Shoe Encyclopaedia

Lambskin lining is a natural material with outstanding thermal characteristics. It breathes well and is comfortable on the skin, which provides great wearing comfort.

The GORE-TEX^® laminate prevents water from getting into the shoe, but still allows the feet to "breathe". This technology provides ideal climate-comfort for all outdoor activities, even in the harshest weather conditions. All components (leather, textile) including the entire shoe construction are precisely attuned to one another and are subject to constant quality controls.

Grain leather identifies all leathers for which the grain side of the leather has not yet been completely removed. This includes all smooth leathers and nubuck leather for which the grain side was not completely sanded.

The grain leather is that part of the leather with the grain layer.

When split, leather is split over its thickness. That layer of the leather with the grain is called the grain split.

The half-sock surfacing provides good moisture absorption and release as well as a comfortable heel support bed. The inlay sole is also antistatic.

ELTEN not only tests its products against ISO standards, but also has them tested by the independent PFI testing institute. The SG symbol (SG stands for "tested for hazardous materials") displayed on the shoe indicates that tanning agents etc. are only present to a very small degree in the materials used to make the shoe, which is too little to trigger allergies, or that the chemicals used are not carcinogenic.

Thermal insulation

High performance against contact heat

It is often important that work that must be done at high temperatures can be carried out safely. For example when welding or working at a blast furnace. Here Kevlar^® threading can show how extremely heat resistant they are when put to the hardest tests. Ideal for use at high temperatures, high melting points, heat-resistant when used under heat, ideal for protective clothing

A heel loop makes it easy to put the shoe on quickly.

The heel pocket lining identifies the heel reinforcement that provides comfortable shoe support and makes it easy to put the shoe on and to take the shoe off.

High boots are shoes with an especially high upper (>20cm).

To begin with, the shoe's design is established. A drawing is prepared for this purpose. Templates are then prepared for the upper's pieces on the basis of the drawing. Using the templates, the pieces can then be punched out from leather or from another material. The pieces are then sewn together. Step by step, this is how the upper is produced. The actual shoe assembly can begin once the upper and lining materials have been sewn or cemented together. The upper is pulled over the last which provides the shoe's shape. The insole is then fastened from below. This is either cemented or sewn to the upper. Then comes the outsole under the upper, which can be accomplished using different methods. The outsole can be injection moulded, cemented, sewn or nailed.

Cut protection is provided by working several layers of Kevlar between the lining and the upper.

The breathable Hydroguard^TM membrane is wind and water-repellent and at the same time extremely comfortable to wear. It keeps the feet dry and warm.

Impregnating identifies the process of protecting a material against moisture penetration or in other words making the material water-repellent.

Improved heel stability provides for better support in the shoe and for more wearing comfort. This result is achieved with improved inlay soles or with heel reinforcements.

Injection moulded soles are fastened directly to the upper by machine. In this case, the outsole and the midsole are produced together with the shoe.

Inlay soles support the longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot. They are often replaceable and as a rule provide good cushioning and optimal shock absorption. At the same time, they may not change the contact resistance (see ESD). Every shoe is tested with an inlay sole when the type examination is done.

The insole is part of the interior bottom of the shoe. As specified in EN 344, the insole must be constructed so that it cannot be removed without destroying the shoe. The insole connects the upper with the bottom of the shoe. The shoe upper and insole are sewn together or AGO fastened, far below the insole – depending on the method used to make the shoe. The midsole and outsole are injection moulded or cemented to the underside of the insole. Depending on the type of shoe, a steel midsole and/or an ankle with a cushioning element can also be built inbetween the insole and the outsole. Because foot perspiration exerts a significant strain on the shoe, and because the insole must hold up for the entire life of the safety shoe, the insole plays a significant role in the quality of the shoe. To be able to do justice to these requirements and to provide those who wear the shoes with the greatest possible wearing comfort, leather insoles or insoles made from antistatic materials are used. As specified by EN regulations, the insole must have a minimum thickness of 2 mm. Leather insoles may not have a pH value of less than 3.5. The regulations governing abrasion resistance, water absorption and the ability to dissipate water also apply. The designation used in German, Brandsohle, which translates literally as "burning sole", derives etymologically from the burning experienced in connection with heavy perspiration (can be prevented with the use of shoe inserts).

International Standards Organisation

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