Traditionally theatre shoes had anti-static precautions with sufficient conductivity to allow electrostatic charges to dissipate via the floor, whilst having a high enough impedance to protect against mains shock. Preventing static build-up averted sparking which could ignite explosive agents.

Anti-static precautions have largely fallen from use as explosive agents are no longer used in theatre, but shoes should still have a high impedance.

With the floor and shoes presenting an effective impedance of 240 kΩ, accidentally touching the mains voltage would produce a current of only 1 mA, causing a tingling sensation, but little harm.