Project Overview

Icy winter weather increases the risk of fall-related injury and decreases outdoor activity levels for older adults and can lead to a downward spiral of negative health effects. Slip resistant winter footwear can help address this problem. The best existing footwear provides good slip resistance when new, but our studies have found that even modest use can change the surface properties of the outsoles and reduces their slip resistance substantially. This type of footwear incorporates composite materials in their outsoles that include hard particles/fibres embedded in a soft rubber substrate that can become damaged relatively easily. Pressure-sensitive adhesives have the potential to create outsoles that are wear resistant because their adhesion properties are found throughout the outsole (not only in the outer surface layer). The objective of this project is to develop a new type of slip resistant winter footwear based on these pressure-sensitive adhesives.