Why Choose a Natural Rubber Outsole?

Why Choose a Natural Rubber Outsole?

Natural rubber soles are the perfect solution for shoes that need to grip slippery surfaces.natural rubber outsole They’re also extremely durable, shock-absorbent and comfortable to wear for long walks. But not all rubber soles are created equal: choose sustainably sourced and FSC-certified natural rubber for footwear that prioritises sustainability and performance.

Natural Rubber is a great alternative to synthetic soles, which are typically made from oil-derived materials like petrochemicals and are a big source of air pollution. In fact, according to WWF, synthetic rubber production releases toxic chemicals that pollute the air and water, causing environmental and health issues.

In contrast, natural rubber is sustainable to produce, and it’s also a renewable resource. As it is derived from the latex of tropical rainforest Hevea trees, harvesting sap from the tree does not exploit or damage the plant. The natural rubber is then coagulated, crushed, pressed and rolled into sheets before being cut into shoe soles by manufacturers.

A popular choice for tennis or other sports with a court, white rubber non-marking soles are especially useful because they will not leave a black mark on the surface of the floor, which preserves the clean look of the court. Rubber is a naturally breathable material and it can also regulate the temperature in your shoes, meaning that your feet will feel cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Although there are many reasons to opt for a natural rubber outsole, some companies may mislead consumers with misleading ‘eco’ claims. For example, some brands claim that their shoes are 'eco' when they only contain a small percentage of actual natural rubber. It is important to make sure you are buying shoes that are made from 100% natural rubber or a combination of natural and recycled materials.

The most important factor in choosing a rubber sole is to ensure that it is sustainably sourced and FSC-certified. This certification indicates that the rubber is harvested in a manner that does not harm or exploit the environment, and it also ensures that the producer is using only sustainable wood to create their footwear.

The FSC certification is important to help consumers distinguish between shoes that are eco-friendly and those that have little or no sustainability features. The only way to make the most of a sustainable rubber sole is to combine it with a durable and high-quality leather or suede upper, such as those in our shoe collection. The PLIANT cured natural rubber outsoles are a great example of this, as they provide footwear-worthy performance without the need for any synthetic materials or petrochemicals. In addition, this material uses a plant-based curative, which is an innovative and sustainable approach to sanitising shoe soles for manufacturing. As a result, they’re highly durable and can be reused for several life cycles. This provides a cost-effective and more sustainable alternative to synthetic soles, which are typically used in most shoes as they can be discarded after just one use.