12 Ways to Tell if Shoes are Non Slip in 2023
It’s easy to take something like non slip shoes for granted, but they are an important safety feature. Non slip shoes can help prevent slips and falls, which can cause serious injuries. Everyone should wear non slip shoes whenever possible, especially if they are working in a hazardous environment or walking on slippery surfaces.
In case If you don’t know what are non slip shoes, we have a detailed post on it but in short as name indicated Non Slip shoes are designed to offer more traction on slippery surfaces than regular shoes.
We have also reviewed the Best and Comfortable Non Slip Shoes.
12 Ways to Tell if Shoes are Non Slip
1) Look Outsole of Shoes
Pattern of Outsole
Outsole is a bottom part of the shoes which is in contact with ground. You have to look for grooves and treads on outsole of shoes. If there are horizontal or zig-zag grooves on outsole, it means shoes have good traction and they are non slip.
If outsoles is flat without grooves then it is not designed for slippery surfaces and there are chances that you may slip while wearing them.
Material of Outsole
Nowadays, many different materials are used to make outsoles of shoes. Some of them offer good traction while others don’t. For example, rubber is a material which offers good traction while leather doesn’t.
To have a good grip, the outsole must be made up of high-quality rubber which can provide a firm grip on the floor.
2) Check For Shoes Product Information
When you buy shoes, always check the product information to see if they are designed for slippery surfaces or not.
If it is mentioned on the shoes that they are non slip, anti skid or slip resistanace or have good traction, then you can be sure that they will provide a good grip on the floor. Mostly Brands mention if they have tested shoes according to OSHA standards for slip resistance. If you didn’t find about slip resistant features that mostly indicates shoes are not slip resistant officially.
3) Inspect the Heel of Shoes
Heels are one of the parts of shoes which can help you in knowing if shoes are non slip or not. If a shoe has a wide and flat heel, then it will provide good grip on the floor and will be slip resistant.
On the other hand, if a shoe has a thin and high heel, then it is not designed for slippery surfaces and you may slip while wearing them.
Because more flat heels will have more contact area with floor and will distribute the weight pressure all along the area of heel, ultimately helping you to balance your weight in case of slipping.
4) Look For Certification
There are some organizations which test shoes and give certification if they are slip resistant or not.
For example, OSHA has developed different standards like ASTM standards for slip resistance.
You can check if your shoes have any certification from these organizations or not. If they do, then you can be sure that they are non slip.
5) Size of Shoes
The size of shoes also matters when it comes to slip resistance.
If a shoe is too big or too small, then it will not fit properly and you may slip while wearing them.
So, always make sure that you buy shoes which fit you well and are of the right size. It will not only help in resisting slips but also makes your day comfortable at work.
6) Test The Shoes
One of the best ways to know if shoes are non slip is to test them yourself.
You can do this by wearing the shoes and walking on a wet or slippery surface. If you feel that your shoes are providing good grip and traction, then they are non slip.
7) Look For High-Quality Shoes
If you want to be sure that your shoes are non slip, then always buy shoes from a reputed and high-quality brand.
They use high-quality materials to make their shoes and they also test them for slip resistance. So, you can be sure that their shoes will provide good grip on the floor. Rubber soles are great for their slip resistance features.
Canvas shoes with rubber soles are usually considered as slip resistant shoes, so, consider vans and other canvas sneakers to get non slip features with trendy footwear.
8) Try Different Shoes
If you are not sure about a particular pair of shoes, then you can try different shoes to see which one provides better grip on the floor.
You can also ask your friends or colleagues at work about their experiences with different shoes. They will be able to guide you in choosing the right pair of shoes for slippery surfaces.
9) Look for Shoes Reviews
You can also check online reviews of different shoes to see what other people are saying about them.
This will help you in getting an idea about the quality of the shoes and their slip resistance. If people are mentioning that shoes are anti skid then it would be helpful for you to make decisions.
10) Ask The Seller
If you are still not sure about a particular pair of shoes, then you can always ask the seller about them.
They will be able to guide you in choosing the right pair of shoes for your needs. Before buying, a seller can guide you about slip resistance features of shoes.
If you have shoes already that are not slip resistant, you can make shoes non slip.
Advantages of Having Slip Resistant Shoes at Work
Wearing slip resistant shoes at work comes with a number of advantages. Some of them are mentioned below:
1) Helps in Avoiding Accidents
One of the main advantages of wearing slip resistant shoes is that it helps in avoiding accidents.
If you slip and fall at work, then you may get seriously injured. Wearing slip resistant shoes will help you in avoiding such accidents and you will be able to stay safe at work.
2) Provides Good Grip
Another advantage of wearing slip resistant shoes is that they provide good grip on the floor.
If you are working in a wet or slippery environment, then it is very important to have good grip on the floor. Otherwise, you may slip and fall.
3) Increases Traction
Slip resistant shoes also help in increasing traction on the floor. If you have good traction, then it will be easier for you to move around without slipping.
4) Helps in Improving Balance
Wearing slip resistant shoes also helps in improving your balance. If you have good balance, then you will be able to walk and move around without slipping.
5) Fulfilling Job requirements
In some industries, it is a job requirement to wear slip resistant shoes. If you are working in such an industry, then you will have to wear slip resistant shoes to be able to do your job properly.
6) Comfortable
Slip resistant shoes are also very comfortable to wear. They provide good support to your feet and help in avoiding foot pain.
7) Durable
Slip resistant shoes are also very durable. They are made of high-quality materials that can withstand the wear and tear of daily use.
What are classified as non-slip shoes?
Non-slip shoes are those shoes that have a good grip on the floor and provide good traction. They are made of high-quality materials that can withstand the wear and tear of daily use. If shoes have slip resistance certifications, have spikes or grooves on soles the it would be classified as Non-Slip.
FAQS
Do smooth soled shoes prevent falls?
No, smooth soled shoes do not prevent falls. They may provide good grip on the floor but they will not be able to provide good traction.
Do all shoes have slip resistant soles?
No, not all shoes have slip resistant soles. Only those shoes that are specifically designed for slippery surfaces have slip resistant soles.
What type of non slip shoes are there?
There are many different types of non slip shoes available in the market. Some of them are designed for specific purposes while others can be used for general purpose. Athletic shoes, work boots, and shoes with spikes(sports shoes) are some of the most popular types of non slip shoes.