How to Test Infant Shoe Slip Resistance

Finding infant shoes can be a daunting endeavor. According the American Podiatric Medical Association, allowing infants to walk barefoot or in socks allows the foot to naturally build foot strength, but this poses a challenge for parents, because socks and soft-soled shoes are not slip-resistant. Socks and slippery soft-soled shoes can be dangerous when worn on any smooth surface, like wood and ceramic floors. Since infants will be spending a lot of time on floors as they learn mobility, from crawling to the early stages of walking, slippery shoes can be a hazardous accessory.

Things You'll Need

• Flat surface
• Internet

Instructions

1. Examine the sole. Check for signs of slip or skid resistance. This does not necessarily mean rubber or toothing. Any fabric that interrupts a smooth surface, like suede or woven fabrics, may provide slip-resistance. Treads are important as well. Many slip-resistant infant shoes will have rubber grips painted into the fabric almost like glue. Any material that prevents soft fabric from laying flush with the floor will provide some amount of slip-resistance.

2. Perform a rudimentary slip-resistance test. Slip your hand or a few fingers into the mouth of the shoe and lay your hand flat against a smooth surface until the sole is flush with the floor. You can do this on the smooth surface of any department or shoe store. Using your hand as a weight, place a minimum amount of pressure onto the sole of the shoe and push it gently forward. If your hand slides out from underneath you without any resistance, the sole is not slip-resistant. If the shoe sticks in place or sticks and jerks forward it is slip-resistant.

3. Find rubber-soled infant shoes. While a large majority of infant shoes are soft-soled, there are a few companies and brands designing shoes with thin rubber soles. These shoes are still soft and flexible, but provide a minimum amount of rubber along the bottom of the shoe that prevents slipping. Use the test in Step 1 to double check slip-resistance.

4. Research shoes that have been approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association. APMA tests and approves shoes based on several characteristics, like safety, comfort, quality and health benefits. Keep in mind that the American Podiatric Medical Association approves shoes for other reasons other than slip-resistance, so you'll still want to do more research, as well as your own slip-resistance test on these infant shoes. Robeez, Pediped Footwear and Reebok are examples of slip-resistant infant shoes that have been approved by the APMA.

References

• APMA: Childrens Shoe Recommendations

Resources

• Robeez
• PediPed Footwear
• Reebok