What is pu sole (PU)? (Polyurethane shoe soles)
What are the characteristics of a good shoe sole? Durability, comfort or reasonable price? PU shoe sole has all these features. The word PU means Polyurethane and it is specifically referred to soles that are made by combining two materials, polyol and isocyanate. Pio soles are very light and durable. Therefore, shoes that use Pio soles are very suitable for long-term use. PU shoe soles are flexible, thermally insulated in the cold, and the probability of breaking in this type of soles is very low (according to international standards, the probability of breaking this sole is about 10 percent). It is also resistant to slip and moisture. This sole is used to produce all kinds of sports, classic, women’s, safety, etc. shoes.
EVA sole is widely used in the production of all kinds of shoes. The word EVA stands for (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate) and its characteristic is that it is made of extremely soft materials and has the ability to withstand shocks and strong impacts. So, we should not be surprised that EVA soles are also used to make most sports shoes. Due to the extreme softness of the EVA sole, it is usually combined with rubber and TPU so that it is resistant to heat and does not change shape. Therefore, if rubber and TPU are not used in making the soles of EVA shoes, there is a possibility of the shoes slipping on slippery and wet surfaces. Note that the EVA sole, besides being soft, is very light and is also used in making comfortable shoes.
Using rubber means that your shoe has a rubber sole. The sole of the rubber shoe cannot be broken in any way and also has a very high friction. Despite its high strength, rubber soles have high flexibility and this feature makes this type of soles used in the construction of climbing shoes. In addition, it has a good resistance against water penetration. The rubber sole is much heavier than the soles mentioned above. Of course, some people prefer the durability and flexibility of this sole to its weight, but maybe it is better not to use this type of sole in making comfortable shoes. A shoe made with rubber soles may produce noise when moving on smooth and polished surfaces due to the friction of the rubber with the surface, which is normal.
If you care about the resistance of the shoe sole against slipping and wear, you should go for the TPU or thermoplastic polyurethane sole. This sole has high strength and at the same time is flexible. As mentioned, the distinctive feature of this type of sole is that it has a very high resistance to wear and sliding, it is considered good insulation, and it is also resistant to breaking. For this reason, this type of sole is usually used to make safety shoes.
When you hear the name PVC, you probably think of water pipes. But PVC materials have many more uses. PVC shoe sole (Poly Vinyl Chloride) is an excellent insulator for all types of shoes. PVC sole can easily be transformed into different shapes. PVC shoe soles are hard by nature and become a little softer by adding some materials. The relatively light weight and affordable price of this sole has made various designs of PVC soles available in the market and it is mostly used in making cheap shoes and slippers. Another advantage of PVC sole is that it cannot wear or break.
If you are looking for a shoe that is highly resistant to slipping and wear, be sure to choose shoes that are made with thermo soles. The Thermo shoe sole with its high quality allows you to easily walk on slippery surfaces. Also, because this sole is heat insulated, it is suitable for use in summer and winter. Another advantage of this sole is that it cannot break and has a medium density, so it is relatively light and suitable for walking.
