How to choose the best sole for your shoes 

 Sep 27, 2021

Shoes are a necessity for us. They protect our feet, shield them from injuries, provide comfort while walking, and best of all, impart a nice style to our ensemble. Now imagine shoes without soles! It is just like walking barefoot. No more protection from the elements, sharp objects or pebbles, or from rain or snow. Soles are the fundamental part of the shoe. That’s why choosing the best soles for your shoes is essential.

The concept of the shoe started with the concept of the sole. It started when a long time ago, one of our ancestors thought about protecting the underside of the feet while walking. It led to a rudimentary form of the sole which further led to the development of shoes. 

Different types of shoes require different soles. A sole that works well on a particular style of shoe may not be suitable for a different type of shoe. 

In this article we will discuss the different types of best soles for your shoes and what they are best suited for.

Best Sole for Your Shoes: Widely Available and Popular Options

1. Leather Soles

Leather soles are associated with luxury and are generally used in dress shoes. These soles have excellent air permeability and keep the foot dry and cool. It means you will not sweat through your feet while wearing shoes with leather soles. This makes them an excellent choice to use in summer shoes. They also fit as per your foot shape with time. Leather soles are sturdy soles and have a long life if properly maintained. Avoid them from oil slicks or prolonged exposure to water, which may damage the leather.

2. Rubber Soles

Rubber is a favorite material in manufacturing a wide range of shoe soles. Rubber soles may be made from natural rubber, recycled rubber, or a combination with other materials and chemicals with improved features. These are water-resistant, durable, and good for use in work boots, hiking boots, and winter shoes. 

3. Tunit or Resin Rubber Soles

These popular soles are also called artificial leather soles as they look similar to natural leather. These types of shoe soles are sturdy and made of vulcanized rubber mixed with styrene resin and synthetic SBR rubber. These are water-resistant with high resistance to severe cold and high heat. Tunit soles offer a good grip on the surface and are wear-resistant. Many high-end shoe manufacturers have replaced leather soles with Tunit due to the advantages it offers over the former. 

4. TRP soles

TRP soles are made from thermoplastic rubber through molding and compounding solid rubber granules. These soles offer high shock absorption and slip resistance. These are generally used in hiking and outdoor shoes. 

5. Commando Soles

Commando soles also known as lugged soles are made from thick rubber. These types of soles are rugged, heavy, weather-resistant, and come with thick lugs. All these features make them a preferred choice for using in hiking boots and work boots. Due to their heavy lugs, these soles attract dirt and mud and have to be cleaned regularly.  

6. Dainite Soles

Dainite soles are a refined and thinner variation of rubber soles. These soles have distinct patterns having recessed and round lugs. This design ensures a cleaner sole without any dirt or pebbles sticking to it. These are comfortable and durable soles and are used in making formal and dress shoes. 

7. Ridgeway Soles

Ridgeway soles are also a variation of rubber soles. These shoe soles feature protruding lugs and ridge channels. Their function is to provide stability and high traction to the surface. Ridgeway soles are used in creating hiking and outdoor boots as they are durable, have high weather resistance, and are also lightweight. 

8. Cepe Soles

Crepe soles are rubber soles made from natural latex rubber also called ‘Crepe’. They are comfortable and waterproof but heavy. These soles are also dirt magnets due to their open pores and require regular cleaning. 

9. Cork Nitrile Soles

Cork Nitrile soles for shoes are constructed of rubber mixed with cork particles. These are durable soles that are lightweight too as they are a composite of cork and rubber. These have great elasticity, are weather and oil resistant, and are very comfortable to wear. Cork nitrile soles are used to make shoes for everyday wear and work boots. The only disadvantage of these soles is that they cannot be worn in slippery conditions as they lack tread. So, avoid wearing them in snow or during rains. 

10. Combination Soles

Combination soles are also called composite soles. As the name implies these soles are composed of different materials for different parts of the sole. The materials generally include leather with a rubber variation or other synthetic materials. The combination provides different functional advantages of separate materials combined in one sole. For eg, the sole may be of leather but the heel and front part of the sole be made of rubber. It provides durability, higher traction, and high air permeability. These are expensive shoe soles and are used to make high-quality formal and dress shoes.

11. Wedge Soles

Wedge soles are generally chunky soles without any heels. Due to this feature, they are comfortable, non-slippery, and have high traction. These are lightweight and generally used to make work boots.

12. Polyurethane Soles

Polyurethane soles are types of soles made from an organic polymer material. These are durable, low-density, water-resistant, slip-resistant with high shock absorption quality. These are also inexpensive to make. Polyurethane soles are used to make walking & jogging shoes and also safety shoes. 

13. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Soles

ABS soles are sturdy, offer great stability, and are abrasion-resistant. These are durable soles that are a popular choice for making formal shoes and for making indoor shoes. These soles are not weather resistant so are not used for creating outdoor or hiking shoes.

14. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Soles

Polyvinyl Chloride soles are also known as Plastic soles. These shoe soles are created from non-crystalline materials. PVC soles are glossy, semi-transparent, and have a yellowish appearance. These soles are resistant to a variety of elements and harmful materials like oil, water, acid, and corrosion. PVC soles also are fireproof, durable, and offer good insulation. The only downside is that they have poor weather resistance and air permeability. PVC soles are used to create summer shoes, sandals, and shoes for everyday wear. 

15. TPR Soles

TPR soles are made from polymer materials. These are easy and affordable to make. TPR soles have high elasticity and provide a good grip. These are also resistant to cold temperatures. These soles are generally used to make walking & running shoes and shoes for everyday wear.  

16. Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Soles

These soles for shoes are also known as EVA soles. These are made of polymer materials. EVA soles offer several advantages like high elasticity, shock-absorbing properties, are flexible and lightweight. These comfortable soles are used for making work boots, walking & jogging shoes, cross trainers, and for a wide variety of casual shoes. 

17. TPU Soles

TPU or Thermoplastic Polyurethane Soles are made of linear polymer materials. These shoe soles are durable and flexible. These also offer high resistance to oil and water. TPU soles are used to make safety boots, baseball and golf shoes, soccer boots, ski boots, and high-quality women’s footwear. 

18. MD Soles

MD soles are also called Phylon soles. These soles are made through high-pressure molding of EVA mixed with different materials. These materials include TPR, PU, or rubber. These soles are dense yet lightweight and highly elastic. MD soles are soft and distribute body weight evenly on the feet. These soles are used for making several varieties of sports shoes like tennis and basketball shoes and even for running & jogging shoes. 

19. BPU Soles

BPU soles are constructed of a highly improved form of polyurethane materials that are bio-degradable and thus environmentally friendly. These are low-density soles that are highly sturdy with great plasticity and weather resistance. These soles are used to make outdoor and hiking shoes among a variety of other shoes. 

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a sole for your shoes

Not all soles are equal! Some of the key things to consider when choosing the right one are:

1. Comfort & Cushioning

If you’re standing for hours on end, comfort is key.” EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) or memory foam can create a great cushion that absorbs impact with each step. All the materials in the sneakers and lifestyle sneakers will keep your feet feeling comfortable and cozy all day long.

2. Durability & Longevity

No one wants shoes that fall apart on them! If durability is your top priority, go for rubber soles; they’re made to last and can handle everyday wear and tear. Leather soles, on the other hand, provide a luxurious feel but wear down more quickly—perfect for occasional use at more formal events.

3. Grip & Traction

Ever slipped on a wet floor? That’s where a good sole comes into play! The rubber/TPR (thermoplastic rubber) soles ensure great traction—and a reduced risk of slipping. These soles work well for hiking, work boots, and athletic shoes where traction is key.

4. Flexibility & Support

After long walks, your feet may feel tired and sore due to a lack of flexibility. EVA or PU (polyurethane) soles are good for flexibility as they bend with the movement of your feet while remaining supportive. In contrast, hard rubber soles are more stable and suitable for work boots or orthopedic shoes.

5. Weather Resistance

Weather conditions can make or break your shoe game. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Rainy weeks — Rubber soles are waterproof, protect from water damage, and provide slip resistance.

Cold weather — Insulated soles keep your feet warm and cozy.

Breathable materials like leather or EVA reduce sweating and subsequent discomfort.

By considering these factors, you’ll be able to find a sole that matches your needs perfectly!

Best Sole Materials for Various Activities

We use different types of shoe soles for different events and activities. Here’s a quick cheat sheet that can help you decide which is the right one:

Walking Shoes

• Best Sole: EVA or rubber
• Why? Help reduce foot fatigue while being lightweight, flexible, and shock absorbing.

Running Shoes

• Outsole: EVA with rubber traction
• Why? Provides cushioning and absorption of impact, minimizing stress on the joints.

Formal Shoes

• Best Sole: Leather or PU
• Why? Leather gives it a sharp, classic appearance, while PU soles offer extra durability.

Work Boots

• Best Sole: Rubber or TPR
• Why? These soles are slip-resistant and rugged, made for harsh environments.

Hiking & Outdoor Shoes

• Best Sole: Deep-treaded thick rubber
• Why? Help with grip, traction , and protection on rough terrains

Casual & Everyday Shoes

• Best Sole: EVA or TPR
• Why? Cozy, soft, fun for all-day wear.

Now, the type of sole is more than just about comfort — it’s about making your shoes work for you as best as they can in the course of your lifestyle.

How to Take Care and Maintain Sole of Your Shoes

The proper care and treatment of shoe soles increase their durability and newness. Here is how you can do it for them: 

1. Cleaning Method to Different Soles Material

Rubber soles – Wipe it using the damp cloth or scrub with soft soap and water. 

Leather soles – Avoid water; simply brush it with dry brush. 

EVA sole – Clean with a soft brush with mixture of water and vinegar to remove stains. 

TPR & PU soles- Wash with mild detergent and let them air dry completely.

2. Replace Your Sole When?

There is no need to buy a new shoe every time; Sometimes it may just need a new sole. Pay attention to those signs: discomfort due to wear and tear, uneven wear on the tread. Slipping due to loss of grip. Visible cracks breaking or peeling of the sole. Feeling more impact than usual when walking or running.

3. Self-repairing Sole Versus Professional Repair by Cobbler

Minor cracks – Can’t such cracks ruin a pair of shoes? They can be treated at home by using shoe glue or sole patches. Sole completely worn out? Replace with cobbler; He will do it professionally and extend the life of your shoes.

Conclusion

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for selecting the best sole for your shoes. It is truly based on your lifestyle, activity level and personal preference. Whether you’re looking for private label shoes or custom made shoes, choosing the right sole is essential.  Rubber soles give you durability and grip, EVA soles give you light weight for comfort, leather soles offer that classic fix for a formal shoe.

If you consider the feelings of comfort, durability, bendability, and weather-resistant of the shoes sole, you would choose that sole which is just perfect for you. And remember — proper maintenance goes a long way toward making your shoes last longer, so you get the most value for your investment.

Looking for high-quality leather shoes suppliers that offer the right sole for every occasion? Explore Kiwiind today and experience the difference the right fit can make!