To ensure that special-purpose footwear meets certain standards and is of adequate quality, wear-resistant, and comfortable, several types of materials are used in the production of soles, selected depending on the operating conditions and purpose of the footwear.
Today, we'll discuss several materials.
PU/TPU:
Polyurethane, combined with thermoplastic polyurethane, creates a sole with a pleasant cushioning effect, significantly reducing the strain on various muscle groups and the spine during long periods of wear. Important qualities of this sole include increased slip resistance, high adhesion to the inner sole layer, good tear resistance, and resistance to both low and high temperatures.
PU/Rubber:
Polyurethane and rubber, combined into a single dual-layer sole, have become a relatively recent market trend, but have already proven themselves to be a reliable combination. Soft and flexible polyurethane perfectly complements lightweight and waterproof rubber. This type of sole is quite versatile and can be used to reduce the weight of footwear when designing a model.
EVA + Rubber.
EVA, or ethylene vinyl acetate, is a relatively lightweight and resilient material. Its structure is similar to foam rubber. EVA has shock-absorbing properties and is also quite soft. It is typically used to make midsoles, the layer between the upper and the sole. Low heat transfer and moisture absorption are important qualities associated with EVA. Thanks to its foam composition, shoes with EVA soles offer excellent cushioning, quickly regain their shape after deformation, retain heat, and resist cold. Two-layer soles with an EVA midlayer and a rubber outsole improve cushioning and reduce weight. Finished elite safety footwear using this combination is characterized by excellent performance characteristics. The wear-resistant rubber outsole ensures excellent traction on any surface and in any weather.
Styronip
is a type of rubber made from high-styrene rubber. This material offers high wear resistance and friction properties, as well as reduced thermal conductivity. Styronip is used in footwear production using a glue-and-stitch method for attaching the sole.
The materials we've discussed today are just a small selection of the entire range used to produce soles. Learn more about special-purpose footwear on our website!
