Are Skechers D’Lites Slip Resistant?

Skechers D’Lites are a popular style of athletic walking and casual shoes.

With their thick rubber soles and tread patterns, some people wonder if D’Lites provide traction to prevent slipping.

In this article, we’ll look at whether Skechers D’Lites are marketed as slip-resistant and examine their traction features and testing results.

Are Skechers D’Lites Slip Resistant

Most Skechers D’Lites casual sneaker styles are not specifically designed or marketed as slip-resistant shoes. While their rubber outsoles may provide some traction, they lack the dedicated slip-resistant tread patterns and certifications of occupational slip-resistant footwear.

An Overview of Skechers D’Lites

First, let’s review some background on the Skechers D’Lites line of shoes. Introduced in the 1990s, D’Lites quickly became one of Skechers’ most well-known styles. Here are some key features:

• Use: Casual walking, athletic everyday use
• Style: Chunky midsole and outsole with a soft, cushioned insole
• Materials: Leather, mesh, synthetic uppers; rubber soles
• Tread pattern: Varies by model – some have multi-directional traction lugs
• Weight: Lightweight for their size
• Comfort features: Padded tongue and collar, gel-infused Memory Foam insole on some models

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Are Skechers D’Lites Marketed as Slip-Resistant Shoes?

When shopping for restaurant or workplace footwear, you’ll often see shoes marketed as “slip-resistant” or “oil/water resistant” for traction. Skechers does not specifically market D’Lites as slip-resistant shoes.

You won’t find mention of slip resistance or bartender/restaurant shoes on their site. Compared to oil-resistant restaurant shoes, their soles tend to be less dense and without an oil-shedding compound.

However, some D’Lites do have multi-directional traction lugs that may provide decent grip. And the thick, lugged soles are more substantial than typical canvas sneakers.

So while not directly marketed for slip resistance, some D’Lites likely have fairly good traction for casual use. Let’s look more closely at their sole treads and grip test results.

Traction Features of D’Lites Soles

The outsoles and treads can vary quite a bit among D’Lites models. But here are some common traction features:

• Lugged treads: Some D’Lites have multi-directional lugs – protruding rubber blocks that improve surface contact and traction on many terrains.
• Flex grooves: Grooves that allow the sole to flex while walking are carved into many D’Lites tread blocks. The grooves also pick up and channel water/debris to improve wet/muddy traction.
• Rubber compounds: D’Lites tend to use typical rubber with decent friction and durability. The compounds are likely not oil-resistant like restaurant shoes. But they provide traction for everyday surfaces.
• Cushioning: The chunky midsole and insole cushioning allow tread lugs to grip surfaces without feeling overly hard or slippery.

So while not heavy-duty industrial shoes, some D’Lites have lugged, flexible soles providing decent grip for casual use. Next, we’ll see how they perform in actual slip tests.

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Results of Slip Resistance Testing

There are standardized tests to measure shoes’ coefficient of friction (CoF) – their grip and slip resistance on various surfaces when wet or oily.

Shoes must score at least 0.5 CoF when wet and 0.45 when oily to be considered slip-resistant. Good restaurant shoes score 0.6+ on wet/dry and 0.4+ on oil.

I was unable to find publicly available slip test data for Skechers D’Lites models. However, some reviewers have done home tests assessing their traction:

• D’Lites with better-lugged treads (Crazy Lights, Mega Burst) gripped wet surfaces fairly well.
• Smooth-soled varieties slipped more easily, especially on the tile.
• Oily surfaces reduced traction substantially.

So while they offer decent wet/dry grip thanks to lugged treads, D’Lites likely don’t have specialized oil-resistant soles. Their casual rubber compounds rely more on surface contact friction than restaurant shoes.

Now let’s compare D’Lites to some other popular shoe types for slip resistance.

Skechers D’Lites Traction Compared to Other Shoes

How does the slip resistance of D’Lites compare to other common shoe styles and usages? See the comparisons below:

Shoe Type	Traction Features	Slip Resistance Rating	Good for
Work clogs	Water-resistant soles, deep lugs, specialized compounds (oil-shedding)	Excellent	Restaurant, bar work. High wet/dry and oil traction.
Running/athletic shoes	Multi-directional lugs, some water channeling grooves, decent rubber compounds. Smooth tread less grippy.	Moderate	Casual and sports use. Good wet traction from lugs, but poorly rated on oils.
Canvas sneakers	Minimal tread depth and lugs. Very flat contact with the surface. Smooth casual soles slip easily.	Very poor	Dry indoor use only for grip. Absorb liquids and sink on wet ground. Hazardous slip potential.
Skechers D’Lites	Some models have defined lugs improving wet/dry traction. Slip more than work shoes but better than typical sneakers. No specialized oil grip.	Moderate	Casual everyday use, walking, athleisure wear. Okay, outdoor traction but likely unsafe for workplace wet/oil hazards requiring certified footwear.

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So compared to normal sneakers, lugged D’Lites provide improved traction that’s decent for everyday activities. Their casual rubber soles lack specialized oil/water compounds though, rating below work clogs for slip safety.

Let’s recap the key points on D’Lites’ slip resistance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Skechers D’Lites generally do not provide exceptional slip resistance. While the thick rubber soles offer some traction, they lack the specialized tread patterns and slip-resistant materials found in shoes designed specifically for slip resistance. The chunky platform style of D’Lites is more geared towards casual fashion than workplace safety.

For environments with wet or greasy floors where slip hazards are a concern, dedicated slip-resistant shoes with rated outsoles would be a much safer choice than D’Lites. The D’Lites may provide adequate grip for dry, indoor use, but they should not be relied upon for maximum slip protection in risky settings. Investing in shoes with SATRA or ASTM slip resistance ratings is advisable for those needing a truly slip-resistant shoe.

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