How to Tell If Shoes Are Non-Slip

If you’re a medical professional, work in the food service industry, or have a job that requires you to spend long hours on your feet, slip-resistant shoes are a must. But as you begin your search for the right sneaker, you might be wondering how to tell if shoes are non slip.

At Vionic, we know a thing or two about what goes into the perfect slip-resistant shoe. Our Pro collection covers all the bases in terms of slip-resistance, arch support, and comfort. Here, we’ll explain how non-slip shoes differ from regular shoes, how to tell if shoes with rubber soles are slip-resistant, and what to look for in professional, anti-slip shoes.

 

What Makes a Shoe Slip Resistant?

What are slip resistant shoes? A slip-resistant shoe is a type of safety footwear. As you can gather from the name, non-slip shoes are designed to prevent wearers from slipping and falling on wet, oily, or otherwise slick surfaces. The main thing that sets them apart from standard casual shoes is a synthetic rubber sole, which provides better grip and traction, making them the perfect healthcare shoes for nurses and doctors.

While OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires workers in many industries to wear slip-resistant occupational footwear to prevent hazards, it doesn’t give much detail in terms of what “slip-resistance” means. However, proper non-slip shoes typically have durable, anti-skid soles, and patterned tread for added friction on wet, greasy, or slippery floors. Keep reading for more guidance on how to tell if shoes with rubber soles are slip-resistant.

 

How Can I Tell if My Shoes Are Slip-Resistant?

If you’re shopping online for non-slip shoes, figuring out whether they’re up to par can be challenging. Since you probably can’t try them out for a day on the job before purchasing a pair, knowing what to look for is crucial.

Is Slip-Resistance Specified?

While this might seem obvious, the best way to tell if shoes are non-slip is to check if slip-resistance is indicated in the product description. Clogs, running shoes, and other athletic walking shoes are often go-tos for healthcare and service industry workers, but they don’t necessarily have an anti-slip design.

Many different types of slip resistant shoes (including those from the Vionic Pro collection) will specify that the outsole passes ASTM International F1677 standards. This means the rubber shoe was tested for performance on a variety of wet, oily, and dry surfaces.

What Does the Shoe’s Sole Look Like?

Whether or not slip-resistance is indicated on the box or in the online description, you should always check out the shoe soles before buying a pair. With non-slip shoes, you want a sturdy EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) rubber outsole that’s slightly rounded on the sides. EVA rubber is a synthetic, foam-like resin used in the outsoles and midsoles of many shoes.

The idea is that with a typical flat shoe sole, liquids can get underneath, which leads to slips, trips, and falls. Unlike regular shoes, an anti-slip sole prevents water from getting trapped underneath. Also, it should be designed to grip the floor, even when it’s wet or oily.

Lastly, although you want durability, the sole should be lightweight, flexible, and relatively soft. A light, flexible outsole will absorb shock and help you avoid fatigue. On top of that, a softer rubber sole tends to provide the best grip on a slippery surface.

How About the Tread?

The other thing to look for with non-slip shoes is the tread pattern. You’ll usually see little squiggles, circles, or hexagons on the bottom of the outsole. This is intended to create friction, which helps you grip the floor without collecting water underneath. Generally speaking, the smaller the pattern, the better the slip-resistance will be.

Each style from the Vionic Pro collection features our exclusive Vio-Grip Technology. This means that with every pair, you’ll get a light yet sturdy rubber outsole with a small-scale hexagonal tread pattern for unbeatable traction that prevents slips and falls.

 

What Prevents Them from Slipping?

When you shop for non-slip footwear, knowing how slip-resistance works will help you find a sufficient pair. It really comes down to the perfect combination of a soft yet sturdy rubber sole with the right tread pattern—hexagons tend to make the best grip pad. This will provide the most reliable grip on virtually every surface you walk or stand on while ensuring that any water, oil, or other liquids are ejected from the bottom of the shoe.

 

The Ideal Non-Slip Work Shoe

Aside from an anti-slip sole, what are the components of an ideal work shoe for those who work long shifts on their feet? There are several aspects of non-slip shoes that can set a pair apart from the competition.

The perfect slip-resistant footwear will feature:

• Lightweight, soft, and durable EVA rubber outsoles
• A non-slip hexagonal tread pattern
• Padded collars
• Water- and stain-resistant uppers
• Orthotic footbeds with arch support
• A cushioned midsole for maximum comfort
• Adequate toe boxes
• A flattering, versatile design

Whether you’re a doctor, nurse, dentist, dental hygienist, server, barista, or work any type of job that calls for several hours a day on your feet, the right pair of shoes will make your clocked-in time better in more ways than one. You can have peace of mind knowing that your footwear is designed to prevent injuries. Plus, your feet, heels, toes, ankles, and calves will be free of pain and discomfort all day long. Not only that, but with orthotic arch support, you can rest assured that your footwear won’t be the cause of any inconvenient foot conditions.

 

Why Non-Slip Shoes Are Vital for Workers

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), slips, trips, and falls are the second most common type of fatal work injury and the third most common type of non-fatal injury. Also, slips, trips, and falls often result in time away from work—more than ten days on average for same-level workplace falls.

Protective footwear is vital for preventing debilitating injuries, like sprains, strains, torn muscles, dislocations, and fractures. A proper non-slip work shoe can help you maintain balance and traction on a slippery floor.

Those who work in the construction, moving, or logistics industries might need a special type of slip-resistant boot or safety footwear. Cleats, weight-resistant toe boxes, and heavy-duty industrial soles can keep workers safe while they do heavy lifting or move around on icy surfaces. Some boots are also designed to reduce the chance of an electrical hazard on wet surfaces.

 

Professional Non-Slip Footwear from Vionic

Now that you know how to tell if shoes are slip-resistant, you’re ready to buy a pair—or two—for work. With a proper pair of non-slip shoes, you can stay safe on the job, avoid injuries, and feel comfortable on your feet for hours on end. And believe it or not, you don’t have to choose between supportive, anti-slip shoes and fashionable footwear. Vionic Pro is the best of both worlds.

Vionic Pro for Women

When you browse the innovative Vionic Pro collection, you’ll find an excellent selection of professional footwear for those who work extended hours on the frontlines, serving their communities each and every day. As mentioned, each pair has a cutting-edge EVA midsole with our Vio-Grip Technology and is performance-tested to ASTM standards. Non-slip shoes from Vionic have either breathable woven uppers or easy-to-clean leather uppers. Additionally, most of our Pro styles come with a removable cushioned insole.

The best part about our shoes? You can wear them all day without foot pain thanks to our Vio-Motion Support technology. Offering three-zone comfort in every shoe, we guarantee comfortable arch support, cushioning, and stability in every step.

Pro Footwear for Medical Professionals and Food Service Workers

Vionic understands how much time medical professionals and food service workers spend walking and standing on slick floors. Although slippery surfaces may be unavoidable in your line of work, we believe your footwear should allow you to focus on the task at hand, not your feet.

Also, you don’t have to resort to clogs or athletic shoes to stay comfortable all day at work. In fact, we recommend opting for a pair of orthotic shoes that are specified as slip-resistant. The Vionic Pro collection has arch support superior to other brands. As a result, you won’t be dying to remove your shoes as soon as you get off work. Not to mention, our Vionic Pro line carries a ton of stylish nursing shoes, restaurant shoes, and more.

Whether you report for duty at a hospital, healthcare clinic, coffee shop, restaurant, school, salon, or athletic facility, a pair of our extra-comfy and stylish professional shoes will provide you with around-the-clock grip and stability. We carry slip-on sneakers, lace-up casual shoes and active-style sneakers for women and men in tons of colors and designs. We also carry our line in standard and wide width shoes.

Are you ready to say goodbye to slips, trips, and foot discomfort on the job? Shop the Vionic Pro line today.