ISO 17707-2005 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 17707:2005 — Footwear — Test methods for outsoles — Flex resistance. Specifies a laboratory test method to determine the flex resistance of footwear outsoles and to assess how sole materials and surface patterns influence cut growth under flexing conditions.

Abstract

ISO 17707:2005 specifies a method for determining the flex resistance of outsoles. The method is intended to evaluate the influence of outsole materials and surface texture on extension of a cut and applies to outsoles that, when tested as described in the standard, have a maximum longitudinal rigidity of 30 N.

General information

• Status: Published — International Standard (confirmed as current after routine review).
• Publication date: July 2005 (Edition 1, 2005); last confirmation recorded in 2024.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 61.060 (Footwear).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2005).
• Number of pages: 8 (ISO bibliographic record).

Scope

This standard describes a laboratory procedure to measure the flex resistance of footwear outsoles and to assess the effect of outsole material and surface patterning on the growth of a cut. It is applicable to outsoles whose longitudinal rigidity does not exceed 30 N when measured in the manner described in the standard; the method is intended for use with outsoles (and not with whole shoes or items outside the stated rigidity limit).

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of test specimens and sampling location for outsoles.
• Conditioning and pre-test preparation of test pieces (standard atmospheres and conditioning times).
• Specified test apparatus and setup to apply flexing motions representative of service conditions.
• Detailed test procedure including application of a pre-cut and measurement of cut growth under repeated flexing.
• Limits of applicability (maximum longitudinal rigidity of 30 N) and interpretation of results.
• Calculation, expression of results and required information for test reports.
• Notes on method relationship to other footwear test methods (methodological basis and comparability).

Typical use and users

Used by footwear manufacturers, material suppliers, independent testing laboratories, R&D teams and conformity assessment bodies to evaluate outsole durability and resistance to progressive damage when flexed. It supports product development, quality control, supplier evaluation and evidence for compliance with footwear performance specifications. Test houses performing protective or technical footwear evaluations commonly apply this method.

Related standards

ISO 17707:2005 sits within the ISO/TC 216 footwear test-method family and is related to other footwear standards such as ISO 20344 (test methods for footwear), ISO 17709 (sampling and conditioning of samples), ISO 16177 (resistance to crack initiation and growth — belt flex method) and standards on abrasion, adhesion and standard atmospheres for conditioning. In European application it is published as EN/ISO variants (e.g., EN ISO 17707).

Keywords

footwear; outsoles; flex resistance; test method; longitudinal rigidity; cut growth; ISO/TC 216; conditioning; durability testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 17707:2005 is an international standard that defines a laboratory method for measuring the flex resistance of footwear outsoles and for assessing how materials and surface patterns affect growth of a cut under repeated flexing.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation and conditioning, the test apparatus and procedure, how to perform the flexing test on outsoles with up to 30 N longitudinal rigidity, how to measure and report cut growth and the calculation and expression of results.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Footwear manufacturers, material suppliers, independent test laboratories, product designers and regulatory/conformity assessment bodies involved in footwear performance and durability testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As recorded in ISO’s bibliographic data, ISO 17707:2005 remains the published edition and was confirmed as current following the ISO systematic review cycle (confirmation recorded in 2024). Users should check national adoption or EN/ISO versions for any regional modifications.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the footwear test-methods corpus maintained by ISO/TC 216 and is published alongside related test-method standards (abrasion, adhesion, sampling/conditioning and crack-growth tests). Several related ISO footwear standards and EN/ISO adoptions form the broader series of test methods for footwear.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Footwear, outsoles, flex resistance, test method, cut growth, longitudinal rigidity, durability, ISO 17707.