Aluminum, Titanium and Alloy Toe: Lighter, Harder Option for Steel Lovers

Yeah, you’ve got me! I’m a big advocate of the comp and nano toes, but there’s nothing as reassuring as metals. I mean, how would you express hardness (thus resulting in intuitive reliability)?

Yup, people always say, as hard as steel. You may have forsaken steel (at best), how can you go for non-metallic plastic/carbon toes? Moreover, there’s no way I could say that there are no crappy non-metal toes! Okay, let’s explore it.

Alloy Toe

A mixed derivative of steel, aluminum, titanium or more.

There’s confusion. Are all aluminum or titanium toes necessarily `alloy’?

What does aluminum alloy or titanium alloy mean?

Well, alloy means merely a mixture of metals (or other material with minerals, like our famous carbon). When someone is saying `aluminum alloy,’ they mean the primary or most used metal is aluminum while there are other things mixed with aluminum.

Alloy can be a mixture of metals and other things too.

Alloy is more abundant than a pure aluminum toe or titanium toe boots and shoes. Timberland and Reebok are famous for making alloy toe footwear. You will find Nautilus products. Skechers and LaCrosse produce them too.

Brands go alloy for the following reasons:

1. To make it harder
2. To keep cost low
3. To reduce weight
4. To create more space
5. To infuse non-metallic elements

Please make sure you buy these toes from a famed brand as `alloy’ itself is an uncertain and vague terminology. As you can see, there are various alloys available.

Are alloys metal detector proof?

Nope, they can’t be for sure. However, detectors can’t detect metal, but the magnetic field that metal produces. Having said that, some alloys create a less magnetic field, so, less amount of those metals would not blow the whistles off.  

Aluminum Toe

Lighter, warmer & harder metal caps.

Compared to their steel counterparts, they’re lightweight. Some argue against them. The common tendency is: You go for either steel toe or comp ones.

Others may say, aluminum is not as good as steel.

The answer is, brands like Red Wing (and Irish Setter), Keen (Utility), Wolverine, Carolina, and Rocky build aluminum boots. Mainly Red Wing and Irish Setter heavily depend on these. So, aluminum caps can be better than steel toes if made by the better-relied class.

Are aluminum toe boots OSHA approved?

Yes. Aluminum, titanium or other alloy toes are OSHA approved as long as they meet the safety standards.

Do aluminum toe boots get cold?

Yes, but they get less cold. Steel toes get the most. Then comes aluminum. If you like to inhibit, composite toes are the best for that.

Titanium Toe

Costly yet better than steel

Probably the rarest breed. Titanium toes cost higher but take less metal, weigh 30-50% less, providing more wiggle room. Timberland Titan boots used to contain titanium toes. However, they are making other `titan’ toes lately.

Does titanium set off metal detectors?

That’s a great question! Less amount of titanium usually never ever set off metal detectors. Iron has a high magnetic field, so, all steel (and other iron-based alloys) set off metal detectors quickly. Whereas titanium has a shallow magnetic field; it would not do so. However, titanium toes are bigger chunky ones with a lot of metal on it. You better not take a chance. Technology is evolving. Avoid harassment and use composite/carbon toes instead.

Just one more thing, you need wider boxes:

That would be all folks for now! Keep shining. We would always be happy to hear from you!

The 9 Article Safety Toe Series

This post is part of the safety toe series, 9 articles that mythbust, explain, suggest, and answer FAQs on:

1. Safety toe
2. Steel toe
3. Composite toe
4. The versus article (compares each type of safety toe)
5. Carbon/nano toe
6. [this article] Aluminum and other alloy toes
7. Metatarsal guard
8. Soft protective toe and abrasion resistant
9. Soft toe