If you’re looking for a way to reduce stress and regain your confidence, there’s nothing better than running. Light jogging is enough to keep you in shape and stop you from developing certain health issues.
Before you head out, you’re going to need to arm yourself with the right running shoes. You’ll need a pair that can absorb some of the shocks that come from slamming your foot down on the pavement.
That means choosing a pair that has the right shoe sole material. There’s rubber, EVA, PU, leather, and PVC.
Keep reading to learn what these materials are and how they can impact your running experience.
Why Is Material Even Important
To put it simply, the reason why the types of shoe sole materials you go with matters is that it’s the most important part of your sneakers. If the soles on your KicksCrew shoes can’t keep up with basic wear and tear, you won’t be able to get through your exercise regimen. Not the right way, at least.
On top of being durable, your soles also need to be flexible enough to allow your foot to move.
Parts of the Sole
Before we start talking about materials, you need to familiarize yourself with the different parts of your shoes. The sole can be broken down into four sections.
Insole
The insole is the most important part of the sole. It’s the soft mattress-like structure that protects your feet when you slam them down on the pavement.
It absorbs the shock by providing plenty of cushioning. If it wears down, your chance of developing blisters will increase.
Outsole
The outsole of your shoe also acts as protection. It’s less of a cushion and more of a shell, however.
It supports your foot while you run and provides traction. Most outsoles are made with PU or rubber.
Midsole
Your midsole provides even more cushioning than the insole. It’s a foam that absorbs shock.
Some midsoles focus less on absorbing shocks and more on keeping the temperature of your shoe at a reasonable level.
Most midsoles derive from EVA rubber or EVA foam. It’s a flexible material that can provide comfort for your feet.
Upper Sole
The upper sole is all about durability. It’s the part of your shoe that stops rocks and other jagged objects from sticking into your feet as you run.
On top of being sturdy, your upper sole needs to allow for air circulation. Sometimes it includes a reflective surface that will allow people to see you if you tend to run after the sun goes down.
Most upper soles are made with some kind of leather. It’s a material that’s both durable and flexible.
Rubber
If you choose shoes with rubber soles, you can rest easy knowing that you won’t have to buy a new pair anytime soon. It’s a durable material that can take almost anything you throw at it.
When weighing the pros and cons of rubber, one of the main benefits is that it’s impact-resistant, depending on what kind of rubber we’re talking about.
Natural rubber is a soft, yet durable material that’s extracted right from trees. It provides the greatest amount of resistance.
Synthetic rubber is man-made. It’s flexible and doesn’t buckle easily when faced with extreme temperatures.
Since rubber is pretty easy to come by, shoes that use it are cheaper than most. You can also find rubber-soled shoes in a variety of different colors.
EVA
Manufacturers can use EVA to create a shoe’s outer soles, midsoles, and insoles. It’s strong and packs the flexibility and cushion needed to protect your feet.
Sneakers that use an EVA shoe sole are comfortable to wear no matter what kind of foot you have. Since EVA is a type of plastic, it’s a cost-effective material. It’s also pretty lightweight.
PU
Since PU is so effective when it comes to shock absorption, it’s a popular material to use for midsoles. It provides insulation that will keep your feet nice and cozy when the weather outside gets frightful.
It’s flexible and malleable, which makes shoes made with it super comfortable to wear.
If you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint, PU is great for that because it’s recycled plastic. That’s less waste sitting in our landfills.
Leather
Leather is one of the best types of soles for running shoes. It’s durable, flexible, and provides a lot of traction.
Leather is comfortable, lightweight, and eco-friendly because it’s biodegradable. Leather is a breathable material, which will stop your feet from sweating and stinking up your shoes.
The only downside is that leather isn’t waterproof. You’ll need to avoid running if there’s a chance that you’ll run through puddles.
PVC
The other bad thing about leather is that it’s not animal-friendly. If you’re looking for a good alternative, consider PVC.
It has some of the same properties as leather with added shock absorbency. Out of all the synthetic materials you can buy, PVC is the cheapest.
We will warn you that while shoes with PVC soles are comfortable enough for regular use, they’re not that great for running.
Choosing the Best Shoe Sole Material
Before you leave your home to go on a run, you’re going to need to equip yourself with a good pair of running kicks.
When it comes to choosing a pair, you’ve got to consider shoe sole material. Since the sole is the most important part of the sneakers, you can’t afford to cut corners.
For more tips that will help you pick out a good pair of shoes, feel free to explore the rest of our blog.
