Although they're a small part of an overall haz mat suit, haz mat boots, sometimes known as hazmat boots, are extremely important. By creating a protective seal around your feet, ankles and lower legs, haz mat boots secure your skin against dangerous chemicals, biological agents and radioactive materials. Some boots even have aluminum shielding to protect against high temperatures.

Much as haz mat suits come in different categories offering increasing levels of protection, haz mat boots are available with many different features, allowing you to choose the pair that best suits your line of work. In order to find haz mat boots that are ideal for your needs, keep the following things in mind:

1. Disposable haz mat boots are portable, packable and extremely affordable.

2. Overboots provide excellent protection while being more convenient to transport than traditional haz mat boots.

3. Boots with steel toes and shanks resist puncturing and offer the highest level of stability and protection.

Action Steps
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Get disposable haz mat boots for occasional use

Although they don't provide the same level of comfort or slip-resistance as traditional haz mat boots, disposable booties do provide suitable protection against chemical, biological or nuclear contaminants. Because they're usually constructed out of thin latex, booties also do not offer crush support or puncture resistance. However, they are extremely versatile and packable, making them ideal in mobile emergency response situations.

I recommend: Consider the disposable latex boots from MSC Industrial Supply and Gallaway Safety and Supply. These provide a cheap alternative to traditional haz mat boots and very lightweight.

Choose haz mat boots that fit over your existing shoes for protection and convenience

Because they slip on over your work boots but still protect your feet from hazardous materials, mid-range overboots strike a good balance between disposable booties and traditional boots. Overboots frequently feature thicker soles, better fasteners and sturdier construction than disposables, and they're less expensive than bigger boots.

I recommend: The First Responder Network sells an excellent 17-inch overboot that features injection-molded single piece construction and a sturdy nylon fastening strap. The Tingley haz mat boot is also a good choice, and has enough interior room to accommodate most suits' leg pieces.

Look for haz mat boots with steel structures to get the most support and protection

Haz mat boots with steel toes and midsole shanks protect your feet from punctures and crushing injuries. If your environment exposes your feet to sharp or unstable objects, these boots will give you the best chance of avoiding an injury and maintaining your suit's protective integrity against surround contaminants.

I recommend: Onguard Industries makes haz mat boots with steel toes that meet international standards for crush resistance. For protection against fire and biological contaminants, check out the Thorogood Hellfire.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask your haz mat boots provider for a copy of their footwear degradation chart. This chart contains important haz mat boots information and shows how each material holds up against different chemicals and compounds.