With the influx of new generations of workers, advances in materials science and mounting regulation and litigation on worker safety, the future of industrial footwear is changing. Prognosticating the safety culture of tomorrow, here are five industry predictions on safety footwear between now and 2020:
1) Lighten up, but Have Purpose – Generally speaking, lighter and more breathable materials are in high demand with no immediate signs of letting up. Today’s industrial footwear manufacturers are wrestling with how to use lightweight textiles while continuing to have their products hold up. The market eventually will focus on the balance between lightweight and traditional materials to ensure products are able to withstand harsh work environments.