EVA sole and rubber sole which is better?

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EVA and rubber soles are both common materials used in shoe soles, and they have similar functional properties and uses, so they are often compared with each other. So what is the difference between EVA sole and rubber sole? Which one is better between them? We will work with you in this article to understand the EVA and Rubber sole.

The basics of EVA

Ethylene-vinyl acetate is a copolymer of vinyl acetate and ethylene. EVA is famous for its rubber-like properties and ability to be manufactured into materials with increased softness and flexibility.

EVA is ubiquitous in the athletic shoe world. After all, the material can be very shiny or transparent, easily dyed in a rainbow of colors, and resistant to UV radiation and high-stress cracking.

Depending on the amount of vinyl acetate used, EVA can be divided into three categories.

Vinyl acetate-modified polyethylene has the lowest vinyl acetate content, about 4%. The processing of this EVA is similar to that of thermoplastic materials. It is also non-toxic.

Thermoplastic EVA contains between 4% and 30% thermoplastic ethylene vinyl acetate. The result mimics many of the properties of rubber.

Ethylene vinyl acetate rubber has the highest vinyl acetate content of the three. Any EVA made from more than 40% vinyl acetate is classified as ethylene vinyl acetate rubber.

The basics of Rubber

Rubber can be classified in two ways: natural and synthetic.

Natural rubber

Natural rubber is flexible, very soft, and suitable for sports shoes. Its primary disadvantage is that it is not abrasion-resistant, which means it won't last long. Natural rubber is often used for indoor sports shoes.

Synthetic Rubber

On the other hand, synthetic rubber can be divided into hard rubber, sticky rubber, carbon rubber, air rubber, eco-friendly rubber, and abrasion-resistant rubber.

Abrasion-resistant rubber: It has higher durability due to its toughness and rubber abrasion resistance. It is commonly used in the outsole of classic tennis shoes.

Eco-Rubber: As the name implies, it is made from recycled materials. These rubber soles contain 10% or more recycled rubber.

Air Rubber: Provides a higher level of shock absorption. However, this material breaks down quickly under constant wear and tear, which is why it is not widely used.

Sticky rubber: Has a high degree of flexibility and prevents slipping, which is why it is often used in indoor athletic shoes.

Hard rubber: Preference is given to abrasion resistance and toughness. It also prevents slipping. These benefits are why many basketballs and other mixed sports shoes use hard rubber.

Carbon Rubber: It is a standard rubber with a twist: carbon is added to the material. Adding carbon makes the material wear-resistant, which is why many running shoes are made from this material.

EVA soles VS rubber soles

Shoes, especially athletic shoes, can have an outsole made of sub-natural, recycled, or thermoformed rubber. Using a rubber sole has one advantage: unparalleled abrasion resistance (for obvious reasons, running shoe manufacturers avoid using softer, less abrasion-resistant rubber). In addition, it extends shrinkage stability.

Rubber outsoles also have other great qualities, such as being naturally waterproof and bendable. The trade-off is weight. As with many natural vs. synthetic comparisons, natural materials tend to be heavier. Your outsole will last longer, but your foot will do some heavy lifting.

On the other hand, EVA is also ubiquitous and is widely considered the best material for shoe lining, where the sole is cushioned. However, it is also used in sole linings, outsoles, and in some cases, entire shoes. EVA offers the best shock absorption properties, which is why big-brand shoe manufacturers prefer to use it. It is light, very flexible, and has a high degree of elasticity. In addition, it can be used in almost any color.

EVA is also great for outsoles and a direct comparison with synthetic rubber. The main drawback of EVA soles is that they don't last very long. Like foam midsoles, this material is easily compressed after a certain number of miles of travel, and the shoe will feel flat after extended use.

Which is better?

There are some significant differences between EVA and rubber for running shoe outsoles. Rubber is excellent for providing protection and durability on natural surfaces, but it can be heavy.

EVA is lightweight but doesn't provide enough support if used as an outsole for traversing rocks and rugged trails. EVA is an excellent material for the midsole of trail running shoes but may not be the best for out-of-foot support.

The difference between an EVA sole and a rubber sole depends on your needs. The EVA sole may be better for you if you prefer a lighter and more comfortable shoe. If you prefer hard-wearing, durable shoes, rubber soles may be better for you. However, if you look at the shoe's outsole alone, the rubber sole is more wear-resistant and therefore is the outsole choice for most shoes.

Reprinted from Foam Well Insoles - “EVA sole and rubber sole which is better”