June 6, 2025
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Dr. Geoffrey Gray, founder of Heeluxe, teamed up with SR Max to rethink “safety shoes”—reframing them as “occupational shoes” designed not just for accident prevention, but for overall performance on the job. During the CoLab conference, he emphasized that while traditional safety features like steel toes, puncture plates, and waterproofing are well‑established, adopting a broader view that also includes comfort, cushioning, and fit is critical to reducing workplace fatigue, injuries, and boosting worker satisfaction.
Heeluxe’s rigorous testing has shown the industry is making strides—particularly in slip resistance, thanks to innovations like SR Max’s MaxTRAX® outsole, which excels on dry, wet, and oily surfaces and exceeds ASTM F3445-21 standards. Yet Gray highlights two key growth areas: specialized traction for real-world contaminants (mud, dust, gravel) and enhanced comfort through superior cushioning and precise fit. SR Max is already implementing Heeluxe-powered testing for every shoe in its line, and Gray previews that parts 2–4 of the series will dive deeper into traction, cushioning, and fit innovations
