SATRA unveils new protocol to challenge wear trials

A traditional wear trial has for many years been a common method for trying to determine how footwear will perform before it is brought to market. Gaining an indication of how a boot or shoe is going to stand up to use in the first few weeks is crucial because this is the time when a consumer is most likely to notice and complain about any signs of premature wear. Consumer loyalty is hard won in the modern retail era so any steps to avoid a negative brand perception are a wise investment.

The problem with a wear trial is it is often a slow process taking months of valuable development time and, by the nature of it, the results can be inconsistent because the external environment and the human physiological condition change from day to day.

SATRA has been conducting wear trials for almost 100 years, so is well-versed in their shortcomings. It has led us to develop a protocol which we call the Simulated Wear Assessment Test, or SWAT for short. The SWAT protocol brings together test methods, equipment and expertise that are already unique to SATRA within the footwear industry. Now they are offered to SATRA members as a cost-effective single package for the first time.

The Simulated Wear Assessment Test subjects finished footwear to comparable levels of moisture, heat, pressure, flexing and abrasion as would be experienced in actual end use. The advantage SWAT has over a traditional wear trial is the accuracy and consistency of results. What this means is different brand prototypes can be tested against the same criteria, or the same conditions can be repeated across different stages of development of a single product line. Or, quite simply, it is a reassuringly constant approach for the batch testing of an existing product.

The other main advantage of SWAT is its relative speed. To give you an idea, a wear trial might take a month to complete, whereas testing finished footwear with the new protocol could deliver results within a few working days. This is valuable when you need to get your product to market quickly to meet new seasons and fashions.

The SWAT protocol certainly provides a smart overview of whole shoe durability in terms of integrity, shape and general appearance inside and out. It is not, however, intended to replace standard testing where, for example, specific tests for such attributes as slip resistance, sole adhesion and heel attachment are still important.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 6 of the January 2013 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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