Work Boot Safety Ratings Explained: ASTM F2413 Codes (PR, EH, Mt, SD)
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Every safety toe work boot sold in the US carries a short code like ASTM F2413-24 M/I/C EH PR. It tells you exactly what the boot protects against, but only if you know how to read it.
This guide decodes every part of the label, explains which ratings your job actually needs and shows real boots that carry the puncture resistant (PR) rating. Try the decoder first.
Work Boot Rating Decoder
Type the ASTM line from your boot label, or tap an example.
Rating definitions from ASTM F2413 summaries by HQTS and Thorogood. Always read the full label on your own boots.
What ASTM F2413 Means
ASTM F2413 is the US performance standard for protective footwear. The test methods themselves sit in a companion standard, ASTM F2412. The number after the dash is the edition year, so F2413-24 is the 2024 version and F2413-18 the 2018 version.
A boot only earns a code if it passed that specific test. If a code is missing from the label, the boot is not rated for that hazard, however tough it looks.
Every ASTM F2413 Code Explained
| Code | What it means | Test level |
|---|---|---|
| M or F | Men’s or women’s sizing tested | Not a protection rating |
| I/75 | Impact resistant toe cap | 75 foot pounds of impact |
| C/75 | Compression resistant toe cap | 2,500 pounds of crushing load |
| Mt/75 | Metatarsal guard over the top of the foot | 75 foot pounds of impact |
| EH | Electrical hazard sole and heel | 18,000 volts at 60 Hz for 1 minute |
| PR | Puncture resistant sole plate | Resists up to 270 pounds of force |
| SD 10, 35 or 100 | Static dissipative | Controls static discharge to a set range |
| Cd | Conductive | Drains static fast; for explosive or volatile areas |
Slip resistance is not part of F2413. Boots marked SR are rated under a separate standard, ASTM F3445.
Puncture Resistant (PR) Boots: What the Plate Does
PR boots have a protective plate built into the sole, between the outsole and the insole, as Rocky Boots explains. The sole must resist penetration up to 270 pounds of force. Thorogood adds that it must show no cracks after 1.5 million flexes.
You want PR if you walk on nails, screws, rebar ends, scrap metal or demolition debris. Framers, roofers, demolition crews and scrap yard workers are the classic examples.
Steel plate vs non metallic plate
| Steel plate | Non metallic (woven fabric) plate | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Leaves a few millimetres unprotected at the edges | Covers the full sole |
| Flexibility and weight | Stiffer and heavier | More flexible and lighter |
| Heat, cold, electricity | Conducts all three | Does not conduct them |
| Best for | Very sharp, tiny objects | Cold weather and sites with metal detectors |
Source: Safety Jogger. Carhartt and Irish Setter call their non metallic plate Swen Flex.
Which Ratings Does Your Job Need?
| Job | Ratings to look for |
|---|---|
| Framing, roofing, demolition | I/C plus PR |
| Electricians and linemen | I/C plus EH (never conductive) |
| Warehouse and forklift work | I/C, consider Mt for heavy loads |
| Welding, foundry, heavy fabrication | I/C plus Mt, often PR |
| Electronics and clean rooms | SD rated, not EH |
| Explosives or fuel handling | Cd (conductive), as your site requires |
Your employer’s hazard assessment has the final say. If your site requires a specific rating, the boot label must show it. Our PPE for each task guide covers the rest of your kit.
Examples of Boots With a PR Rating
Plenty of boots are called puncture resistant in their names without a PR code on the label. These are examples where the maker or a major retailer lists PR under ASTM F2413. Check the label on the exact size you buy.
| Boot | Toe | Plate | Listed marking | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Setter Mesabi 83844 | Steel | Swen Flex non metallic | F2413-18 M/I/C EH PR | Yes |
| Rocky Steel Toe WP Insulated PR (RK049) | Steel | Puncture resistant plate | I/75 C/75 plus PR | Yes, 200g insulation |
| Carhartt Ground Force 8″ Composite Toe | Composite | Swen Flex non metallic | F2413-24 EH, PR | Yes, 400g insulation |
| Red Wing Worx E Force 5540 | Non metallic | Steel | F2413-24 I/C SD35 PR | Not listed |
| Ariat RigTEK pull on (10035988) | Composite | Not listed | F2413 I/C EH PR | Yes |
| Thorogood Chelsea 804-6134 | Composite | Not listed | I, C, EH, PR | No |
| Georgia Boot Puncture Resistant 6″ | Alloy | Woven PR plate | F2413 toe, EH, Mt and PR | Yes |
Want a steel toe with PR specifically? The Irish Setter Mesabi and Rocky RK049 are the steel toe options here. For more picks, see our guide to puncture resistant steel toe work boots.
How to Read the Label on Your Boots
- Look inside the tongue, on the side of the shaft or on the box.
- Find the line that starts with ASTM F2413 and note the year.
- Read the codes after it: toe ratings (I, C, Mt) first, then hazard ratings (EH, PR, SD, Cd).
- Paste the line into the decoder above to check what is covered and what is missing.
Common Mistakes
- Trusting the product name. “Puncture resistant” in a listing title means nothing without PR on the label.
- Wearing EH boots that are wet or worn through. EH protection is tested on dry, intact soles.
- Using conductive boots for electrical work. Cd boots do the opposite of what an electrician needs.
- Assuming composite toes are weaker. Both steel and composite toes must pass the same I/75 and C/75 tests to carry those codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PR mean on work boots?
PR means puncture resistant under ASTM F2413. The sole has a protective plate that resists penetration up to 270 pounds of force from nails, screws and sharp debris.
What does ASTM F2413 M/I/C EH PR mean?
It means men’s sizing (M), an impact resistant toe (I/75), a compression resistant toe (C/75), electrical hazard protection (EH) and puncture resistance (PR).
Is a composite toe as safe as a steel toe?
To carry the I/75 and C/75 codes, both must pass the same impact and compression tests. Composite toes are lighter and do not conduct cold or electricity.
Are puncture resistant boots the same as steel toe boots?
No. A steel toe protects your toes from impact and crushing. Puncture resistance comes from a separate plate in the sole and needs the PR code.
What is the difference between EH and SD boots?
EH boots insulate you from electrical shock through the sole. SD boots let static charge drain away slowly, which protects sensitive electronics. They solve different problems.
Sources: HQTS on ASTM F2413-24; Thorogood ASTM boot testing; Rocky Boots; ASTM F2412; Safety Jogger; maker and retailer listings for each boot, checked November 2026.
