Landscape gardener boots

During maintenance work in green spaces, the feet are often exposed to all kinds of constraints (sharp rocks, from the middle, falling objects, etc.).

This is why gardeners/landscapers should wear personal protective equipment such as suitable boots to this job domain.

The specificities of boots for gardeners

Landscaper Boots are designed for all gardening. They are therefore perfect for outdoor work, on stony, wet and muddy ground.

Besides, here are the reasons why gardeners should wear work boots specific to green spaces.

First, they limit the risk of falls on wet and slippery floors. They protect against exposure to chemical and biological agents The boots also protect the feet from cuts soiled by contaminated soil, animal bites and insect bites.

Secondly, gardeners are often faced with awkward positions, so the boots give them more comfort and freedom of movement. They also reduce the risk of strain, injury, sprain, etc.

Thirdly, they provide comfort and safety during rainy periods, but especially in winter. These are lined boots that insulate against moisture and cold.

Standards governing boots for gardeners

Landscaping boots are subject to variousstandards governing work shoes such as:

The EN 20345 Standard which requires the presence of a protective toe cap covering the toes and the front part of the foot, and which withstands an impact of 200 joules. This uses a few additional standards:

• Standard S1: this is made for work on dry floors in the presence of oils and/or hydrocarbons. It requires the existence of an anti-shock and antistatic sole that resists electric shocks.

• The S1P standard: has the same requirements as the previous one, but it just adds an anti-perforation sole, which protects against sharp or piercing objects.
• The S2 standard: it is made up of the same characteristics of the S1 boots with the addition of a water-repellent property. This prevents the penetration and imbibition of water into the fabric. It is suitable for work outdoors and in areas that are often wet.
• The S3 standard : the same as the S2, but with an anti-perforation sole and energy-absorbing properties in the heel.
• The SRC standard: boots must have a non-slip sole that prevents slipping on ceramic floors covered with water and detergent. They must also resist slipping on steel floors soaked in glycerin.
• The HRO standard: this requires the footwear to be resistant to heat, up to 300°C for at least one hour.
• The CI standard: this concerns the insulating properties of boots against the cold. They are suitable for outdoor work in winter or in cold storage areas.
• The WRU and WR standard: they stipulate that boots must have a water-repellent, waterproof and immersion-resistant upper. They allow gardeners to have dry feet all day long.

The criteria for choosing a pair of boots for gardeners

Work equipment must be provided by the employer. But if you have to buy your own boot, here are the criteria to take into account:

Materials

Landscaping boots come in many materials, high performance models, but with different features.

There are the PVC boots, which offer maximum comfort and protection, with materials resistant to friction and tearing. They are rigid and strong, yet flexible and easy to maintain.

Then the natural rubber boots, which are very grippy in the heat. They adapt to all the intensities of gardening, and the rubber is known for its resistance to fatigue. Its elastic nature makes them soft and flexible, allowing you to work in the best of comforts.

Then the EVA boots, which are lightweight and waterproof. The resin contained in the material makes the boots flexible and gives them better resistance to shocks. They are soft and comfortable while showing real robustness.

And finally leather boots with synthetic fur, for better durability and better mechanical resistance. The synthetic fiber will also keep you warm during winter periods.

The brand

Many brands are competing to offer workers even more technical and functional boots. Among these big names are Coverguard, Blaklader, Safety Jogger, Portwest, Lemaitre, etc It's up to you to choose the models that best suit your work environment.