Research & Development World

  • R&D World Home
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Careers
    • Chemistry
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Software
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
    • Semiconductors
  • R&D Market Pulse
  • R&D 100
    • Call for Nominations: The 2025 R&D 100 Awards
    • R&D 100 Awards Event
    • R&D 100 Submissions
    • Winner Archive
    • Explore the 2024 R&D 100 award winners and finalists
  • Resources
    • Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • Educational Assets
    • R&D Index
    • Subscribe
    • Video
    • Webinars
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Top Labs
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE

Study: Winter Boots Too Slippery for Ice

By Kenny Walter | November 28, 2016

Researchers in Toronto have discovered after testing 98 winter shoes that most of them do not perform well in icy conditions. (Credit: Shutterstock)

You might want to think twice before plunking down $150 on a new pair of winter boots.

Researchers from the University Health Network in Toronto found that only 8 percent of the 98 different types of winter footwear they tested met the minimum slip-resistance standards set out by the Maximum Achievable Angle (MAA) Testing Method.

The researchers used WinterLab, a research facility at Toronto Rehab, to validate slip-resistant footwear on icy footwear by using real people in a simulated winter environment.

The simulation used to test the shoes included participants standing on an icy surface, walking up and down an icy walkway that is tipped and gets gradually steeper, using both bare ice and melting ice. Each shoe was then graded based on the performance.

The results of the winter shoe test can be viewed here. Consumers will be able to use these ratings before purchasing a winter shoe, much like the way winter tires are rated.

An estimated 20,000 people in Ontario visit the emergency room every year due to injuries from falling on ice or snow. A recent Toronto Public Health report revealed that more than 40 percent of those between 35 and 59 and 60 percent of those between 60 and 85 said they would go out less as a way to cope with the winter weather.

“This is another example of how research at Toronto Rehab provides practical help to prevent accidents and disability,” Geoff Fernie, Ph.D., research director of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, said in a statement. “I expect that many serious and life-changing injuries will be prevented this winter by people choosing to buy better non-slip footwear.

“I also expect the impact to grow with future winters as more manufacturers strive to develop products that score well in our system and can be recommended to consumers,” he added.

Related Articles Read More >

New flexible plastic without ‘forever’ chemicals for wearable electronics
SandboxAQ’s SAIR dataset turns 5.2 M protein‑ligand structures into ground‑truth fuel for AI
Marine-biodegradable polymer is as strong as nylon
Unilever R&D head lifts lid on AI, robots and beating the ‘grease gap’
rd newsletter
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, trends, and strategies in Research & Development.
RD 25 Power Index

R&D World Digital Issues

Fall 2024 issue

Browse the most current issue of R&D World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading R&D magazine today.

Research & Development World
  • Subscribe to R&D World Magazine
  • Enews Sign Up
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • Pharmaceutical Processing
  • Global Funding Forecast

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search R&D World

  • R&D World Home
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Careers
    • Chemistry
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Software
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
    • Semiconductors
  • R&D Market Pulse
  • R&D 100
    • Call for Nominations: The 2025 R&D 100 Awards
    • R&D 100 Awards Event
    • R&D 100 Submissions
    • Winner Archive
    • Explore the 2024 R&D 100 award winners and finalists
  • Resources
    • Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • Educational Assets
    • R&D Index
    • Subscribe
    • Video
    • Webinars
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Top Labs
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE