By BRUNT Workwear on July 23, 2026
An EH-rated boot has soles and heels built to resist electrical current, so your foot doesn't become a path to ground. A non-EH boot has no such rating and can let current pass. "EH" stands for Electrical Hazard, and that stamp is the whole difference. Around live circuits, your boots should never be part of the circuit. That's what you're really comparing here.
The gap between these two boots isn't marketing talk. It's a pass-or-fail lab test, and one boot took it while the other never did. Here's the head-to-head, then we'll break down what each row means.
| Feature | Non-EH Boot | EH-Rated Composite Boot |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical resistance test | Never tested to block current | Sole and heel withstand 18,000 volts at 60 Hz for one minute |
| Current leakage limit | None measured | No more than 1.0 milliampere, tested dry on new boots |
| Metal in the build | May use steel shank, toe, or eyelets | Nano composite, non-metallic, no conductive path |
| Type of protection | None against accidental contact | Secondary protection under dry conditions |
| Standard met | May meet ASTM F2413 without EH | ASTM F2413-24 with EH protection |
One more limit to keep straight up front: an EH boot's shield is not weatherproof. Per this electrical footwear ratings guide, an EH sole "provides no protection in wet conditions, since water compromises the insulating properties of the sole."
Passing EH isn't a guess. According to ASTM F2413 EH testing, "the sole and heel are tested to withstand 18,000 volts at 60 Hz for one minute with no current flow exceeding 1.0 milliampere under dry conditions."
In plain terms, the lab pushes 18,000 volts through a brand-new, dry boot for a full minute. To earn the stamp, almost no current can leak through. Boots tested under ASTM F2413 must be "capable of withstanding an application of 18,000 volts (root mean square (RMS) value) at 60 Hz for 1 minute, with no current flow or current leakage in excess of 1.0 milliamperes." A non-EH boot never took that test, so you have no idea what it does when current hits it.
Many non-EH boots carry metal you can't see: a steel shank in the arch, a steel toe cap, or steel eyelets. Metal gives electricity a straight path through your boot to your foot. A non-metallic build closes that door.
Because BRUNT builds every safety toe from nano composite, there's no metal path to worry about. A non-metallic composite toe is "naturally resistant to electrical hazards" since it holds no metal at all. Composite also runs lighter, about 30% lighter than steel across the industry, so your feet aren't dragging extra weight up the ladder.
To be straight with you: OSHA doesn't ban a steel toe as long as the conductive part isn't exposed. But when you choose a composite toe over steel, you skip that question entirely.
EH is secondary protection against accidental contact under dry conditions. It is not a green light to work live, and it never replaces lockout/tagout or your insulating PPE. Treat every circuit as hot until you've verified it's dead.
If your work means direct high-voltage contact, like a lineman on energized lines, you need a different standard. That job calls for dielectric footwear (ASTM F1117), which is "the actual standard specification for dielectric footwear." EH also fades when your boots get wet, worn, or damaged, so a beat-up sole can't be trusted like a new one.
Picture a real shift: you're pulling wire near a live panel, kneeling in an electrical room, then climbing a ladder on smooth concrete. If you brush an energized conductor, an EH boot is your backup, and a non-EH boot gives you nothing there. That's why OSHA requires protective footwear where "an electrical hazard, such as a static-discharge or electric-shock hazard, that remains after the employer takes other necessary protective measures."
Blocking current is table stakes, but grip matters too. A slip- and oil-resistant outsole that resists heat to 572°F with 0.2-inch lugs keeps you planted on rungs and slick concrete. CUSH'N® insoles give up to 30% energy return for long shifts, and SWITCH-FIT™ converts a regular (D) width to wide (EE). The Ohman comp toe boot was designed with union electrician Lee Ohman, so it's built for exactly this work.
If you work anywhere near live circuits, buy EH-rated, and go non-metallic composite so your boot is never part of the circuit. BRUNT builds every comp-toe boot EH-rated to ASTM F2413-24, all nano composite and 15% lighter than steel, and designed with real electricians. Try a pair with our 14-day risk-free trial, free shipping, and free exchanges. Ready to gear up? Shop our EH-rated composite toe boots and put a pair to work on your next shift. Not sure where to start? Learn how to pick a safety toe boot. You can also compare BRUNT work boots side by side.
Do electricians need EH-rated boots?
Yes, if you work near live circuits. Your employer or jobsite often requires them, and OSHA calls for protective footwear where an electrical hazard remains.
What does EH mean on a boot?
EH stands for Electrical Hazard. It means the sole and heel resist current under dry conditions, tested at 18,000 volts for one minute with leakage under 1.0 milliampere.
Are EH-rated boots safe to work live?
No, EH is secondary protection under dry conditions and is never a substitute for lockout/tagout or insulating PPE.
Is steel toe or composite toe better for electricians?
Both can be EH-rated, but non-metallic composite removes the conductive-metal question and runs lighter, which is why BRUNT uses nano composite only.
Do EH boots still protect when wet or worn?
Protection drops, because EH is rated dry on new boots, and wet, worn, or damaged soles can compromise it.