Overview
ISO 17702:2003 - "Footwear - Test methods for uppers - Water resistance" specifies a laboratory test method to determine the resistance of footwear upper materials to water penetration on flexing. The procedure assesses how long an upper material resists water ingress when repeatedly flexed, helping evaluate suitability for intended end use (e.g., outdoor, work, or everyday footwear).
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Applies to visible upper materials and complete upper assemblies (excluding toe puffs and stiffeners). It evaluates water penetration during dynamic flexing rather than static immersion.
- Test principle: A rectangular specimen is formed into a trough around a pair of cylinders, immersed in water and cyclically flexed. The time to initial water penetration is recorded. Optionally, mass of absorbed and transmitted water can be measured.
- Specimen preparation:
- Cut two specimens 75 mm × 60 mm (± tolerances), one along the principal (X) direction and one perpendicular.
- Light abrasion of the outer surface (central 50% area) is required to simulate wear.
- Conditioning in a standard laboratory atmosphere per EN 12222 for at least 24 h.
- Apparatus essentials:
- Cylindrical clamps ~30 mm diameter, adjustable separation and controlled “throw” (flex amplitude); oscillation at ~50 cycles/min.
- Means to contain water to a level above the fold axis, balances for mass measurement, and stiffness-measuring apparatus.
- Stiffness-based throw selection: The flex amplitude (“throw”) used in the test is selected based on measured stiffness forces, with prescribed throws (e.g., 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 or 6.0 mm) tied to measured resistance forces.
- References: Normative links to EN 12222 (conditioning), EN ISO 3696 (water quality), EN 13400 (sampling/location).
Applications and users
ISO 17702 is practical for:
- Footwear manufacturers: material selection, design validation and production quality control for water-resistant footwear.
- Material suppliers: benchmarking leather, coated fabrics, membranes and laminates for upper applications.
- Testing laboratories and certification bodies: standardized, repeatable assessment for product claims and supplier agreements.
- R&D teams: comparing treatments, coatings or constructions to improve flexing water resistance.
Use cases include evaluating hiking boots, work footwear, rain-resistant casual shoes, and comparing performance after treatments or laminations.
Related standards
- EN 13518:2001 (originating CEN standard adopted by ISO 17702)
- EN 12222 - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
- EN ISO 3696 - Water for analytical laboratory use
- EN 13400 - Sampling location and conditioning for shoe uppers
- IULTCS/IUP 10 - Method background
Keywords: ISO 17702, water resistance, footwear uppers, test method, water penetration on flexing, upper material testing, footwear testing standards.
