What Makes a Shoe Non-slip or Slip-Resistant?

Slip-resistant shoes are designed and tested to reduce the risk of slipping, often in accordance with specific industry standards. They are particularly valuable for workers who regularly encounter slippery surfaces. Although slips, trips and falls may seem minor, they can pose serious health risks: according to the HSE, they account for 31% of all non-fatal reported injuries. In environments where spills, drips, splashes, moisture and slick surfaces are present, understanding what makes a shoe non-slip or slip-resistant is key to reducing the risk of accidents at work.  

Shoes For Crews’ superior slip-resistant technology provides excellent grip and traction, helping to avoid potential workplace accidents. Read on for an in-depth look at the features that slip-resistant shoes must have, and how our footwear solutions can help to create a safer working environment no matter your industry.

1. Materials

High-grade rubber is the most common material used in non-slip or slip-resistant shoes due to their excellent grip and friction properties on dry and wet surfaces alike. An outsole designed for the HoReCa industry must perform well on greasy surfaces, while an outsole for emergency personnel needs to ensure safety on any terrain and in all weather conditions. 

Furthermore, workers in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, food and drink production, law enforcement and healthcare, must wear safety shoes or boots, which usually feature steel or composite toe caps for protection against falling objects and injuries from operating heavy machinery.  These materials complement and enhance the performance of slip-resistant footwear.

2. Surface area

More space between the lugs on a shoe’s outsole means better slip resistance. The base is usually broader to enhance balance, and some styles have built-in features such as arch support to improve sure-footedness further. Generally, a shoe with a smaller, tighter pattern across a larger surface area provides better grip during fast, sudden changes in movement. This is ideal for job roles involving quick pivots and turns. 

3. Design

Non-slip or slip-resistant shoes are designed to provide stability and keep your workers upright even when walking or running across wet floors. They are built to retain their effectiveness even when exposed to different types of working conditions. However, we at Shoes For Crews Europe recommend not only having a health and safety checklist in the workplace but also implementing a system for checking and replacing footwear before it becomes too worn. 

4. Outsole pattern

The outsole pattern of a non-slip or slip-resistant shoe is designed to optimise traction. This may take the form of a combination of grooves, channels and lugs that all work together to help minimise the risk of slipping or tripping. The tread effectively displaces water, allowing for better contact with the ground, tiles, concrete and other surfaces. More specifically, a well-designed sole pattern could consist of one or more of the following types: 

• Herringbone pattern 
• Lugs and deep grooves 
• Multi-directional patterns 
• Smooth patterns 
• Rubber compounds 

A softer sole and closely packed tread are ideal for use with liquids and indoor flooring. A more open pattern is more effective outdoors or with solid contaminants. However, tread patterns can become clogged either by waste or debris on floors, so it is also essential to also look for non-slip or slip-resistant shoes with clog-resistant features.  

5. Fit

If shoes are too loose, this can lead to instability, thus increasing the risk of slipping. A snug, comfortable fit prevents the foot from slipping or sliding inside the shoe, giving the wearer better control over their movements. Adjustable features such as laces or straps provide a customised fit, helping to secure the foot in place, stabilise the ankle and reduce slips, trips and falls.  

Non-slip or slip-resistant shoes should also be designed to be comfortable. No matter how effective the slip resistance or performance, if a shoe is too tight, too narrow or too wide for your workers, it will not perform as required. Look for styles with removable, cushioned insoles so that your employees can replace them once they start to feel uncomfortable or worn.  

6. Testing slip resistance

Where footwear has been tested, coefficient of friction (CoF) values must be made available. The higher the CoF, the better the slip resistance.

A proper slip resistance test means clamping the shoe in different positions in a measuring device and guiding it over various testing floors. Following the introduction of EN: ISO 20345:2022, slip-resistance has become the basic mandatory requirement, replacing the former SRA/SRB/SRC markings. Footwear demonstrating enhanced performance may carry the optional SR marking. Shoes that have passed the slip-resistance test will be marked with the SR code: 

• Standard requirement: slip-test on ceramic tile floors with sodium lauryl sulphate 
• SR class: slip-test on ceramic tile floors with glycerine 

There you have it: our guide to what makes a shoe non-slip or slip resistant. From restaurants to construction sites and everything in between, slip-resistant shoes are essential in high-pressure, fast-paced environments with variable conditions. Get in touch with one of our footwear specialists to learn more about how our different shoe features can help your workers prevent costly slips, trips and falls in the workplace. You can also browse our full Catalog on our website to see all our available safety footwear styles.