!: What Materials Are Used For Making Shoes?

We are always wondering shoes made of which kind of materials should be the best shoes when we face such a large selection of various shoes. In fact, different kinds of shoes are made of various materials for different usages, which means this specific kind of shoes are suitable for a specific condition to wear. Basically, choose which type of material used for making shoes are decided by the raw material available and the varying climate conditions in different parts of the world.

There are many kinds of materials used for making shoes such as leather, canvas, polyurethane, polyurethane, carbon rubber, solid rubber, durable rubber compound, gum rubber, wood and so on. Different materials are used in different types of shoes.

In the 20th century, vulcanized rubber was the often used material for shoes making because of its durable and waterproof. Now it is used mostly in making soles of shoes together with plastics, especially for upper part that circles the shoes.

There is also steel toe means the toe is made of steel which can be the best protector for feet from hard objects, but of less comfort and flexibility.

For the main parts of a shoe, leather is the often used material as it is proved to have the most suitable qualities. Belting leather, bonded leather, bycast leather, shagreen, deerskin, patent leather, various leathers are of different characteristics. Belting leather is full-grain leather that feels smooth which is used in luxury products. Shagreen is known as stingray skin and is susceptible to water and stains. Deerskin is one of the toughest leathers and in high prices due to its rarity and proven durability. Bonded leather is not really true leather but a man-made material. Most bonded leather is made by composing 90% or 100% leather with latex binders to create a look of natural leather with less cost. This kind of leather are more environmentally-friendly than natural leathers.

In general, natural leather and bonded leather are two main leathers used in making shoes, shoes made of the second material would be more durable than the first kind, but less comfortable and flexible compared with the first kind.

A natural kind of leather is a breathable material which keeps the feet at a comfortable temperature. This kind of leather is also good for human's body and avoid causing the chemical reaction that results in smelly feet or even diseases of feet.