VIEWPOINT TIME TO GIVE THE
GENDER GAP THE BOOT? Peter Lawson, brand manager at Overland Shoes
ACCORDING TO A new study from GMB Union1, 70% of women – more than two in three – are still issued PPE designed for men. Women currently make up around 15% of the UK construction workforce, roughly 340,000 people. That means almost half a million women on construction sites every single day are making do with generic PPE that doesn’t fit properly and could be putting their safety at risk before they even start work. The impact is clear. One in five women said it stopped them from doing their job. Three in five said it was uncomfortable and a quarter admitted it made them feel unsafe at work.
Unfortunately, while shocking, these results are hardly surprising. Historically, women’s PPE has been treated as scaled-down men’s equipment rather than designed for the female anatomy. From our vast experience on the ground at Overland Shoes, we’ve seen first-hand how poorly designed PPE restricts movement, causes discomfort and can, ironically, actually increase safety risk. But this must change. As we all know, the construction world is evolving fast. Diversity and inclusion are no longer a ‘nice to have’ but are now central to innovation, credibility and business performance. Firms everywhere are ramping up efforts to attract and retain female talent. This makes it even more baffling that something as simple as adequate PPE - which can dramatically improve women’s safety, comfort and confidence on site - is still overlooked. At the same time, we must remember that the construction sector is facing its worst skills shortage on record, with over 250,000 skilled workers needed by 2028. That makes the PPE problem even more urgent. If the
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industry wants to attract talent, it cannot afford to alienate half of its potential new workforce with generic PPE that only serves to reinforce its old status as a ‘man’s world.’
The good news in this is that awareness is growing. More than ever, employers are recognising the need for PPE designed for women, particularly when combining multiple types of equipment to meet unique physiological requirements. This is seen as the global women’s PPE market is poised for marked growth over the coming years. This too, offers a lucrative opportunity for merchants who have a role to play by expanding their ranges to include properly fitted boots, clothing and safety gear that meet women’s needs without compromising protection or performance.
The PPE market itself has risen to the occasion too. At Overland Shoes, for example, we recently launched the Bobcat Safety Footwear women’s collection. Engineered with insights from leading sports brands and extensive research into the needs
of working women, the dedicated women’s range - built across four 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.
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.
Combined with an enhanced, more adaptive fit, the result is, quite possibly, the most comfortable, wearable and durable women’s-specific safety footwear the market has ever seen. 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 dealer boot steps up for high-heat environments with water-resistant leather, heat-resistant soles and supportive wedge insoles. Supported with a suite of PoS materials, along with the backing of a heavyweight national PR and social media brand awareness campaign, we see this as a must- stock for merchants seeking to help close the PPE gender gap and, in turn, unlock a lucrative new revenue stream.
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 luxury. For merchants, this represents an opportunity to help to close the PPE gender gap by offering solutions that better meet the evolving needs of the entire workforce, while, in turn, placing them a step ahead of the competition. BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net February 2026
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