Crepe Sole Vs Rubber – Detailed Comparison
Are you on the market for a new pair of boots? Welcome to a world of confusion. These days, there are so many different things to consider when buying something as simple as a new set of footwear. And one of the most critical parts of this decision is choosing the type and material of the sole.
The most popular sole choice out there is rubber, there is no doubt about it. However, another material, that shares many similarities with rubber are making a lot of waves these days. We are, of course, talking about crepe soles.
But is it really all that better from rubber shoes? Why should you go with crepe soles over rubber? When you put them up against each other; who wins?
These are the questions that we aim to answer in this detailed comparison between Crepe sole vs. Rubber. So without further dilly dally, let us get started.
What is Rubber Sole?
Rubber is a pretty common material used to manufacture the sole of shoes. In fact, some shoes even feature full rubber construction. So the functionality of rubber is not exclusively limited to the bottom part of the shoe. It is an extremely versatile material that manufacturers have used for shoemaking for ages.
However, when it comes to shoemaking, there are a wide variety of rubbers that are being used these days. The most popular types of rubber are black rubber, crystal rubber, and gum rubber. In fact, crepe is a special type of rubber though it has a lot of unique properties. The process of manufacturing rubber can vary wildly.
Advantages of Rubber Sole Shoes
Rubber sole shoes offer a lot of different benefits to the user. Here are some of the major ones:
- Rubber sole shoes have a stylish and casual look
- They provide decent traction and stability regardless of the terrain you are walking on.
- Rubber soles are quite lightweight and flexible. This quality also makes the shoes extremely comfortable.
- Furthermore, rubber soles offer excellent levels of water resistance. So if your shoe gets wet, the sole will not be damaged
- For outdoorsy boots and sneakers, the rubber sole is a great choice.
- They also offer decent shock-absorption capabilities making it easier to walk in your shoes.
Disadvantages of Rubber Sole Shoes
Yes, having rubber soles in your boots is a good thing. However, there are still a few issues you need to know about regarding rubber soles before you make your decision.
- Depending on the type of rubber used to make the sole, it can get quite expensive.
- Rubber is not a breathable material. However, it should not matter much if only the sole of the shoe is made of rubber.
- Although rubber soles are waterproof, they tend to get squeaky if they get wet. It can get annoying quite fast.
- Rubber soles can catch mud and dirt quite easily. In extreme cases, even rocks can get stuck under the sole.
What is Crepe Sole
As we have said before, crepe is a special form of rubber. It is made by extracting the natural rubber from Hevea Brasiliensis (which is the scientific name for rubber trees) and adding acid to it. The process turns the rubber into a form of latex which is then processed into thin sheets by passing it through rollers.
Crepe rubber is typically much softer and lighter than typical rubbers used to manufacture shoes. It is also quite flexible making them a good choice for shoes. Compared to typical latex soles, crepe rubber soles are quite environmentally safe. And the extraction process also leaves the rubber tree intact.
Advantages of Crepe Sole Shoes
Here are a some of the main benefits that crepe sole shoes offer to the users:
- Compared to other types of rubber, crepe is quite affordable. This means crepe sole shoes are also inexpensive.
- Crepe soles can absorb shock in every step reducing discomfort and fatigue while walking.
- Crepe soles are also extremely comfortable because of their soft, lightweight, and flexible nature.
- Crepe soles provide decent insulation making them a good choice as winter shoes.
- They are not as noisy as rubber shoes
- If you want a pair of indoor shoes, crepe soles are a great choice
- Crepe soles do not get as dirty as rubber soles.
- Lastly, crepe soles are biodegradable. This means, even if you throw out your shoes, you are not harming the environment.
Disadvantages of Crepe Sole Shoes
Before you go out and get yourself crepe sole shoes, here are a few potential drawbacks you should know about:
- Crepe soles are not as water-resistant as other forms of rubber
- They are also not as durable and cannot handle rough use
- If you are planning to go hiking or working out, crepe soles might not be the best choice.
- Crepe soles have a light-yellow color to them. Some people hate it, but there are others who absolutely love it.
- The crinkly texture of crepe soles may make the traction a bit too much for indoor use.
Final Verdict
As you can see, the experience that you get from wearing crepe soles is quite different from rubber soles. So the answer to whether crepe sole is better than rubber or vice versa is not a simple one. It ultimately boils down to personal preference and how you want to wear the shoes.
If you are planning to wear the shoe mostly outside for activities like jogging or hiking, we strongly recommend going with rubber soles. Not only are these soles more durable but can also resist water damage. However, for a pair of home shoes, nothing can come close to the comfort of a nice crepe sole shoe.
We hope we could give you a clear difference between Creep sole vs Rubber. By now, you should not have any confusion about the two materials and can easily decide which one you want for yourself. Good Luck.