The EN ISO 20345 standard defines which safety features safety footwear must provide. But what do S1, S1P, S2 and S3 actually mean for your working day, and which class best fits the risks at your workplace? This guide gives you a clear, practical explanation of the classes, a quick selection aid, and a compact glossary of the key markings. If you’re specifically searching for en iso 20345 s1 s1p s2 s3, you’ll find the most important answers at a glance here. A detailed comparison is provided in the article Safety classes according to EN ISO 20345 compared.
Why the right protection class matters
Choosing the wrong class can lead to costly downtime and injuries. Example: On a dry warehouse floor, S1 or S1P is often sufficient. But if nails or metal shavings are common, penetration resistance is essential to prevent puncture injuries. If you work outdoors or in damp zones, water protection comes into play. EN ISO 20345 sets clear minimum requirements, such as a toecap that withstands 200 joules of impact energy and 15,000 newtons of compression, plus energy absorption in the heel. In short: match the class to the real hazards of your workplace—not to looks or habits. At shraks.de, you’ll mainly find SBP and S1P sneaker-style models designed for dry to mostly dry environments with penetration resistance.
EN ISO 20345 at a glance
All shoes certified to EN ISO 20345 have a toecap with 200 J impact protection and 15 kN compression resistance. From class to class, additional properties are added to address typical risks. The 2022 update clarified terminology around penetration resistance and introduced add-ons like PL and PS. A concise summary is here: EN ISO 20345: S1, S1P, S2, S3 – explained briefly.
S1 and S1P – for dry areas
S1 covers typical indoor risks in dry zones. In addition to the toecap, S1 requires a closed heel, antistatic properties (A), energy absorption in the heel (E, typically 20 J), and fuel resistance of the outsole (FO). S1P adds midsole penetration resistance (P). This protects against sharp objects on the ground and is tested with defined test nails. Further details: S1P standard: features and benefits. Typical uses: warehousing, logistics, assembly, workshop, dry production, and indoor trades. Note on SBP: this is the basic SB class with added penetration resistance—a sensible option when the environment is dry but puncture risks exist. The shraks.de range focuses on exactly this with comfortable, lightweight models.
S2 and S3 – for damp and wet areas
S2 equals S1 plus water-repellent upper with limited water absorption and penetration (WRU). S2 suits regular splashes, cleaning, moisture or changing routes between indoors and outdoors. S3 is S2 plus penetration resistance and a profiled outsole for better grip on uneven, dirty surfaces. Choose S3 when moisture, dirt and puncture hazards occur together, e.g., on construction sites, civil engineering or outdoor assembly. Detailed buying criteria for S3: S3 safety shoes: requirements and buying criteria. If you’re torn between S1P and S3, this comparison helps: S1P vs. S3: differences and use cases.
New additions since 2022: S1PL, S1PS, S3L, S3S
The L and S suffixes indicate the type of penetration resistance and the test nail geometry used. In short: it’s more transparent whether a metallic or non-metallic insert is used and against which type of puncture it was tested. This makes reading the marking easier and lets you account for fine differences based on your risk.
How to choose the right class
Start with a simple risk checklist: Are there puncture hazards from nails, chips or glass? Is the floor dry, damp, or frequently wet and dirty? Do you work mainly indoors or outdoors, on smooth or rough ground? For most dry indoor areas, S1 is sufficient; with puncture risk, S1P is essential. For moisture and splashes, S2 is sensible. Combine moisture with puncture hazards and uneven, dirty ground, and S3 is the robust choice. Also consider industry specifics like ESD in electronics, heat-resistant soles in hot environments, or cold insulation in cold stores.
Three questions to make the choice easier
- Sharp objects on the floor? Yes – pick at least P, i.e., S1P or S3. No – S1 or S2 depending on moisture.
- Mostly dry or often damp? Dry – S1/S1P. Damp to wet – S2/S3.
- Clean/level or uneven/dirty floor? Clean/level – S1/S1P/S2. Uneven/dirty – S3 with a profiled sole.
Tip: shraks.de mainly offers SBP and S1P safety shoes in a sporty sneaker style. If you work predominantly in dry zones and need penetration resistance, that’s usually the right setup.
Understanding markings and symbols
The tongue or inner label shows the standard, class and additional codes. Packaging also lists them. Besides S1, S1P, S2 or S3, extra codes may appear that describe specific properties:
- A – antistatic
- E – energy absorption in the heel
- FO – fuel-resistant sole
- P, PL, PS – penetration resistance, indicating insert type and test nail
- WRU – water-repellent upper
- WR – water-resistant footwear overall
- HRO – heat-resistant outsole
- HI/CI – heat/cold insulation
- SRC – slip resistance on ceramic and steel with lubricants
- ESD – electrostatic discharge for sensitive areas
- M/AN – midfoot/ankle protection
Common selection mistakes
Choosing by looks alone is a classic error. Another: underestimating puncture hazards and working without P. Moisture exposure is also often overlooked, e.g., regular cleaning or short outdoor tasks. Also ensure suitable slip resistance for your floor and the right size so protection works correctly and fatigue is avoided.
FAQ
What do S1, S2 and S3 mean?
S1 is basic protection for dry indoor areas with toecap, antistatic properties, heel energy absorption and FO. S2 adds a water-repellent upper for damp environments. S3 combines S2 with penetration resistance and a profiled sole for uneven, dirty ground.
What does S1 or S1P mean?
S1 covers typical indoor risks without persistent moisture. S1P is S1 plus midsole penetration resistance. Choose S1P when nails, chips or shards may be on the floor. You’ll find exactly such lightweight, comfortable S1P models at shraks.de.
Is S3 defined in EN ISO 20345?
Yes. S3 is a class defined in EN ISO 20345. It combines 200 J and 15 kN toecap protection, antistatic properties, heel energy absorption, FO, a water-repellent upper and penetration resistance with a profiled outsole. For wet, dirty and uneven outdoor areas, S3 is the robust solution.
What does ISO 20345 specify?
EN ISO 20345 sets minimum requirements for safety footwear, such as toecap, impact and compression test values, slip resistance and optional additional features. The 2022 update clarified penetration-resistance markings so you can select footwear precisely by risk.
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