SKU family shown: KIMTECH PURE* A7 Ankle High Shoe Covers (47972 / 47973).
Why footwear control matters in cleanrooms
Footwear is one of the highest-frequency contamination sources because it contacts the floor continuously and crosses boundaries repeatedly.
Shoe covers are not “just PPE”—they are part of your contamination-control system (boundary design, entry discipline, cleaning, and training).
ISO cleanroom operations frameworks explicitly include a personnel management program that includes a gowning program, because technique and consistency are critical to sustaining cleanliness levels over time.
What the manufacturer designed this product to do
- Increase ankle coverage: catalog basis states 30% more material at the ankle vs. a standard shoe cover.
- Stabilize fit: two elastic bands above and below the ankle to support coverage and retention.
- Support controlled steps: durable anti-skid soles for better grip (vinyl sole properties in TDS).
- Enable cleanroom handling: manufacturer TDS lists double-bagging and suitability for ISO Class 6+ cleanrooms.
Specifications in context (receiving + SOP alignment)
| Attribute |
Manufacturer basis |
| Codes / sizes |
47972 (Universal), 47973 (XL) |
| Packaging |
100/bag; 3 bags/case (300/case) |
| Bagging |
Double-bagged |
| Cleanroom suitability |
Suitable for ISO Class 6 and higher cleanrooms |
| Sole length (TDS) |
13.25 in (Universal); 15 in (XL) |
| Material statements |
Silicone free*; not processed with natural rubber latex; not made with BHT preservative |
| Electrostatic statement |
NFPA 99 antistatic material (Pass); anti-static listed |
Performance and cleanliness (manufacturer test basis)
The manufacturer TDS includes physical and barrier metrics for both the upper fabric and vinyl sole. These values help teams who document garment performance as part of qualification or risk assessment.
Below are selected examples (see TDS for full tables and test methods).
| Category |
Example TDS results (selected) |
Why it matters |
| Upper fabric — strength/tear |
Tensile (MD/CD): 26.5 / 17.2 lbs; Tear (MD/CD): 6.1 / 12.5 lbs |
Supports durability during donning and walking to reduce “micro-tears” and rework. |
| Cleanliness — lint |
Upper fabric lint: 2,900 particles (>0.5 µm) (INDA 1601-92) |
Helps frame particle risk as part of your cleanroom classification and garment strategy. |
| Barrier — particle holdout |
Particle holdout (0.3–5.0 µm): 99.999% (independent lab; includes chromate dust) |
Relevant where floor-level particles and tracked debris are a documented risk. |
| Sole — traction (COF) |
Static COF ~0.312–0.313; Dynamic COF ~0.295–0.300 (ASTM D1894-78) |
Supports stable movement and reduces slip risk during controlled entry behavior. |
Gowning (donning) education — ISO first
ISO cleanroom standards frame gowning as part of operational control. ISO 14644-1 defines cleanroom classification by airborne particle concentration.
ISO 14644-5 then addresses operations control, including personnel entry/exit and a personnel management program that includes a gowning program.
In other words: garment performance and gowning technique must work together to maintain a target cleanliness class.
Practical donning steps for shoe covers (general template — adapt to your SOP)
- Boundary discipline: Don shoe covers at the designated boundary (step-over bench / airlock transition). Keep “dirty side” footwear off the clean side.
- Handle by the upper only: Avoid touching the sole. If you touch the sole, treat it as contamination transfer and follow your re-gowning rules.
- Seat both elastics correctly: The A7 design includes two elastics above and below the ankle. Confirm both are positioned as intended before standing.
- Avoid “dragging” the cover on the floor: Lift the foot and guide the cover over the shoe in a controlled motion to prevent picking up debris before entry.
- Change-out triggers: Replace if torn, wet, slipping, or after exiting to non-controlled spaces per your SOP.
European Annex 1 perspective (after ISO)
If you operate under EU GMP Annex 1 for sterile medicinal products, the emphasis tightens further:
Annex 1 expects personnel to be trained/qualified in gowning and periodically assessed, including aseptic gowning for Grade A/B operations.
Annex 1 is not a “product spec” document, but it drives how you train, assess, and document gowning performance.
Practical takeaway for footwear control in Annex 1 environments
- Technique must be demonstrably consistent: Train to a defined method, then assess gowning performance at an established frequency.
- Boundary and contact control are auditable behaviors: How shoe covers are donned (and what they contact) matters as much as the cover itself.
- Align garment selection to grade expectations: Your SOP determines whether non-sterile vs. sterile footwear covers are acceptable in each area/grade.
Common failure modes (and how to prevent them)
- Ankle exposure / ride-down: choose ankle-high designs and confirm elastic placement during donning.
- Crossing boundaries incorrectly: don at the step-over boundary; do not walk “dirty shoes” into the clean side.
- Touching the sole during donning: handle by the upper only; if contact occurs, follow SOP re-gowning rules.
- Overwearing: if the cover loses fit, gets wet, or tears, replace immediately.
SOSCleanroom note about SOPs
The Technical Vault is written to help customers strengthen contamination-control decisions and improve day-to-day gowning technique.
It is not your facility’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), batch record, or validation protocol.
Customers are responsible for defining gowning requirements, training, acceptance criteria, and qualification frequency appropriate to their cleanroom class/grade, products, and regulatory obligations.
Always confirm suitability using your internal quality system and manufacturer documentation.
Source basis
- SOSCleanroom product page: https://www.soscleanroom.com/product/kimtech/kimberly-clark-kimtech-a7-ankle-high-shoe-covers/
- Manufacturer TDS (A7 Ankle High Shoe Cover, 1-4-2017): https://www.soscleanroom.com/content/Kimberly_Clark_PDF
- Manufacturer catalog data sheet (47972/47973): https://res.cloudinary.com/iwh/image/upload/q_auto%2Cg_center/assets/1/26/Kimberly47973_Data_Sheet.pdf
- ISO 14644-1 (classification context): https://www.iso.org/standard/53394.html
- ISO 14644-5 (operations; gowning program context): https://www.iso.org/standard/88599.html
- EU GMP Annex 1 (sterile manufacture gowning/training context): https://health.ec.europa.eu/latest-updates/revision-eu-gmp-annex-1-manufacture-sterile-medicinal-products-2022-08-25_en
SOSCleanroom is the source for this Technical Vault entry.
Briefed and approved by the SOSCleanroom (SOS) staff.
If you have any questions please email us at Sales@SOSsupply.com
Last reviewed: Jan. 14, 2026
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