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

The Portwest FD26 is a fully-loaded composite high safety boot built for the most demanding heavy-duty industries — combining one of the most comprehensive protective specifications available in professional safety footwear with waterproof construction, cold and heat insulation, and a unique set of features engineered specifically for groundwork, utilities, construction, and manual labour in extreme conditions. Rated to EN ISO 20345:2022 +A1:2024 S7L HRO M CI LG SC AN SR FO, the FD26 carries one of the broadest certification profiles of any safety boot currently available, addressing virtually every foot and ankle hazard encountered in professional outdoor and industrial work environments.

At the core of the FD26's protective architecture is its lightweight composite construction — entirely non-metallic throughout, from the composite toe cap and composite midsole to the non-metallic metatarsal guard. This fully composite specification delivers all the protective performance of traditional steel-fitted safety footwear without the weight penalty, making it a practical choice for workers who spend extended hours on their feet and need to minimise fatigue across a full shift. The absence of metal components also makes the FD26 suitable for use in environments with metal detection screening, electrical hazard awareness, and non-sparking requirements.

Foot and ankle protection is addressed at every level. The composite toe cap meets the S7L impact and compression requirements of EN ISO 20345:2022. The integrated non-metallic metatarsal protection — a feature found only on M-rated boots — extends coverage to the metatarsal bones across the top of the foot, guarding against crushing and impact from falling objects in heavy-duty industries where metatarsal injuries are a recognised risk. Ankle protection zones (AN) provide structural reinforcement at both sides of the ankle, reducing the risk of lateral ankle injuries on uneven terrain. The robust TPU scuff cap and protective counter add further impact resistance at the toe and heel, completing a full 360° protection profile around the foot.

The waterproof and breathable membrane combined with the bellow tongue construction creates a highly effective barrier against water penetration — keeping feet dry during prolonged exposure to rain, mud, wet ground, and standing water. The full-grain leather upper adds a further layer of weather resistance and durability, providing long-lasting structural integrity and abrasion resistance in the most punishing working environments. The mesh lining works with the waterproof membrane to manage moisture and maintain breathability during active wear, preventing the build-up of heat and perspiration inside the boot on warmer working days.

Thermal performance covers both extremes. The cold insulation (CI) rating confirms the FD26 provides effective thermal protection in sub-zero environments — essential for outdoor winter work, cold store operations, and utilities work during the colder months. The heat-resistant outsole (HRO) withstands contact with surfaces up to 300°C, protecting against hot surfaces in construction, metalworking, and industrial environments. The dual density PU/rubber outsole delivers the combination of cushioning, durability, and thermal resistance needed for extended wear across varied working surfaces.

Two features distinguish the FD26 as a genuinely specialised groundwork and utilities boot. The certified ladder grip (LG) sole construction provides a specific grip profile tested and certified for secure footing on ladder rungs — a critical safety feature for workers who regularly ascend and descend ladders as part of their working day, including construction workers, utilities engineers, telecoms engineers, and maintenance technicians. The digging plate — a rigid reinforcement built into the sole arch — distributes the load applied when digging with a spade or fork, reducing shock transmission to the foot and minimising fatigue during prolonged manual groundwork. Together, these two features address the specific physical demands of groundwork, infrastructure, and utilities work in a way that no general-purpose safety boot can match.

Fastening combines a technical locking ski-hook at the top of the boot — providing a secure, adjustable fit with gloved-hand operation — with an internal leg zip for rapid donning and removal at the start and end of each shift. The angled top line follows the natural geometry of the lower leg for improved fit and flexibility during active work, and the padded collar and tongue cushion the boot against the leg and foot for all-day comfort. A back pull-tab assists with initial boot entry, and reflective trim enhances worker visibility in low-light and night-time conditions.

The fuel and oil resistant outsole (FO) provides additional chemical resistance relevant to plant, machinery, and vehicle maintenance environments, and the anti-static construction prevents electrostatic charge build-up in sensitive work areas. The superbly cushioned comfort footbed completes the package, reducing foot fatigue across extended shifts on hard or uneven ground.

CE certified to EN ISO 20345:2022 +A1:2024 S7L HRO M CI LG SC AN SR FO, the FD26 represents the highest tier of safety footwear protection — a single boot that addresses more concurrent hazards than almost any alternative on the market.

Key Features

• S7L composite high safety boot — fully non-metallic construction
• Composite toe cap — impact and compression protection
• Integrated non-metallic metatarsal protection (M rating)
• Ankle protection zones (AN) for lateral ankle support
• Waterproof and breathable membrane — keeps feet dry in wet conditions
• Bellow tongue construction for enhanced water penetration resistance
• Full-grain leather upper for long-lasting durability and weather resistance
• 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 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
• Technical locking ski-hook fastening
• Internal leg zip for easy on/off
• Angled top line for anatomical fit and leg flexibility
• Padded collar and tongue for all-day comfort
• Back pull-tab for ease of entry
• Reflective trim for low-light visibility
• Anti-static construction
• Superbly cushioned comfort footbed reducing foot fatigue
• CE certified to EN ISO 20345:2022 +A1:2024 S7L HRO M CI LG SC AN SR FO

What does the S7L HRO M CI LG SC AN SR FO rating mean on the Portwest FD26? This is one of the most comprehensive safety footwear ratings available under EN ISO 20345:2022. S7 denotes a full safety boot with composite toe cap, antistatic properties, energy absorption in the heel, penetration-resistant midsole, and waterproof upper. L indicates a high leg boot. HRO confirms the outsole withstands contact heat to 300°C. M indicates integrated metatarsal protection. CI confirms cold insulation. LG certifies ladder grip. SC denotes a protective scuff cap. AN confirms ankle protection zones. SR confirms slip resistance. FO indicates fuel and oil resistance.

What is metatarsal protection and why is it important? The metatarsal bones run across the top of the foot between the ankle and toe joints. In heavy industries — construction, logistics, quarrying, steel production, and utilities — falling objects, rolling loads, and crush hazards can impact this vulnerable area. Standard safety boots protect only the toes; M-rated boots like the FD26 extend protection across the metatarsal region with an integrated guard, significantly reducing the risk of serious foot injury from top-of-foot impacts. The M rating is mandatory or strongly recommended in many heavy-duty industry risk assessments.

What is certified ladder grip (LG) and which workers need it? Ladder grip (LG) is a sole certification under EN ISO 20345 that confirms the outsole profile provides adequate grip and stability on ladder rungs when tested to standardised conditions. Workers who regularly ascend and descend ladders — including construction workers, utilities and telecoms engineers, maintenance technicians, scaffolders, and roofing contractors — face a heightened risk of foot slippage on ladder rungs, particularly in wet or dirty conditions. An LG-certified boot significantly reduces this risk and is increasingly specified in site safety requirements for ladder users.

What does the digging plate in the FD26 do? The digging plate is a rigid reinforcement built into the arch of the sole, specifically engineered for workers who apply foot pressure to spades, forks, and other digging tools during manual groundwork. Without reinforcement, this repetitive load is transmitted directly to the arch of the foot, causing fatigue, discomfort, and potential injury over a full working day. The digging plate distributes this load across the sole, reduces shock transmission, and provides a stable platform for digging — making the FD26 a genuinely specialised boot for groundwork, landscaping, utilities installation, and civil engineering.

Is the Portwest FD26 suitable for cold storage and freezer environments? The FD26 carries a CI (Cold Insulation) rating under EN ISO 20345:2022, confirming it provides thermal insulation in cold environments. Combined with the waterproof membrane and full-grain leather upper, it is well suited to cold store operations, freezer warehouses, outdoor winter work, and utilities maintenance in sub-zero conditions. For environments below -20°C or -25°C where maximum cold insulation is required, the FD05 with its -30°C-rated faux fur lining may be the more appropriate choice.

What is the difference between the Portwest FD26 and the FD05? The FD26 is a comprehensive heavy-duty composite safety boot with metatarsal protection, ankle guards, waterproof membrane, ladder grip, digging plate, and fuel resistance — suited to construction, utilities, groundwork, and industrial environments with multiple concurrent hazards. The FD05 is a specialist extreme cold weather boot with faux fur lining rated to -30°C and a wire lace system for gloved-hand operation — suited primarily to winter outdoor and cold storage environments where cold protection is the primary requirement. The FD26 offers a broader protective specification; the FD05 offers deeper cold insulation.

Does the fully composite construction make the FD26 suitable for electrically sensitive environments? The fully non-metallic construction of the FD26 — composite toe cap, composite midsole, non-metallic metatarsal guard — means there are no conductive metallic components in the boot. Combined with its anti-static rating, the FD26 is appropriate for environments where metal-free footwear is required, including certain electrical work zones, food processing facilities, pharmaceutical production, and sites with metal detection screening. For specific electrical hazard (ESD or electrical insulation) requirements, always verify the boot's specific ESD or HV rating with the manufacturer.