Polyurethane soles, popularly known as PU soles, are made from a new kind of organic polymer material. It has been hailed as the fifth big plastic, and is in the process of revolutionizing the shoe industry.
The current market size of PU soles is USD 4.55 billion and is slated to grow up to USD 5.79 billion by 2023. Research suggests that APAC, or Asia Pacific markets are the biggest markets for PU soles, and for good reason. The sheer durability, affordability and comfort afforded by this sole makes it perfect for these markets.
Advantages
PU sole has lower density than other soles along with a soft texture and high elasticity. This makes it perfect for foot comfort. It not only provides great wear and tear resistance but also has good bending resistance and high hardness along with great shock absorption.
Are you living in rainy climes? Don’t worry, it is water resistant and prevents slippage. The most important factor here is also that it is organic and thus environmentally sound.
PU and its Competition
It is a well-known fact that every shoe manufacturer and every shoe buyer looks for something which is not only long-lasting but also comfortable. This is exactly where the PU sole comes in. It provides an absolutely unmatched comfort, adaptability to pressure and has serious long-lasting mechanical properties that keep it going.
Come to think of it, PU soles have only two major competitors – vulcanized rubber and leather.Having said that, both of these options have serious drawbacks which PU soles have successfully overcome like giving your feet space to breathe and rapid wear and tear among other things. But lately, with technological advancements there have cropped up other competitors like thermoplastic polyurethane and compact sprayed polyurethane with RPU technology. Now while these names might sound daunting and a little too hi-tech to be worn on the feet, their purpose is just that.
But having said that, PU soles are definitely more affordable than the other options available. And with the many advantages of this variety of soles it becomes almost a no-brainer to have a PU sole in the shoes of a range of types.
PU Soles and Shoes
Jogging Shoes:
The great deal of comfort and shock-absorption ability make PU sole the prime choice for jogging shoes. Moreover, PU soles also offer superb slip resistance, limited wear and tear and low density. The last point is what also makes PU soles supremely light weight, making them perfect for running.
Walking Shoes:
Walking shoes need soles which can take a bit of a pounding. This makes it imperative to have a sole that can not only undergo rough use but also keeps the feet comfortable since walking shoes are worn for longer than running or jogging shoes.
Safety Shoes:
Because of the simple fact that they are so light-weight and resist wear and tear, they make for the perfect soles for safety shoes. To add to the list of their benefits, PU sole is also water-resistant, making the argument for it even stronger.
Slippers & Sandals:
Let’s face it, this is one of the biggest footwear markets out there, and PU sole, as you might expect, fits right into this space for all the reasons mentioned above.
There is basically no limit to the market space that can be occupied by PU soles. From mere flip-flops to high-end leisure shoes, this humble polyurethane material is making its presence felt. The key factor that pushes PU soles at the top of the preference list for shoemakers is its long list of advantages and thus, its adaptability to different footwear.
For footwear manufacturers around the world, PU soles are definitely at the top of their list.
FAQs
The durability of the PU material is one of its primary advantages. Additionally, PU soles are soft underfoot as the wearer slides their feet into the shoes. Polyurethane gives soles an elastic quality similar to leather and a smooth surface, making them durable and comfortable for wearers.
What are the disadvantages of PU soles? ›
Downside. If one leaves a PU sole [& hence shoe] unused for a longish period of time – for example for 6 months or so, the sole compound becomes unstable and crumbles.
What are the qualities of PU sole? ›
JBLD
- Exemplary grip: PU sole material offers incredible grip against slippery surfaces. ...
- Absolutely light in weight: Shoes need to feel feathery light. ...
- Long-lasting as well as comfortable: One of the biggest PU sole advantages is that the material is durable.
Rubber is also known to offer good abrasion resistance. If you walk a lot, it will also be a material of choice since it supports friction better and wears less quickly. PU: Polyurethane is a plastic material. It is lighter and more flexible than rubber and also offers good protection against abrasion.
Why do PU soles crumble? ›
Hydrolysis is the chemical breakdown of the PU polymer and the resulting physical breakdown or crumbling of the PU sole by the attack of water (usually in vapour form), occurring over a period of several years (even when the shoes are in store!). This process is accelerated by warmth and high humidity.
Is PU sole comfortable? ›
Comfort & Durability: Due to its well-finished surface and leather-like elasticity, Polyurethane offers both these qualities in every type of footwear. Shock Absorption: For the applications where the consumer needs to stand or walk around for long, the footwear should have good shock absorption properties.
What is the shelf life of PU sole? ›
Name and recognized trade mark of the supplier. These Jungle Boots with PU Sole shall have shelf life of minimum of 12 months for normal PU sole.
Which sole material is best for daily use? ›
The polyurethane sole is a commonly used material for ordinary shoes, which is light and comfortable to wear. It usually forms various bubbles in production, and has the characteristics of elasticity, light weight, oil resistance, etc., and is comfortable and elastic to wear.
Which sole material is best for foot pain? ›
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
EVA soles are widely considered to be the best because of the excellent shock-absorbing properties that they offer.
Does PU sole make noise? ›
Tik- Tik sound happens in PVC Sole and PU Sole because it is harder surface. This sole creates heat and increase a sweating feet but gives high durable. Rubber it produce less sound but it gives high durable , better gripness and you can feel soft to use.
Because of the simple fact that they are so light-weight and resist wear and tear, they make for the perfect soles for safety shoes. To add to the list of their benefits, PU sole is also water-resistant, making the argument for it even stronger.
Which sole is most durable? ›
TPR is a tough and resilient material that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. TPR soles are resistant to abrasion, tearing, and cracking, which makes them ideal for use in sports and outdoor activities. Another benefit of TPR shoe soles is their superior traction.
What lasts longer rubber or polyurethane? ›
Polyurethane typically lasts longer than rubber, especially in applications where it's constantly stretched or otherwise exposed to stress.
What soles have the best grip? ›
Outsoles made of softer rubber have better traction, in particular, when it's wet, but they wear down faster. Outsoles made of harder rubber last longer, but don't grip as well, especially on wet surfaces.
Which sole material does not slip? ›
All slip-resistant shoes have rubber soles, but not all rubber soles are slip-resistant. The best outsoles for a slip-resistant shoe are made with soft rubber that can go against oil and grease and must be treaded. Tread is the grooves in the outsole that contribute to the grip and friction of a non-slip shoe.
Is PU good for shoes? ›
Polyurethane is a very suitable material for footwear of all styles, although it is most present in sports, due to its high impact absorption and resistance. But we can also find any fashion design made with polyurethane. Thus, synthetic leather or leatherette is widely used in footwear and clothing.
Is a Polyurethane sole slippery? ›
PU Outsoles or Polyurethane soles, are another material that is very commonly used in safety footwear. As it has a greater surface contact, PU outsoles are extremely great for slip resistance, and are especially important for workplaces that are slippery and wet.
