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,” says 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, a global leader in footwear design, sourcing and wholesale, 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 adds: “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.”

To enquire about stocking Bobcat Safety Footwear contact Peter Lawson at Overland Shoes: peter.lawson@overlandshoes.co.uk or 07887554205