I tried to help a friend find the right EMS waterproof safety
toe boots online but it was difficult because I had didn’t
know what to look for. Now I do.
I was trying to find some EMS waterproof safety toe boots online
for a friend of mine but I found the process really confusing.
There just wasn’t that much information about EMS and until
he told me it meant Emergency Medical Services I wasn’t
even aware of it.
Now most online boot dealers don’t mention EMS in their
descriptions but they mention safety toe, waterproof, blood borne
pathogen compliant or in accordance with ASTM F1671. I didn’t
understand all that. But this is what I found out and what you
need to know in order to find the right EMS uniform work boots.
First off the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, has
a clothing standard for EMS employees. Footwear fits under this
standard. You can read the standard here: NFPA
code
The material the boots are made from should pass the tests by
the American Society for Testing Materials gauging protection
against, blood borne pathogens, bodily fluids and common fire
chemicals. ASTM F1671 is the test standard. Any EMS boot must
meet these tests.
There are other safety tests and standards set for boots with
steel toes, composite toes or protection against electrical hazards
but these don’t enter into the EMS notation. They are just
added specifications depending on the level of protection you
wish to have. In fact steel toes are out. If you are an EMS worker,
you won’t have a steel-toed boot due to possible electrical
hazards you might run into. A composite toe or safety toe is better
if you wish that added protection but I have not yet to seen a
compliant boot have that as a feature. Lots of boots have safety
toes but then they seem to not be made of the right material (see
below) to pass the ASTM F1671 test.
Since most online boot dealers don’t mention EMS in the
boot descriptions, what you need to look for is blood borne compliant
or that the fabric guards against blood, body fluids and common
fire chemicals. There are two materials used to make boots compliant.
Crosstech and Sympatex. They are both comfortable but deliver
resistance against penetration by water, blood and NFPA common
chemicals.
Several brands that make compliant boots are Thorogood, Haix,
Matterhorn, Danner, Rocky and Original Swat. Thorogood’s
Omega series uniform boots are the easiest to locate online and
have the most compliant styles available. I have heard mixed reviews
on the Rocky boots. Several people complained the boots are poorly
made now and come apart after a short amount of time. Other people
still love them and have no problems.
You can find Thorogood boots with Sympatex at Bootbay
for very good prices. Also Matterhorn Crosstech boots can be found
here.
Matterhorn, Haix, Danner and Original Swat boots that are considered
EMS boots can be found at Buy outdoor adventure, military and
law enforcement equipment online at
USCAVIt’s a good site for military, tactical and law
enforcement footwear. This site can be a bit frustrating because
you don’t always know what brand you are looking at. At
the time of this writing I know there is a Matterhorn boot for
men and one for women. There is an Original Swat boot and a Haix
boot but unfortunately none of these have safety toes either.
If anyone would know where to find one, or if there is such a
thing exists, it would be these guys. I’d email or call
them and see if they know.
Note: Recently found out about an EMS boot by Ranger Firefighter
footwear. Model 6050. It has a contoured composite toe. I suggest
you try Chief
Supply - Fire boots for those and if they don't have them,
email them and see if they can order them.
 This
the the Ranger EMS boot.
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