What is steel toe cap? What are different types of toe caps in safety shoes?

Steel toe cap is a cap installed at the toe area of the shoe which is made of steel. It makes the toe part of the shoe strong from outside. There can be many reasons for which you can require this feature. If your toe is vulnerable to accidents or may have to bear a lot of pressure, this would be the feature you must have in your shoes. Steel toe provides protection from anything falling on your feet which would otherwise cause injuries, like falling of bricks on your feet, accidental drop of heavy tools. Steel toe caps can handle a compression of more than 1,100 kgs.

Steel toe cap is one of a kind of toe caps used in shoes. Many materials are used to make toe caps, each of them having some unique additions and trade offs. A few of the materials that are used are-

1 steel : this material is widely used because it is the cheapest option of them all and provide a great level of safety 

2 composite : this material is used at places where electricity is involved as any metallic toe cap will conduct electricity and cause harm to the feet. It is comparatively lighter and more expensive than steel toe cap 

3 fiberglass : this material has similar properties to composite. It can be made much thinner than composite without compromising the strength of the toe cap 

4 aluminium : this material is used where the weight is of essence. It is lighter to steel toe and provides almost equivalent level of safety compared to steel toe cap 

5 carbon fiber : it is the most expensive alternative and has all the advantages that composite and fiberglass have. It has all the best properties that anyone can look for. It is the strongest and sturdiest of them all.