Slip-resistant shoes are the best when it comes to save-guarding your hard-earned money on medical bills. Hospice or health care centers are the ones who benefit from your lack of expertise and frugality.
Saving is not a bad having but pinching pennies on things that put your safety in question it is not a great idea. You must know how to tell if shoes are slip-resistant as upon it lay the burden of your safety.
You can tell if your shoes are slip-resistant by taking a tread check or if the soles are made of rubber or if the soles have grooves in them or by looking at the features in case of an online purchase.
See also: Best Slip Resistant Boots to Protect You From Falling
9 Easy Ways to Recognise Slip-resistant Shoes
Sellers may just put a tag on the shoe to be slip-resistant if it means that they get to sell it. But not every shoe can claim the title of being slip-resistant! Here are a few checker points to keep in mind before buying a slip-resistant shoe.
1.) Tread Check
Treads come in very handy when it comes to detecting slip and oil resistant. Most people do not realize how easy it is to recognize types of shoes through their tread marks.
Most treads come in different shapes making it somewhat easy to recognize the shoe type as a singular tread pattern is used in different shoes.
The treads in slip-resistant shoes come in the shape of circles or hexagons. These shapes are used to ensure that the treads can move when it comes to moving the liquid out of the shoe to prevent you from slipping or falling.
The smaller or bigger tread shapes, when manufactured in the large qualities, works best when it comes to prevention of slips.
2.) The Revealing Soles
Just by examining the shape of the shoe sole you would be able to recognize the type of shoes that a seller is offering you. It may seem far-fetched but simply ensuring that the sole of your boots is flat edged you can denote that it is a slip-resistant one.
The reasoning behind it is that flat-edged soles can trap the liquid under your shoe makes you slide proof, much like the tires of the car in the rain. To ensure that you have the right pair to ensure that you have the round side soles.
3.) Putting the Grooves in Question
You may associate a tractor tire to grooves but it plays a mighty hand in differentiating the slip-resistant shoes with the ordinary ones. Slip-resistant shoes have grooves that keep the wearer in an upright position throughout the day.
This is very much possible because shoe soles with grooves put in them create and support the flexibility of the different shoe parts. This makes them less likely to trap in water in the inside. With the assistance of grooves present in the shoes, it is possible to channelize the liquid out of the sole while keeping you safe.
4.) Test the Bottom
It is probably one of the easiest ways to find out whether or not a certain pair of shoes works for them. It is quite simple to check out the hardness of the soles. You do not want soles that are too hard as it makes them non-malleable.
If the shoe worn by you is not suitable to your conditions then it is not the one for you. Look for a rubber sole. This is primarily because the rubbery soles would stick to the ground better than others.
This is possible because the sole is far more pliable as rubber is soft rather than rigidity and hardness that is the copyright of more expensive party wears.
5.) Take them on a Test Drive
Well, you do it with your car why not the same with your shoe do! If you find a shoe with seemingly right qualities it is time to put it to test.
You may not be able to find a patch of wet flooring but the ultra-shiny floors of polished wood and linoleum to walk around in.
While you walk around to try to take notice of how your foot moves on the polished surface. Slide if you have too! While you are sliding ensure that your foot stays in place despite all the sliding on the floor.
If you cannot find the polished floor try to find a bench to sit and run your hand on the sole. This way you would be able to get a better understanding of the sleekness of the shoe. Remember if it is too sleek it is not the one for you.
6.) Online Shoes
If you are someone who loves getting stuff from online at a discount then things might not be as easy. It is impossible to find out the level of the sleekness of the shoe. Since you cannot touch it manually it is important to read through all the reviews before buying it.
Another thing that might be helpful is reading through the description of the shoe that is written description provided by the online store on the web-page.
It is not the most trusted bit of information but reading it would give you the needed information that you require to decide between buying the shoe.
7.) Zooming Onscreen
It may sound weird but by simply zooming in on the photo present before you. Most online shops present both the front and back photos of the product. This by zooming in on the outsole you would be able to understand the tread patterns and shoe shape.
This is required for the shoe to be a slip-resistant one. If the characteristics of the shoes present online matches then buy the shoe but avoid them if they don’t. Ask these questions –
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- Do they have grooves?
- Is it the right pattern?
- What is the material used in the shoe?
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Only buy shoes if you are satisfied with the answer. There is always an option of sending back the shoes if you do not like them. Be mindful of the dates!
8.) Look for Reviews
Do not check out only the reviews written online on the web page of the online store, only. Ask the opinion of your friends or relatives who have bought that certain pair before. Look up online from other independent sites to get a real idea about what is going on.
9.) Look Through the policies
It is best when buying things online to keep an eye on the money-back and return policies. It is important to closely inspect the guarantee policies if you find that the shoes are to your liking.
If you do not like the shoe sending it back within an estimated timeline would see that you get your money back. If you do end up liking your shoe then looking at the guarantee policy would see you through any damage that occurs in the shoe for a limited period.
11 Tips to Make Your Shoes Slip Resistant
Down below I have some great tips on how to make your shoes slip resistant:
1.) By using a nail file:
A nail filer is readily available in every household. Use it to scuff the bottom of the shoes that will help in making the shoes non-slip.
2.) By using adhesives:
Placing band aids works great and fast in providing the necessary grip to your shoes. For this, you will need 2 band aids. Place one at the front of the shoes and the other at the heels.
3.) By using puff paint:
Puff paint is easily available in kid’s art and craft store. All you need to do is just apply a thin coat of the puff pain at the bottom of the shoes. This will make the surface of the shoes rough thus making them anti-slip.
4.) By spraying hairspray:
Spraying hairspray at the bottom of the shoes works as a great quick-fix to slippery shoes. Just spray liberal amount of the hairspray to your shoes and allow them to get absorbed in the soles for a few minutes and walk out with your anti-slip shoes instantly.
5.) By using an ankle strap:
Attaching an ankle strap to the shoes also help to maintain a good balance, provide better grip and thus prevents slipping on surfaces while you walk.
6.) By using a masking tape:
The surface of the masking tape is anti-slip. Therefore, to make your shoes non-slip just cut 2 pieces of the masking tapes and apply them on the flat and the widest parts of the outsoles in the sign of an X. This will prevent the shoes to skid in future.
7.) By using a non-slip sole:
For this all you have to do is buy a non-slip sole and attach it to the bottom of the shoes. This will not only make the shoes non-slip but will also allow to walk more comfortably.
8.) By using a mixture of salt and rubber glue:
Take a bowl and mix salt and glue in the ratio of 1:2 in it. Now apply the mixture on the outsoles of the shoes and allow it to dry for an hour. When you wear your shoes, it would have become anti-slip.
9.) By letting your shoes to wear down naturally:
Try walking with your shoes on rough surfaces for a few days. This will wear down the soles naturally making them a bit rough and thus slip-resistant.
10.) By scuffing the outsole of the shoes:
Scuffing the outsoles of the shoe gives it traction thus making it anti-slip. All you need to do is just scuff the bottom of the shoes on rough surfaces such as concrete or gravel.
11.) By using sandpaper:
All you have to do is take sandpaper and rub the outsoles of your shoes with it until you feel the soled have got rough enough.
The slip-resistant shoes are a must for people working in dire conditions giving them the additional safety and security that is otherwise missing. Here are a few perils of that may plague you for not getting slip-resistant boots –
Risks of NOT having Slip Resistant Boots
1.) Getting Tripped
It is one of the most potential perils that cause many a roofer to visit a hospice if they are not careful enough. You may trip over anything from loose debris to materials, leaves, branches, and even small stones!
The big thing is that all these are potential tripping hazards that may lead you to break your neck if you do not have slip-resistant boots to support you. If you do not wish to end up in a hospice it is best to buy this preventive measure!
2.) Perilous Weather
It always pays to keep a careful eye out for capricious weather conditions. Often you may counter the extremes from cold to heat, from snow to hail, from light to heavy rain but that does not mean you should fall prey to it.
By investing in the right pair of boots you can ensure that a change of climate you do not affect and trouble you at all!
3.) Slippery Surfaces
The slippery surfaces also promote a great hazard. In a rainy climate, the roof is supposed to be drenched with water. If the water does not get dried up within the limited period a layer of moss starts growing up.
Without proper measures, an accident is bound to happen that may be avoided by investing in a proper pair of slip-resistant boots.
4.) Electrical Hazard
It may not seem much but there is a high chance of getting electrocuted up for some when they are working, especially if the work in construction or electricity. Without the right pair of protection in place, you are vulnerable to get struck by lightning or electric line.
You may also get electrocuted by an electric socket while working. But by investing in the slip-resistant boots you would be able to just get off with minor injuries and without a visit to the medical emergency unit.
How Slip-resistant Shoes Can Make A Difference?
Slip-resistant shoes are considered to be the best buy due to the most obvious reasons. But one thing that most people do not realize is that how distinguished the slip-resistant shoes are.
A few features that set them all the more separate from the others are the materials, pattern or design of the outsole. Here is a proper break down of slip-resistant shoe that makes it different from a regular one.
1.) Material
Materials used to make the shoe may make or break it. It may not seem much but the material used in a shoe comes into play when they come in direct contact with the ground.
A slip-resistant shoe is softer on the outside making them effectively grip the slick floor. The outsole of the shoe cannot be of any material other than rubber making it all the more resilient to water as well as oil.
The use of rubber in the outsole makes it all the more resilient against foreign compounds. The soft composition of rubber provides an effective grip on the floor.
They offer an effective grip on hardwood or quarry tile or linoleum flooring better than most normal outsoles that are harder and stiffer on the outside. This does make them better slip-proof!
2.) Design
It may be hard to believe but the design of the shoe makes it all the more slip-resistant. The thought process behind it happens to be the same as what most shoe designers use behind drawing up shoes for basketball or hockey or other athletic shoes.
They then have it tested if they are going to work in fields or hardwood floors. They also test the performance of athletic shoes against different weather, too.
It is the same with the slip-resistant shoes with designers working hard to ensure that it works best for you in any given condition.
3.) Pattern
It may seem odd to you but the correct pattern in the outsole creates the traction that provides the perfect grip for the wearer to not slip under any circumstances.
Most shoes with interlocked tread patterns ingrained under the outsole become extremely slip-resistant.
An enclosed tread pattern leaves no place for the liquid to go inside the outsole making them all the more slip-resistant.
The interlocked tread pattern does not entrap water in the shoe but rather channelizes liquid away from coming in contact with the foot. Thus, ensuring that your foot remains secure in any position!
4.) Ultimately
By making the materials, pattern and design of the outsole compatible with each other lead the shoes to extremely slip proof. It is the most ideal combination that makes everything safe and secure for you in any perilous circumstances.
How do you stop shoes from being slippery?
All the above mentioned ways will work great in stopping the shoes being slippery. You can choose from scuffing, making tapes, nail file, sandpaper, grip pads, sprays, band-aids, etc.
Does hairspray make shoes non-slip?
Yes, hairspray will definitely make the shoes non-slip but the effect would not be a permanent one.
The effect might just last you a day, but I think that is enough for your purpose because spraying a hairspray on your shoes before getting out won’t take up much of your time anyway.
How can I increase the traction on my shoes?
The traction of the shoes will increase once the outsoles of the shoes become rough. So, here are a few great ways of increasing the traction of your shoes:
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- Use the rubber and salt solution to give the shoes a grainy texture which ultimately increases the traction of the shoes.
- Apply masking tape around the flat and widest part of the outsoles in the symbol of X. This too helps to increase the traction of the shoes.
- Scuffing the bottom of the shoes, that is scraping the soles against rough surfaces such as concrete also helps to increase the traction of the shoes.
- Attaching band-aids to the outsoles
- Spraying an anti-slip spray will also work great
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Conclusion
Finding the right pair is a task but if you put in the hard work you may just end up with a pair that is ideal by the standard of most. Doing proper research before buying a pair of slip-resistant shoes is a must.
This is because more often than not you would end up with the wrong pair without even realizing it. The consequence of not doing proper research might just be your life!
