Steel safety toes have long been the industry norm. Steel-toed work boots and shoes defend against falling items and equipment. Aluminum-toe (alloy-toe) work boots are built of lightweight materials and are typically 30 to 50% lighter than steel. They also offer similar protection against falls. Aluminum-toe footwear is not as common but can be found on work sites that prefer its lightweight design. These types of shoes should never be used in place of steel-toe boots or shoes; they are not designed to replace metal plates or screws that may be required after an accident has occurred. The choice between aluminum and steel toes should be based on your job and what type of material you are working with. For example, if you work in an environment where you might get cut by glass, then it's better to go with steel toes because you don't want something soft like aluminum getting cut off and left inside your shoe. In general, people have a preference for one type of toe over another. Most people will choose steel over aluminum because they think it looks cooler. However, this isn't always the case; some people choose aluminum because they think it will last longer. Either way, the best type of toe to wear is the one that provides you with the most protection where you need it most.