and other underfoot penetration hazards commonly encountered on construction sites, in warehouses and across industrial working environments. The composite midsole delivers this protection without the rigidity and weight associated with traditional steel midsoles, contributing to a more flexible and comfortable underfoot feel throughout the working day.

Cold Insulation — CI Rated The FT73's CI rating confirms certified cold insulation performance, providing thermal protection for the foot when working on cold floors, in cold stores, refrigerated warehouses or outdoor environments in low temperatures. Without adequate cold insulation, prolonged contact with cold surfaces conducts heat away from the foot, leading to discomfort, reduced circulation and in extreme cases cold-related injury. The FT73's cold insulation barrier interrupts this heat loss, keeping feet warmer and more comfortable across extended shifts in cold working conditions.

High-Performance Mono Density PU/Rubber Outsole The mono density PU/rubber outsole is engineered to deliver high performance across three key underfoot properties: slip resistance, flexibility and comfort. The SR-rated slip resistant compound meets the certified requirements of EN ISO 20345:2022 for grip on both wet and oily surfaces — addressing one of the most common causes of workplace injury. The rubber compound provides durability and traction on rough or uneven surfaces, while the PU element contributes flexibility and cushioning underfoot. The FO rating additionally confirms resistance to outsole degradation from fuel and oil contact, extending sole life in environments where petroleum-based spillage is a routine hazard.

Cushioned Comfort Footbed and Energy-Absorbing Heel The FT73's superbly cushioned comfort footbed is designed to reduce foot fatigue across long shifts and extended periods of standing, walking or working on hard surfaces — a critical comfort requirement for workers on their feet throughout the day. The energy-absorbing seat region in the heel reduces impact shock transmitted through the foot and lower leg with every step, further contributing to reduced fatigue and improved comfort from the start of the shift to the end. Together, the footbed and heel cushioning deliver a level of all-day comfort that makes a genuine, tangible difference to how the wearer feels at the end of a long working day.

Padded Collar and Back Pull-Tab The padded collar provides additional support and comfort around the ankle and Achilles area, reducing pressure and irritation during extended wear and contributing to a secure, comfortable fit throughout the day. The back pull-tab makes getting the shoe on and off quick and straightforward — a practical convenience feature that adds up to a meaningful time saving across a working week of daily donning and doffing.

Premium Cow Suede Leather Upper The upper is crafted from cow suede leather, providing a premium finish alongside the durability and abrasion resistance that demanding working environments require. Suede leather offers a combination of toughness and flexibility that wears in comfortably over time, while maintaining its structural integrity and appearance across a long service life. The mesh lining provides breathability, helping to regulate foot temperature and moisture during active use throughout the shift.

Anti-Static Properties The FT73's anti-static properties dissipate electrostatic charge from the body, reducing the risk of electrostatic discharge in environments where static build-up presents a hazard — including electronics manufacturing, clean rooms and areas where flammable materials or vapours are present.

Technical Specification

• Safety Standard: EN ISO 20345:2022 +A1:2024 S3L CI FO SR
• Toecap: Steel
• Midsole: Pierce-resistant composite
• Upper: Cow suede leather
• Lining: Mesh
• Sole: Mono density PU/rubber
• Outsole: Slip resistant (SR), fuel and oil resistant (FO)
• Additional Features: Cold insulation (CI), cushioned footbed, energy-absorbing heel, padded collar, back pull-tab, anti-static
• Style: Low shoe
• CE Certified: Yes

Safety Rating Explained

The S3L CI FO SR rating on the FT73 covers a comprehensive set of certified protective properties:

• S3 — Full safety footwear specification including steel toecap, pierce-resistant midsole, antistatic properties, energy absorption in the seat of the heel, water-resistant upper and fuel/oil resistant outsole
• L — Protection in the metatarsal area
• CI — Cold insulation — thermal resistance of the complete footwear against cold underfoot conditions
• FO — Outsole resistant to fuel and oil degradation
• SR — Slip resistant outsole certified on both ceramic tile with sodium lauryl sulphate solution and steel with glycerol

Ideal Working Environments

The FT73's S3L CI FO SR rating and cold insulation capability make it a strong choice across a broad range of industries and roles, including:

• Cold storage and refrigerated warehousing — where cold insulation is essential for comfort and safety during prolonged work on cold or frozen floors
• Construction and site work — steel toecap and pierce-resistant midsole protection on active construction sites, particularly in cold weather or winter conditions
• Outdoor and yard work — cold insulated protection for workers operating in low-temperature outdoor environments
• Manufacturing and engineering — anti-static, oil resistant protection in workshop and production environments where underfoot hazards are a daily reality
• Logistics and distribution — all-day comfort with comprehensive toe and underfoot protection for warehouse and depot operations
• Agriculture and groundwork — durable suede leather construction with oil and slip resistance for outdoor agricultural and groundwork environments

VAT Information

Safety boots and shoes purchased online for personal use are available VAT free. If you are a company purchasing footwear for employees, VAT must be charged in compliance with HMRC regulations. Please contact us directly to place a company order and we will process your purchase with VAT applied accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the CI rating mean on the FT73? CI stands for Cold Insulation. The CI rating confirms that the FT73 provides certified thermal insulation against cold underfoot conditions — an important protection feature for workers in cold storage facilities, refrigerated warehouses, outdoor cold environments and other workplaces where cold floors or surfaces are a daily hazard.

Q: Does the FT73 have a steel or composite midsole? The FT73 features a pierce-resistant composite midsole combined with a steel toecap. The composite midsole provides puncture protection with a lighter, more flexible feel than a traditional steel midsole, while the steel toecap delivers robust certified impact and compression protection.

Q: What is the difference between S1, S2 and S3 safety footwear? S1 provides basic safety protection including a toecap, antistatic properties and energy-absorbing heel. S2 adds a water-resistant upper to the S1 specification. S3 further adds a pierce-resistant midsole and water-resistant upper, representing the most comprehensive base specification in the EN ISO 20345 standard. The FT73's S3L CI FO SR rating builds on this S3 base with metatarsal protection, cold insulation, oil resistance and certified slip resistance.

Q: Is the FT73 slip resistant on wet and oily floors? Yes. The SR-rated outsole is certified slip resistant on both wet ceramic tile and oily steel surfaces under the EN ISO 20345:2022 test methodology. The FO rating additionally confirms the outsole compound resists degradation from fuel and oil contact.

Q: Can I buy the FT73 VAT free? Yes, if purchasing for your own personal use. Safety footwear cannot be supplied VAT free to companies purchasing for employee use — please contact us to place a company order with VAT included.

Q: Is the FT73 suitable for cold store and refrigerated warehouse work? Yes. The CI cold insulation rating makes the FT73 specifically suitable for cold store, refrigerated warehouse and other cold working environments where thermal protection of the foot from cold underfoot conditions is required.

Q: What materials make up the upper and lining of the FT73? The upper is constructed from cow suede leather, and the lining is mesh — providing a combination of premium durability, abrasion resistance and breathability for comfortable all-day wear.