Peter Lawson, Brand Manager for Overland Shoes, explains how wholesalers can help close the PPE gender gap and, in turn, reap the financial benefits.

Imagine the scene. It’s early morning on a new jobsite. You have eight hours ahead of you, most of which will be spent on your feet on hard, unforgiving surfaces. You pull on your safety boots and immediately feel it – they’re too wide, poorly shaped and uncomfortable. You’d ask for a better option but you already know there isn’t one because, as always, the only choice is a generic, male-designed safety boot. So, you make-do with footwear that was never designed for you and, worse still, may actively compromise your safety.

Sounds absurd, doesn’t it? Yet for many female electricians and other tradeswomen, this is the norm. For decades, safety footwear design has centred almost exclusively on the male workforce. When women have been considered at all, it has often been through a superficial ‘shrink it and pink it’ approach, rather than addressing the genuine anatomical differences between men and women. The result is a market saturated with products that simply don’t fit a significant and growing portion of the workforce.

The irony in this is that, instead of protecting the worker, poorly-fitting safety footwear can become a danger in itself. To put this into perspective, electricians and other trade workers walk an average of 10,393 steps per day. That’s nearly five miles every shift, or up to 25 miles each week. Most people wouldn’t dream of attempting that distance in poorly fitting footwear so it’s inconceivable that many women on site are expected to do so week in, week out, operating in sectors that are already considered high-risk.

And it’s not just a comfort issue. Beyond fatigue and reduced concentration, research shows that ill-fitting boots increase strain on the body, heighten the risk of slips and trips and can contribute to long-term musculoskeletal injury. Studies also demonstrate that women forced to adapt to male-designed footwear may alter their gait or posture, further compounding the risk of injury.

Comercial imperative

For wholesalers, as key suppliers of PPE, this represents both a responsibility and an opportunity. As the number of women entering electrics and other trade roles continues to rise, demand for properly designed, female-specific safety footwear will only increase. In this way, addressing the PPE gender gap is no longer a niche consideration but a growing commercial imperative.

The good news is that solutions are already emerging. This is seen in the recent arrival of the all-new Bobcat Safety Footwear women’s collection which has been purposefully designed to deliver the optimal balance of safety, comfort and style for women across all industries.

Engineered with insights from leading sports footwear technology and extensive research into the needs of working women, the dedicated women’s range – built across five distinct design handles – uses anatomically correct, gender-specific lasts to deliver true fit, real protection and all-day wearability.

At the heart of the range is comfort that works as hard as the wearer. 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. Unlike foam or gel inserts, which simply soften the impact, Leaf-Spring Technology helps promote better posture, balance and alignment and reduce strain on the lower body. This technology is particularly effective in reducing the risk of plantar fasciitis, a condition all too common among tradespeople who spend hours on unforgiving surfaces.

No sacrifice

Meanwhile, features such as lightweight materials, composite safety toe caps, metal-free construction and puncture-resistant midsoles ensure maximum protection without sacrificing flexibility or comfort.

Style is accounted for too with the collection spanning four distinctively bold, sharp contemporary styles, shown across 5 SKUs, designed to provide a tailored solution for the full spectrum of real-world requirements. For ultimate versatility, the Akron, available in sleek All-Black or on-trend Sage, brings all-day comfort with a trendy hiker-inspired look, breathable lining and triple-density outsoles. The Rockford adds a sportier edge, pairing a lightweight build with advanced safety features ideal for logistics and light assembly. Rounding out the range, the athletic Clinch keeps feet protected through tough shifts, while the Virginia steps up for high-heat environments with waterproof leather, heat-resistant soles and supportive wedge insoles.

The range also delivers a strong margin opportunity. With RRPs from £85 to £125, wholesalers can capture higher spend while offering a product that women in the trades genuinely want, need, appreciate and value. This is supported by a robust trade marketing strategy that proactively drives customers to the counter – from social media and influencer activity to targeted PR – boosting awareness, footfall and sales.

Closing the safety footwear gender gap is no longer a question of if, but who will lead the way. Those who recognise this shift and stock products that genuinely meet the needs of all workers won’t just be doing the right thing – they’ll be positioning themselves a step ahead of the rest of the market.

For further details, click here

Find more industry features here

The post How can wholesalers help close the PPE gender gap? appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

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.”

Find more industry features here

The post ‘Gender-specific PPE isn’t a trend – it’s a responsibility,’ states Bobcat Safety Footwear appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

Workwear needs to do more than just protect – it should be comfortable, durable and versatile. From knee protection and PPE to a tailored women’s range, Nick Poulson, UK Country Manager at Carhartt, looks at what wholesalers should consider stocking to stay ahead.

Tough, safe, practical, comfortable; all key words when it comes to workwear. But that’s only part of the picture. There’s another key factor on the workwear agenda too – clothing that looks just as good off site as it does on. For wholesalers, getting the balance right means offering a range that works across the board – men and women, across all seasons and fit for all jobs. That’s where companies like Carhartt deliver, providing electricians with gear built for safety, comfort and a style that works anywhere.

For electricians, safety on the job goes beyond protective boots – knees take a beating too. Whether crouching to install wiring, kneeling to access fuse boxes or working on low-mounted control panels, the constant pressure can lead to long term joint damage and discomfort. Without proper knee protection, electricians risk strain injuries that could sideline them from work.

One of the standout items from Carhartt’s latest collection are the Steel Pants, which have secure kneepad pockets that conform to EN14404-4:2024 dimensions. Carhartt now has its own kneepads which can be seamlessly incorporated into the pant design – not bulky or awkward, these kneepads are made to move around in on the job, helping anyone to stay comfortable when kneeling for any length of time.

Versatile outerwear

Working as an electrical contractor is no office job. It means moving between a variety of environments, indoors, outdoors, and can mean putting up with some uncomfortable weather conditions. Versatile outerwear is therefore really important. The Carhartt Chore Coat is a great addition to every wardrobe. It’s a classic so it looks good and is blanket-lined, wind-resistant and water-repellent to keep the wearer warm and protected. It also incorporates Rugged Flex technology so it doesn’t need to be removed to tackle a job. There’s a women’s version too; it comes in a sturdy fabric with practical and large reinforced pockets so all essentials can stay close at hand.

The number of women in the trades is increasing – and with it the demand for workwear designed specifically for female contractors. Ill-fitting or unisex garments can hinder safety, comfort and productivity so it’s really important that workwear is tailored specifically for women. A women’s range is nothing new for Carhartt – the company first sold coveralls for women back in 1917 – but it has recognised there are more women than ever entering the industry. So representatives met with real women in the field and listened when women said they wanted clothing that is lighter but still tough. The TENCEL Fibre Series has been the result. TENCEL is lightweight, soft, breathable but incredibly durable – more durable even than cotton. Colours have also been carefully chosen – delicate rose, wisteria blue, dusky apple butter and undyed ecru are all choices in the women’s range.

Championing inclusivity

Tailoring is important too – trousers cut specifically for a woman’s shape, jackets with narrower shoulders, overalls with adjustable waists. Carhartt’s range ensures that all contractors, regardless of gender, are equipped to perform their best. Wholesalers have an opportunity to champion inclusivity by stocking a balanced range of men’s and women’s workwear, reflecting the changing face of the industry and positioning the wholesaler as a forward-thinking partner to its trade customers.

No discussion of workwear trends would be complete without addressing the role of personal protective equipment (PPE). Safety glasses, for example, remain a vital piece of kit for electrical contractors, guarding against hazards like flying debris or accidental exposure to electrical arcs.

Carhartt’s range of safety glasses conforms to EN166, the European standard that outlines the specifications for protective eyewear. Made with a polycarbonate lens and frame, these glasses are almost indestructible – polycarbonate is 250 times more impact-resistant than glass and 10 times more resistant than standard plastic. Polycarbonate lenses are also thinner and lighter compared to alternative materials.

Seasonal changes

Workwear has two distinct seasons – spring/summer and autumn/winter and it’s important wholesalers stay ahead of these shifts to maximise sales opportunities. Carhartt’s spring/summer collection, launching at the end of January, features lighter weight fabrics and breathable designs tailored for warmer weather. Items such as short-sleeve shirts, lighter jackets and work shorts are perfect for contractors working in warmer temperatures. By introducing seasonal ranges early, wholesalers can ensure that customers are equipped with the right gear before demand peaks.

Point-of-sale displays can play a key role here, helping contractors easily identify seasonal collections. In-branch merchandising strategies, such as mannequins dressed in full seasonal outfits or racks organised by temperature-appropriate gear, can encourage contractors to upgrade their workwear for the months ahead. Successful wholesaling isn’t just about stocking the right products – it’s also about how those products are presented. Engaging in-branch displays, knowledgeable staff and clear signage can all contribute to a positive shopping experience, making it easy for contractors to find what they need.

For more information on the Carhartt range, click here

Find more industry feature articles here

The post What workwear should wholesalers consider stocking to stay ahead? appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.