--- title: "O4 vs S4 vs S5 safety boots: which ones do you really need?" description: Do you know the difference between O4, S4 and S5 safety boots? Read this blog from Bekina Boots to find out which ones you really need. image: https://blog.bekina-boots.com/hubfs/Choose%20the%20right%20safety%20boots_Bekina%20Boots.png --- - [Contact](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/contact/) - [Sustainability Report](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/about-us/sustainability-report/) - [Jobs](https://www.bekina-corporate.be/jobs) - [FAQ](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/faq/) - [NEW!](https://info.bekina-boots.com/en/launch-steplite-s) - [English - United Kingdom](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/safety-levels) - [Deutsch](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/de/sicherheitsklasse) - [Español](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/es/clase-de-seguridad) - [Français](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/fr/nl/classe-de-securite) - [Nederlands](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/nl/veiligheidsniveaus) EN-GB [![Bekina Boots logo](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/bekina-popular-theme/assets/images/logo.svg "Bekina Boots logo")](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/) - [Industries](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/safety-levels#!) - [Agriculture](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/safety-wellingtons/agriculture/) - [Fishery](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/safety-wellingtons/fishery/) - [Food Processing](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/safety-wellingtons/food-processing/) - [Construction and Industry](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/safety-wellingtons/construction-and-industry/) - [Leisure](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/safety-wellingtons/leisure/) - [Quality](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/quality/) - [About Us](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/about-us/) - [Who we are](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/about-us/who-we-are/) - [Sales team](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/about-us/sales-team/) - [Neotane](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/about-us/neotane/) - [Testimonials](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/about-us/testimonials/) - [Events](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/about-us/events/) - [Work for us](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/about-us/work-for-us/) - [Biosecurity](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/about-us/biosecurity/) - [Sustainability Report](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/about-us/sustainability-report/) - [Knife Drop Protection](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/about-us/knife-drop-protection/) - [Blog](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/) - [Our safety boots](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/boot-advisor/) - [Contact](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/contact/) - [Sustainability Report](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/about-us/sustainability-report/) - [Jobs](https://www.bekina-corporate.be/jobs) - [FAQ](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/faq/) - [NEW!](https://info.bekina-boots.com/en/launch-steplite-s) - - Blog [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20O4%20vs%20S4%20vs%20S5%20safety%20boots:%20which%20ones%20do%20you%20really%20need?%20&body=Check%20out%20https://blog.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/safety-levels](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20O4%20vs%20S4%20vs%20S5%20safety%20boots:%20which%20ones%20do%20you%20really%20need?%20&body=Check%20out%20https://blog.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/safety-levels) ###### [![Agriculture](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/bekina-popular-theme/assets/images/Agriculture_green.svg) Agriculture](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/tag/agriculture) [![Food Processing](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/bekina-popular-theme/assets/images/Food%20processing_green.svg) Food Processing](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/tag/food-processing) [![Construction and Industry](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/bekina-popular-theme/assets/images/Construction%20and%20industry_green.svg) Construction and Industry](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/tag/construction-and-industry) [![Fishery](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/bekina-popular-theme/assets/images/Fishery_green.svg) Fishery](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/tag/fishery) # O4 vs S4 vs S5 safety boots: which ones do you really need? 11 September 2026 - 2 min. reading time ![Choose the right safety boots_Bekina Boots](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Choose%20the%20right%20safety%20boots_Bekina%20Boots.png?width=700&height=521&name=Choose%20the%20right%20safety%20boots_Bekina%20Boots.png) O4, S4 or S5: what do these codes actually mean? These codes indicate the safety class of the boots. The main difference lies in the protection offered to your feet, specifically whether or not they have a protective toe cap and sole. The safety class you need depends on the risks in your working environment. ### What is the difference between O4, S4 and S5? | Safety level | Safety toe cap | Anti-perforation sole | When should you choose them? | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **O4** | ❌ No | ❌ No | Only a need for comfort, with no specific risk of impact or falling (sharp) objects | | **S4** | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Need for comfort and risk of impact or falling (sharp) objects | | **S5** | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Need for comfort and risk of impact and falling objects + sharp objects on the floor | ### When should you choose O4? An O4 work boot does not have a safety toe cap or anti-perforation protection. This class is suitable when you need a professional work boot, but there is no specific risk of heavy objects falling on your toes or sharp objects piercing the sole. A professional O4 work boot can still help improve your everyday comfort. For example, Bekina Boots’ O4 work boots offer more than comfort, with useful features such as waterproofing, thermal insulation and easy cleaning…   ### What is the difference between S4 and S5? Both S4 and S5 provide toe protection thanks to a safety toe cap. This can be made of steel or composite. Both offer the same level of protection; the main difference lies in their weight and insulation properties. Composite is considerably lighter and prevents cold bridges, helping to keep feet warmer on cold days. The main difference between S4 and S5? S5 adds anti-perforation protection. This is integrated into the sole and protects your feet from sharp objects on the ground that could penetrate the sole from below. ### Is S5 always better than S4? More protection does not automatically mean it is the best choice for you. Consider what you need. If you work in an environment where toe protection is required but there is little risk of sharp objects underfoot, S4 may be perfectly adequate. Your workplace risk assessment determines which level of protection is necessary. ### In summary It is actually very simple: No toe or anti-perforation protection needed? → O4 Toe protection needed? → S4 Toe and anti-perforation protection needed? → S5 Also consider other properties that are important for your work, such as comfort, grip, slip resistance and thermal insulation. This way, you are not choosing solely based on the safety class, but selecting a boot that is truly suited to your working environment. --- Questions? [Let us know](https://www.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/contact/). Need a new pair of boots? 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Tekst tekst tekst Maak gebruik van onze boot advisor ![](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/bekina-popular-theme/images/boots.png) ## Related Topics [![Bekina Boots_StepliteS CleanGrip_Food](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/hubfs/Bekina%20Boots_StepliteS%20CleanGrip_Food.jpg)](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/bekina-boots-wins-the-red-dot-award-product-design-with-the-steplites-cleangrip?hsLang=en-gb) ###### [![](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/bekina-popular-theme/assets/images/Food%20processing_green.svg) Food Processing](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/tag/food-processing) #### [Bekina Boots wins the ‘Red Dot Award: Product Design’ with the StepliteS CleanGrip](https://blog.bekina-boots.com/en-gb/bekina-boots-wins-the-red-dot-award-product-design-with-the-steplites-cleangrip?hsLang=en-gb) 8 July 2026 - 2 min. reading time With its latest innovation, the StepliteS CleanGrip, Bekina Boots is setting a new standard in the... 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