It should be a given that all shoes must be slip-resistant, but the truth of the matter is that many shoes are designed for aesthetics over functionality. This is especially true of feminine styles and dress shoes, where appearance often takes priority over everything else. While no one wants to slide around as they walk, for those who are older and/or have physical disabilities, wearing slippery shoe soles can be especially hazardous.
Luckily, more brands than ever sell sturdy shoe soles as part of their designs. Whether you’re looking for comfortable and professional shoes for work, lounging around the house, or heading off for a night out, there are some great non-slip options out there for you. Here are some of the best slip-resistant shoes for different occasions.
Editor’s Note: The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.
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Reviewed / Dansko
If you aren’t looking for anything flashy and just want something that’s easy to wear at work, these popular Neci clogs might be a perfect fit.
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Reviewed / Hytest
The Hytest Byron boots are unisex and built to handle any kind of weather you throw at them.
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Reviewed / Crocs
Crocs are another favorite non-slip work shoe, but they’re also extremely comfortable to wear around the house. The Bistro’s anti-slip technology is second to none.
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Reviewed / Skechers
These Rastip athletic shoes are great for sports, but they’re also slip and oil resistant.
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Reviewed / Vans
Vans Sk8-Hi has a sense of style that’s acceptable just about anywhere you need it. Its vulcanized outsoles are built to endure.
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Reviewed / Shoes For Crews
Olivia heels look great for any formal occasion but can stand up to tough weather or slippery environments.
What Are Non-Slip Shoes, And What Makes A Shoe Non-Slip?
Many shoes claim to be non-slip, and others function well for non-slip activities but don’t advertise this particular element. This can make it extremely difficult to find a shoe you love that also provides the safety, stability, and security you need. Before jumping into the world of non-slip shoes feet first, take a look at some of the best ways to tell if a shoe is truly non-slip before buying it.
Rubber outsole
When shopping for shoes that are slip-resistant, start by looking for shoes with a rubber sole. This type of sole provides the best traction and grip, making them ideal for those who are unsteady on their feet and/or work in slippery environments.
If you aren’t sure what the sole is made of, you can always ask a store associate or look for the product details online where the material will generally be listed. Many brands list rubber soles as a key feature of a pair of shoes because they know it is a positive for many shoppers.
Durable but flexible
While you want the depth and strength of a sturdy rubber sole, it’s important to look for shoes that have some flexibility to them as well. Lightweight, softer rubber provides better grip and encourages you to walk with your normal gait over heavier, clunkier options. This helps you stay on your feet safely wherever you’re headed.
Examine the tread
One of the easiest ways to tell how slip-resistant a pair of shoes will be is by looking closely at the tread. This is particularly helpful when shopping online, as many retailers provide a picture of the bottom of the shoe for precisely this purpose.
When looking for a solid tread, you should find one that easily lets water pass under and through its surface with the indentions that have been created. It should be a deep enough tread that it can grip around slippery and oily substances.
Generally, the best treads have smaller shapes in their patterns, utilizing lines in a variety of directions so the wearer has grip from every angle. Just make sure that, if you’re wearing the shoes somewhere muddy or snowy, the tread isn’t so tight it easily becomes coated in mud, rendering the slip-resistant qualities ineffective.
Take a look at the two shoes below that I pulled from my own closet. Both pairs have only been worn a few times for short amounts of time. With the heel on the left, you can see the tread began as barely a texture at all and has already worn nearly flat after just a few hours of use.
Note the band of smooth sole that encloses the tread. Because of this border, water has nowhere to escape from even if it is caught by the tread of the shoe, essentially trapping the substance beneath your feet and encouraging slips.
On the other hand, the boot on the right features depth and variety in the tread that lets slippery materials like water and mud get caught without impeding the security of steps. Because it has no border, the interlocked pattern lets water escape and move out from under you, helping maintain balance.
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Anna Wenner / Reviewed
The tread of your shoe is one of the most important aspects to consider when assessing its non-slip quality.
Standards And certifications
Although some workplaces may require “slip-resistant” or “non-slip” shoes, there isn’t a labeling standard when it comes to rating a shoe’s slip resistance. This means there is technically no one regulating when companies use these terms or how accurate they may or may not be. Just because a pair of shoes shows up when you Google the term, or even because it has the term printed on its label at a department store, doesn’t necessarily mean the shoes truly have high slip resistance.
If you’re looking for a professional’s take on the slip resistance, you should seek shoes that are certified by the American Society for Testing and Materials, most commonly with the indicator ASTM F3445-12 certified. Unlike the more general terms, a brand can only put this certification on its shoes if they meet specific qualifications. However, because this is still a relatively new certification, not all great non-slip shoes have it.
Other certifications and seals that you might see include SRC, APMA, and other ASTM standards. These signify slightly different tests, but each is designed to test a shoe’s ability to hold up in uncommon conditions.
Where To Buy Non-Slip Shoes
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Reviewed / Dansko / Vans
While there may not always be an especially large selection, the nations biggest retailers often carry some non-slip shoes for any purpose.
Because non-slip shoes are a requirement for so many workplaces, many retailers have them. Your favorite shoe store probably has a section (though it may be small) devoted specifically to this need. However, if you want to step outside the black aesthetic offered by many slip-resistant work shoes, you may have to do some sleuthing in an average store to find the best non-slip variety of your favorite footwear.
Staples like Target, Walmart, and Amazon all have a solid selection of shoes to choose from. Certain brands are also known for their high comfort and slip-resistant qualities, such as those from Dansko, Dr. Scholl’s Shoes, and Crocs. Thanks to the internet, you can also find stores dedicated directly to this need, such as Shoes for Crews, and any store specializing in uniforms for jobs such as nursing or restaurant workers.
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