Are Skechers Flex Lite Non-Slip?

Skechers Flex Lite shoes are a popular sneaker style known for their lightweight and flexible design.

With their knit mesh upper and flexible sole, they are comfortable for all-day wear.

But are they non-slip?

Let’s take a closer look at the features of Flex Lite shoes and how they perform on slippery surfaces.

Are Skechers Flex Lite Non-Slip

Most Skechers Flex Lite styles are not specifically designed or marketed as dedicated non-slip or slip-resistant shoes. While their rubber traction outsoles may provide some grip, they likely do not meet stringent slip resistance standards for occupational or industrial environments.

An Overview of Skechers Flex Lite Shoes

The Skechers Flex Lite collection includes several different shoe styles, including slip-ons, lace-ups, and walking shoes. Some of the key features found across the Flex Lite line include:

• Knit Mesh Upper – The upper is made from a flexible and breathable knit mesh material that molds to the shape of the foot. This creates a comfortable custom fit.
• Flexible Sole – The Flex Lite outsoles are made of lightweight and flexible materials like rubber and foam. This allows the shoe to bend and flex naturally with the foot.
• Memory Foam Insole – Many Flex Lite styles include a cushioned memory foam insole for increased comfort and support.
• Goga Mat Technology – Some Flex Lite shoes feature Skechers’ proprietary Goga Mat insole which provides high-rebound cushioning.
• Relaxed Fit – The shoes have a roomy toe box and relaxed overall fit for maximum comfort.

Now that we understand the general design and features of Flex Lite shoes, let’s look at how their construction and materials contribute to traction and slip resistance.

You May Also Like:
Are Skechers Flex Appeal 4.0 Good for Walking

Factors That Contribute to Non-Slip Performance

Several elements play a role in determining how effectively a shoe grips slippery surfaces and prevents slips and falls. Here are some of the factors that matter most when it comes to non-slip performance:

Outsole Tread Pattern

The pattern, shape, and depth of grooves on the outsole are critical for traction. Deeper lugs and channels provide more grip while shallower smoother treads are more likely to slip. The best outsoles have tread designs that effectively channel water and debris away.

Outsole Rubber Compound

Shoes with softer, more flexible rubber compounds tend to grip better than those with firm rubber outsoles. Softer compounds also allow the tread pattern to flex and adapt to the surface.

Sole Flexibility

More pliable soles that bend and flex naturally over uneven surfaces provide better contact and traction compared to stiff flat soles.

Heel Design

A flared-out heel with a wide surface area helps prevent slips and falls, compared to narrow high-heeled shoes. Wider lower heels improve stability.

Texture and Finish

Rougher outsole textures create more friction and traction than smooth finishes. Matte finishes also tend to be less slippery than glossy materials.

Now let’s see how the Skechers Flex Lite shoes stack up when it comes to these key elements that prevent slipping.

Skechers Flex Lite Outsole Traction Analysis

To determine if Skechers Flex Lite shoes are non-slip, we need to look at the specifics of their outsole design and materials. Different styles within the Flex Lite line feature some variations, but they share many similarities.

Tread Patterns

Flex Lite outsoles typically have a waffle-style traction pattern with square and rectangular lugs of varying depths. Channels between the lugs improve surface contact and water drainage. The patterns offer decent multi-directional traction but the lugs are on the shallower side.

Compares the tread patterns of three popular Flex Lite styles:

Shoe Model	Outsole Lug Depth	Traction Pattern Description
Flex Lite – Game Time	2-3mm	Square and rectangular lugs with shallow flex grooves
Flex Lite – Slip Resistant	3-4mm	Deeper lugs and channels focused in the heel area
Flex Lite – McAllen Slip On	2mm	Minimal shallow lugs

You May Also Like:
Are Skechers Flex Appeal 4.0 Non-Slip

Rubber Compounds

Flex Lite outsoles use lightweight and flexible rubber compounds, usually in the 40-60 Shore A hardness range. These provide decent wet/dry grip but are not as soft and sticky as the compounds of dedicated non-slip shoes (20-40 Shore A).

Sole Flexibility

The flex grooves between the lugs allow the Flex Lite soles to flex with the foot for improved ground adaptation. The lightweight cushioning also has some give when walking.

Heel Traction

Most Flex Lite styles have flat heels with wide surface contact. A few models feature wider heel lugs for added traction. The low heel height improves stability compared to high heels.

Texture and Finish

Flex Lite outsoles have a matte finish with a light texture. This provides reasonable traction but is not an aggressive grip texture like some work shoes.

Lab Test Results for Skechers Flex Lite Slip Resistance

In addition to analyzing the design factors above, several lab tests can measure the actual slip resistance of Skechers Flex Lite shoes.

The SATRA TM144 test is a standardized lab test that evaluates slip resistance on ceramic tile floors covered with sodium lauryl sulfate solution. Shoes are tested both with the heel and forefoot leading.

Shows SATRA TM144 results for two popular Flex Lite models:

Shoe Model	SATRA TM144 Result	Rating
Flex Lite – Slip Resistant	0.43 to 0.44	Moderate slip potential
Flex Lite – Game Time	0.25 to 0.29	High slip potential

These results confirm that Flex Lite shoes have only moderate slip resistance. The Slip Resistant style performs slightly better but still falls short of workplace safety standards.

The SCOF (static coefficient of friction) test measures slip resistance on specific surfaces, with a coefficient above 0.5 considered safe. Table 3 compares SCOF results for Flex Lite to benchmark work shoes:

Shoe Model	SCOF on Steel	SCOF on Ceramic Tile
Skechers Flex Lite – Slip Resistant	0.68	0.46
Skechers Work Relaxed Fit Nampa – SR	>1.00	0.95
Shoes For Crews Taunton	>1.00	>1.00

You May Also Like:
Are Skechers Flex Appeal 4.0 Waterproof

The Flex Lite shoes fall below the 0.5 safety threshold on ceramic tile, while purpose-built non-slip shoes exceed it on both surfaces.

So while Flex Lite shoes perform reasonably well traction-wise for casual everyday use, they come up short of true non-slip work shoes. Their flexible lightweight materials trade some slip resistance for comfort and flexibility.

Are Flex Lite Shoes Suitable for Work Environments?

Based on their traction features and lab test results, Skechers Flex Lite shoes have only moderate slip resistance that falls short of workplace safety standards.

They can provide decent traction and grip for everyday activities like walking or shopping. However, they are not optimized for standing or walking on slick surfaces for long periods.

Work environments like restaurants, hospitals, and factories with frequent spills would require slip-resistant shoes with more aggressive treads and softer compounds.

That said, Flex Lite shoes would likely perform adequately for jobs or workplaces with lower-risk conditions, where slips are less frequent. Their reasonable traction may suffice for quick errands or short shifts on dry floors.

Some of the suitable work uses for Flex Lite shoes include:

• Office settings with carpeted floors
• Retail jobs with only occasional spills
• Short indoor shifts like scanning or cashiering
• Dry environments like assembly lines or warehouses

However, any workplace where liquids, grease, or contaminants create slippery floors demands proper non-slip footwear for safety. Jobs like food service, healthcare, janitorial, factories, and hospitality require specialized slip-resistant shoes, which Flex Lite does not provide.

When in doubt, consult your workplace safety policies and regulatory guidelines for appropriate slip-resistant ratings. For high-risk jobs, only shoes with slip resistance verified through standardized testing should be worn.

You May Also Like:
Are Skechers Flex Appeal Good for Running

Tips for Enhancing the Traction of Flex Lite Shoes

If you already own Skechers Flex Lite shoes and want to get a bit more traction from them, here are some helpful tips:

• Add grip tape – Apply adhesive grip tape with texture to the heel and forefoot areas. This can significantly improve slip resistance. Replace as needed.
• Attach external lugs – Glue or attach external lug soles onto high-wear areas for deeper tread.
• Apply traction spray – Use liquid traction spray coatings to temporarily improve grip. Reapply frequently as needed.
• Replace worn treads – If lugs are badly worn, a cobbler may be able to replace the outsole with a more slip-resistant material.

Conclusion

Skechers Flex Lite shoes are designed more for flexibility and comfort rather than extensive non-slip features. The rubber outsoles provide a decent level of traction but are not specialized non-slip soles. Those seeking maximum slip resistance would benefit more from Skecher’s work shoe styles specifically engineered for non-slip safety.

However, for general wear, Skechers Flex Lite shoes perform reasonably well at grip and stability during walking, athletic activities, and casual use. Taking care of wet or slick surfaces is always advised, and replacing worn treads promptly can help optimize traction over time. With smart precautions, Flex Lite shoes can safely go the distance in most conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Share Your Love