What's coming in safety footwear 2023?

Sustainable materials:

With the growing efforts to lower the environmental impact, expect to see more safety footwear made from recycled, recyclable and bio-based materials. Leather still fits the bill as it is a natural byproduct that reduces waste. And leather still trumps with unbeatable performance, comfort and durability. Sustainable and responsibly sourced leathers with certifications from bodies such as Sustainable Leather Foundation, Leather Standards by Oekotex, or CSCB and will also be more present in new ranges, as well as renewable bio-based materials that are circular and that help eliminate plastics.

Customisation:

What happens in outdoor and athletic footwear is usually a precursor for developments that are likely to emerge in the safety boots industry. End-users demand more personalised products that better meet their job profile and personal preferences. Hiking brand Merrell released the Moab 3 model, which is more "size-inclusive". This includes more options for fit (with more wide width options as well as hard-to-find sizes), in an effort to make outdoor exploration more accessible to all. We think, this approach will also become stronger in protective footwear. More individual component upgrades, e.g. with lace-less BOA® or Freelock® technologies, or with enhanced waterproofing with Sympatex® or Gore-Tex® might also become more important. And, we notice more personal style choices, such as "ungendered" colourways and unique colour signatures.

Technology integration:

Built-in smart technologies have been here and there on the horizon. AI is ripe to enter in more industries this year and new applications in footwear will pop up, too.  We have already seen workwear and exoskeletons equipped with GPS and also with advanced sensory AI technology to give the wearer ergonomics insights and actively correct the posture. Similarly, new footwear that monitors movement, gait, loads, and fatigue, combined with connectivity to safety alert apps are on the horizon. Other applications are safety boots and shoes with temperature regulation that enhances comfort for longer periods of time.

Fashion forward:

Or, let's call it Performance X Aesthetics! For some time now we have noticed that safety footwear doesn't have to look utilitarian and frumpy at all. Expect to see more streetwear and business-casual options where style and function go hand-in-hand. We've seen the most surprising collaborations for sleek statement looks in the sneaker category. Functional outdoor footwear already followed suit with collabs like A-COLD-WALL X Roa Hiking Boots. Or look at  the latest images that have leaked last week of the Tiffany & Co. x Nike Air Force 1 Low. Another interesting one is between K Swiss and McLaren Racing to marry cutting-edge design with performance. Cool collaborations in safety footwear are in the making too!

Which developments in workwear and safety footwear are you anticipating most in 2023?

👇Let us know in the comments!