Slip Resistance Testing Standards Comparison: ISO 13287 vs ASTM F2913 vs SATRA TM144

Why Is the Demand for Footwear Slip‑Resistance Testing Increasing?

The overall global demand for footwear slip‑resistance testing is really increasing due to awareness of fall‑related injury risks, participation in daily and industrial activities and also strict regulations on footwear product safety.

Brands exporting to Europe, the US, China and other global markets must follow regional slip‑resistance testing standards such as ISO 13287, ASTM F2913, SATRA TM144. As a result, the demand for reliable protective footwear slip resistance testing equipment is growing among footwear manufacturers and quality control laboratories.

Why Standards Are Important in Buying Decisions

The three main internationally accepted standards for determining the slip resistance of footwear are ISO 13287, ASTM F2913 and SATRA TM144. Although all of these tests aim to determine footwear slip resistance, some differences can lead to variations in measurement results, mainly due to differences in test loading, sliding speed, static contact time, floor contaminant settings, and the method of dynamic friction coefficient measurement.

So for exporters and QA managers, it is very important to select the best and correct slip resistance test method to get results that are in line with other laboratories and that meet buyers’ requirements.

Slip Resistance in the Footwear Industry

Definition of Slip Resistance

Slip Resistance of Footwear: The slip resistance of footwear is defined by the ability of a shoe outsole to maintain frictional grip against walkway surfaces under defined vertical load, contact time and horizontal sliding motionSATRA.

Test results are expressed as dynamic coefficient of friction (CoF). Higher coefficient values represent better anti‑slip performance. Slip resistance tests are carried out under varied surface conditions: dry surface, water‑contaminated, glycerin‑oily contaminated floors.

How Slip Occurs Between Outsole and Walkway Surfaces

The footwear slip resistance really depends on the outsole tread pattern, outsole material hardness, surface roughness, floor texture, and contaminant media such as water, oil or grease.

Deep, well‑distributed tread grooves help squeeze away liquid contaminants and increase friction grip; while smooth, fully‑sealed outsole structures create high slip risk on wet or oily surfaces.

In technical products such as safety work footwear and medical protective shoes, it is highly essential to maintain the friction balance and also the protection performance.

How Do Laboratories Measure Slip Resistance of Footwear?

A smart friction coefficient tester, or the slip resistance tester, measures horizontal friction force and normal vertical load to calculate dynamic COF under multiple test surfaces and contaminant conditions.

The modern systems utilize precisely controlled sliding speed, specified static contact time and automatic data logging during the footwear slip testing to really improve repeatability.

The ISO 13287 Footwear Slip‑Resistance Test Standard

ISO 13287, developed by International Organization for Standardization, is one of the most widely recognized slip‑resistance testing standards in Europe for personal protective safety footwear.

Many brands prefer this test method because it provides a reliable and science‑based measurement of dynamic friction coefficient for safety shoes, occupational footwear and protective garments during the slip‑resistance testing.

How Does the ISO 13287 Test Method Measure Slip‑Resistance Performance?

The ISO 13287 method uses precision load‑cell sensing to measure vertical normal force and horizontal friction force under controlled sliding speed conditions. Advanced slip‑resistance tester systems automatically calculate the dynamic coefficient of friction values for forepart and heel contact zones.

This advanced slip‑resistance tester technology highly improves the test consistency for whole footwear samples.

The ASTM F2913 Footwear Slip‑Resistance Testing

ASTM F2913 sets out the performance test method for slip‑resistance footwear in North America and defines laboratory whole‑shoe slip‑resistance testing, which directly links it to footwear labeling compliance.

Under the ASTM F2913 slip test, footwear must deliver stable dynamic friction performance before they can be claimed as slip‑resistant for US market sales.

How Does ASTM F2913 Rate Slip‑Resistance Performance?

This slip resistance testing uses high‑precision force analysis to measure friction behaviour between whole footwear specimens and diverse flooring surfaces.

A certified slip‑resistance tester or friction coefficient tester measures horizontal and vertical force to determine accurate dynamic COF ratings. To meet market claim requirements, many footwear styles require stable dynamic friction results under multiple contaminant conditions.

Modern slip‑resistance testing systems make the testing process easier and help laboratories achieve more accurate and consistent results through automatic scanning and reporting.

SATRA TM144 Footwear Slip‑Resistance Test Standard

SATRA TM144 is the globally‑acknowledged industry slip‑resistance test standard that evaluates the slip‑resistance performance of finished footwear, outsole units, heel components and soling sheet materialsSATRA.

This standard is widely used in global footwear manufacturing and export supply chains as global buyers are increasingly making slip‑resistance testing mandatory for shipment approval.

What Are the Core Test Principles Under SATRA TM144?

According to the SATRA TM144, footwear specimens are subjected to defined vertical load, short static contact period, then slide horizontally at constant speed against test flooring surfaces under dry, water‑lubricated, oil‑contaminated or special surface conditions such as ice or mud. The tester calculates dynamic coefficient of friction from measured force dataSATRA.

A high‑precision slip‑resistance tester or automated GT‑KB48 slip resistance tester ensures accurate slip‑resistance testing results by reproducing walking‑relevant slip‑generation conditions.

Overview of GESTER Footwear Slip‑Resistance Tester Portfolio

GESTER supplies a full portfolio covering dynamic whole‑shoe tester and multiple static‑friction material testers for different test purposes.

Shoe Slip Resistance Tester GT‑KB48

The GESTER GT‑KB48 Shoe Slip Resistance Tester is designed for whole‑footwear dynamic slip‑resistance evaluation, fully complying with ISO 13287, ASTM F2913, SATRA TM144, GB/T 28287 and other global standards.

It measures dynamic coefficient of friction between complete shoe sole and test‑floor surfaces (ceramic tile, stainless steel, optional wood / PVC) under lubricated or dry conditions. This tester applies preset vertical normal force and drives horizontal relative movement, quantifying kinetic friction force for objective slip‑resistance judgment, supporting safety‑footwear compliance testing and preventing slip‑fall accident risks.

- Vertical & horizontal load‑cell range: 1000 N
- Sliding speed: (0.3 ± 0.03) m/s
- Normal‑force setting: 500 ± 25 N (EU 40 & above); 400 ± 20 N (below EU 40)
- 7‑degree wedge‑angle gauge for heel‑strike test mode
- 19‑inch monitor, full computer‑control operation
- Supplied with standard accessories: 7° wedge‑angle gauge, shoe‑last fixture, prosthetic‑foot fixture, calibration‑rubber fixture, stainless‑steel plate and power cord. Pressed‑ceramic‑tile floor and S96 rubber are optional accessories.

Best‑fit scenario: Finished whole‑shoe dynamic slip‑resistance test for export‑oriented footwear labs that need ISO 13287 / ASTM F2913 / SATRA TM144 multi‑standard capability.

Static Slip Resistance Tester GT‑KB43

GT‑KB43 Static Slip Resistance Tester determines static slip‑resistance performance of footwear outsole, heel and related sole‑material samples.

Specimen is placed face‑down onto standard friction panel; defined load is applied; sample is pulled horizontally at constant speed; maximum tension value is captured to calculate static friction coefficient.

- Capacity: 250 N; load precision: 0.1 N
- Two‑selectable test‑speed: 100 ± 10 mm/min or 400 ± 40 mm/min
- Suitable for outsole raw‑material static‑friction screening.

MARK II Slip Resistance Tester GT‑KB49

MARK II Slip Resistance Tester GT‑KB49measures maximum static friction between test specimen and floor surface by calculating ratio of horizontal‑force versus vertical‑force.

This compact portable‑style tester evaluates shoe‑sole and heel‑material slip‑resistance, applicable for dry, wet or contaminated floor‑surface conditions.

- Test‑piece dimension: 3’’ × 3’’ (76.2 × 76.2 mm)
- Applied test load: 10 lb
- Net weight: 15 kg; compact bench‑top structure.

James Slip Resistance Property Tester GT‑KB36

GT‑KB36 James Slip Resistance Property Tester is used for measuring dry static‑coefficient‑of‑friction for shoe‑sole and heel‑material specimens, compliant with ASTM F489, ASTM D2047 and UL 410 standards.

Under specified dead‑weight load on controlled walking surface, tangential‑force and perpendicular‑force values are collected for static‑friction‑coefficient computation.

- Test‑table area: 12’’ × 12’’ (305 × 305 mm)
- Test‑table moving speed: 1 in/sec (25.4 mm/sec)
- Applied stack‑weight: 25 lb × 3 pieces.

How to Choose an Appropriate Slip‑Resistance Tester

Selection of footwear slip‑resistance tester mainly depends on laboratory workload, required test‑standards, test‑object type (complete shoe or cut material sample), compliance requirements and long‑term‑operation expectation.

Keypurchasing considerations:

1. Standard compliance confirmation: Confirm instrument fully supports your target global standards .
2. Stable load‑cell & speed control: Precise sliding‑speed and high‑accuracy force‑acquisition is critical for dynamic‑COF result reliability.
3. Complete fixture portfolio: Interchangeable shoe‑last, prosthetic‑foot and material‑sample holders for varied‑specimen‑type testing.

4. Data‑management function: Computer‑based data logging and report export to support lab quality traceability.

Conclusion

Selecting proper slip‑resistance‑test‑method is critical for worldwide footwear safety‑evaluation and market‑compliance work. Though ISO 13287, ASTM F2913 and SATRA TM144 all measure friction performance between footwear and floor surfaces, there exist subtle differences in detailed‑test‑parameters and boundary‑conditions which will generate divergent test‑readings. Laboratories must follow buyer‑specified standard protocol for reliable comparable test‑reports.

GESTER slip‑resistance‑tester product‑line covers both dynamic whole‑shoe test and static‑material‑test scenarios. Our GT‑KB48 Shoe Slip Resistance Tester supports ISO 13287, ASTM F2913 and SATRA TM144 multi‑standard testing, provides computer‑automated control, digital‑report output, delivers high‑repeatability dynamic‑COF measurement for global footwear compliance verification.

FAQ

Can shoe slip resistance tester GT‑KB48 run all three standards: ISO 13287, ASTM F2913 and SATRA TM144 on one machine?

Yes. The GESTER slip resistance tester GT‑KB48 is engineered with built‑in parameter sets for ISO 13287, ASTM F2913 and SATRA TM144. Operators can switch between standard protocols via software, without mechanical rework.

Why do I get different COF readings when testing the same shoe under ISO 13287 and SATRA TM144?

Even though they share similar mechanical hardware, the standards differ in allowed contact time, lubricant specification, test floor acceptance criteria and data averaging rules. These subtle protocol differences create measurable COF variation. Always run the test following the exact standard specified by your buyer or certification body.

Is calibration required regularly for slip resistance testers?

Yes. Load cell calibration, speed verification and floor surface inspection are mandatory to maintain inter‑lab consistency.