Disposable or limited-use shoe and boot covers—also referred to as shoe protectors or booties—are worn over regular footwear. They are designed to protect people and environments where cleanliness and contamination control are required. They also protect personal footwear from incidental contact with hazardous and non-hazardous substances.

Shoe and boot covers are constructed from various lightweight materials such as polypropylene and polyethylene and slip on and off easily with elastic or tie openings. They are most commonly used in healthcare settings, cleanrooms, laboratories, food service and processing facilities, and general industrial environments.

Disposable controlled environments shoe and boot covers prevent the transfer of contaminants from footwear to the work area and are compatible with cleanroom requirements. Some controlled environments shoe and boot covers are electrostatic discharge (ESD)-safe, using a conductive strip to help reduce ESD in environments where static dissipation is a concern. An alternative to disposable controlled environments coverings is controlled environments boots and shoes, which are standalone footwear that can be cleaned, sanitized, decontaminated, and/or autoclaved for reuse.

General-purpose shoe and boot covers are available to protect the wearer and the environment from dirt, dust, liquids, or other contaminants. They typically do not have certifications associated with them unless they are to be used in specific healthcare or hazardous environments. Chemical-resistant shoe and boot covers provide a barrier against various hazardous substances, including liquids, acids, alkalis, and other chemicals. Shoe and boot covers for medical or procedural purposes meet stringent viral, blood, and bloodborne pathogen standards. Regulation and compliance information can be found at the individual product level.

Reusable foot protection and accessory options are also available, including overboots and overshoes, chemical-resistant boots, dielectric boots, and firefighting boots.