Every year, tens of thousands of people are injured after slipping on ice or snow. Yet consumers have long struggled to know which shoes actually provide good grip on icy surfaces.
To reduce uncertainty in stores and give consumers a clear decision-making tool, Testfakta has developed the IceGrip label. Based on laboratory measurements in accordance with a Swedish standard, the label rates the grip of shoes on ice using a five-point scale. A score of 3 or higher is considered suitable for winter conditions. Shoes that meet the requirements may carry the IceGrip label on the shoe or the shoebox in stores.
In a comprehensive laboratory test conducted by the research institute RISE on behalf of Testfakta, around 40 common shoe models were tested according to the official Swedish standard for ice grip index. The results reveal significant differences in grip performance. The test findings were also presented on TV4 Nyhetsmorgon and TV2 God Morgen Norge.
Ice grip scores ranged from below 2 to over 14. Several shoes that appeared robust and winter-appropriate performed surprisingly poorly, while others – which looked more like spring or summer footwear – showed significantly better grip on black ice.
All tested shoes and their ice grip ratings are available at www.icegrip.nu, where consumers can compare models and manufacturers. The label is open to all footwear brands whose products meet the standard requirements.