Need help picking material for shoe sole

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around selecting an appropriate material for the sole of a portable rollable ballerina flat, focusing on flexibility, thinness, cost-effectiveness, and foot protection for outdoor use. Participants explore various material options and their properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest polymers as a suitable material due to their flexibility, strength, and low cost, but note that characteristics can vary widely among different types.
  • Dave considers Nylon 6,6 coated with rubber, seeking confirmation on its suitability as a polymer choice.
  • Another participant proposes using aramid fabric (Kevlar) with a rubber coating, raising questions about the best type of rubber (BUNA-S vs. neoprene) and the appropriate thickness for protection and rollability.
  • Concerns are raised about the comfort of neoprene soles on uneven surfaces and the durability of neoprene, suggesting that it may require additional fabric for support.
  • Alternative materials such as TPR rubber, EVA, and cork are mentioned as potential options.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the best materials and their properties, with no consensus reached on a single optimal solution. Various viewpoints on the effectiveness and comfort of suggested materials remain contested.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for careful consideration of material thickness and properties, as well as the potential for discomfort on certain surfaces. The discussion reflects uncertainty regarding the best combinations of materials and their manufacturing processes.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in footwear design, material science, or those looking to create portable and comfortable shoe solutions may find this discussion relevant.

davcec8723
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Hi,

I am currently working on creating a portable rollable ballerina flat which can be easily transported in a women's purse and utilized as a backup pair of shoes when pain resulting from wearing high heeled shoes occurs. The reason for my inquiry is I am looking for a material to use to create a sole which can be both very thin and flexible while providing protection to the foot while walking outdoors. The material must be low cost as well, as this product is an inexpensive one.

At this link you can find a picture of a rollable ballerina flat, so you have an idea of what I am talking about.
http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/439958676/Flat_Rollable_Shoes.jpg

Anybody's help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Dave
 
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Hello Dave, welcome to PF :)

I think polymers are the best candidate, they're known to be flexible, strong and cheap. These characteristics vary depending on the polymer itself, there are too many each with its own advantages/disadvantages. Look them up, and I'm definitely going to have a couple of those shoes once they're available. :biggrin:
 
Hi Gad,

Thanks for the reply :)

I am somewhat of a newbie to materials, so could you help point me in the right direction? I was recommended to try Nylon 6,6 and have it coated in 1/8 inch of rubber, how does that sound? Is nylon the way to go in the polymer group?

I will send you a free pair once they are developed for the insightful help!

Dave
 
Ok, I have done some research into the topic now, and I have come to the preliminary conclusion that the best option may be using:

Aramid fabric (Kevlar) coated with 1/8" of either BUNA-S or neoprene rubber (used car tires would be nice!). I have some questions, as I said I'm a beginner with this, and would appreciate any help to any of the questions!

1) Which rubber is better for this application BUNA-S or Neoprene? Is 1/8" a good thickness of rubber to protect the foot and provide traction while still easily rolling up?

2) How thick of a aramid fabric do I need to provide protection to the foot from sharp objects from puncturing through? I see it is made anywhere from 0.08mm to 0.4+mm thick. Since this material is used to make bulletproof vests I would imagine a thin piece would provide ample protection, but I could be wrong!

3) Will a rubber coated aramid fabric be able to roll up compactly?

4) Is it normal to find one manufacturer who can both make the fabric and coat it with rubber, or is this usually done by two separate companies?

Thank you very much for any assistance!
 
You could just buy neoprene fabric.
http://www.rubbersheetroll.com/neoprene-rubber-cloth-inserted.html
http://www.foamorder.com/neoprene.html

The softer the rubber the easier it will be to roll up. You will also feel EVERY tiny stone and surface irregularity.
You might EPDM.
 
How about a TPR Rubber or EVA?
 
as an alternative to synthetics, you might also consider cork
 
Rollable flats with neoprene soles will be very uncomfortable for the wearer on gravel (especially crushed-stone walks). Having worn neoprene diving-suit booties in cold weather when dragging my kayak through the snow to do some white-water boating, I can attest to this. Also, neoprene wears very quickly and has to be coupled with nylon (or some other fabric) inside and out. Nylon fabric is not very skid-resistant and can be a hazard on smooth surfaces. Just stuff to consider.
 

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