ExecutiveChronicles | 5 Most Common Materials Used to Make Shoes | Shoes are a type of footwear that is essential to have in everyone’s closet. Not only do they protect the feet from everyday activities, but they are also aesthetically pleasing and are a quick way to upgrade and downgrade an outfit. Fashion has greatly influenced how men and women shoes look today. Aside from bags and jewellery, man and women shoes are one of the most important parts of their fashion statement. The materials depend on the design and price range of the specific shoe, and it would be interesting to know the most common materials used
Real and Faux Leather Material
Real leather is made out of animal skin and hide – skin referring to smaller small animals and hide referring to bigger animals like cowhide. This material is treated with tanning agents such as vegetable tannins, mineral salts, and oils to prevent it from decay. Some of the advantages of leather-made shoes are their breathability, durability, and style. Genuine leather allows the passage of air which allows the feet to breathe. The quality stays the same for a longer period as it can withstand different temperatures.
Faux leather, sometimes called vegan leather, is an artificial material with similar characteristics to real animal skin and hide. It is lower in cost, less labour-intensive, and has the same appearance as real leather. One of its advantages is its affordability.
Rubber
Rubber shoes are commonly used for sports and for activities that require being outdoors. Its water-resistant property is popular among those fond of outdoor activities as it can be used both for sunny and rainy weather. Safety shoes are also usually made out of rubber as it offers great protection from falling objects and prevents slips and falls. There are slip-resistant rubber soles available in the market for those whose jobs require this type.
Canvas
This material is commonly used on the top part of the shoe, paired with a rubber bottom. It is a rough type of material made from hemp. The major advantage of this material is it allows fuss-free maintenance. It can be hand washed or thrown in the washing machine, and the pair of shoes will come out good as new. This is not an expensive material, and it makes the shoes affordable. A downside is it does not always retain its shape over time and could have some stains from usage, but the wide variety of designs made using it could be worth it. Canvas material is are accommodating to dyes and allows creativity to flow.
Textiles
The use of fabric, just like canvas, is usually applied at the top of the shoe with a different material paired at the bottom. Textiles used in shoes are cotton, nylon, wool, and polyester, to name a few. These textiles usually provide different thicknesses for the threads, which determine the strength and durability of the shoes. It also allows for limitless designs and styles with different weaves and patterns. They are low maintenance and are easy to clean. Being a natural material, textiles are usually soft and breathable. Cotton also rarely causes allergic reactions, making it the perfect material for users who have sensitive skin.
There are other materials used in shoemaking, but those, as mentioned earlier, are the most common ones. It is important to know what materials shoes are made to know how to care for them the right way.
Author’s bio: Ester Adams is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.
