Are your team shoe covers slip resistant?

Slip-resistant shoe covers can help protect your workers, but how do you know if the shoe covers or footwear that your team currently uses are really non slip. Unfortunately, there is no standard definition of the terms slip resistant, non slip, non skid or anti slip and many shoe covers suppliers and manufacturers just label or advertise their products as non slip without having a proper testing.

MyShoeCovers are the only shoe and boot covers on the marked properly tested for slip resistance using the highest standard in the footwear industry SATRA TM144 (ASTM F2913-11) which reflects the performance of the footwear in action. The testing was conducted on the entire shoe cover, rather than a sample or section of the sole.

Slip resistance is measured on a scale based on the Coefficient of Friction (COF). The scale usually runs from 0.00, equivalent to a sliding on ice or extremely slippery condition, to 1.00, which is like walking on carpet. The closer the number is to 1 the greater the slip resistance is. The coefficient of friction is defined as: "The ratio of the force required to move two sliding surfaces over each other, and the force holding them together." The COF can be either a static or dynamic measurement. Static coefficient of friction (SCOF) is the frictional resistance one pushes against when starting in motion. SCOF is commonly used as a reference when measuring slip resistance of various surfaces. Dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) is the frictional resistance one pushes against when already in motion. When it comes to footwear what really matters is the DCOF. It is very important to distinguish between the two as some shoe covers manufacturers may show you SCOF results from various outdated or irrelevant tests.

ASTM International is one of the largest voluntary standards organizations in the world. ASTM F2913-11 testing standard provides the current basis for measuring the slip resistance of footwear in action. SATRA TM144 test method has established a test protocol for slip testing. It is the most widely accepted within the footwear industry, and also forms the basis of the subsequent European standard EN ISO 13287 and ASTM F2913-11. F2913-11 testing is conducted on the entire shoe, rather than a sample or section of the sole. Methods that don’t test the entire shoe cover may show higher scores that do not accurately reflect the performance of the footwear in action.

To summarize if you need to know whether the shoe covers or other footwear that your team uses have been properly tested for slip resistance the manufacturer must be able to show you results based on SATRA TM144 (F2913-11) standard. Other tests will be irrelevant since most likely they will not be reflecting the performance the footwear in action. Always make sure to compare same tests performed on the same surfaces and at the same footwear position. Keep in mind that different test, different surfaces and different footwear positions will have different results.

MyShoeCovers have DCOF of 0.72 tested in forward flat slip position on a dry Satra Quarry tile and 0.68 on wet Satra Quarry tile. MyShoeCovers also have DCOF of 0.70 in forward heel slip tested on dry Satra Quarry tile and 0.69 on wet Satra Quarry tile. You may see in the photos of how the actual test was performed on our reusable and washable shoe and boot covers.

You may also download our product data sheet and compete test results here.