90-day returns · one-year damage warranty
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BOA Fit System · removable anatomical insole
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The scores reflect published specifications, intended workplace fit and value—not laboratory testing or a personal wear trial.
Before Comparing Comfort or Style, Check the Protection Class
The XNEXZ PulseX and Strauss e.s. Tegmen IV Low look like close competitors: both are low-cut safety trainers, both use aluminium toe protection, and both are designed around a lighter, more modern wearing experience.
But they are not the same type of safety shoe. PulseX is listed as EN ISO 20345 S1P and includes a Kevlar puncture-resistant midsole. Tegmen IV Low is listed as EN ISO 20345:2011 S1, and Strauss does not state an underfoot penetration-resistant layer on the product page.
Neither model should be promoted as an all-purpose heavy-duty construction shoe. If your workplace requires S3, waterproofing, ankle support, metatarsal protection, deep-lug traction, welding protection, foundry protection or fire-resistant footwear, choose a product specifically certified for that environment.
I have not personally wear-tested either pair, so I will not pretend to know which one feels softer after ten hours. My view here is based on the published specifications: PulseX is the more logical choice when underfoot puncture risk matters; Tegmen is the more refined fit-and-convenience choice when S1 is genuinely enough.
S1P vs S1: The Difference That Can Decide the Purchase
Both classifications include core safety-footwear requirements such as toe protection, a closed heel, antistatic properties and heel energy absorption. The additional P in S1P indicates penetration resistance underfoot.
For everyday workers, that difference becomes real when sharp debris can reach the floor: broken pallet staples, screws, nails, metal offcuts or damaged packaging components. An S1P shoe is designed to add a tested protective layer beneath the foot. An S1 shoe is not sold with that same protection scope.
XNEXZ PulseX
Strauss e.s. Tegmen IV Low
This is why a simple headline such as “PulseX versus Tegmen” can be misleading unless the safety classes are explained first. One shoe offers the additional underfoot protection associated with S1P; the other focuses more heavily on quick adjustment, knitted comfort and insole flexibility within an S1 specification.
Both use Aluminium Toe Caps, But Only One Lists Puncture Resistance
PulseX specifies a 200-joule aluminium toe cap. Strauss also lists an ultra-light aluminium cap for the Tegmen IV Low. Aluminium can help manufacturers reduce component weight compared with a comparable steel cap, but the material of the cap alone does not tell you how light or comfortable the finished shoe will feel.
The clearer difference sits under the foot. PulseX uses a flexible Kevlar puncture-resistant midsole intended to help protect against sharp underfoot hazards. Tegmen IV Low is an S1 shoe, and its product information does not list an equivalent penetration-resistant component.
Where the PulseX specification may matter more
Warehouses with damaged pallets, loading bays with metal strapping, garage floors, light-maintenance areas, stockrooms and dry indoor fit-out environments can all contain occasional sharp debris. Where the workplace accepts S1P and recognises penetration risk, PulseX has the more relevant protection package.
The Tegmen is not “unsafe” because it is S1. It is a different category. In a clean, controlled workplace where the risk assessment only calls for S1, paying for or wearing a puncture-resistant layer may not be necessary.
Weight and Comfort: What The Published Information Can, and Cannot, Tell Us
Strauss publishes a weight of approximately 460 grams in size 42 for the Tegmen IV Low. XNEXZ currently states approximately 462 grams per shoe for PulseX, depending on size. Those figures suggest the two models may be much closer in weight than a casual glance would imply.
That is why it would be dishonest to claim PulseX is definitely lighter than the Tegmen without weighing equivalent sizes under the same conditions. PulseX may feel more cushioned because of its PU construction; Tegmen may feel more flexible because of its knitted upper. Those are reasonable possibilities, not guaranteed outcomes.
For long shifts on smooth warehouse or depot floors, I would start with PulseX if S1P is required and cushioning is a priority. If S1 is enough and I repeatedly take my shoes on and off, I would seriously consider Tegmen for the BOA system and removable insole.
Traditional Laces Versus The BOA Fit System
PulseX uses conventional laces. They are familiar, easy to replace and allow the wearer to change tension through different parts of the shoe. Their weakness is equally familiar: they can loosen, get dirty or need retying during a shift.
Tegmen IV Low uses the BOA Fit System. Strauss describes it as micro-adjustable and designed for quick entry and removal. This can be useful for workers who change footwear several times a day, wear gloves, or prefer repeatable adjustment without loose lace ends.
Why choose laces?
Why choose BOA?
Tegmen wins this category on convenience. PulseX wins on simplicity. Which advantage matters more depends on how often you change footwear and how comfortable you are with a specialist closure system.
Trainer Structure Versus a Nearly Seamless Knitted Upper
PulseX combines breathable mesh with microfibre panels. The visual result is closer to a conventional running trainer, with structured areas around the upper and a clean black-and-white silhouette.
Tegmen uses an almost seamless knitted polyamide upper with a textile lining. Strauss also states that the shoe is leather-free and includes a removable, full-surface anatomically shaped insole. The product is specifically described as suitable for insole wearers.
On paper, Tegmen has the stronger fit-and-insole story. PulseX has the more familiar athletic-trainer construction. Neither product page provides a controlled head-to-head breathability test, so it would be misleading to promise that one stays cooler throughout every shift.
Orthotic and replacement-insole buyers
Tegmen is the clearer published choice because Strauss explicitly describes the insole as removable and the shoe as suitable for insole wearers. PulseX also states that its insole is removable, but any replacement should preserve correct fit and comply with your workplace's PPE requirements.
PU Cushioning Versus an SRC-listed Rubber and Phylon Sole
PulseX uses a PU outsole described by XNEXZ as cushioned, anti-slip and oil-resistant, with a shock-absorbing heel. Its strongest use case is smooth, controlled indoor flooring such as warehouse concrete, depot floors, hospitality areas and corridors where S1P is accepted.
Tegmen uses a rubber and phylon sole. Strauss lists it as SRC slip resistant, antistatic, fuel resistant and heat resistant up to approximately 70°C. That is more detailed outsole documentation than the PulseX page currently presents.
Grip also changes with the floor material, contaminant, tread wear and the way a person moves. No slip rating removes the need for housekeeping, spill control and safe working practice.
Two Modern Safety Shoes With Different Visual Personalities
PulseX looks like a conventional black athletic trainer with a contrasting white sole. It may appeal to workers who want a shoe that feels less visibly industrial during a commute, in customer-facing areas or when moving between work and everyday settings.
Tegmen is more technical. The knitted upper, sculpted outsole and BOA dial clearly communicate performance footwear. Some wearers will prefer that purposeful look; others will favour the cleaner PulseX silhouette.
Style should never override the required safety class, but it still matters. Workers are more likely to value and consistently wear footwear that fits well, looks appropriate and feels like something chosen rather than tolerated.
PulseX Costs Less, While Tegmen Offers More Fit Hardware and Established-Brand Depth
PulseX is currently listed at £79.97. XNEXZ lists free UK delivery, a 90-day return window and a one-year damage warranty. The live product page should be checked for current size availability before purchase.
Strauss lists Tegmen IV Low at €112.93 including VAT, plus shipping where applicable, with lower per-pair prices displayed for orders of three or ten pairs. The page lists an estimated delivery time of approximately two to four working days.
What each price is buying
PulseX has the stronger price-to-protection argument. Tegmen has the stronger convenience-and-refinement argument. Buyers should avoid treating price alone as the verdict because these shoes do not carry the same protection class.
Complete Comparison Table
| Factor | XNEXZ PulseX | Strauss Tegmen IV Low | Editorial edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety class | EN ISO 20345 S1P | EN ISO 20345:2011 S1 | PulseX for puncture risk |
| Toe cap | 200J aluminium | Aluminium | Broad tie |
| Puncture resistance | Kevlar puncture-resistant midsole | Not listed | PulseX |
| Upper | Breathable mesh and microfibre | Almost seamless knitted polyamide | Tegmen for knit flexibility |
| Closure | Traditional laces | BOA Fit System | Tegmen |
| Outsole | PU polyurethane | Rubber and phylon | Different priorities |
| Slip information | Anti-slip listed by XNEXZ | SRC listed by Strauss | Tegmen documentation |
| Antistatic | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Oil / fuel resistance | Oil-resistant outsole listed | Fuel-resistant outsole listed | Different wording |
| Heat statement | Heat-resistant sole listed; no temperature shown | Up to approx. 70°C stated | Tegmen clarity |
| Insole | Removable insole stated in FAQ | Removable anatomical full-surface insole | Tegmen |
| Orthotic suitability | Most standard orthotics said to fit; check final fit | Specifically listed for insole wearers | Tegmen |
| Published weight | Approx. 462 g per shoe, size-dependent | Approx. 460g in size 42 | Tegmen precision |
| Visual style | Clean athletic trainer | Technical knitted safety shoe | Personal preference |
| Listed price | £79.97 | €112.93 inc VAT, plus shipping where applicable | PulseX |
| Returns / warranty | 90-day returns; one-year damage warranty listed | Check Strauss terms for market-specific conditions | PulseX clarity |
| Brand maturity | New UK brand | Established European workwear brand | Tegmen track record |
| Best match | Suitable light-duty work where S1P is accepted | Clean controlled work where S1 is accepted | Risk assessment decides |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose XNEXZ PulseX if...
- Your workplace accepts or requires S1P footwear.
- Sharp underfoot debris is a recognised risk.
- You work in a warehouse, depot, stockroom, garage, hospitality or suitable light-maintenance setting.
- You prefer conventional laces and a familiar trainer silhouette.
- You value PU cushioning on smooth, controlled floors.
- You want the lower listed purchase price and clearly stated UK after-sales terms.
Choose Strauss Tegmen IV Low if...
- Your employer confirms that S1 protection is sufficient.
- You value fast, fine adjustment through the BOA Fit System.
- You prefer an almost seamless knitted upper.
- You need a removable anatomical insole or a shoe explicitly listed for insole wearers.
- You want detailed SRC, fuel-resistance and temperature information.
- An established workwear brand and broader product ecosystem matter to you.
Six Categories at a Glance
These Low-cut Shoes Are Not Designed for Every Workplace
Choose a higher-rated or specialist category when you need:
S3 or another higher classification; waterproof footwear; deep-lug traction for mud; ankle support for unstable terrain; metatarsal protection; electrical-hazard certification; chainsaw protection; welding or foundry footwear; flame-resistant footwear; or any other requirement specified by your employer or safety officer.
Comfort, style and price are useful comparison points only after both products satisfy the workplace requirement. A fashionable S1P trainer cannot replace an S3 boot where S3 is mandatory, and an advanced BOA closure cannot replace puncture resistance where penetration risk is present.
PulseX vs Tegmen IV Low FAQs
Is PulseX safer than Tegmen IV Low?
PulseX has a broader listed protection scope underfoot because it is S1P and includes a puncture-resistant midsole. That does not make it universally safer. The safest choice is the correctly fitted shoe that matches the exact workplace requirement.
Does Tegmen IV Low have puncture protection?
Strauss lists the Tegmen IV Low as S1, and its product page does not state an underfoot penetration-resistant component. Workers who need puncture resistance should choose the classification specified by their risk assessment.
Which model is lighter?
Strauss states approximately 460g in size 42. XNEXZ states approximately 462 g per shoe depending on size. Equivalent-size weighing would be needed for a fair direct answer.
Which is better for orthotic insoles?
Tegmen has the clearer published advantage because Strauss explicitly lists a removable anatomical insole and suitability for insole wearers. Any replacement insole must preserve correct fit and workplace compliance.
Which is better for warehouse work?
PulseX may be the more relevant choice when sharp floor debris is part of the risk assessment. Tegmen may suit cleaner controlled facilities where S1 is sufficient and fast BOA adjustment is valued.
Are either of these shoes waterproof?
Neither should be treated as a fully waterproof outdoor safety shoe based on the product information compared here. Choose appropriate S3 or specialist wet-weather footwear when required.
Are these suitable for heavy construction?
They should not be broadly recommended for heavy construction, groundworks, roofing, scaffolding, demolition or muddy outdoor sites. Those workplaces may require S3 footwear, ankle support or other specialist protection.
Is Tegmen fire-resistant because the sole is heat resistant?
No. A stated outsole temperature of approximately 70°C does not make the complete shoe flame-resistant, fireproof or suitable for welding, foundry work or firefighting.
PulseX is the stronger choice when S1P protection is relevant. Its aluminium toe, Kevlar puncture-resistant midsole, trainer-like design and lower listed price create a clear proposition for suitable light-duty workplaces where underfoot hazards are part of the risk assessment.
Tegmen IV Low is the more refined choice when S1 is sufficient. The BOA Fit System, almost seamless knitted upper, removable anatomical insole, stated 460g weight and detailed outsole information are meaningful advantages—not minor extras.
There is no honest universal winner because the shoes do not solve exactly the same safety requirement. My practical decision would be simple: choose PulseX when puncture resistance is needed; choose Tegmen when S1 is approved and quick fit adjustment matters more.
XNEXZ is new and should earn trust through real use rather than exaggerated claims. If PulseX matches your workplace requirement, wear it through genuine shifts and share honest feedback about fit, comfort, heat build-up, grip and durability. That feedback is more useful than calling any shoe “the best” without context.
Check The Live Specifications Before You Buy
Prices, availability and product details can change. Confirm the required safety class with your employer or safety officer before ordering either model.
