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Dunlop SneakerFit: A New Generation of Safety Boots

How the fit of a safety boot affects comfort, stability and safety

Traditional safety boots are known for their protection, but not always for their fit. Many wearers recognise the feeling of heel slip, excess movement inside the boot or tired feet after a long working day. With the introduction of SneakerFit, Dunlop takes a different approach.

The improved fit helps keep the foot securely in place and offers several key benefits:

  • Less heel slip while walking
  • Greater stability on a variety of surfaces
  • Improved walking comfort throughout the working day
  • A close-fitting design around the heel and midfoot
  • Greater control and support with every step
  • Available in the new generation of Dunlop safety boots

Protection remains important, but many safety boot wearers are paying just as much attention to comfort and fit. But what exactly makes Dunlop SneakerFit different from traditional safety boots, and which types of work is this fit designed for?

Dunlop FoodPro+ safety boot with SneakerFit design on a wet floor in an industrial working environment

Why fit is often overlooked

When choosing a safety boot, most people first look at factors such as the safety rating, waterproof properties or slip-resistant sole. Fit often receives less attention. Yet it is the fit that you notice every minute of the working day.

Many workers simply accept that a boot is “a bit loose”. Some wear an extra pair of socks, while others deliberately choose a smaller size to reduce movement around the heel. That may seem like a minor adjustment, but over the course of a long working day it can affect both comfort and the way you walk.

In sectors where employees spend long periods walking or standing, such as the food industry, logistics and manufacturing, the importance of a proper fit is often underestimated.

Classic Fit versus SneakerFit

Dunlop offers two different fit options: SneakerFit and Classic Fit.

SneakerFit

SneakerFit is designed to fit more closely around the heel and midfoot. The closer fit around the heel and midfoot keeps the foot more securely in place while walking. The result is a feel that is closer to a modern safety shoe or trainer.

SneakerFit is designed to fit more like a regular shoe. While some wearers of wider safety boots opt for a smaller size, Dunlop generally recommends choosing your normal shoe size.

Classic Fit

The traditional Classic Fit provides a wider fit and greater freedom of movement. This makes the boots easy to put on and take off, while offering plenty of room around the foot and calf. The result is a familiar, more spacious fit.

Heel slip: a bigger issue than many people realise

Heel movement is often accepted as part of wearing safety boots. But over the course of a working day, it can affect comfort and stability more than many people expect.

When the heel lifts slightly with every step, additional friction is created between the foot, sock and boot. Over time, this can lead to tired feet and a less stable feeling while walking. During long working days in particular, some boots can require noticeably more effort to wear comfortably than others.

On wet floors or uneven surfaces, stability becomes even more important. A foot that remains firmly in place often provides greater control while walking. That is why SneakerFit features a close-fitting heel and midfoot design.

Which industries benefit most from SneakerFit?

SneakerFit is particularly beneficial for workers who spend a large part of the day walking, turning, bending or standing for extended periods. Typical examples include:

  • Food industry
  • Dairy industry
  • Bakeries
  • Fish processing
  • Fruit and vegetable processing
  • Logistics and distribution
  • Manufacturing environments

Interest in this fit is especially strong within the food industry. Employees in these environments often cover considerable distances each day on wet or slippery floors, where comfort, grip and hygiene are essential. It is precisely for these demanding conditions that the new Purofort FoodPro+ has been developed.

SneakerFit in practice

The Dunlop Purofort FoodPro+ White/Blue is one of the first models to combine the new SneakerFit design with the well-known benefits of Purofort.

Key features of the Dunlop Purofort FoodPro+ boot:

  • ures of the Dunlop Purofort FoodPro+ boot:
  • SneakerFit design for reduced heel slip and greater stability while walking
  • 100% waterproof construction
  • Made from lightweight Purofort material
  • Flexible and thermally insulating material
  • Resistant to fats, acids and many commonly used cleaning agents
  • FoodPro+ outsole featuring Sharp Edge Technology
  • Slip resistance performance that, according to Dunlop, exceeds EN ISO requirements by a significant margin
  • Self-cleaning tread pattern for effective removal of dirt and moisture
  • Enhanced insole for additional comfort and support
  • Certified to EN ISO 20345 S4 CI SR FO LG

This safety boot combines SneakerFit™, Purofort® and the specially developed FoodPro+ outsole. This makes it a good choice for workers who spend many hours each day walking or standing in the food industry and other hygiene-sensitive working environments.

What makes Purofort different from traditional PVC boots?

Many users compare safety boots primarily based on their safety rating or purchase price. Yet the material itself often has the biggest influence on how a boot feels during everyday use.

Purofort is Dunlop’s proprietary material and differs significantly from traditional PVC boots. Thanks to millions of microscopic air pockets, the material is lightweight, flexible and thermally insulating.

You may not notice the difference when trying on a pair of boots for a few minutes, but it becomes much more apparent over the course of a full working day. During prolonged use, a boot that remains relatively lightweight and flexible can make a noticeable difference to comfort. According to Dunlop, many users who switch to Purofort choose it again when buying their next pair of boots.

Dunlop Jobguard Full Safety S5 safety boot

Dunlop Jobguard Full Safety S5

Dunlop Purofort FoodPro+ S4 SneakerFit SR CI safety boot

Dunlop Purofort FoodPro+ S4 SneakerFit SR CI

Dunlop Work-it Black S5 SneakerFit SRC safety boot

Dunlop Work-it Black S5 SneakerFit SRC

Dunlop Protective Footwear logo

Dunlop Protective Footwear

For more than a century, Dunlop has been developing protective footwear for a wide range of working environments. The brand is best known for material innovations such as Purofort and Acifort. Around the world, workers in industries including food processing, agriculture, logistics and manufacturing rely on Dunlop safety boots every day.

For many years, Dunlop has focused on the same combination of protection, durability and comfort. SneakerFit represents a new step in the development of Dunlop safety boots. Rather than changing safety standards, SneakerFit focuses on how a safety boot fits around the foot and moves with the wearer while walking.

Aerial view of the Safety Products company building with warehouse and offices.

Advice from a specialist

If you would like to learn more about Dunlop SneakerFit, Purofort® safety boots or the differences between Classic Fit and SneakerFit, our team will be happy to help you find the most suitable Dunlop safety boot for your working environment.

Contact us at info@safetyproducts.com, call +31 (0)314 757 300 or complete the contact form on our contact page. We’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.

What Is Dunlop SneakerFit?

Dunlop SneakerFit is a new fit concept designed to keep the foot more securely in place inside the boot. The fit is closer around the heel and midfoot, which helps reduce heel slip and improve stability while walking.

What Is the difference between Dunlop SneakerFit and Classic Fit?

Classic Fit offers a roomier fit with greater freedom of movement and a wider opening. SneakerFit, on the other hand, fits more closely around the foot, providing increased support, reduced heel movement and a fit that is more comparable to modern safety shoes.

Do Dunlop SneakerFit boots fit true to size?

Yes. Dunlop developed SneakerFit based on the principle that “size means size”. In most cases, you can simply choose your usual shoe size. If you are between two sizes, Dunlop recommends choosing the larger size.


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