How Shoe Tread Affects Traction

Summary

Areas of Science

Human Biology & Health
Mechanical Engineering
Sports Science
Materials Science

Difficulty

Method

Scientific Method

Time Required

Very Short (≤ 1 day)

Cost

Very Low (under $20)

Safety

No issues

Credits

Renee Sample, PhD, Science Buddies

Science Buddies is committed to creating content authored by scientists and educators. Learn more about our process and how we use AI.

Image Credit: Hans / Pixabay Content License

Abstract

Have you ever noticed that some shoes grip the ground better than others? The pattern and design of a shoe’s tread can affect how slippery it is on different surfaces. You can test shoes with different tread patterns—like flat, ridged, or patterned—to see which design provides the best grip. By dragging a shoe along a surface with a spring scale at a constant velocity, you can measure how much force is needed for each shoe to slide on various surfaces. With this knowledge, you can learn how a shoe’s tread can change the grip on surfaces to avoid slipping. This experiment is a simple way to explore biomechanics and the importance of footwear design in everyday life.

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