Portwest Composite Textile Suede Low Shoe S1 SR FO

The Portwest FC24 is a lightweight, comfortable and comprehensively protective composite safety shoe designed for professionals who need reliable foot protection throughout a full working day — without the weight, cold conductivity or metal detector complications that come with traditional steel toecap footwear. Rated to EN ISO 20345:2022 S1 SR FO and built to be 100% metal free, the FC24 combines a composite toecap, protective TPU scuff cap and slip-resistant dual density PU/PU outsole with a cushioned comfort footbed and premium cow suede leather upper — delivering a safety shoe that performs as well at the end of a long shift as it does at the start.

Suitable for a wide range of industrial, warehouse, logistics and manufacturing environments, and fully compatible with metal detection screening systems, the FC24 is the smart, comfortable and practical choice for workers who demand protection without compromise.

Key Features

100% Metal Free — Metal Detector Friendly The FC24 contains no metal components anywhere in its construction — toecap, midsole, eyelets and all structural elements are entirely metal free. Confirmed as non-magnetic, nickel free and ferrous free, the FC24 is fully compatible with metal detector security systems used across food manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, aviation and secure industrial facilities. Workers can pass through detector checkpoints without removing their footwear — eliminating a daily inconvenience without sacrificing any element of protective performance.

Composite Toecap Protection The composite toecap meets the impact and compression requirements of the EN ISO 20345:2022 S1 standard, providing certified protection against heavy falling objects and compressive loads in a significantly lighter and better thermally insulating format than a comparable steel toecap. The composite material does not conduct cold or heat the way steel does, keeping the toe area comfortable across a wider range of working temperatures — a practical comfort advantage for workers moving between ambient and cold or warm environments throughout the day.

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 protection to the most exposed and vulnerable part of the shoe. This protective overlay significantly extends the working life of the toe area, resisting the scuffing, knocking and abrasive contact with surfaces, racking, machinery and equipment that work shoes are routinely subjected to in industrial and warehouse environments — maintaining both structural integrity and appearance over a longer service life.

Cushioned Comfort Footbed and Energy-Absorbing Heel The superbly cushioned comfort footbed is engineered to reduce foot fatigue across extended shifts and prolonged periods of standing, walking or working on hard floors — a genuine daily comfort benefit for workers on their feet throughout the working day. The energy-absorbing seat region in the heel reduces the impact shock transmitted through the foot and lower leg with every step, further reducing fatigue accumulation across a full shift. The dual density PU/PU sole unit provides both cushioning underfoot and the firm, stable base needed for confident movement on varied surfaces.

Slip Resistant and Fuel/Oil Resistant Outsole The SR-rated slip resistant outsole provides certified grip on wet and oily surfaces, addressing one of the most common causes of workplace slips, trips and falls. The FO-rated fuel and oil resistant outsole compound resists degradation from contact with petroleum-based fluids — maintaining both grip performance and sole integrity in environments where fuel and oil spillage is a routine operational hazard. Together, these two outsole properties make the FC24 a reliable, long-lasting safety shoe in wet, oily or chemically contaminated working environments.

Anti-Static Properties The FC24 provides certified anti-static properties as part of its S1 rating, dissipating electrostatic charge from the body to reduce the risk of electrostatic discharge — an important protection feature in electronics manufacturing, clean room, flammable materials handling and other environments where static build-up presents a hazard.

Premium Cow Suede Leather and Textile Upper The upper combines cow suede leather with mesh textile panels, delivering a premium finish alongside the durability and abrasion resistance that daily industrial and warehouse use demands. The suede leather provides robustness and structure at the most wear-prone areas of the upper, while the mesh textile panels promote breathability — helping to regulate foot temperature and manage moisture during active use throughout the shift. The padded collar adds support and comfort around the ankle, reducing pressure and irritation during extended wear.

Technical Specification

• Safety Standard: EN ISO 20345:2022 S1 SR FO
• Toecap: Composite — metal free
• Upper: Cow suede leather with mesh textile panels
• Lining: Not specified — mesh construction throughout
• 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
• Style: Low shoe
• Metal Free: Yes — non-magnetic, nickel free, ferrous free
• CE Certified: Yes

Safety Rating Explained

The S1 SR FO rating on the FC24 covers the following certified protective properties:

• S1 — Safety footwear with composite toecap, antistatic properties, energy absorption in the seat of the heel and fuel/oil resistant outsole
• SR — Slip resistant outsole certified 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 FC24's 100% metal free composite construction and S1 SR FO rating make it a strong choice across a wide range of industries and working environments, including:

• Food manufacturing and processing — metal detector compatible, slip resistant and oil resistant protection in food production environments
• Pharmaceutical and clean room production — metal free, anti-static safety footwear for sensitive controlled environments
• Aviation and airport operations — metal detector compliant footwear for airside and secure zone working
• Warehousing and logistics — all-day comfort with composite toe and slip resistant protection for fast-paced warehouse and distribution operations
• Light manufacturing and assembly — anti-static, oil resistant protection in workshop and production environments
• Retail and facilities management — comfortable, lightweight protective footwear for customer-facing or facilities roles requiring safety footwear

VAT Information

Safety 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: Is the FC24 suitable for use in environments with metal detection screening? Yes. The FC24 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: Does the FC24 have a pierce-resistant midsole? The FC24 is rated S1, which does not include a pierce-resistant midsole. If underfoot puncture protection is required for your working environment, please refer to the Portwest FC20 (S1PL) or FT73 (S3L) for models with pierce-resistant midsole protection.

Q: How does a composite toecap compare to a steel toecap? The composite toecap in the FC24 meets the same EN ISO 20345:2022 impact and compression protection requirements as a steel toecap, but is significantly lighter and entirely metal free. Composite toecaps also offer better thermal properties than steel — they do not conduct cold or heat in the way steel does, making them more comfortable across a wider range of working temperatures.

Q: What is the dual density PU/PU sole? The dual density sole unit uses two layers of polyurethane with different density characteristics — typically a softer cushioning layer for comfort and shock absorption, and a firmer outer layer for durability, stability and grip. This combination delivers better all-day comfort and longer sole life than a single density sole.

Q: Can I buy the FC24 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 FC24 breathable? Yes. The upper combines cow suede leather with mesh textile panels, and the construction promotes breathability throughout — helping to regulate foot temperature and manage moisture during active use across a full working shift.

Q: What is the difference between the FC24 and the FC20? Both are 100% metal free composite safety shoes from Portwest. The FC20 is an ankle boot rated S1PL — adding a pierce-resistant midsole and metatarsal protection to the S1 base specification, and featuring a higher ankle boot style. The FC24 is a low shoe rated S1, offering a lighter, lower-profile option where ankle boot coverage and midsole puncture protection are not required.