Footwear manufacturing is an extremely diverse industry, which includes athletic shoes, industrial safety footwear, dress shoes and many more. However, all of these different shoes share one aspect: any footwear you produce must meet your quality assurance specifications.
The only way to ensure that your footwear meets your specifications is to subject them to product inspections and testing, by qualified staff and in a certified quality assurance laboratory. The following is a list of the most important physical tests that your shoes should undergo.
Size and Fitting
The shoes you produce must match all the dimensions corresponding to the appropriate shoe size. If you sell your shoe as a US size 42, and it has the correct heel to toe length but is too narrow - then that batch cannot be shipped. To avoid costly rework, such errors must be identified before your production run starts.
Metal Contamination
No matter how strict controls your factory has, a stray needle or work tool can find its way into a shoe - and a single foreign metal object is enough for an entire order to be rejected. Suitable testing with metal detection will catch such foreign objects in time.
Bond Testing
Shoes are constructed of many different parts that are all bonded or glued together. Maintaining a consistent level of quality for different fastening processes can be difficult. Before shipping your footwear, you must ensure that it is able to withstand consistent and adequate levels of stress without breaking.
Zip and Fastener Fatigue and Quality Testing
After putting a great deal of effort into ensuring durable footwear construction, you don’t want to be let down by a failing zip or fastener. Any fastener you put on your shoe must undergo a durability test to ensure that its lifetime of opening and closing matches the durability of your shoe.
Accessory Pull Testing
Any accessory or component that you add to a shoe, such as a decorative buckle, must be attached securely. For children’s shoes, an improperly attached accessory will not only damage the appearance of the shoe, but may be swallowed by a child, resulting in an expensive and reputation-damaging recall of your product.
Color Fastness - Rub Testing
This test ensures that any coloring used in the manufacturing of your shoe will not leak or bleed onto the wearer, their clothes, or their surroundings. After a walk in the rain, no-one wants to take off their shoes to find their white socks have turned pink. This test will ensure that the color of your shoes stays on your shoes only.
QIMA - The Complete Solution
QIMA is a turnkey solution for quality control and assurance, including physical and chemical testing of your shoes in accredited laboratories. With our secure in-house testing facilities in Asia, Europe and Americas, we are able to provide you industry-leading, accredited physical testing and quality assurance with extremely fast turnaround times.
Whichever type of footwear you manufacture, we can get you the results and the quality you need, as and when you need them.
In addition, we help you manage your quality assurance and testing processes on the go, with our mobile app for Android and iOS. You no longer need to make calls or wait for an email to know the exact status of your order. With our app, you can:
- Seamlessly book product inspections, lab testing and supplier audits Instantly see results and full reports
- Access your QIMA Dashboard with quality charts and benchmarks
- Approve or reject shipments
- Manage your quality control scheduling
- Make payments for your services
Create your account here to get started with QIMA.
FAQs
What is physical testing of footwear? ›
Footwear physical testing - Physical tests on shoe Resistance, abrasion, water resistance of shoes. The shoe : from its design to its marketing, including its manufacture, quality control and fit, CTC supports you in all stages of its production.
How do you check the quality of safety shoes? ›Due to the strict and rigid requirements, safety shoes bearing the MS ISO 20345: 2008 certification mark are considered to be of highest quality.
What are the characteristics for proper shoes for physical activity? ›Choose shoes that are made for the type of physical activity you want to do. Look for shoes with flat, non-skid soles, good heel support, enough room for your toes, and a cushioned arch that's not too high or too thick. Make sure the shoes fit well and provide proper support for your feet.
What is physical quality test? ›A physical test is a qualitative or quantitative procedure that consists of determination of one or more characteristics of a given product, process or service according to a specified procedure. Often this is part of an experiment. Physical testing is common in physics, engineering, and quality assurance.
What is quality in footwear? ›The quality of shoes is mainly defined by the material the shoes are made of. Leather, for example, is a natural and breathable material, allowing your feet to breath, regulate moisture, reduce the proliferation of bacteria and fungi and eliminate foot odour.
What does quality mean in shoes? ›Higher quality shoes are made from better materials, with better construction, which will look better and last longer.
What are the standards for safety shoes? ›There are 2 MAIN STANDARDS for safety footwear: ASTM 2413 & EN ISO 20345. Besides these 2 main standards, Safety Jogger pays attention to other safety footwear standards as well (AS/NZS, JIS, LA, SNI, SIRIM, GOST, OHSC) but they are generally based on ASTM & ISO, which are explained below.
What is the best quality of shoes? ›- Reebok. Reebok is one of India's most well-known shoe companies. ...
- Adidas. Adidas is the second-largest sportswear manufacturer in the world. ...
- Nike. ...
- PUMA. ...
- Woodland. ...
- Bata. ...
- Red Tape. ...
- FILA.
Definitions of top-grade. adjective. surpassing in quality.
What are 5 things considered in the design of a shoe? ›Efforts to meet this concern are further multiplied by the critical factors to be considered in the design of each shoe: shock absorption, flexibility, fit, traction, sole wear, breathability, weight, etc.
What are common footwear characteristics? ›
▷ CLASS CHARACTERISTICS are features which are common to all objects of the same variety. For a shoe, it would be the size, tread, brand, the colour, the material used to make the shoe etc. ▷ ACCIDENTAL CHARACTERISTICS are unique characteristics.
What are 5 factors that need to be considered when the appropriate type of protective footwear? ›- Comfort. ...
- Durability. ...
- Safety. ...
- Style. ...
- Slip resistance.
The series of tests assess the five components of physical fitness that make up total fitness: cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition.
What are the types of physical quality? ›Examples of physical quantities are mass, amount of substance, length, time, temperature, electric current, light intensity, force, velocity, density, and many others.
What are the 12 components of physical fitness? ›- Body Composition.
- Muscular Fitness.
- Cardiorespiratory Endurance.
- Flexibility.
- Balance.
- Coordination.
- Power.
- Agility.
There are five components of physical fitness: (1) body composition, (2) flexibility, (3) muscular strength, (4) muscular endurance, and (5) cardiorespiratory endurance. A well-balanced exercise program should include activities that address all of the health-related components of fitness.
What are the 10 importance of physical fitness? ›- Improve your memory and brain function (all age groups).
- Protect against many chronic diseases.
- Aid in weight management.
- Lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
- Improve your quality of sleep.
- Reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
- Combat cancer-related fatigue.
These drawings and documents detail every part of the sneaker from the upper to the outsole bottom. The line item specifications include the name of each part, the material, material vendor, thickness, and color reference. The Spec includes the shoe last information, logo art, design details, emboss effects, etc.
What are high quality shoes made of? ›Synthetic materials are the first sign that a shoe is of low quality. High quality shoes will be made from leather, including the sole. There are different types of leather available but the best leather you want for your dress shoes should be full grain leather.
Does quality of shoes matter? ›High-quality shoes are better for your feet
Soft, quality materials and a sturdy comfortable insole together can provide great support and comfort for your feet.
What is the OSHA requirement for shoe cover? ›
Our Shoe Covers Exceed OSHA Standards
A SCOF of 0.50 or greater is recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for normal human ambulation. Higher SCOF increases the traction, and therefore reduces the possibility of slips and falls.
The OSHA regulations pertaining to employee footwear are found at 29 CFR 1910.132 and 1910.136 (copies enclosed). In general, the standard requires that foot protection be used whenever it is necessary by reason of hazard of processes or environment which could cause foot injury.
What is the workplace shoe policy? ›The OSHA occupational foot protection standard at 29 CFR 1910.136(a) requires the use of protective footwear when employees are working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, and where there is a possibility of the employee's feet being exposed ...
Who is the No 1 shoes in the world? ›1. Nike. Nike is an American multinational corporation that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets footwear, clothes, equipment, and accessories in the whole world.
Are expensive shoes better quality? ›A well-made pair of shoes is a piece of high craftsmanship. And the main difference? You will have greater support and padding, and your feet will feel “hugged” instead of “constricted”. Higher-priced shoes are built on the foundations of high construction quality and balanced arch support.
What is considered a luxury shoe? ›Luxury shoes are made out of quality materials
Luxury shoemakers only use premium materials like genuine leather, wood, or canvas to create a durable sole and other parts of luxury shoes. Every single part is crafted out of exceptionally expensive materials from welt to wheeling and toe cap to back trap.
10A Quality means LOW- quality material than 10AA but not as much good as the original product. 5A means more local material is used in making the replica.
What is class A in shoes? ›Definition of Shoe inspection quality “A”, “B”, “C” – Grades. A grade shoes: Shoes without any functional defects or cosmetic defects that will impair the marketability of the shoe are A grade. These are high-quality shoes, they look good and fit correctly.
What are 3 things considered in the design of a shoe? ›The most important shoe design elements to watch out for include: Heel Elevation. Tapering Toe Boxes. Toe Spring.
What makes a good pair of shoes? ›feels comfortable – your shoe should feel immediately comfortable from the first wear. fits well – make sure you have at least 1‒1.5cm at the end of the shoe. It should be wide enough and long enough to fit your feet. The shoe should feel snug but not tight.
What are the most important parts of a shoe? ›
The heel is probably one of the most important parts of the shoe from the perspective of the wearer. Without the right cushioning and comfort, the shoes won't last. They may rub and cause blisters, making your feet sore instead of supporting them while you're on the move.
What are the qualities of Nike shoes? ›Lightweight Durability
Nike Air cushioning reduces the weight of the shoe without reducing performance. The lighter the shoe is, the less energy athletes put out during their performance. Athletes need the cushioning in their footwear to last, and Nike Air is designed to provide support throughout the life of the shoe.
Manufacture, model and approximate size of footwear: Footwear impression can show the design elements (shapes, patterns, arrangement) that form the outsole design. These can be compared with a footwear outsole database to identify the model of footwear that made the impression.
What makes a safety shoe a safety shoe? ›Safety toe shoes feature a metal or nonmetal toe cap to protect toes against impact from falling objects. Composite toe work shoes are made from a combination of durable, non-metal materials such as Kevlar, carbon fiber, and plastic.
What are the 4 important protective equipment? ›Gloves. Safety glasses/eye goggles. Earmuffs / earplugs. Work boots or protective footwear.
What are examples of physical tests? ›- Muscular Tension Tests - Tasks requiring pushing, pulling, lifting.
- Muscular Power Tests - Tasks requiring the individual to overcome some initial resistance (e.g., loosening a nut on a bolt)
This test is an ADA-compliant assessment to determine a person's ability to safely and effectively perform the job. The test could include material handling, postural demands, cardiovascular demands, and baseline range of motion of desired body parts.
What is physical test of garment? ›Physical and mechanical testing for textiles
Tensile strength. Tear strength. Seam properties. Pilling. Colourfastness.
Your employer requires that the safety-toe footwear must be worn at all times regardless of the presence of a hazard; must have a leather upper; must have oil resistant and non-skid soles, and must comply with ASTM 2413-05 with a impact resistance rating of 75 and an compression resistance rating of 75.
What are the 5 physical? ›There are five components of physical fitness: (1) body composition, (2) flexibility, (3) muscular strength, (4) muscular endurance, and (5) cardiorespiratory endurance.
What can cause you to fail a pre-employment physical? ›
Failing a pre-employment physical or HPE can happen for a number of reasons, though often failing a drug or alcohol test can be the reason a candidate does not pass. This is particularly common for jobs involving driving or operating heavy machinery where sobriety is of paramount importance.
How do you pass a physical ability test? ›- Check the police department's website to see what will be on the test. ...
- Check with your doctor. ...
- Test yourself before the actual test. ...
- Start exercising. ...
- Don't wait too long to prepare. ...
- Be ready the day of the test.
A physical examination holds several benefits, such as getting reassurance of your current health status, giving you an opportunity to screen for conditions, such as Diabetes II and high blood pressure, check whether your weight is right, and get up to speed with flu shots or vaccinations.
What are the 3 types of fabric testing? ›- Tensile Testing – Determines the maximum force a fabric can withstand when under constant, controlled tension. ...
- Abrasion Testing – Tests a fabric's resistance to surface wear and tear by way of continual rubbing. ...
- Pilling Testing – Tests a fabric's resistance to pilling.
- FIT TESTS TO TRACK PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS. Repeat the fitness tests every three to four weeks. ...
- RESTING HEART RATE. Resting heart rate is an excellent way to measure improvements in cardiovascular fitness. ...
- BALANCE TEST. ...
- PUSH UP TEST. ...
- WALL SIT TEST.
The fitting test shows how the product will look when worn. To execute this test, the quality inspector performs a test on mannequins as per above, or on real models if available. He puts each garment on the mannequin and performs a general check.
What is standard code for shoes? ›ASTM F2412-18a (Standard Test Methods for Foot Protection) and ASTM F 2413-18 (Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear) are the most current footwear consensus standards.
What is Code of safety shoes? ›EN ISO 20345:2011
It specifies basic and additional (optional) requirements for safety footwear that are used for general purpose. All safety boots must be manufactured and certified under this standard.
Plain and simple – OSHA does not forbid employers from setting protocol for prescribed work attire. Nor does the agency say employees can't wear casual footwear—including sandals, clogs and Crocs.