Slips, trips and falls are among the most common causes of workplace injury. Footwear is one of the few parts of the problem you control. “Slip-resistant” on a product page can mean very different things, though, so it helps to know how grip is tested and what makes a sole grip in the first place.
Key points
- ASTM F2413 does not rate slip resistance. Look for separate test results.
- Rubber compound matters as much as tread pattern.
- Slip-resistant and oil-resistant are different properties.
- Worn tread loses grip. Replace or resole in time.
How slip resistance is tested
Slip testing measures how much friction a sole has on a test surface under a set load. Common methods include:
- ASTM F3445: a US standard test method for measuring footwear slip resistance on various surfaces and contaminants
- SATRA TM144: a widely used lab method, often quoted by manufacturers
- EN ISO 20345 (Europe/UK): safety footwear marked SRA, SRB or SRC under older versions, or SR under the 2022 revision, showing it passed slip tests on specific surfaces
A manufacturer that quotes a specific test and result is giving you more to go on than one that simply says “slip-resistant”.
What makes a sole grip
Rubber compound
Softer rubber conforms to the floor and grips better, especially on smooth wet surfaces, but it wears faster. Harder compounds last longer but can feel slick on polished floors. Nitrile rubber resists oil and heat and is common in industrial soles.
Tread pattern
- Small, closely spaced lugs with sipes (thin slits) channel liquid away and grip on smooth wet floors such as kitchens and food plants.
- Deep, widely spaced lugs bite into mud, gravel and soft ground and shed debris. They grip less on smooth wet floors.
- Circular or hexagonal patterns give grip in several directions, which helps when you turn and pivot.
Contact area
More rubber touching the ground usually means more friction on flat, smooth surfaces. That’s one reason wedge soles often perform well on smooth floors.
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Match the sole to the surface
| Surface | Look for |
|---|---|
| Wet tile, kitchens, food processing | Soft compound, fine sipes, tested slip rating |
| Oily factory floors | Oil-resistant nitrile, siped tread, tested on oil |
| Polished concrete (warehouse) | Flat contact area, multi-directional pattern |
| Mud, gravel, slopes | Deep, spaced lugs and a defined heel |
| Ice and snow | Cold-weather compound, deep lugs, or add-on traction cleats |
Slip-resistant vs oil-resistant
Oil-resistant means the rubber won’t swell, soften or break down when exposed to oil and fuel. It says nothing about grip. A boot can be oil-resistant and still slippery on an oily floor. If you work around oil, look for both claims.
Keep grip working
- Clean tread regularly. Packed mud and grease fill the channels.
- Check wear at the heel and ball each month.
- Replace or resole when the pattern is worn smooth. See when to replace work boots.
- For ice, slip-on traction cleats add grip that no rubber can match. Remove them indoors.
Tip: new boots can be slightly slick until the surface of the outsole scuffs in. Take care for the first few days, especially on smooth floors.
Footwear is only one part of slip prevention. Housekeeping, drainage, mats and lighting matter too. For warehouse floors, see our concrete floor guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an ASTM standard for slip-resistant boots?
ASTM F2413 does not include slip resistance. ASTM F3445 is a test method for measuring footwear slip resistance, and Europe uses SRA, SRB, SRC or SR ratings under EN ISO 20345.
Are oil-resistant soles also slip-resistant?
Not necessarily. Oil-resistant means the rubber won't degrade from contact with oil. Slip-resistant means it grips on slick surfaces. Check for both claims separately.
Do slip-resistant soles wear out?
Yes. As tread lugs and sipes wear flat, grip drops noticeably. Replace boots or resole when the tread pattern is worn smooth in the heel or forefoot.