Water-resistant or waterproof?

The new standard clearly distinguishes between WPA and WR. We explain the difference—and show which ATLAS shoe fits your specific application.

The Difference at a Glance

Under the previous standard EN ISO 20345:2011, "WRU" stood for a water-resistant upper material. However, the designation did not apply to the entire shoe. Consequently, WRU provided no reliable indication that seams were also protected against water penetration. EN ISO 20345:2022 uses the designation "WPA" for this purpose instead. It continues to describe the water resistance of the upper material. "WR" goes beyond that: here, the water resistance of the complete shoe is tested. The new standard thus creates a clear distinction between a water-resistant upper and a water-resistant shoe.

WPA

Water-resistant

WATER PENETRATION & ABSORPTION

According to the new 2022 standard, WPA indicates that the shoe may allow a certain degree of water absorption and penetration. WPA shoes offer good breathability and are suitable for working conditions where feet are not constantly submerged in water.

Testing: Upper material / shaft only
Protection classes: S2, S3
Suitable for: Occasional moisture, splash water
Replaces the former WRU designation

WR

Waterproof

WATER RESISTANCE

Also new to the 2022 standard is the WR (water resistant) designation. For a shoe to carry the WR mark, no water may enter the interior of the footwear during testing. The old 2011 testing procedure still permitted a certain amount of water entry—making the new WR requirement significantly stricter.

Testing: Entire finished shoe including seams
Protection classes: S6, S7 (new since 2022)
Suitable for: Permanent moisture, standing water
Strict requirements for seams and sole attachment

And what about "waterproof"?

"Waterproof" is not an official protection class under the EN ISO 20345 standard. Shoes considered waterproof comply with the new WR classification for water-resistant properties. To meet WR requirements, a waterproof and breathable membrane is frequently utilized, such as the Gore-Tex brand. However, a membrane is not mandatory: shoes without a membrane can also pass the WR test, though all seams must be extremely watertight to do so. Crucially, no water is permitted to penetrate through the upper material, sole, or seams during testing.

Protection Classes & Water Protection

With the 2022 standard, protection classes S6 and S7 were introduced for the first time—the only classes in which the entire shoe must pass the WR test. The following overview shows which class offers what level of water protection and which application it is suitable for.

Protection Class	Water Protection	Testing	Typical Application
S1	No specific water protection	Basic requirements of protection class S1	Dry indoor areas
S2	WPA (water-resistant)	Upper material and shaft	Occasional moisture, splash water
S3	WPA (water-resistant)	Upper material and shaft, plus penetration resistance and cleated outsole	Outdoor areas, construction sites, penetration-resistant
S4	Inherently waterproof	All-rubber / polymer	Permanent wetness (boots)
S5	Inherently waterproof	All-rubber / polymer + penetration resistance	Permanent wetness + penetration resistance
S6	WR (waterproof)	Entire shoe	Wet working environments with regular water contact
S7	WR (waterproof)	Entire shoe plus penetration resistance	Wet working environments with regular water contact + penetration resistance

Welcher Schutz passt zu Ihrem Einsatz?

Eine einfache Faustregel für die Auswahl des richtigen Wasserschutzes.

Gelegentliche Nässe

Spritzwasser, kurze Regenschauer, feuchte Böden → S2 / S3 mit WPA reicht aus. Wasserabweisendes Obermaterial schützt zuverlässig bei kurzem Kontakt.

Dauerhafte Nässe

Stehendes Wasser, Dauerregen, nasse Arbeitsumgebungen → S6 / S7 mit WR oder Modelle mit GORE-TEX® Funktionsfutter für maximale Dichtigkeit.

Vollständig im Wasser

Arbeiten im Wasser, Überschwemmungen → S4 / S5 (Vollgummi- oder Polymerstiefel) bieten inhärente Wasserdichtigkeit durch das Material selbst.

Which protection suits your application?

A simple rule of thumb for selecting the right water protection.

Occasional Moisture

Splash water, brief rain showers, damp ground → S2 / S3 with WPA is sufficient. Water-resistant upper material provides reliable protection during short contact.

Discover WPA Models

Permanent Wetness

Standing water, continuous rain, wet work environments → S6 / S7 with WR or models with GORE-TEX® functional lining for maximum watertightness.

Discover WR Models

Fully Submerged

Working in water, flooding → S4 / S5 (all-rubber or polymer boots) provide inherent waterproofing through the material itself.

Discover S4 / S5 Models

Atlas Material Technology for protection against water

GORE-TEX® Functional Lining

The GORE-TEX® functional lining reliably prevents moisture from penetrating while simultaneously ensuring a comfortable foot climate. The GORE-TEX® membrane allows foot heat and sweat to escape outwards as water vapor—keeping feet dry even during intense exertion.

This is made possible by the membrane's unique structure: it features roughly 1.4 billion microscopic pores per square centimeter, which are 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, yet larger than a water vapor molecule. As a result, the membrane is completely waterproof from the outside while allowing moisture to escape unhindered from the inside.

The result: high indoor comfort, perfect outdoor protection—all year round.

Water-Resistant Leather

The centerpiece of every ANATOMIC BAU safety shoe is its waterproof full-grain smooth leather. At ATLAS, only the highest quality cowhides are processed—certified according to the sustainability standards of the Leather Working Group (LWG).

Unlike simply coated leather, waterproof smooth leather is inherently water-resistant by virtue of its structure alone: it provides reliable moisture protection for several hours and keeps feet dry even in rain and damp conditions. At the same time, the leather remains supple and will not harden or become brittle—a decisive advantage for long workdays on the construction site.

In combination with a GORE-TEX® membrane, this creates the ultimate moisture protection at the WR level. Selected models thus offer extended protection that goes far beyond the basic WPA testing.

GORE-TEX® EXTRAGUARD®

With EXTRAGUARD®, GORE-TEX® has developed an upper material technology that combines the benefits of an extremely rugged upper with those of lightweight, breathable textiles—paving the way for a whole new class of GORE-TEX® safety footwear.

The abrasion-resistant construction is roughly 40% lighter than leather and engineered for the toughest work environments. Even after months of continuous heavy use and persistent wetness, EXTRAGUARD® absorbs virtually no moisture from the outside.

Safety footwear featuring EXTRAGUARD® upper material reliably protects against mechanical stress, everyday chemicals, heat, and moisture. The shoes retain their shape and color, preserving their performance properties throughout the entire product lifespan.

ProTraX® Upper Material

ProTraX® is the high-performance upper material of the ATLAS MAX Series, combining modern textile fiber technology with maximum durability. The high-tech fabric is exceptionally lightweight, highly abrasion-resistant, and pleasantly breathable—ideal for anyone who values athletic comfort without compromising on safety.

The dense fiber structure makes ProTraX® resistant to mechanical wear and daily strains on the job. At the same time, the material holds its shape throughout its entire service life, maintaining a clean look over time.

Combined with a GORE-TEX® membrane, the result is a shoe that unites athletic lightness with reliable water protection—the perfect companion for dynamic work in changing conditions.

WPA-Modelle: Unsere Empfehlungen

S3 CI SR

Water-repellent waterproof smooth leather with GORE-TEX equipment for cold and wet working environments.

View model →

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Are GORE-TEX® shoes really waterproof?

Yes. GORE-TEX® safety footwear from ATLAS is reliably waterproof. Thanks to its unique structure, the GORE-TEX® membrane prevents water from penetrating from the outside, whilst allowing moisture from the foot to escape as water vapour. Combined with tightly sealed seams and a waterproof sole attachment, many of our GORE-TEX® models meet the strict requirements of the new WR classification in accordance with EN ISO 20345:2022.

Are S3 safety shoes waterproof?

Not automatically. Many S3 models are water-repellent (WPA), which provides protection against water penetration and absorption to a certain extent whilst remaining breathable. Fully waterproof protection usually requires a membrane or a specific label such as WR, or a model with a waterproof membrane (e.g. GORE-TEX®).

What is the difference between WPA and WR?

WPA (Water Penetration and Absorption) tests only the upper material – the upper is water-repellent. WR (Water Resistance), on the other hand, tests the fully assembled shoe, including the seams, sole attachment and tongue. During the WR test, no water must penetrate the interior of the shoe. Put simply: WPA = water-repellent, WR = waterproof.

How long does GORE-TEX® remain waterproof?

Under normal conditions of use, the GORE-TEX® membrane retains its waterproof properties throughout the product’s entire lifespan. Proper care is crucial for ensuring longevity: the shoe should be regularly cleaned of coarse dirt and – in the case of leather models – treated with a suitable care cream or water-repellent treatment. Important: do not dry on a radiator, but allow to air dry at room temperature. Of course, severe mechanical damage to the upper or the sole may compromise the waterproofing.

What does the end of the WRU labelling mean?

The WRU (Water Resistant Upper) designation originated in the old standard EN ISO 20345:2011 and was replaced by WPA in the 2022 revision. The reason: WRU was misleading because it suggested that the entire shoe was waterproof – yet only the upper had been tested. The new standard makes a clear distinction between WPA (only the upper tested) and WR (the entire shoe tested), thereby providing greater transparency for the wearer.

For which activities do I need WR shoes instead of WPA?

WPA footwear (S2, S3) is perfectly adequate for standard construction site use, occasional rain and splashes of water. However, if you are working on wet ground for extended periods, standing in puddles or standing water, or working in continuous rain, we recommend WR-certified models (S6, S7) or boots with a GORE-TEX® membrane. In the event of complete contact with water, S4/S5 boots made of solid rubber or polymer are the right choice.

What is EXTRAGUARD® and when is it worth using?

EXTRAGUARD® is an upper material technology developed in collaboration with GORE-TEX®, which combines the durability of leather with the light weight of modern high-performance textiles. The upper is around 40 per cent lighter than leather, highly abrasion-resistant and absorbs hardly any moisture, even when exposed to prolonged wet conditions. EXTRAGUARD® is particularly beneficial for long working days in demanding, wet environments where both mechanical durability and comfort are essential.

Is GORE-TEX® 100 per cent waterproof?

The GORE-TEX® membrane itself is 100 per cent waterproof. It has around 1.4 billion microscopic pores per square centimetre, which are 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water – meaning that no water can penetrate from the outside. Whether the entire shoe is 100 per cent waterproof also depends on the construction: the seams, tongue and sole attachment must be sufficiently waterproof. Models with the WR label meet this requirement for the entire shoe.

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