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| Sole |
The sole cause of most injuries while at work is a weak
sole!
We explain below what should ideally be the soul of a sole.
Q: What does the sole
of an industrial safety shoe comprise of?
In the best of safety shoes, , it is present in three
layers, namely:
-
The insole. Our feet rest on these and as
such these have to be very human-friendly in terms of its feel and its ability
to provide long-term comfort. It is mostly made of PU or EVA.
-
The
midsole. Sandwiched between the insole and the outsole is another layer
whose raison d'être is to enhance the sole’s strength and its ability to
withstand constant wear and tear. To some extent it provides stability and thus
enhances comfort to the wearer. The material used can range from dual density
foam, PU and treated rubber all of which give average comfort but great protection
or EVA which gives greater comfort though least durable.
-
The
outsole. That part of the sole constantly and direct impacting terra-firma,
its one and only mandate is to protect the shoe and its wearer. Depending on
the type of shoe and its usage, it ranges from leather to PU to PVC. Leather
though rarely used these days, is used in high-end executive shoes meant to
give the shoe an elegant look. PVC is mostly used in chemical industries and
for shoes undergoing high temperature as it has fire-retardant properties. Poly
urethane or PU for most, on the other hand is a great components for industries
requiring flexibility, comfort and shock absorption properties. PU soles are
used in practically all kinds of footwear due to its pricing and durability.
Q: Can soles be
customized to meet the needs of wearers?
Shoes these days are mass-produced due to which extreme
customization is not possible, though it can be done to some extent by
providing a “Shank”. It involves introducing a fiber-based or metal strip into
the Shoe’s mid-sole with the intention of re-enforcing the shoe’s strength as
also provide a support to the wearer’s arch. Glued or stitched to the sole to
stay firmly in place, it may either run the whole length of the shoe’s sole or
from toe to the middle of the shoe.
Q: How is a shoe upper anchored to its sole ?
- Cementation: This involves using an adhesive to
bond the outsole with the shoe upper. It is provides reasonably durability and
comfort.
-
Welt: The sole is stitched to the shoe upper.
The most durable of all construction though it there may be issued to do with
comfort.
-
Direct attach: A foam kind of substance (mostly
PU) is injected into the upper which when it hardens, form the sole. In a
sense, the whole shoe from upper to outsole is fused into one. It has the
advantage of making the shoe extremely comfortable though it rates very low on
the durability front.
India, with its economic surge especially on its western
part has meant that safety shoes manufacturers in Pune are taking their client’s
needs rather seriously and delivering quality products which has features in
addition to those mentioned above. Some like Sara Safety Shoes actually closely
liaison with their end-users to churn out the perfect boot to boot out all
safety issues.
Wearing the right gear shifts you to a higher gear!! Better be
safe than sorry.
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Please feel free to leave your comments below.
About Author :- Sara Rajput is the Managing Head of Sara Safety Shoes.
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