What material are your athletic shoes made of

Athletic shoes require different functionalities depending on the sport they are used for, and the most important factors are the sole and upper materials. Here's an introduction to the sole and upper materials we currently use for athletic shoes, along with their advantages and disadvantages:

01. EVA (Vinyl Acetate)

A copolymer of vinyl acetate, a high-molecular-weight material. EVA midsoles are lightweight and have excellent properties, making it the most widely used material in high-end lightweight shoes, athletic shoes, and casual shoes.

---Non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

---Ultra-lightweight and abrasion-resistant. Suitable for home or office wear, and can also be carried in a backpack for travel.

---A soft, warm material that molds to the shape of each foot for a comfortable fit.

---Shock-absorbing, lightweight, and elastic, providing pressure relief for the feet.

---Easily absorbs water, not easily corroded, environmentally unfriendly, and easily gets dirty.

02. Cold Press EVA (One-time foaming and heat-setting)

---Lightweight, soft, and with good elasticity.

---Good warmth retention, but less abrasion resistance compared to rubber.

---Generally used for footbeds, often paired with a rubber sole for enhanced grip and durability.

03. EVA MD (One-time molding foaming)

---Lightweight, soft, highly elastic, and durable.

---Good warmth retention, but less abrasion resistance compared to rubber.

---Generally used for footbeds, often paired with a rubber sole for enhanced grip and durability.

04. TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber)

---Possesses the elasticity and excellent physical properties of rubber, with moderate sole weight and a degree of softness.

---Cold resistance, electrical insulation, high tensile strength, and low compression set.

05. TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

Its superior performance and environmental friendliness are increasingly appreciated.

Currently, TPU can replace PVC in all applications.

In a world with growing environmental awareness, thermoplastic polyurethane resin (TPU) meets the need for both the physical rigidity of plastics and the elasticity of rubber, while also adhering to environmental requirements.

---TPU has high tensile strength and high tear strength.

---TPU is tough and resistant to aging.

---TPU is a mature environmentally friendly material.

06. PU (Polyurethane)
A high-molecular-weight polyurethane synthetic material, commonly used in the midsoles of basketball and tennis shoes, and can also be used directly in the outsoles of casual shoes.

---It is not breathable and does not absorb moisture, so it can feel stuffy.

---Excellent abrasion resistance and torsion resistance, good tear strength and elasticity.

---Resistant to oil, acids, alkalis, and low temperatures; lightweight, soft texture, and good feel.

---PU soles, if left unworn for too long, are prone to hydrolysis due to moisture penetration from the air, leading to easy damage.

07. RUBBER (Rubber Outsole)

---Excellent wear resistance, slip resistance, elasticity, not easily broken, good softness, good extensibility, stable shrinkage, good hardness, and good flexibility. It is the best material for shoe soles.

Heavier weight, prone to blooming (a quality issue), not easily corroded (an environmental concern).

Rubber comes in natural and synthetic varieties. Natural supply is insufficient for use, so synthetic rubber is now the main material.

---Rubber soles are expensive to produce, so some manufacturers often choose to use PVC for soles, resulting in soles that are less elastic and more prone to wear.

There are various recycling technologies for finished rubber materials. The simplest is grinding them into powder for use as part of the filling material in rubber shoe soles.

Many brands specify that certain shoe models must use a certain amount of recycled materials as a contribution to environmental protection.

08. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

---Excellent plasticity, can be made soft or rigid.

---Flame resistant, highly transparent, good insulation, and printable.

---Different formulations have different properties; widely used and inexpensive; however, due to ecological and environmental concerns, it is rarely used now.