Classification of sports shoe materials
Reading times:272 Update time:2023-05-18
Classification of sports shoes
1. Classification definition: Refers to the main purpose of this product.
2. Reference style: List 2 or more similar products (for comparison and learning)
3. Upper characteristics: shoe characteristics that distinguish it from other similar products
4. Sole characteristics: The sole characteristics that distinguish it from other similar products
Category 1: Off field sports shoes (more suitable for daily use)
Running shoes:
Training running shoes that can adapt to various road conditions such as asphalt, gravel, and grass, are generally comfortable and suitable for the foot, beautiful and stable. The men's version has smooth and dynamic lines, while the women's version is lightweight and exquisite, with a design trend towards simplicity. Usually in a low cut style.
(1) Appearance: The outer side of the heel of the outsole is cut and lifted, reducing obstacles during movement. The forefoot has a large lift, and this design has a running promoting function; The forefoot is wide and low on the side, allowing the foot to move freely.
(2) Upper: Mainly made of mesh material (to make it breathable and reduce weight), paired with high-strength artificial breathable leather or ultrafine fiber materials, and decorated with special design and craftsmanship to achieve an elegant and refreshing visual effect. It emphasizes breathability, lightweight, and softness, and it fits well without losing its loose and comfortable feel.
(3) Midsole: Made of shock-absorbing, lightweight MD (collectively referred to as MODEL or PHELEN Huailong) material. Correction: MD is short for MOULDED, which means that the molded EVA composite rubber outsole provides strong protection for movement. The palm of the middle floor is designed with a bending groove, allowing for free bending during movement. To meet market demand and consumer purchasing power, some TPR materials are also used as the midsole for running shoes.
(1) Outsole: Due to the simple direction of running (forward), the outsole (outsole) is made of wear-resistant and anti slip carbon rubber in a simple thin sheet to reduce unnecessary weight. The pattern is designed to be undulating particles or blocks due to the need to adapt to various road surfaces, and is paired with a curved groove design, which can effectively achieve shock absorption and stability performance while improving grip, bending, and anti slip effects.
(2) Arch and inner foot: Install a torsion system made of high-density materials and TPU materials on the inner side of the foot and arch to prevent excessive flipping of the foot during movement and avoid sports sprains. And make the soles and heels naturally twist according to the ground conditions, improving stability and control during movement. This system also enhances the strength of the midsole and effectively decomposes arch pressure.
(3) Toe, heel, and side: use several pieces to enhance strength and protection; (4) Insole: made of shock-absorbing and sweat-absorbing materials, coupled with breathability; (5) Characteristics of running shoes: lightweight, soft, and elastic; Wear resistance, shock absorption,; Jogging shoes:; Suitable for fitness type jogging with relatively smooth road conditions and less exercise; A. Shoe last: a professionally designed shoe last based on the foot shape of Chinese people, suitable for all types of shoes; B. Outsole: Made of one piece anti slip rubber, with the same function as professional running shoes; C. Mid sole: Made of EVA slices with good shock absorption to meet the needs of athletes;
(3) Toe, heel, and side: reinforced with several pieces of hot melt film for strength and protection, providing good stability and durability.
(4) Insole: Made of shock-absorbing and sweat-absorbing materials, combined with breathable hole design and the application of odor and antibacterial technology, it not only provides shock absorption and sweat wicking breathability, but also eliminates breeding odors.
(5) Characteristics of running shoes: lightweight, soft, and elastic; Wear resistance, shock absorption, anti slip; Good breathability, grip, flexibility, stability, durability, control, and deodorization health functions.
Jogging shoes:
Suitable for fitness jogging with smoother road conditions and less exercise, the material characteristics are basically the same as professional running shoes, but the style design tends to be simple, lively, and the average weight is better than other similar products.
A. Shoe last: A professionally designed shoe last based on the foot shape of Chinese people, suitable for various groups of people.
B. Outsole: Choose a one piece anti slip rubber, which has the same function as professional running shoes, but is simpler in design than running shoes. The tread pattern is generally grooved or stepped, which can increase wear resistance and anti slip effect.
C. Mid sole: Made of EVA slices with good shock absorption to meet the comfort requirements of athletes. EVA itself has good elasticity, which can reduce pressure and vibration.
D. Upper: Made of breathable sandwich mesh fabric, and equipped with soft and resilient suede, space leather, PU leather, and ultrafine fiber materials, the shoes add an elegant and casual atmosphere. Some styles use high-efficiency 3M reflective material, which can make the feet appear more radiant and dynamic at night.
E. The insole uses antibacterial and odor resistant technology, combined with shockproof and pressure reducing materials such as latex sheets and anti slip fabric, to reduce negative foot pressure and make wearing more comfortable.
Features: Lightweight, foot friendly, shock absorbing, breathable, and odor resistant.
Slow walking (casual) shoes:
Suitable for walking on relatively flat road surfaces, it is a variety of sports shoes that integrate sports into fashionable leisure life. The material characteristics are basically the same as jogging shoes, but the style design is simple, lively, fashionable, and popular, with beautiful curves and elegant colors. The color scheme is more diverse, bright and colorful, and tends to be personalized and bold, casual, suitable for pairing with various clothing.
A. Upper: Usually made of full leather and space leather, PU leather, ultrafine fiber materials, and the leather should be soft and resilient. This is all due to the demand for comfort. A few styles sometimes use fabric materials and soft lycra cloth on a large area, but their texture is also of high strength, soft, and breathable, with a strong casual and fashionable atmosphere.
B. High end casual shoes are also very particular in terms of sole design, as the sole plays a decisive role in determining the comfort of the entire pair of shoes; The midsole is made of PHYLON or EVA materials that combine shock absorption, stability, lightweight, and softness, with some using softened TPR materials.
C. Outsole: Made of high wear-resistant rubber, providing good shock absorption protection and meeting the needs of sturdy and wear-resistant. The outsole pattern is smooth in particles, blocks, or steps, and the bottom design is rich in variations, enhancing aesthetics. Some casual shoes also use PU or MD as the sole without an outsole patch.
D. Shoe insole: It also adopts antibacterial and deodorizing treatment, so there is no need to worry about foot odor when wearing the insole.
Features: Fashionable, trendy, colorful and diverse, lightweight, foot fitting, shock absorbing, breathable, and odor resistant. The overall design is rich in variation. Other non field sports shoes
Vulcanized shoes: (canvas shoes or rubber shoes)
These types of sports shoes are made of high-quality canvas and high wear-resistant anti slip rubber. Canvas has a soft, wear-resistant, and breathable texture, and the outsole is made of high wear-resistant anti slip rubber that has been vulcanized and formed under high temperature and pressure. It can achieve mute and anti slip effects in any place. The insole is professionally designed to fit the foot shape of Chinese people, making it comfortable and loose to wear.
The biggest feature of this series of shoes is that they can be washed using a washing machine, and the insoles are designed and produced using advanced deodorization technology combined with professional formulas. They can effectively eliminate bacteria, bacteria, and odor, as well as effectively prevent and treat athlete's foot and sweat. In order to achieve shockproof effect, our insoles are specially fitted with a special material - latex sheet, which is lightweight and comfortable when walking. Cloth rubber shoes have rich colors, beautiful and stable appearance, simple lines, and practicality; The design is approachable and easy to match with clothing.
Sandals: (sun shoes, beach shoes)
The sandal upper is made of space leather, PU, and cowhide as the main materials, with elastic fiber material as the lining to achieve a soft and lightweight fit, making it comfortable and cool to wear; The sole pattern is relatively three-dimensional, with undulating blocks to increase friction on gravel roads. The midsole is soft and made of EVA slices or PHYLON, with a free and casual style, suitable for late spring and summer sports. Skateboard shoes:
(1) Skateboarding is an emerging street sport, and skateboarding shoes can also be worn outside of skateboarding, reflecting a casual and fashionable style, especially suitable for young people to wear during outdoor activities. This type of shoe comes in high, medium, and low cut styles.
(2) Due to the intense nature of skateboarding, the upper is often made of high-strength suede, providing excellent foot feel, impact resistance, and stability for the wearer during exercise. The style is simple and spacious. Reflect a casual style that goes back to basics.
(3) As with the requirements for the upper, the sole needs to be more sturdy, generally adopting a "all rubber" or "all wall" design, that is, all parts that may come into contact with the ground are made of rubber material, with good grip effect, and the edges and corners are thickened to varying degrees to make it more wear-resistant. At the same time, a high-quality material midsole is placed in the full rubber sole to make the shoes comfortable to wear. This year, there are also designs for such shoes, but they have not been put into mass production and sales.
Outdoor shoes:
Developed with Chinese characteristics based on the local conditions of urban and rural areas in China, these outdoor shoes not only have urban sports functions, but also adapt to various outdoor sports needs. Even in rugged mountainous areas, they can walk freely. It breaks away from the monotonous bulkiness of foreign countries and better reflects the Chinese people's own needs in design - lightweight and adaptable to outdoor activities. Simple, comfortable, and stylish.
Generally, the upper is mainly medium to high, with a rough and spacious structure, sturdy, wear-resistant, and strong protection. The upper is mostly made of suede or oilskin, with thick leather material. A small portion of the mesh is used for breathability and has a certain waterproof function. The lining is thickened to improve warmth retention. The heel is lined with flexible and shaped materials around the heel to increase stability and prevent deformation during operation; The sole is thick and lightweight, and the outer sole is made of high-density rubber material, which is wear-resistant and anti slip. The sole pattern is large and granular to improve grip and safety during outdoor activities. Outdoor shoes have good stability and strong protection, making them a must-have for hiking, traveling, and outdoor sports enthusiasts.
Other off-site sports shoes (planned for production)
Vulcanized shoes: (canvas shoes or rubber shoes)
The shoes are made of high-quality canvas and high wear-resistant anti slip rubber. Canvas has a soft, wear-resistant, and breathable texture, and the outsole is made of high wear-resistant anti slip rubber that has been vulcanized and formed under high temperature and pressure. It can achieve mute and anti slip effects in any place. The insole is professionally designed to fit the foot shape of Chinese people, making it comfortable and loose to wear.
The biggest feature of this series of shoes is that they can be washed using a washing machine, and the insoles are designed and produced using advanced deodorization technology combined with professional formulas. They can effectively eliminate bacteria, bacteria, and odor, as well as effectively prevent and treat athlete's foot and sweat. In order to achieve shockproof effect, the insole is specially attached to a special material - latex sheet, which is lightweight and comfortable when walking. Cloth rubber shoes have rich colors, beautiful and stable appearance, simple lines, and practicality; The design is approachable and easy to match with clothing.
Sandals: (sun shoes, beach shoes)
The sandal upper is made of space leather, PU, and cowhide as the main materials, with elastic fiber material as the lining to achieve a soft and lightweight fit, making it comfortable and cool to wear; The sole pattern is relatively three-dimensional, with undulating blocks to increase friction on gravel roads. The midsole is soft and made of EVA slices or PHYLON, with a free and casual style, suitable for late spring and summer sports. Children's shoes and warm boots:
Category 2: Field sports shoes (more professional product series)
Basketball shoes:
Basketball sports are fiercely competitive, with continuous starts, sudden stops, and jumps, as well as more horizontal left and right movements and vertical jumps. A pair of basketball shoes must have good durability, support, stability, flexibility, and good shock absorption effect.
Nowadays, basketball shoes are not only used for basketball, but after years of hype from many brands, basketball shoes have become at the forefront of sports fashion. Therefore, they pay more attention to style and style, and also integrate top-level equipment in terms of functionality. The styles are generally high and half high, which can effectively protect the ankle and avoid sports injuries. Both sports and everyday wear can reflect an outstanding style.
Upper: The material is mainly made of thickened soft cowhide or PU leather or microfiber leather with equivalent properties, making it sturdy and flexible, effectively withstanding impact (durability) and making it comfortable to wear. Some models are supplemented with small area mesh to meet the requirements of sports fashion for such shoes. Midsole: Generally made of high-quality MD or PU materials that are shock absorbing, stable, lightweight, and soft. Some shoe models use specialized air cushions to withstand the impact of body gravity on the feet, which is as strong as three times the weight of the human body during exercise (up to 7-10 times during jumping and falling) (support), improving shock absorption effect while reducing the weight of sports shoes and reducing energy consumption. The MD or PU midsole adopts a dual density structure design, and the inner and heel areas are hard, which can effectively correct foot flipping, improve stability during exercise, and avoid sports injuries. The forefoot is relatively soft, effectively shock-absorbing, and provides effective propulsion during starting and jumping. The curved groove design of the forefoot makes the foot more flexible and natural during movement.
Professional air cushion: When compressed, it contracts and contains gas to absorb external vibrations and impact pressure, then quickly recovers, providing good shock absorption effect and converting impact force into driving force (energy return), effectively improving sports efficiency.
TPU: A torsion system made of high-density materials and TPU material support plates is installed on the inner side and arch of the foot to prevent excessive inward flipping of the foot during movement and avoid sports sprains. And make the soles and heels naturally twist according to the ground conditions, improving stability and control during movement. This system also enhances the strength of the midsole and effectively decomposes arch pressure. Good elasticity combined with the middle film provides stronger support effect.
Big sole: Made of high carbon wear-resistant rubber, usually with a herringbone or wavy bottom to improve friction during movement. The heel is flat (also with a two petal design), effectively stabilizing the feet. The wide forefoot has deep bending grooves (which together with the midsole bending grooves enhance flexibility), and increases the contact area with the ground to improve stability.
Insole: the main component is polyurethane, with a special reinforcement system, compressive material, and anti slip fabric surface. Combined with a breathable design and the application of odor and antibacterial technology, it provides shock absorption, sweat wicking, and breathability while eliminating the growth of odors
PU midsole
MD midsole (blue shows curved grooves) with basketball outsole installed with air cushion and TPU
Basketball outsole (with curved grooves in the middle)
TPU support plate at the arch of the foot and rear palm air cushion (white material is made of high foam shock absorption material)
Tennis shoes:
Tennis is generally divided into three types: hard ground, muddy ground, and grass. Tennis and basketball are similar in terms of foot movement: they exert a lot of force, have variable directions, require impact resistance, good stability, good shock absorption, and good skid resistance, but in contrast, tennis is more intense and fast. Most tennis shoes are mid to low cut.
Shape: The front rubber is fully wrapped, especially with long extension on both sides, which is conducive to quick "braking" and instant positioning; The two sides of the forefoot are thick and strong, which is beneficial for enhancing stability and instant anti slip during rapid lateral movement. The latter half is relatively small, which is conducive to rapid retreat and improved foot flexibility.
Material reinforcement to prevent premature wear and enhance motion stability. The lining is thick and soft to absorb sweat, with rich design layers and smooth lines, reflecting professional tennis sports colors.
Due to the intense exercise of tennis, strength and sports protection are the biggest design requirements for tennis shoes. The outsole is made of wear-resistant rubber, with longer front and rear side walls to prevent friction. The overall outsole is flat, with fine patterns and complex directionality, which adapts to the frequent movements in all directions of tennis and meets the requirements of anti-skid and wear-resistant sports; The thickened cushioning design of the midsole heel enhances stability to meet the requirements of frequent jumps and shock absorption during sports. Some high-end products are also equipped with other special shock absorption materials to reflect more professional sports styles.
Soccer shoes:
Football shoes can be basically divided into two types based on the usage site: football training shoes and football professional shoes. The upper design is mostly simple, with large pieces of leather or leather as the external main material, and an inner layer of lining added. The tongue of the shoe only has the upper and lower layers, and there is no need for sponge in the middle. The entire upper is highly attached to the foot, which is conducive to sufficient strength when kicking the ball