Features of Polyurethane Shoes in Nature Activities
Those who want to be isolated from the city life and take a breather have recently gravitated towards camping. Especially those who do not want to be in crowds together due to the pandemic and who find it risky to stay in a hotel prefer to camp.
It is a fact that being in touch with nature relaxes people, renews their energy and provides
them with a breathing space. The best part of camping is that you can stay anywhere you want. You can set up your tent in a place surrounded by big trees or on a hill overlooking the sea.
Camping reminds people that nature offers them everything for living. This awareness
shows how small the problems that we stress about in our daily life and even sometimes make us feel like they are the end of our lives.
Camping has become a rising trend in recent years. There are many routes to camp both in the world and in Turkey. Of course, it is necessary to have some equipment to adapt to these routes. For this reason, with the rise of camping, an increase has been observed in the sales of camping gear and outdoor equipment.
As important as the tent, chair and mat used while camping, it is equally important to dress appropriately for all conditions that nature will present. Shoes worn in nature should also be resistant to harsh conditions. Polyurethane, which is frequently used in sports shoes and outdoor shoes, offers many advantages.
Polyurethane soles, which offer comfort, flexibility, strength and durability, are frequently
preferred in the shoe industry. Thanks to these advantages, it is also used by campers.
Polyurethane Soles Shoes
The polyurethane sole is obtained as a result of sponging the plastic. The interior of these soles is porous and spongy, and the sole material is shaped by a molding process called “reaction molding”. The weight of polyurethane soles is very low and can be used on thick or filled soles.
Polyurethane soles can be used in many areas such as work shoes, sports shoes and outdoor shoes, due to the advantages they offer. Polyurethane soles with mechanical properties created by chemical processing are ideal for producing highly durable and colorful models.
High Flexibility
Polyurethane soles offer high flexibility. Due to their flexibility, they easily adapt to the foot and provide comfort. These shoes are considerably suitable for use while exercising. Polyurethane sole shoes can be preferred for activities that require a lot of movement and for actions that require standing for a long period of time.
Breathable Material
Polyurethane is a material that can breathe. For this reason, when used on soles, it does not cause sweating and is suitable for use in hot weather. Thanks to its breathability feature, it can also minimize the formation of bacteria and protects foot health. However, it does not prevent odor formation.
Wear Resistance
One of the most important features of polyurethane materials for shoes is high wear resistance. Polyurethane shows high resistance to impacts such as crushing and bumps, and therefore it is very difficult to wear. For example, it can be used in harsh nature conditions, hiking and climbing.
Slip Resistance
High slip resistance can be one of the greatest advantages of using a shoe made of polyurethane while camping.
One of the most important features that a shoe should have on challenging walking routes is that the sole treads well on the ground and does not slip. Because polyurethane has high slip resistance, it can easily adapt to these challenging routes.
Not Age Quickly
Another advantage that polyurethane shoes provide is that they do not age quickly. Running shoes, in which polyurethane is used as a midsole, have been subjected to durability tests and it has been confirmed that they age slower as a result of these tests. For this reason, they have a longer lifespan [2].
Conclusion
The fact that the shoes we wear offer good advantages affects our comfort and health. It is important that the shoes we wear adapt to the harsh natural conditions, especially if a travel style such as camping is to be preferred.
The materials used in shoe sole production determine the characteristics of the shoe.
The use of polyurethane in shoe sole production provides the above-mentioned features.
Polyurethane is frequently used by the manufacturers in the shoe industry due to these advantages and provision of a low-cost production. Those who are interested in nature sports and those who will go camping may prefer shoes produced using polyurethane soles, considering the advantages they offer.
References:
1. Ayakkabı Tabanlarında Kauçuk Kullanımı – Nurettin Akçakale
2. Polyurethane-foam midsoles in running shoes – impact energy and damping – Karoline Brückner, Stephan Odenwald, Stefan Schwanitz, Jens
Heidenfelder, Thomas Milani
3. Teknik Tekstillerin Spor Branşlarında Kullanımının İncelenmesi – Kadri Akçalı
4. En Çok Tercih Edilen Ayakkabı Tabanları ve Özellikleri – Serdar Yeşil
5. https://acikders.ankara.edu.tr/pluginfile.php/135599/mod_resource/content/1/6%20HAFTA.pdf
6. https://www.turkfirmarehberi.com/tanitici-reklam/poliuretan-ayakkabi-taban-ozellikleri-nedir
Prepared by
Nilsu KOTİL
