I have worn slip resistant shoes more than 50% of the time over the past 11 years. I've tried many brands, and found that:
-Most footwear is not slip resistant, especially not the most fashionable types. It's hard to find a shoe with style AND a slip resistant sole.
- Most slip resistant footwear is designed as workwear, and the styles do not change much. They are usually not stylish.
-Some brands claim slip resistance but the shoes are not.
A good slip resistant shoe will have repeated micro-treads. The soles need to look abrasive. Sneakers look like they should be slip resistant but do not perform.
Here are pictures so you can see what slip resistant soles should look like.
Dansko (and Sanita) Clogs -- Gold standard, truly slip resistant. I have a lot of experience with this type of shoe. They withstand water and oily surfaces. I prefer Sanitas because they fit my foot better but most people prefer Danskos.
Fit Flop -- Claim to be slip resistant but I have slipped in them (but not fallen).
Doc Martens -- Truly slip resistant. The soles look different from most slip resistants, with bigger lugs. It's the material and abrasiveness that saves the day.
Naot -- I have some booties like these and they perform fairly well, but not as slip resistant as the clogs or Docs.
Uggs -- Better than expected slip resistant performance.
Have not tried any of these, but the soles look promising:
Sperry -- this is the classic rain boot, but I'm going to check if they have other slip resistant styles.
Naturalizer -- loafer style at a good price
Ferragamo -- loafer style at an investment price
Birdies -- leather flat
Claim to be slip resistant but look suspicious:
27 Edit -- only the center looks abrasive so I would probably not buy these.
Do you know of any other high performing slip resistant shoes? I'm interested.
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