Oil-Resistant Shoes and Boots

Working in the oil and gas industry is not for the faint of heart. These jobs are done by hardy men and women that meet challenges head-on. But you also need proper support – high-quality protective gear. And it all starts with oil-resistant shoes and boots.

We offer oil-resistant work boots that will last when exposed to petroleum products, while providing additional protection. So take a look at our collection to find a pair of work shoes or boots that suit your needs.

What Are Oil-Resistant Boots and Shoes?

Oil-resistant shoes and boots are protective footwear that is designed to be able to resist petroleum-based products, i.e. if you’re boots are oil-resistant, they will not get damaged by oil. These types of boots are made from oil-resistant materials and special glues that don’t break down when exposed to oil.

Additionally, the materials used for the construction of oil-resistant shoes and boots don’t break down and don’t give off toxic vapors when they come into contact with oil. Thus, oil-resistance serves three purposes:

1. It protects the boots themselves from oil damage;
2. It prevents oil at high temperatures from penetrating the boots and damaging your feet;
3. It protects your overall health by preventing the release of toxic vapors.

Are Oil-Resistant Boots Waterproof?

As far as protection from water penetration goes, oil-resistant shoes and boots are also waterproof. Oil resistance is a particular type of fluid resistance, so your feet will also be protected from the ingress of water when you wear oil-resistant shoes.

What Are Non-Slip Boots and Shoes?

Here, we need to clear up a bit of confusion that too often comes about. Oil resistance and slip resistance is not the same, or even a similar, feature. Non-slip boots and shoes are designed to provide good grip and traction on slippery surfaces due to the specific design of the outsole.

Slip resistance also encompasses the ability of boots and shoes to get good traction on oily surfaces. This is where the confusion comes in – people sometimes refer to this specific type of slip resistance as oil resistance. However, slip resistance has nothing to do with oil resistance in the true sense of the word.

To reiterate, oil-resistant shoes and boots protect from petroleum-based products and have nothing to do with slip resistance.

Are Oil-Resistant Boots Also Slip-Resistant?

That being said, oil-resistant boots and shoes can also be slip resistant. In fact, they often are, because having ship-resistant boots is rather important when working in the oil and gas industry. Yet, when you are choosing a pair of boots, you should look for boots that have both of these safety features and not think they are one and the same.

What Are Some Other Features of Oil-Resistant Shoes?

Oil-resistant shoes and boots are not limited in any way regarding other safety features they can have. Thus, oil-resistant work boots can also have a steel or composite safety toe, a metatarsal guard, they can have high levels of insulation, or, as we’ve discussed above, they can be slip resistant.

So, when you’re searching for a pair of oil-resistant shoes or boots to protect your feet at your workplace, look for footwear that has the mix of protective features you need to keep you safe. Overlook’s collection of oil-resistant shoes and work boots has many different models, so you are bound to find a pair that works for you.