When a customer walks into your store looking for shoes, they want a shoe that provides the best comfort. The sole of the shoe is amongst the first things they would check and many buy shoes based on the type of sole. Thus, as a retailer, you should know about the different types of materials used to make soles.
In this blog, we will discuss the different shoe sole materials and what type of shoes they are used for. This will help you become a better retailer and help your customers find the right pair of footwear. Let’s dive in.
A Comprehensive List Of Shoes Sole Materials
1. Rubber
Rubber soles are very durable and offer excellent grip on risky surfaces. Natural rubber has been used for creating shoe soles for centuries. However, synthetic rubber is also a very popular alternative. Most sustainable shoe brands in India use a blend of both synthetic and natural rubber to create durable and slip-resistant soles.
Rubber soles are used in all-season shoes, monsoon shoes, hiking boots, and work boots. They can give a casual appeal and are an inexpensive alternative to leather soles.
2. Leather
Leather soles are one of the most durable and long-lasting soles. As they are a natural material, they provide excellent comfort and breathability. Leather is also considered to be a high-quality material, so if the boots have leather soles, it naturally gives a luxurious appearance.
Leather soles are usually found in formal shoes and boots like Loafers, Derby, Oxford, And Chelsea. It is the best shoe sole material for office wear, weddings, office parties, and formal evenings. A reputed shoe manufacturing company in India can provide you with the best quality leather sole shoes.
3. Ridgeway
Ridgeway soles are a different type of rubber soles that are more thicker and lighter. They often have a raised profile, ridge channels, and protruding lugs. This allows shoes with ridgeway soles to offer stability and traction.
These shoes offer the same durability and traction as rubber soles. These types of soles provide excellent service in all types of conditions and terrains. You can offer shoes with ridgeway soles to customers who are looking for all-purpose shoes.
4. Combination
Combination soles are made from two types of shoe sole material, leather and rubber. Usually, the entire sole is made from leather, and manufacturers add rubber at the heels and toes. The leather makes the shoe look more expensive and elegant, while the rubber ensures traction and durability.
You should stock up on shoes with combination soles for customers who want the best of both worlds. Combination soles are used on dress shoes. These soles help the wearer stay comfortable even when they have to wear them for long periods of time.
5. Wedge
Wedge soles provide unrivaled comfort, especially for people with flat feet. They are wedge-shaped which makes the entire feet touch the surface.
They are best for indoor work environments like tiles, concrete, and slippery surfaces. They are very versatile and are suited for people looking for everyday boots.
6. Commando
Commando soles are made from thick rubber and are marked with star patterns below the feet and heel. They are well known for their weather resistance and excellent traction. They are chunky and heavier than rubber or leather soles.
Originally designed for the military, it is gaining massive popularity among general people. It is generally found in rugged boots, hiking shoes, and work shoes.
7. Vibram
Vibram is a brand of sole that holds a trademark on the design, effectively making them a type of sole. Vibram soles are easily identifiable by their trademark yellow octagon at the lower part of the sole.
Vibram soles are designed with comfort in mind. They are durable, slip-resistant, and waterproof. You can usually find Vibram soles on hiking boots, trekking boots, and any other type of outdoor footwear.
8. Dainite
Similar to ridgeway, Dainite is also a variation of rubber sole. Danite shoes have round recessed lugs which gives them a distinct pattern. This pattern helps to keep out mud and stones from the sole, making them one of the best sole materials for shoes.
Danite soles are very thin compared to other soles, making them ideal for casual wear. Nonetheless, they are very sturdy and durable and do not break as easily.
9. Cork Nitrile
Core nitriles are made from a blend of rubber and cork. The cork used for these types of soles is usually recycled from other products making it eco-friendly. They are usually also lighter than pure rubber soles.
Core Nitrile soles are extremely comfortable and durable and provide excellent oil resistance. However, they do not provide the best slip protection.
10. Camp
Camp soles are also made with rubber but are more lightweight and waterproof than standard rubber soles. The light weight also provides additional comfort to the feet.
They also provide excellent grip and are perfect for casual wear boots and work boots. They do not require any special maintenance or break-in period.
11. Crepe
Crepe is made from natural latex rubber and a style of thin soles. They have a very minimalistic appearance and are known to provide excellent comfort due to the padding in the middle.
Crepe-soled shoes are becoming popular among health circles, as they promote healthy walking and standing practices. Crepe soles are usually found on chukkas, wallabies, and moccasins.
12. Lug
Lug soles are similar to camp soles but have deep indentations that help provide good footing. This increases stability and traction and is ideal for outdoor activities. They are generally more chunky than camp soles.
As these soles are often used for hiking, mountain climbing, trekking, sports, and work shoes, they accumulate a lot of dirt. Hence, the wearer needs to clean it regularly. You must explain this to your customers so they can make an informed decision.
13. Polyurethane
Polyurethane is the third most popular sole material behind leather and rubber. These are organic polymers and are very durable. Polyurethane soles have long-term mechanical properties, are slip-resistant, and have shock absorption properties.
Polyurethane sole shoes are lightweight and water-resistant. They are also very affordable as compared to other materials. You can offer walking shoes, jogging shoes, and safety shoes with polyurethane soles.
14. Raw Cord
Raw cord soles were invented during WW2, due to the shortage of rubber. Historically, it was created from old car tires. These soles are designed to withstand extreme terrains and weather conditions.
It has an aesthetic vintage design and oil-resistant properties. It is usually found on combat boots. Raw cord soles are mostly not available now as very few manufacturers make them.
15. ABS
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) has gained popularity in the last few years. Their durability and toughness make them a prime choice for making boot heels. ABS soles offer stability and easy molding and are ideal for the winter season.
If your customers are looking for long-lasting shoes, you should recommend them shoes with ABS material. As ABS materials are easy to mold and relatively abundant, ABS sole shoes are often inexpensive as compared to other materials.
16. TRP
TRP also known as thermoplastic rubber is made from molding and compounding rubber granules from raw materials that are in solid form. They behave like thermoplastic and can be easily molded using heat.
TRP soles offer excellent abrasion resistance and prevent tearing and cracking. You should offer TRP sole shoes to customers who are looking for ideal outdoor footwear.
17. PVC
Polyvinyl chloride or PVC is used to make durable and inexpensive soles. PVC soles offer the same properties as leather shoes but at a fraction of the cost as it is a synthetic material. They are very flexible and do not tear or break as easily.
PVC is a very versatile material and can be easily molded into any shape. As a result, PVC soles are used in several types of shoes including casual shoes, outdoor shoes, dress shoes, and boots.
Conclusion
Soles are a crucial part of shoes, and wearing the right sole can be the difference between a comfortable walking experience and an uncomfortable one. When your customers ask for a certain type of shoe, you must be able to inform them about different types of soles and where they should wear them.
Find a reputed shoe distributor in India to stock your inventory with all types of shoe soles. Each shoe sole has its own unique features so make sure you communicate them with your customers. Contact ShopTribe India today to get your hands on the best brands and our wide range of shoes.