Launching The Sophie Collection from Amblers Safety in Celebration of International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day, we’re proud to introduce The Sophie Collection into our range. The Sophie Collection has made a powerful impact across the industry since it launched, and what better time to add this to our offering than in line with International Women’s Day.
ABOUT THE SOPHIE COLLECTION
Created in partnership with Sophie Perkins, a multi‑award‑winning Chartered Building Surveyor and Chartered Building Engineer, The Sophie Collection was developed by Amblers Safety to tackle an issue women in industry have faced for decades: PPE that doesn’t fit and isn’t made for them.
Sophie began her career at 18 as an Apprentice in Building Control. Fifteen years on, she leads multimillion‑pound projects at Atkins, while also working as a global ambassador for equity, inclusivity and diversity across construction, engineering, oil & gas and farming.
Her accolades, including being named one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering, winning the Best Woman Building Surveyor Award, and being recognised as a Future Leader, all highlighting her want to drive real change.
Her message has always been clear: PPE must be designed for the people who wear it.
From Industry Demand to Industry Standard
The Sophie Collection began with two standout styles, the FS706 Sophie and AS601 Lydia, both designed on a true women’s last to provide authentic all‑day comfort and the safety features needed for demanding environments.
The response from women across construction, surveying, logistics, warehousing and agriculture shaped what came next. Through real conversations, fittings, trials and shared experiences, the range expanded to over 15 thoughtfully engineered styles, each one named after women working in the heart of industry.
Today, the Sophie Collection is recognised as one of the most inclusive and purpose‑driven ranges of women’s safety footwear that’s crafted with premium protective materials, built for performance, and designed to finally eliminate the need for women to “make do” with unisex boots.
WHY WOMEN’S FOOTWEAR SHOULD BE DESIGNED DIFFERENTLY
A core reason the Sophie Collection exists and why it changes the conversation in PPE is the use of a women’s last.
What is a “Last”?
A last is the 3D mould used to shape how a shoe fits. It determines width, depth, contour, volume, and overall comfort.
Most safety footwear on the market is built on a unisex (often male‑derived) last, which does not reflect the anatomical structure of the average woman’s foot.
How Women’s Feet Differ
Women’s feet typically have:
- Narrower heel‑to‑forefoot ratio
- Higher arches
- Different toe box proportions
- Lower overall foot volume
- Greater instep variation
When women are asked to wear footwear shaped for men, even in smaller sizes, it causes:
- Slipping at the heel
- Lack of support
- Pressure points
- Blisters and rubbing
- Reduced stability
- Faster fatigue
- Safety risks due to poor fit
Aligned with the New Inclusive PPE Standard
The Sophie Collection stands as a real example of what this new guidance aims to achieve, PPE designed inclusively, informed by lived experience and tested by those who know exactly what they need from their footwear. With the launch of BS30417, new guidance centred on inclusive PPE, the market is now being challenged to rethink its approach entirely.
This standard helps organisations:
- Choose PPE that genuinely fits diverse workers
- Recognise the importance of gender‑specific design
- Move beyond outdated “one‑size‑fits‑all” approaches
Learn more about the new BS30417 guidance and what this means for manufacturers, suppliers and employers here.
Content created in partnership with Amblers Safety.
