Non-slip shoes for winter

Living in a climate with long winters and changeable weather, you have to approach the choice of winter shoes with special demands. From winter models, everyone wants to get not only a guarantee of warmth and dryness, but also safety while driving on slippery streets. To make the right choice of winter boots and boots, use our tips:

1. In the construction of shoes, soles made of frost-resistant material should be used, and the tread pattern should be deep (5-8 mm) and geometrically complex, like car tires. Only such a sole can provide an anti-slip effect.

2. Give preference to models with wide heels, no more than 5 cm high. Unfortunately, stilettos will have to be postponed until spring.

3. The height of the base of the sole should be more than 1 cm, this format reduces the risk of freezing of the material and to a greater extent allows it to maintain its anti-slip properties.

Let us dwell in more detail on the materials that manufacturers use to make the soles of winter shoes. This is the most important element of the movement safety system, since not all types of raw materials have high frost resistance and change their properties at low temperatures, thereby increasing the likelihood of uncontrolled slipping.

1. TRP, TEP (thermoplastic elastomer) is a material that can withstand low temperatures down to almost -45 °C. The sole made from this type of raw material is considered the least slippery.

2. TPU (thermopolyurethane) is a material with sufficiently high anti-slip properties. But he has a drawback: he does not retain heat well. Therefore, technologists prefer to combine it with polyurethane (in the manufacture of soles from two layers).

3. Rubber is a time-tested material: the outsole made of high-quality rubber does not slip and is frost-resistant. But its important disadvantage is its large weight, which leads to rapid leg fatigue.

4. PU (polyurethane) — material for regions with mild winters. When the temperature drops below zero, the polyurethane sole begins to slip, and when the temperature drops below 15-20 degrees, it may crack.

5. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) — not at all suitable for creating the sole of winter boots, as it slips strongly even in light frost and collapses under the influence of low temperatures.

6. EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) is a lightweight material that is famous for its waterproof and thermal characteristics, but in sub-zero temperatures, the EVA sole slips a lot regardless of the tread pattern.

7. Genuine leather soles are the most aesthetically advantageous option, which, unfortunately, is not suitable for slippery roads, as the material is very smooth and, regardless of the temperature outside, will not help to maintain balance.

So, the best choice for winter would be shoes with soles made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). But remember that the model that combines all the characteristics will provide the greatest security — anti-slip soles, deep tread patterns and a low, stable heel.