Portwest Composite Leather Mid Boot S7L HRO M CI LG SC AN SR FO

The Portwest FD25 is a mid-height composite safety boot that delivers the same exceptional S7L HRO M CI LG SC AN SR FO protective specification as the high-leg FD26 — in a more compact, lower-profile format that prioritises freedom of movement, reduced lower leg fatigue, and greater ankle flexibility for workers who need maximum protection without the full height restriction of a high boot. For professionals in construction, utilities, groundwork, civil engineering, and heavy industry who require every protective feature the S7L standard offers but prefer the fit and agility of a mid-height boot, the FD25 is the definitive choice.

The FD25 is built around a fully composite, entirely non-metallic construction throughout — composite toe cap, composite midsole, and non-metallic metatarsal guard — delivering the complete protective performance of traditional steel-fitted safety footwear at significantly reduced weight. The absence of any metallic components makes the FD25 metal detector friendly (non-magnetic, nickel-free, and ferrous-free), suitable for food processing facilities, pharmaceutical production, airports, and any workplace with routine metal detection screening — without any compromise to the boot's comprehensive protective specification.

Protection covers every critical zone of the foot and ankle. The composite toe cap meets the full S7L impact (200J) and compression (15kN) requirements of EN ISO 20345:2022. The integrated non-metallic metatarsal protection — the M rating — extends coverage across the metatarsal bones on the top of the foot, guarding against crushing and falling object impacts in heavy-duty industries where metatarsal injuries represent a significant proportion of serious workplace foot injuries. Reinforced ankle protection zones (AN) provide structural support at both sides of the ankle, reducing the risk of lateral ankle injuries on the uneven and unpredictable terrain common to construction sites and groundwork environments. The robust TPU scuff cap (SC) and protective counter complete the impact protection profile around toe and heel.

The waterproof and breathable membrane paired with the bellow tongue construction creates a highly effective barrier against water ingress — keeping feet dry through prolonged rain, mud, wet ground, and standing water across the full working day. The full-grain leather upper provides long-lasting structural integrity, abrasion resistance, and weather protection, while the mesh lining works in concert with the waterproof membrane to manage internal moisture and maintain breathability during active physical work. The result is a boot that stays dry from the outside and comfortable from the inside across the full range of working conditions the FD25 is designed to handle.

Thermal performance addresses both cold and heat hazards concurrently. The cold insulation (CI) rating confirms effective thermal protection in sub-zero environments — relevant for outdoor winter construction, utilities maintenance in cold months, and cold store operations. The heat-resistant outsole (HRO) withstands contact with surfaces up to 300°C for protection against accidental contact with hot surfaces in construction, welding-adjacent, and industrial environments. The dual density PU/rubber outsole balances cushioning, durability, and thermal resistance for all-day wear on varied working surfaces.

Two features define the FD25 as a specialist boot for groundwork and access-heavy applications. The certified ladder grip (LG) outsole profile is tested and certified to EN ISO 20345 for secure footing on ladder rungs — a critical safety feature for construction workers, utilities engineers, telecoms technicians, scaffolders, and maintenance professionals who regularly ascend and descend ladders as part of their working routine. The digging plate — a rigid reinforcement integrated into the sole arch — distributes the load applied when pushing a spade, fork, or digging bar into the ground, reducing shock transmission to the foot and minimising fatigue during extended manual groundwork. These two features together make the FD25 a highly specialised working tool for the specific physical demands of ground-level and access-based industry work.

The fuel and oil resistant outsole (FO) adds chemical resistance relevant to plant, machinery, and vehicle maintenance environments. The slip-resistant outsole (SR) confirms compliance with EN ISO 20345 slip resistance requirements for wet and contaminated surfaces. The anti-static construction prevents electrostatic charge build-up in sensitive environments. The energy-absorbing seat region in the heel cushions impact during walking and reduces lower limb fatigue on hard surfaces across extended shifts. The superbly cushioned comfort footbed provides further underfoot support, and the padded collar and tongue cushion the boot against the foot and lower leg for all-day comfort.

The inside leg zip enables rapid boot entry and removal — a practical time-saver at the start and end of shifts, and particularly useful when fatigue or dirty conditions make conventional lace management more demanding. The back pull-tab assists with initial entry, and the angled top line follows the natural profile of the lower leg for improved anatomical fit and unrestricted movement during active physical work.

CE certified to EN ISO 20345:2022 +A1:2024 S7L HRO M CI LG SC AN SR FO, the FD25 carries one of the most comprehensive safety footwear certifications available — matching the protective specification of the high-leg FD26 in a mid-height format that offers greater agility and lower leg freedom for workers who need both.

Key Features

• Mid-height composite S7L safety boot — fully non-metallic construction
• Metal detector friendly — non-magnetic, nickel and ferrous free
• Composite toe cap — 200J impact and 15kN compression protection
• Integrated non-metallic metatarsal protection (M rating)
• Reinforced ankle protection zones (AN)
• Waterproof and breathable membrane
• Bellow tongue construction for enhanced water penetration resistance
• Full-grain leather upper for durability and long-lasting weather protection
• Mesh lining for breathability and moisture management
• Cold insulation (CI) — sub-zero thermal protection
• Heat-resistant outsole — rated to 300°C (HRO)
• Dual density PU/rubber outsole
• Certified ladder grip (LG) sole for secure footing on ladder rungs
• Digging plate — rigid arch reinforcement for manual groundwork
• Pierce-resistant composite midsole
• Fuel and oil resistant outsole (FO)
• Slip-resistant outsole (SR)
• Robust TPU scuff cap (SC) and protective counter
• Energy-absorbing seat region in heel
• Inside leg zip for easy on/off
• Back pull-tab for easy boot entry
• Angled top line for anatomical fit and leg flexibility
• Padded collar and tongue for all-day comfort
• Superbly cushioned comfort footbed reducing foot fatigue
• Anti-static construction
• CE certified to EN ISO 20345:2022 +A1:2024 S7L HRO M CI LG SC AN SR FO

What is the difference between the Portwest FD25 and the FD26? The FD25 and FD26 share an identical S7L HRO M CI LG SC AN SR FO protective specification — the same composite toe cap, metatarsal protection, waterproof membrane, ladder grip, digging plate, ankle protection, cold insulation, and HRO outsole. The key difference is boot height: the FD26 is a high leg boot offering greater lower leg coverage and protection, while the FD25 is a mid-height boot providing the same foot and ankle protection with greater lower leg freedom, reduced weight, and improved agility. The FD25 also explicitly confirms metal detector friendly construction. The choice between them comes down to whether the job role requires the additional lower leg coverage of a high boot, or benefits from the increased mobility of a mid-height alternative.

What does the S7L HRO M CI LG SC AN SR FO rating mean on the Portwest FD25? This is one of the broadest certification profiles available under EN ISO 20345:2022. S7 denotes a full waterproof safety boot with composite toe cap, antistatic properties, energy absorption in the heel, and penetration-resistant midsole. L indicates a high-cut above-ankle construction. HRO confirms heat-resistant outsole to 300°C. M confirms integrated metatarsal protection. CI confirms cold insulation. LG certifies ladder grip. SC denotes a protective scuff cap. AN confirms ankle protection. SR confirms slip resistance. FO confirms fuel and oil resistance.

Why choose a mid-height safety boot over a high-leg boot? Mid-height safety boots like the FD25 offer several practical advantages over high-leg alternatives for certain roles and environments. The lower profile reduces boot weight, decreases lower leg restriction during active movement, and generates less fatigue during extended walking or climbing. They are often preferred for roles that involve frequent ladder use, driving, or transitions between indoor and outdoor environments. Where the specific risks of the job don't require the additional lower leg protection of a high boot — and the ankle protection provided by the AN-rated FD25 is sufficient — a mid-height boot is the more comfortable, agile, and practical daily choice.

Is the Portwest FD25 suitable for environments with metal detection screening? Yes. The FD25 is explicitly confirmed as metal detector friendly — non-magnetic, nickel-free, and ferrous-free throughout. The fully composite construction (composite toe cap and midsole, non-metallic metatarsal guard) contains no metallic components that would trigger standard metal detection equipment. This makes the FD25 suitable for food processing facilities, pharmaceutical production, airports, and secure industrial sites where routine metal detection screening of personnel or products is required.

What is the digging plate in the FD25 and who needs it? The digging plate is a rigid reinforcement integrated into the arch of the sole, designed to distribute the concentrated load applied when pressing a spade, fork, or digging tool into the ground with the foot. Without this reinforcement, repetitive digging loads are transmitted directly to the arch and sole of the foot, causing progressive fatigue, discomfort, and potential overuse injury. The digging plate is particularly valuable for groundworkers, landscapers, utilities installation crews, civil engineering teams, and agricultural workers who carry out regular manual digging as part of their working day.

What industries is the Portwest FD25 most suited to? The FD25 is particularly well suited to construction and civil engineering, utilities installation and maintenance, groundwork and landscaping, telecoms infrastructure, scaffolding and access work, plant and machinery maintenance, cold store and logistics operations in winter conditions, and any heavy-duty industrial environment where metatarsal protection, ladder grip, waterproofing, and both cold and heat insulation are required simultaneously. The metal detector friendly specification also makes it appropriate for food processing and pharmaceutical environments with compatible safety footwear requirements.

Does the composite construction make the FD25 lighter than an equivalent steel-fitted boot? Yes — composite materials including fibreglass, Kevlar, and reinforced polymers are significantly lighter than steel while meeting the same EN ISO 20345 impact and penetration resistance requirements. The fully composite FD25 — with composite toe cap, composite midsole, and non-metallic metatarsal guard — is noticeably lighter than an equivalent steel-toe, steel-midsole safety boot, reducing lower limb fatigue during extended wear. For workers who cover significant distances on foot or work in physically demanding environments across long shifts, the weight saving of composite construction is a meaningful daily benefit.