Portwest Composite Textile and Suede Ankle Boot S1PL SR FO

The Portwest FC20 is a premium composite safety ankle boot designed for professionals who demand reliable, all-day foot protection without the weight and metal detector complications of traditional steel toecap footwear. Rated to EN ISO 20345:2022 S1PL SR FO — one of the most comprehensive safety footwear standards available — this 100% metal free boot combines a composite toecap, pierce-resistant composite midsole and slip-resistant outsole with a superbly cushioned footbed and cow suede leather upper, delivering a level of comfort and protection that performs from the first hour of a shift to the last.

Whether you work in food manufacturing, aviation, pharmaceuticals, logistics or construction, the FC20 offers the protection your role demands in a lightweight, metal detector friendly package that doesn't compromise on comfort or durability.

Key Features

100% Metal Free — Metal Detector Friendly The FC20 is entirely free of metal components throughout — toecap, midsole, eyelets and all structural elements. This makes it fully compatible with metal detector security systems and magnetically sensitive environments, and confirms it as non-magnetic, nickel free and ferrous free. For workers in food production, aviation ground handling, pharmaceutical manufacturing and secure facilities where metal detection screening is routine, the FC20 eliminates the daily inconvenience of boot removal at checkpoints without any compromise on the level of protective performance delivered.

Composite Toecap Protection The composite toecap meets the impact and compression requirements of the EN ISO 20345:2022 S1PL standard, providing certified toe protection against heavy falling objects and compressive loads — comparable in protective performance to a steel toecap, but in a significantly lighter and entirely metal-free format. The composite material also provides thermal insulation properties that steel cannot match, keeping the toe area comfortable in both cold and warm working environments.

Pierce-Resistant Composite Midsole The composite midsole provides certified puncture resistance across the full underfoot area, protecting against nails, screws, sharp debris and other underfoot penetration hazards on construction sites, warehouses and industrial environments. As with the toecap, the composite midsole is entirely metal free — maintaining the boot's full metal detector compatibility while delivering the underfoot protection that demanding working environments require.

Protective TPU Scuff Cap A high-impact TPU scuff cap wraps the toe area above the composite toecap, providing an additional layer of abrasion and impact resistance to one of the most vulnerable areas of any work boot. This protective overlay significantly extends the working life of the toe area, maintaining the boot's appearance and structural integrity in environments where boots are regularly subjected to scuffing, knocks and abrasive contact with surfaces and equipment.

Cushioned Comfort Footbed and Energy Absorbing Heel The FC20's superbly cushioned comfort footbed is designed to reduce foot fatigue across long shifts and extended periods of standing or walking — a critical comfort feature for workers on their feet all day. The energy-absorbing seat region in the heel further reduces impact shock transmitted through the foot and leg with every step, contributing to reduced fatigue and improved comfort across a full working day. The dual density sole unit provides both cushioning underfoot and the firm, supportive base needed for stability on uneven surfaces.

Slip Resistant and Fuel/Oil Resistant Outsole The SR-rated slip resistant outsole meets the certified slip resistance requirements of the EN ISO 20345:2022 standard, providing reliable grip on wet, oily and contaminated surfaces that represent one of the most common causes of workplace slips and falls. The FO-rated fuel and oil resistant compound protects the outsole from degradation when in contact with petroleum-based fluids — extending sole life and maintaining grip performance in environments where fuel and oil spillage is a routine hazard.

Premium Cow Suede Leather Upper The upper is constructed from cow suede leather with mesh panels, combining the durability, abrasion resistance and premium appearance of genuine suede with the breathability of mesh lining — keeping feet comfortable and dry throughout the working day. The padded collar provides additional ankle support and comfort, reducing pressure on the ankle during extended wear and helping to prevent the irritation and discomfort associated with thinner, unpadded collars.

Anti-Static Footwear The FC20 provides anti-static properties as part of its S1PL rating, dissipating electrostatic charge from the body to reduce the risk of electrostatic discharge in sensitive environments such as electronics manufacturing, clean rooms and flammable atmospheres.

Technical Specification

• Safety Standard: EN ISO 20345:2022 S1PL SR FO
• Toecap: Composite — metal free
• Midsole: Pierce-resistant composite — metal free
• Upper: Cow suede leather with mesh panels
• Lining: Mesh
• Sole: Dual density PU/PU
• Outsole: Slip resistant (SR), fuel and oil resistant (FO)
• Additional Features: TPU scuff cap, cushioned footbed, energy-absorbing heel, padded collar, anti-static
• Metal Free: Yes — non-magnetic, nickel free, ferrous free
• CE Certified: Yes

Safety Rating Explained

The S1PL SR FO rating on the FC20 covers a comprehensive set of protective properties:

• S1 — Basic safety footwear with closed heel, antistatic properties, energy absorption in the seat of the heel and fuel/oil resistant outsole
• P — Penetration/pierce resistant midsole
• L — Protection in the metatarsal area
• SR — Slip resistant outsole tested on both ceramic tile with sodium lauryl sulphate solution and steel with glycerol
• FO — Outsole resistant to fuel and oil degradation

Ideal Working Environments

The FC20's 100% metal free construction and comprehensive S1PL SR FO rating make it suitable across a wide range of industries and roles, including:

• Food manufacturing and processing — where metal detector compatibility is a daily requirement and slip resistance on wet floors is essential
• Aviation and airport ground operations — metal detector compliant footwear for airside and secure zone working
• Pharmaceutical and clean room environments — metal free, anti-static protection in sensitive controlled environments
• Construction and site work — composite toecap and pierce-resistant midsole protection on active construction sites
• Warehousing and logistics — all-day comfort with slip resistance and toe protection for fast-paced warehouse environments
• Manufacturing and engineering — anti-static and oil resistant protection in workshop and production environments

VAT Information

Safety boots purchased online for personal use are available VAT free. If you are a company purchasing boots 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: Is the FC20 suitable for use in environments with metal detection screening? Yes. The FC20 is 100% metal free — non-magnetic, nickel free and ferrous free — making it fully compatible with metal detector systems. It can be worn through security and detector checkpoints without removal.

Q: What is the difference between S1 and S1P safety footwear? S1 footwear provides basic safety protection including a toecap, antistatic properties and energy-absorbing heel. S1P adds a pierce-resistant midsole for underfoot puncture protection. The FC20 is rated S1PL, which adds metatarsal protection on top of the S1P specification.

Q: Is the FC20 as protective as a steel toecap boot? Yes. The composite toecap in the FC20 meets the same EN ISO 20345:2022 impact and compression protection requirements as a steel toecap — but in a lighter, entirely metal free format with better thermal properties.

Q: Can I buy the FC20 VAT free? Yes, if purchasing for your own personal use. Safety boots 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 FC20 suitable for working on wet or oily floors? Yes. The FC20's SR-rated outsole is certified slip resistant on both wet and oily surfaces. The FO rating additionally confirms resistance to outsole degradation from fuel and oil contact.

Q: What materials make up the upper and lining of the FC20? The upper is constructed from cow suede leather with mesh panels, and the lining is mesh — providing a combination of durability, abrasion resistance and breathability for all-day comfort.