In response to new research exposing the ongoing gender PPE gap across UK workplaces, Overland Shoes, the company behind Bobcat Safety Footwear, has stressed that its vital that inclusive, well-fitting protective equipment is treated as a core safety responsibility – not a design trend or an afterthought.

According to a new study from GMB Union1 across hundreds of its members an astonishing 70% of women – more than two in three – are still given PPE designed for men. One in five said they could not do their job because of the problem, while three in five said their work clothing is uncomfortable. More worryingly, a quarter said they felt unsafe at work as a result.

“Unfortunately, while these findings are shocking, they’re not surprising,” said Peter Lawson, Brand Manager at Overland Shoes, the company behind Bobcat Safety Footwear. “From working on the ground with customers across multiple industries, we’ve seen first-hand how poorly designed PPE can restrict movement, cause discomfort and increase safety risks for women.

“The problem is that historically women’s PPE has been treated as nothing more than scaled-down men’s products, rather than being properly designed to account for fundamental anatomical differences. But women are not ‘small men’, and when protective equipment fails to reflect this it fails to do the very job it’s meant to do.”

In a bid to help close the gender PPE gap, Overland Shoes recently launched an all-new Bobcat Safety Footwear women’s collection – engineered specifically to deliver the perfect mix of safety, comfort and style for women across all industries.

The dedicated women’s range, spanning over five distinct design handles, is purpose-built on anatomically correct, gender-specific lasts, offering proper fit, proportional safety and enduring comfort. Every model carries the signature Bobcat design language, with safety features tuned for real-world jobsite environments and the unique comfort advantage of Redbacks Leaf Spring Technology at the core. Independently proven to improve shock absorption by up to 46% and outperform industry-leading insoles by up to 30%, this technology helps reduce impact and fatigue over long hours on the job.

Offering a significant opportunity for merchants and distributors to both help close the PPE gender gap and tap into a lucrative new revenue stream, the Bobcat Safety Footwear launch is supported by a major national marketing and PR campaign, alongside dedicated PoS materials and social media promotion.

Peter added: “This is a pivotal time for the trade industry as we continue to see more women enter the workforce than ever before. It would be a huge setback to see that progress undermined simply because women workers aren’t being provided with PPE that fits properly.

“If we’re serious about attracting and retaining women in the industry, then fit-for-purpose, gender-specific PPE must be treated as a priority rather than a ‘nice-to-have’. For merchants and distributors this represents a real opportunity to lead the charge by offering better-fitting solutions that improve safety, build customer trust and meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce.”

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Overland Shoes has introduced Bobcat Safety Footwear, developed under license from Doosan Bobcat, Inc (Bobcat).

The launch represents a significant opportunity for merchants, wholesalers and retailers to capitalise on a bold, new category of safety footwear styles backed by the powerful legacy of the Bobcat brand.

At the heart of Bobcat Safety Footwear is the proprietary Redbacks Cushioning System – a breakthrough in comfort technology. Unlike traditional foam or gel insoles that merely absorb impact, the Redbacks Cushioning System features a unique leaf-spring technology that actively disperses pressure across the foot with every step, reducing strain across the foot and helping prevent fatigue before it starts.

Five distinct outsole series are each named after iconic American industrial locations and engineered for specific trade applications. The Delta series offers athletic-inspired trainers like the Knox (with FitLock speed lacing) and Rockford for indoor environments, while the Summit series provides versatile hikers including the Rapid and Toledo for indoor/outdoor versatility.

The Forge series delivers precision performance with ladder grip technology, the Keystone series offers heat-resistant protection for trades like welding and foundry work and the Bastion series provides maximum protection with heavy-duty boots for the most demanding applications.

Find out more here

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In this month’s Face to Face we sit down with Peter Lawson, Brand Manager for Overland Shoes, to find out more about the Bobcat Safety Footwear brand.

With Bobcat being a leading name in the field of heavy machinery – how does this translate to safety footwear?

Bobcat Safety Footwear is designed, developed and delivered by Overland Shoes. We have been building branded footwear businesses for over three decades. Our goal has been to combine Bobcat’s reputation for strength and performance with Overland’s deep understanding of what professionals really want from their footwear.

The result is a safety footwear collection that’s technically advanced and instantly recognisable. But make no mistake — this isn’t rebadging. This is footwear built from the ground up by experts in the category. From angular toe caps inspired by loader geometry to the operator cab ‘cage’ uppers, every design element connects back to 65+ years of Bobcat DNA.   

What technologies and features set Bobcat Safety Footwear apart from other products on the market?

The core differentiators are the innovative looks and the Redbacks Cushioning System — a proprietary leaf-spring suspension technology that disperses pressure evenly across the foot. Traditional foam or gel insoles simply absorb shock. Redbacks helps to reduce fatigue before it starts. For tradespeople working long hours on unforgiving surfaces, the difference is immediate. It also helps prevent common issues like plantar fasciitis — a real concern for many in the industry.

What’s important is that this technology is present in every design, from trainer- style shoes to our most rugged boots. The entire 45-SKU range benefits from the same core performance tech. Most models are fully metal-free, using composite toe caps and puncture-resistant midsoles, and selected styles include our FitLock quick-release fastening system for fast, secure fit.

We’ve also structured the range around five engineered outsole series — Delta, Summit, Forge, Bastion and Keystone — each named after iconic American industrial locations and each designed for specific working environments. Whether it’s ladder grip, indoor agility, outdoor durability or heat resistance, there’s a solution built in. Many electrical contractors will find their ideal and most comfortable safety boots in this range.

What should wholesalers look out for when selecting safety footwear to stock?

The safety footwear market has shifted. The traditional thinking — that customers either buy the cheapest boots they can find or stick to premium heritage brands — is no longer accurate. We now see a fast-growing “underserved middle” market of professionals who want performance, comfort and style, but at a realistic price point. That’s where Bobcat Safety Footwear sits, offering exceptional value and advanced tech at an accessible level.

These buyers are informed. They follow trade influencers, value well-being and want gear that performs without compromise. They’re not going to spend £180 on a name alone, but nor will they accept a boot that causes heel pain or fatigue within weeks. Bobcat Safety Footwear gives wholesalers a credible, comfortable and visually distinctive alternative, one that stands out on the shelf and drives repeat custom.

It’s also worth highlighting our commitment to female tradespeople. Women remain one of the fastest-growing segments in skilled trades, yet many ranges simply adapt men’s boots down in size. We’ve developed dedicated women’s styles built on anatomically correct, gender-specific ‘lasts’, offering proper fit, proportional safety and enduring comfort.

Are you planning to introduce other workwear ranges to the UK market?

Right now, our focus is firmly on safety footwear. This category has been stuck in a rut — dominated by lookalike boots and outdated thinking — and we saw a clear opportunity to do things differently.

What are the aims and objectives for the range in the next 12 months?

Our priority is to build up our stockist network as we establish Bobcat Safety Footwear as the go-to choice in the mid-market — a space that’s ready for change. We are supporting the launch with a full marketing strategy that combines trade PR, social media, influencer engagement and in-store support. That also includes a launch stand at the A+A Show, one of the largest events for PPE specialists.

We’re also investing in PoS assets, product training and sell-in tools that make the brand easy to adopt — and easy to sell. This is a true push-pull approach, designed to drive demand among installers while giving stockists everything they need to convert that interest at the counter.

Ultimately, we want to challenge the assumption that safety footwear has to be either budget and basic or high-end and overpriced. With Bobcat Safety Footwear, we’re proving that real comfort, standout design and serious performance can all come in one box — at a price that works for everyone.

Find out more about Bobcat Safety Footwear here

Catch up on previous ‘Face to Face’ articles here

The post Face to Face: PEW hears from Overland Shoes about the Bobcat Safety Footwear brand appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

Overland Shoes has introduced Bobcat Safety Footwear, developed under license from Doosan Bobcat, Inc (Bobcat).

The new range channels the bold innovation and trusted legacy of Bobcat into a fresh offering for the ‘underserved middle’ segment of the safety footwear market.

The launch represents a significant opportunity for merchants, wholesalers and retailers to capitalise on a bold, new category of safety footwear styles backed by the powerful legacy of the Bobcat brand. Designed to disrupt the market in stand-out style and performance, the collection also delivers exceptional comfort through the exclusive Redbacks Cushioning System.

Redbacks Cushioning System

At the heart of Bobcat Safety Footwear is the proprietary Redbacks Cushioning System – a breakthrough in comfort technology. Unlike traditional foam or gel insoles that merely absorb impact, the Redbacks Cushioning System features a unique leaf-spring technology that actively disperses pressure across the foot with every step, reducing strain across the foot and helping prevent fatigue before it starts.

The range

Five distinct outsole series are each named after iconic American industrial locations and engineered for specific trade applications. The Delta series offers athletic-inspired trainers like the Knox (with FitLock speed lacing) and Rockford for indoor environments, while the Summit series provides versatile hikers including the Rapid and Toledo for indoor/outdoor versatility. The Forge series delivers precision performance with ladder grip technology, the Keystone series offers heat-resistant protection for trades like welding and foundry work and the Bastion series provides maximum protection with heavy-duty boots for the most demanding applications.

Every style in the range showcases design elements inspired by Bobcat equipment – from grip-enhancing tread patterns to the distinctive operator cab ‘cage’ uppers – while all models benefit from the Redbacks Cushioning System’s signature leaf-spring cushioning. The collection includes 15+ styles across both men’s and women’s fits, with safety ratings from S3S to S7L. Most designs feature 100% metal-free construction, with composite safety toe caps and puncture-resistant midsoles. Selected models also include the FitLock quick-release system for fast, secure fastening.

A&A trade fair

Overland Shoes will be attending this year’s upcoming A&A trade fair on 4^th-7th November in Dusseldorf, Germany, where visitors will be able to find out more about Bobcat Safety Footwear at Stand 11C03, Hall 11.

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