Meet Hyrax, a water-resistant and breathable safety hiker designed for heavy-duty use while delivering outstanding comfort thanks to its lightweight construction.

In this blog, we'll show you how we achieved this big weight reduction, and highlight all the other cutting-edge innovations and componentry that went into making Hyrax a boot that's armed from sole to collar with protection.

Lightweight  

Any supplier or wearer of safety footwear will know that the lighter the weight, the greater the comfort - which is why Hyrax has been developed with such a focus on weight-reduction.

As a result, Hyrax give wearers working in safety-critical workplaces what they require and deserve: top-tier protection, but without any compromise on comfort. Did you know?

• The average safety boot wearer takes 12,000 steps per day 
• We weigh more walking than standing, because walking adds 30% to standing weight. 

If a work boot wearer is going to be walking so many steps each day, it's pretty crucial for their productivity, foot health and well-being that they are carrying around as little excess weight on their feet as possible.

So, Hyrax isn't just another work boot - it's a foot health and safety solution which can reduce or eliminate lower limb fatigue and foot pain, plus enhance comfort and overall safety focus. So how did we do it?

fibreglass toecap and midsole 

Hyrax has been developed with a fibreglass toecap and woven superflex-fibre composite anti-penetration midsole. They provide strong and reliable toe and underfoot protection, but without the heavier metal componentry. As a result, the boot is less heavy and bulky than its metal counterparts, and the weight-saving of these lighter-than-steel components lead to a much less fatiguing 12,000 steps.

EVA midlayer

Added to this, we developed Hyrax's shock-absorbing midlayer with EVA, a much lighter material than rubber (commonly used for this type of cushioning) making another vital weight saving, reducing fatigue and maximising comfort.

BUILT TO PROTECT, EVERY STEP

It's lightweight, yes - but it's a seriously tough piece of footwear too. And V12 designed the Hyrax to offer this protection to wearers in multiple safety environments. From Engineering, Aerospace and Manufacturing settings, all the way to Food and Beverage and Utilities roles, Hyrax has a safety arsenal that outstrips most other S3 boots. See for yourself:

Let's take a closer look:

Hyrax's upper is tested against chemical splash (Sodium Hydroxide and Sulphuric Acid) in accordance with footwear performance TYPE U (EN13832-2:2018).

As a result, Hyrax offers essential protection for anyone working with chemicals, and protects them from skin injuries, allergies, infections and chemical burns caused by hazardous chemical spills. 

ESD (Electro Static Dissipative) safety boots have an electrical resistance between 0.1 and 100 MΩ, measured according to BS EN IEC 61340-4-3:2018. This is a low electrical resistance designed to prevent strong, uncontrolled electrostatic charges from shocking the wearer and electrical equipment being damaged.

So Hyrax is tailor-made for wearers working in environments which involve the manufacturing of electronic components, or workplaces where static electricity is generated by machines or appliances. And when it comes to hazard resistance, Hyrax is top of the pile:

A supple, breathable upper keeps feet dry from light water exposure, maximising comfort and foot health.

Hyrax's durable outsole is resistant to fuel and oil, meaning it continues to perform without degrading even when exposed to these potentially corrosive contaminants.  

Hyrax's durable IGS^TM (Intelligent Grip System) outsole is heat-resistant up to 300º, so can serve wearers who need their safety footwear to withstand hot surfaces.

And of course, with the Intelligent Grip System sole unit, Hyrax carries the very highest standard in non-slip tread.

Hyrax IGS^TM sole - let's get real with surfaceS

Slip testing for safety footwear occurs under controlled conditions such as testing labs. But, safety boot wearers don't work in testing labs do they? This is why with the IGS^TM sole, V12 have given their wearers additional safety assurance by testing them on real-world, industry-specific surfaces. This means the Hyrax sole has been specifically tested on:

• Kennedy Grating 
• Chequer plating
• Scaffold board

And it’s this kind of above and beyond approach to slip-safety that’s going to make Hyrax the go-to boot for so many companies looking to kit out their teams with high-performing PPE.  

As if that wasn't enough...

In order to give wearers a boot that would suit every possible requirement, we've made the Hyrax with an advanced microfibre upper which is leather-free, so it's a vegan-friendly style, available in both men's and True Women's Fit^TM. Safety, comfort and ethical requirements - SORTED ✅. 

WHAT NOW? 

If you're buying footwear for yourself:

Click here to head to the product page and grab yourself a pair pronto.

If you're a safety supplier:

Click below to check out the full Hyrax spec sheet, plus grab yourself a range free of digital assets to boost your sales with our top-tier marketing resources!