BIRKENSTOCK

ESD SHOES: OPTIMUM PROTECTION FOR EVERYDAY WORK

ESD safety shoes for men and women

Safety in the workplace is a top priority: discover the right work shoes now!
BIRKENSTOCK offers a special ESD version of work and safety shoes for working with sensitive high-frequency technology. These shoes offer you and your working environment effective protection against potentially dangerous electrostatic discharges.
In environments where ESD guidelines apply, suitable shoes are of great importance. BIRKENSTOCK not only offers maximum protection for sensitive components, but also maximum comfort for your feet and joints.

Reliable protection of sensitive components with ESD safety shoes

ESD stands for "electrostatic discharge". Everyone has probably experienced the ESD effect, for example when touching a doorknob that causes sparks to fly and a small electric shock. But why does this happen? This phenomenon is caused by large potential differences (different voltages). For example, when you walk across a carpet, frictional electricity is generated. If you then touch a metal object, the voltage is discharged. You feel an electric shock at voltages between 2,000 and 3,000 volts, hear it from 5,000 volts and see sparks from 10,000 volts.

Humans normally hardly notice electrostatic discharges at low voltages, if at all. However, even very low voltage discharges can cause considerable damage to electronic components. Microchips, for example, can be damaged by a voltage pulse of less than 10 volts. ESD safety shoes are therefore mandatory in many working environments with sensitive electronic components, especially in manufacturing companies in the electrical industry. Electricians also need safety shoes with ESD protection.

Antistatic shoes vs. ESD shoes: what's the difference?

Basically, all ESD safety shoes are antistatic, but not all antistatic work shoes are ESD shoes. Electrostatic discharges are generally harmless to humans. However, this can quickly change in certain environments, for example in dusty workplaces or in areas with highly flammable gases or liquids. Here, even a small spark can trigger a dangerous explosion. In such working environments, antistatic shoes in accordance with the EN ISO 20345 and EN 61340-4-3 standards are indispensable. If it is not enough that the shoes are only antistatic, for example when working with electronic components, an ESD shoe tested in accordance with EN 61340 is the better choice. The measured contact resistance of antistatic shoes is normally between 100 kiloohms and 1 gigaohm. For safety shoes with ESD protection, the antistatic range is further restricted and is usually between 100 kiloohms and 35 megaohms.

ESD work shoes in proven BIRKENSTOCK quality

BIRKENSTOCK ESD shoes protect people and materials in highly sensitive work areas.
High-quality materials from Europe are generally used in the manufacture of BIRKENSTOCK ESD models.

Discover the variety of ESD BIRKENSTOCK work shoes

BIRKENSTOCK offers open and closed clogs with ESD protection, such as the Boston, Tokio and Linz models. You will also find classic ESD sandals such as the Kano and Milano models and ESD slippers without a heel section such as the Arizona and Bilbao models. BIRKENSTOCK ESD sandals, slippers and clogs are available in black, white and blue.

The individually adjustable straps with metal buckles or Velcro fasteners ensure a secure fit in ESD safety shoes. ESD shoes with an adjustable heel strap offer additional protection against slipping.

ESD shoes with BIRKENSTOCK footbed

The heart of all ESD safety shoes for men and women is the anatomically shaped footbed. It is based on the natural footprint of a foot in sand and ensures that you are as pain-free and stress-free as possible, even on long working days. Depending on the ESD shoe model, the footbed is made of cork or polyurethane (PU). Cork is a sustainable raw material with good insulating and cushioning properties. Polyurethanes (PU) are water and dirt repellent and easy to clean. They are ideal for outdoor use. In some ESD shoes from BIRKENSTOCK, the footbed can be replaced.

BIRKENSTOCK ESD work shoes made from Birko-Flor or smooth leather

You can choose between ESD shoes made of smooth leather and Birko-Flor for the upper material. Smooth leather is characterized by a fine and even surface and is particularly robust and durable. Birko-Flor is skin-friendly, hard-wearing and comfortable to wear. This high-quality synthetic material consists of an easy-care PVC top layer and a soft fleece inside.

Leather or fleece insoles

The insoles of most BIRKENSTOCK ESD safety shoes are made of fibrous, rough suede leather, also known as suede. These insoles gently hug the foot and are particularly breathable thanks to the flexible, open-pored material. Even during intensive physical activity, the ESD shoes ensure a pleasant foot climate, ideal for long working days. BIRKENSTOCK vegan ESD shoes, which are free from animal products, are made using breathable fleece instead of leather.

Cushioning outsoles with high slip resistance and abrasion resistance

When it comes to ESD shoes, you can choose between models with cushioning EVA or PU outsoles. EVA soles are extremely flexible and offer excellent cushioning properties. These lightweight soles support the natural rolling movement of the foot and compensate for uneven floors. PU soles also impress with their low weight and comfortable cushioning properties, which are easy on the muscles and joints. They are also oil and grease repellent and can withstand liquids such as petrol.