Rigger Boots

Buy rigger boots online now at Cromwell. Choose from a comprehensive range of high-performance safety footwear from brand leaders, like Himalayan®, CAT®, V12 Footwear®, Ambler's Safety® and more.

What are rigger boots?

Worn to insulate and protect the feet and ankles, rigger boots are fur-lined safety boots that are pulled on in the same manner as a wellington boot. Traditionally made with a leather upper, these practical boots offer a range of comfort and safety features, including anti-slip soles, cut and impact resistance and protection against crushing injuries.

Why buy rigger boots?

Rigger boots are an adaptable design that has evolved to cover a wide range of job roles. The fur lining protects against cold working environments, while ankle support options are now available to promote stability and prevent ankle strain. Along with their slip-resistance features, rigger boots provide the whole package when working in harsh and slippery environments.

When are rigger boots used?

Rigger boots were originally designed for workers on offshore oil rigs, who needed warm and protective footwear in slippery conditions. Due to the advances in design and safety, rigger boots have become the choice of footwear in construction, warehousing, agriculture and more.

Rigger boot types

Rigger boots maintain a classic design, with additional safety features setting one brand apart from another. Each safety feature is labelled on the packaging and technical datasheet to allow for the clear identification of the protection each boot offers...

• SB   -   This is an abbreviation for Safety Basic and delivers protection of up to 200 Joules of impact, and up to 15kN of crushing force.

• A   -   This safety rating is for anti-static protection that ranges between 0.1 and 1000 MegaOhms.

• E   -   This safety rating is for energy absorption to protect the foot against impact strain of up to 20 Joules.

• FO   -   This abbreviation means the rigger boot is resistant to fuel oil.

• HRO   -   This rating is for Heat Resistant Outsole that can protect the wearer up to 300°C temperatures.

• P   -   This indicates that the boots protect against penetration of up to 1100Nm of force.

• WR   -   This stands for Water Resistant, which means the whole boot is resistant to water and keeps feet dry.

• WRU   -   This indicates that the boot has a Water Resistant Upper and will withstand splash.

• SRA, SRB and SRC   -   These are slip resistance ratings, with A, B or C indicative of the testing carried out on each boot. SRA demonstrates slip resistance on ceramic tile coated with lauryl sulphate, while SRB demonstrates slip resistance on steel flooring coated with glycerol. SRC has been tested on both surfaces and lubricants to give the best slip resistance.

Considerations when choosing rigger boots

• Fitting - well-fitted footwear will provide the protection needed in rough conditions, so ensure you try on your boots wearing the same work socks you'd normally wear. Make sure they don't slip on the ankle to avoid painful rubbing and that they're a comfortable weight for wearing during a full shift.

• Upper - most riggers feature a leather upper which is breathable and durable. However, some cheaper versions are prone to crack and wear heavily in harsh conditions. Invest in quality to save money in the long run.

• Insole - a breathable and moisture-wicking insole is of the utmost importance in manual jobs. Choose a rigger boot with a removable insole for easy replacement.

• Sole - choose a durable sole with anti-slip characteristics to keep you on your feet in all kinds of weather.

• Midsole - an almost standard feature in most safety boots, a strong midsole protects the foot against penetration injuries from sharps, such as nails and glass.

• Toe fitting - toes shouldn't be able to touch the toe cap and shouldn't feel squished or hemmed in. Ensure toes can move freely, and for a lighter-weight boot consider a composite toe cap.

Rigger boots jargon buster

To help you to make the best purchasing decision, we've outlined an applicable safety standard so you can better understand what our range has to offer...

What does safety standard BS EN ISO 20345:2021 mean?

This safety standard, Personal protective equipment - Safety footwear outlines the basic safety requirements of safety footwear suitable for general purpose work. This includes slip-resistance properties, heat resistance and more.

Let's break it down...

• BS - This standard is upheld by the British Standards Institute and is part of British law.

• EN - The standard is a European Norm and recognised in EU legislation.

• ISO - The International Organization for Standardization monitors and maintains European standards to ensure consistent safety and quality standards are upheld.

• 20345 - This is the legislation number.

• 2021 - This standard was last checked and republished in December 2021 and supersedes the 2011 version.

FAQs

What is an S3 rigger boot?

S3 is one of three Safety Ratings or S ratings as they're sometimes known, and are defined as follows:

• S1 - This rating is a combination of SB, A, E, and FO safety features (see above under Rigger boot types for more details).

• S2 - This includes all of the safety features from S1, plus WRU.

• S3 - This includes all the safety features from S2, plus P - midsole protection against penetration injuries.

Can you get rigger boots without steel toe caps?

To be classified as safety shoes or safety boots, all personal protective footwear must feature a toe cap with minimum impact protection of up to 200 Joules. However, if you're looking for a lighter-weight rigger boot, composite toe caps are now widely used by manufacturers, and, while a little more expensive, they don't conduct the heat or cold the way steel does.