Generally speaking, the soles of work shoes are divided into rubber soles, polyurethane soles (also known as PU soles), EVA soles, MD soles, TPU soles, TPR soles, genuine leather soles, and composite soles.

The material of rubber soles is usually natural rubber or synthetic rubber, which is formed by hot pressing and molding.
Advantages: Wear-resistant, anti-slip, good elasticity, waterproof, resistant to acids and alkalis, suitable for most working environments.

Disadvantages: Heavy, poor breathability, not resistant to oil (slips easily when in contact with oil). 

Polyurethane (PU) base material: Made by foaming polyester resin, it comes in two types: oil-based and water-based.
Advantages: Lightweight, durable, oil-resistant, resistant to chemical corrosion, good shock absorption performance, environmentally friendly and biodegradable.
Disadvantages: Strong water absorption, prone to fracture, not water-resistant.

Material of EVA sole: Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a type of polymer material.
Advantages: Lightweight, good elasticity, excellent buffering performance, suitable for prolonged standing or walking.
Disadvantages: Not wear-resistant, prone to absorbing water, not resistant to oil.

MD sole (PHTLON) material: Formed through secondary high-pressure foaming of EVA. It is often used in combination with rubber.
Advantages: Lightweight, high elasticity, good shock absorption effect, suitable for high-top shoes.
Disadvantages: Poor wear resistance, prone to deformation at high temperatures.

TPU sole material: Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomer, an environmentally friendly material.
Advantages: High mechanical strength, outstanding wear resistance, oil resistance and flex resistance, high appearance quality.
Disadvantages: Poor breathability, relatively weak heat resistance.

In addition, TPU is often used as the toe cap of some high-end boots to enhance the anti-collision and wear-resistant functions.

TPR sole and genuine leather sole are used less frequently. Therefore, we won't elaborate on them here. I hope everyone can choose the correct sole according to their own needs to ensure the comfort of walking.

In the next episode, we'll talk about the midsole of work shoes. Welcome to join the discussion!