The best men's S1 safety shoes, compared.
Top pick: Unbranded steel-toe trainer – Highest score in the set: 4.5 from 1,053 reviews at about £25.49, steel toe in the title, and no waterproof line. No class is printed. Best value: LUPWEE UK-6799 – Highest value score that is not the top pick: about £30.99, 4.4 from 205, a named model, and no waterproof or puncture line in the title. Updated October 2026.
Men's S1 safety shoes are low work shoes. Warehouse staff, drivers, and DIY users often want a trainer instead of a boot. Employers still have to match the shoe to a risk assessment. S1 does not include a puncture-resistant midsole or a waterproof upper. None of the titles print S1 or EN ISO 20345, so they cannot be described as certified S1 shoes. BS EN ISO 20345:2022+A1:2024 is the current British Standard. The toe-cap floor is 200 J impact and 15 kN compression. Seller charts add a closed heel, antistatic behaviour, and heel energy absorption. From the 2022 edition, basic slip resistance is required and unmarked. S3 adds water resistance and a cleated, puncture-resistant sole. Those coded rows were taken out of this set when the listing stated them. What remains is eight uncoded steel-toe trainers on amazon.co.uk, plus one boot title. Mesh or textile uppers show up in some reviews. City is a boot title with no class code. Composite-toe S1 exists at higher prices outside this set. HSE expects workplace PPE in Britain to be UKCA or CE marked, with a declaration of conformity and instructions in English. The PPE at Work Regulations 1992 require suitable PPE, assessed before issue. Employers provide it and should not charge workers, including limb (b) workers since 6 April 2022. HSE's construction FAQ says sites need a toecap and midsole protection. Rain needs a water-resistance class such as S2, S3, S6, or S7, not the word waterproof in a title. HSE says trial soles on the real floor and replace them when the tread is smooth. Reviews describe caps hitting the toes or the top of the foot, and size notes conflict inside the same brand. There is no single size-up or size-down rule. A rule of thumb: this band buys an uncoded trainer, not a documented S1 certificate. The score runs from 0 to 100 on amazon stars, review volume, what the title actually states, and the shelf price. It is not an impact test and not a check of a tongue label. Common mistakes are calling an uncoded trainer S1, trusting a waterproof title, buying this class for a nail-strewn site, following one reviewer's size rule, and treating stars as certification. Call the employer or a competent adviser when the site induction specifies a class, when electrical, chainsaw, or chemical footwear is required, when a medical condition rules out the issue shoe, or when the declaration does not match the tongue. How to choose is set out in the [men's S1 safety shoes buying guide](/hub/occupational-safety/men-s-s1-safety-shoes/sub/men-s-s1-safety-shoes-buying-guide).
Men's S1 safety shoes are low work shoes. Warehouse staff, drivers, and DIY users often want a trainer instead of a boot. Employers still have to match the shoe to a risk assessment.
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Personal buying guide
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The unbranded trainer at £25.49 is listed with 4.5 from 1,053 amazon.co.uk reviews, and the title says steel toe and non slip. A delivery-driver review says the sole wore down in about six months and that grip was then lost, including when the shoes were wet. Another review says they are not waterproof, and one reports soaked feet after walking on grass. The listing names no manufacturer and no model number, and the department line says Unisex. Fit notes conflict: a size 9 was called true to size, while a size 6 fitted a size 8 in another review. The listing prints no S1 class, no SRC mark, and no UKCA or CE line, so the stars are a comfort sample. It is the top pick here only as the highest score among these uncoded trainers, and you should leave it if the workplace asks for a printed class.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want the lowest shelf price in this set and will retire the pair when the tread goes smooth.
Less suitable: You need a printed S1 or S1P code, a named manufacturer, or grip after the sole has worn down.
Specifications
Common questions
Who makes this £25.49 trainer?
The listing has no manufacturer and no model number. The department line says Unisex. The link ASIN and the details ASIN do not match.
Do reviews say the non-slip sole lasts?
A delivery driver says grip was lost after about six months once the sole wore down, and that the shoes were slippery when wet.
The City Knights SS500CM is £39.57 with 4.4 from 350 amazon.co.uk reviews, and the title says men's safety boots rather than a class code. Reviews mention a steel toe. The listing prints no S1 line. Reports include the heel counter coming away, peeling, laces failing, water in the rain, and the sole bond letting go. The title does not say waterproof, and one review says the shoes take in water when it rains. Fit notes split between a good size with extra insoles and a tight fit. The date first available is 9 Sept 2026, which clashes with older review dates on the page, so treat the history as mixed.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a lace-up boot look in this set and will check the sole bond and the tongue stamp yourself.
Less suitable: You need a printed S1 trainer, a water-resistance class, or a listing whose dates agree.
Specifications
Common questions
Does City Knights SS500CM print S1?
No. The title says men's safety boots. Reviews mention a steel toe. The listing has no class code.
What failures do reviews report?
Reports include the heel counter coming away, peeling, laces failing, water in the rain, and the sole bond letting go.
The LUPWEE UK-6799 is £30.99 with 4.4 from 205 amazon.co.uk reviews, and the title says steel toe without a waterproof or puncture line. One review says the caps are steel and heavier than an older composite pair. Some reviewers praise a wide fit and a breathable fabric upper. A repeat buyer says the insoles wore through at the heel, and the listing asks about a removable insole without answering it. Sizing notes conflict, and one review felt the toe cap on a broad foot. The listing prints no S1 class. It is the best value here because the price sits near the bottom of the set without a waterproof or puncture claim the page cannot support, though 205 reviews is a smaller sample than the £25.49 trainer.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a named model near £31 whose title stays at steel toe, and you will check the insole after the first weeks.
Less suitable: You need a printed class, a composite toe, or an insole the reviews describe as lasting.
Specifications
Common questions
Does LUPWEE UK-6799 state S1?
No. The listing prints a steel toe in the title and no class code.
Are the insoles described as lasting?
One repeat buyer says the insoles wore through at the heel. The listing asks about a removable insole and does not answer it.
The Baofular K8 is £39.95 with 4.2 from 7,732 amazon.co.uk reviews, the largest sample in this set, and the title says steel toe with laces. Some reviews praise a light shoe for warehouse walking. Others report soles splitting within weeks or a few months, and lace rings coming off. The department line says women's while the title says men and women. Fit notes conflict: one review says a UK 7 fitted a UK 9, and another reports chafing on the top of the foot. The listing prints no safety class, SRC mark, or waterproof claim. That review count is a comfort sample, and a split sole takes the shoe out of use even if the stars stay high.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want the largest review sample in this set and will inspect the sole bond before a long shift.
Less suitable: You need a department line that matches a men's title, or a sole the reviews do not describe as splitting.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the Baofular listing print an S1 class?
No. The listing has no safety class, SRC mark, or waterproof claim. The title says steel toe.
What do reviews say about durability?
Some praise a light shoe for warehouse walking. Others report soles splitting within weeks or a few months, and lace rings coming off.
The SUADEX JSUK-1620-677 is £29.99 with 4.1 from 550 amazon.co.uk reviews, and the title says steel toe and non slip. One review says the cap is plastic and that a certificate of conformity did not resolve that doubt. The listing has no SRC mark, and reviews say the shoe slides on a wet mopped floor. One review says the upper deteriorated quickly when working on the knees. Fit notes conflict: one review says a very tight fit, and another says a usual size 9 was too big. The listing prints no safety class. A non-slip title is a phrase to trial on your own floor, and a disputed cap is a reason to skip the pair if the workplace expects steel.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You are comparing a named model near £30 and will leave it if the cap material stays disputed.
Less suitable: You need a confirmed steel toe, grip on a wet mopped floor, or a printed S1 code.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the SUADEX toe cap stated as steel?
The title says steel. One review says the cap is plastic and that a certificate of conformity did not resolve that doubt.
Do reviews support the non-slip title?
The title says non slip and the listing has no SRC mark. Reviews say the shoe slides on a wet mopped floor.
The LARNMERN trainer is £38.61 with 4.0 from 238 amazon.co.uk reviews, and the title says waterproof and steel toe. The listing prints no S2, S3, or other class. Reviews say the sole wore through or split in six days, about two weeks, or three months, and that water then got in. Fit notes conflict: one review says they are crampy and not for wide feet, and another says they are wide around the toes. A waterproof word in the title is a seller phrase, and S1 itself is a dry-floor class. Skip this listing if you need dry feet or a sole the reviews describe as lasting past the first weeks.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You are comparing steel-toe wording and already treat the waterproof line as disputed.
Less suitable: You need dry feet, a printed water-resistance class, or a sole reviewers describe as lasting.
Specifications
Common questions
Are the LARNMERN trainers a waterproof safety class?
The title says waterproof. The listing prints no S2, S3, or other class. Reviews say the sole split and let water in.
How long do reviews say the sole lasts?
Reports include six days, about two weeks, and three months before the sole wore through or split.
The AFJYG trainer is £39.99 with 4.0 from 158 amazon.co.uk reviews, and the title says steel toe, non slip, and a swivel buckle. Some reviews like the dial when it works. Others say the fastening failed after one use or within three days, or that it does nothing. One review says metal came out of the toe after three days, and another says there is no certification. A puncture-resistant midsole and Kevlar appear in review text, not in a product-details field, and the listing prints no class and no SRC mark. Fit notes split between a roomy size 9 and a shoe that is tight across the foot. Treat the buckle as a convenience that these reviews do not agree will last a week.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want to try a dial closure and will return the pair if the buckle slips on the first shift.
Less suitable: You need laces, a printed S1P midsole, or a certificate the listing itself shows.
Specifications
Common questions
Does AFJYG print a safety class?
No. The title says steel toe, non slip, and a swivel buckle. One review says there is no certification.
What do reviews say about the buckle?
Some like the dial when it works. Others say the fastening failed after one use or within three days, or that it does nothing.
The COOU trainer is £32.99 with 3.8 from 56 amazon.co.uk reviews, the lowest stars in this set, and the title says steel toe with a swivel buckle. Reviews say the dial loosens within seconds and that a turn disc stopped after a week. The listing asks whether the buckle stays tight and does not answer it. Reviews also say the shoes are not waterproof and that a puddle soaks the feet. Puncture-proof and Kevlar appear in review text, not in a product-details field, and the listing prints no class. One review says the cap looks too small. A size 9 was called a good fit in one review, and another buyer added insoles to take up extra volume.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a dial at about £33 and will test the buckle before you rely on it for a shift.
Less suitable: You need a closure that stays tight, dry feet, or a printed puncture code.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the COOU trainer puncture resistant?
Puncture-proof and Kevlar appear in review text. They are not a product-details field, and the listing prints no class.
Does the swivel buckle stay tight?
Reviews say the dial loosens within seconds and that a turn disc stopped after a week. The listing asks the same question and does not answer it.
Eight men's S1 safety shoe listings on amazon.co.uk were scored on 20 October 2026 from shelf price, stars, review counts, and what the title actually states. There was no lab test, no impact test, and no check of a tongue label. Amazon stars, review volume, the title claim, and value in this set are weighted 40, 25, 25 and 10. None of the eight titles print S1 or EN ISO 20345. The 0–100 score is not a UKCA check and not a claim that a shoe suits a site that asks for S1, S1P, or S3.
Amazon stars
40%Up to 40 points from the amazon.co.uk star average, as (rating / 5) × 40, rounded to the nearest integer. The 4.5 line scores 36. The 3.8 line scores 30. Each star line stays the figure on that listing.
Review sample
25%Up to 25 points from how many reviews sit behind the stars. 1,000 or more reviews score 25, 200–999 score 18, 50–199 score 12, and 10–49 score 5. A large sample is a comfort sample, not a certificate.
What the title states
25%Up to 25 points for what the title actually prints. Steel toe and non-slip, with no waterproof or puncture line and no maker named, scores 14. A printed S1 would score higher. Nothing here reaches that, because no class is printed.
Value in this set
10%Up to 10 points for the shelf price against what the title claims. The £25.49 trainer, 4.5 from 1,053 and no waterproof title, scores 9. LUPWEE at £30.99, with no waterproof or puncture line, scores 8 and is the best value because it is not the top pick.
Start with the class on the shoe, then the hazard, then fit over the toe cap, then closure and the sole. The notes below follow that order for these eight listings. None of the scores is a laboratory test.
Men's S1 safety shoes, on the class charts UK sellers use, are low work shoes for dry indoor toe protection. BS EN ISO 20345:2022+A1:2024 is the current British Standard. The toe-cap floor is 200 J impact and 15 kN compression. Seller charts add a closed heel, antistatic behaviour, and heel energy absorption for S1. From the 2022 edition, basic slip resistance is required and unmarked. An extra glycerol test can be marked SR. Older SRA, SRB, and SRC marks still appear on titles.
None of these eight titles print S1 or EN ISO 20345. A steel-toe line, a star rating, or the search term is not the code on the tongue. Do not call the pair certified S1, UKCA, or CE.
S1 is not the waterproof class. The LARNMERN title says waterproof, and reviews report the sole splitting and letting water in. Rain needs a water-resistance class such as S2, S3, S6, or S7.
S1 does not include a puncture-resistant midsole. HSE's construction FAQ says sites need a toecap and midsole protection. Puncture wording on COOU and AFJYG is review text, not a product-details field.
Demand the class on the shoe, not the words in the search box. EN ISO 20345 and S1 belong only to toe impact on a dry floor. The toe-cap floor in the current British Standard is 200 J and 15 kN. Seller charts add a closed heel, antistatic behaviour, and heel energy absorption. Basic slip from the 2022 edition is required and unmarked. SR is an extra glycerol test. Older SRA, SRB, and SRC marks still appear on titles. S1 does not add a puncture-resistant midsole or a waterproof upper.
Reviews in this set describe toe caps hitting the toes or the top of the foot. Size notes conflict inside the same brand: a usual size is called tight in one review and too big in another. Do not follow one size-up or size-down rule. Walk on a hard floor before you rely on the pair, and leave it if the cap presses. Laces are the simple closure. Baofular K8 and City Knights SS500CM use laces.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You want the largest review sample in this set for a light lace-up trainer, and you will inspect the sole before a long shift. Baofular K8 is about £39.95, with 4.2 from 7,732 reviews. The listing prints no class. Reviews also report soles splitting, and the department line says women's while the title says men and women.
You want a named model whose title stays at steel toe, without a waterproof or puncture line. LUPWEE UK-6799 is about £30.99, with 4.4 from 205 reviews. The listing prints no S1 class. A repeat buyer says the insoles wore through at the heel, and 205 reviews is a smaller sample than the £25.49 trainer.
You want the lowest shelf price in this set and will retire the pair when the tread goes smooth. The unbranded trainer is about £25.49, with 4.5 from 1,053 reviews, and it is the top pick on score alone. The listing names no manufacturer and prints no S1 code. A delivery review lost grip after about six months.
In this set of eight amazon.co.uk listings, the top pick is the unbranded steel-toe trainer at about £25.49, with 4.5 from 1,053 reviews and a steel-toe title that does not say waterproof. It has the highest score, and the listing names no manufacturer and prints no S1, SRC, UKCA, or CE line. The best value is LUPWEE UK-6799 at about £30.99, with 4.4 from 205 reviews, a named model, and no waterproof or puncture line in the title. None of these scores is a lab test, a UKCA check, or a claim that the shoe suits a site that asks for S1, S1P, or S3.
Unbranded steel-toe trainer
Highest score in the set: 4.5 from 1,053 reviews at about £25.49, steel toe in the title, and no waterproof line. No class is printed.
LUPWEE UK-6799
Highest value score that is not the top pick: about £30.99, 4.4 from 205, a named model, and no waterproof or puncture line in the title.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources from the research digest, last checked on 20 October 2026. Shelf prices and star lines are the amazon.co.uk figures captured with these eight listings. The price band is this set, not a market average.
Expert source (DIY & tools): Charlie White (Charlie DIYte) (external profile) – public expert commentary used as a research source, not as a contributor to our pages.
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are from the UK listings checked on 20 October 2026. We did not lab-test these shoes.
