How to distinguish shoe materials RB, PU, PVC, TPU, TPR, TR, and EVA?
Article source:FaqResponsible editor:Dongguan Changqi Automation Technology Co., Ltd Published on:2025-12-30
MD, EVAMD: a general term for MODEL or PHYLON Dragon; PHYLON, commonly known as Dragon, is a material used for shoe soles, typically used as the midsole in shoe manufacturing. It is a hybrid substance made of heated and compressed EVA foam (a secondary high-pressure molded product of EVA), characterized by light weight, good elasticity and shock resistance, and its hardness is controlled by the foaming temperature.
EVA: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate - a lightweight and elastic chemically synthesized material commonly used as outsole material, often combined with RB for sale. The price depends on the amount of material used. Additionally, there are costs for assembly and glue, which add up to roughly 20 yuan. It is also used in composite materials, known as foam, where the cost can be neglected, but factories will definitely include it in their cost calculations.
Therefore, MD outsoles must contain EVA, and MD outsoles are also known as PHYLON outsoles. For example, MD=EVA+RB or EVA+RB+TPR, and some shoes have RB+PU, etc.
RB, TPURB: Rubber, meaning rubber. RB outsoles have excellent wear resistance, stable shrinkage, and good flexibility, but the material is heavy and is generally used for outsoles.
TPU: It is mostly used on shoe soles, especially in running shoes, and can also be used on upper accessories. It is relatively expensive. TPU is divided into natural rubber and synthetic rubber. Natural rubber is mainly derived from the Hevea brasiliensis tree, while synthetic rubber is produced through artificial synthesis using different raw materials (monomers) to synthesize different types of rubber. Butadiene rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber are the most widely produced general-purpose synthetic rubbers.
PU, PVC
PU: Polyurethane, a synthetic material made of high molecular weight polyurethane, is a leather material with many types, commonly used as upper material. It is sold by the yard, with prices ranging from expensive to cheap, but generally not expensive. There are also PU outsoles, which are less commonly used in foreign trade orders. PU is a high-density durable material based on foam rubber, with high density and hardness, good wear resistance and elasticity, but it has strong water absorption, is prone to cracking, and yellowing. PU is commonly used in the midsole or midsole layer of basketball and tennis shoes, or directly used as the outsole of casual shoes.
PVC: Polyvinylchloride, commonly known as polyvinyl chloride, is a widely used synthetic material in today's world. PVC is also used as a leather material, and while it is generally inexpensive, there are also high-end versions available. Most PVC products are relatively cheap, resistant to oil and wear, and have good insulation properties, but they have poor anti-slip performance, are not cold-resistant, not durable in bending, and have poor breathability.
TPU, TPR, TRTPU: Thermoplastic Polyurethane, a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, is a linear polymer material. TPU has the advantage of good elasticity, but it is heavy and has poor shock absorption ability. It is commonly used in the midsoles of jogging, walking, and casual shoes.
TPR: Thermoplastic Rubber, also known as thermoplastic elastomer. TPR differs from RB in that it is more fragrant and priced about 50 cents higher. It combines the high strength and resilience of rubber with the ability to be injection molded. It is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, has a wide range of hardness, excellent coloring properties, soft touch, fatigue resistance, good temperature resistance, and superior processing performance. It can be either secondary injection molded or molded separately, but its wear resistance is poor.
TR: TPE, a synthetic material made from rubber, boasts various patterns, excellent hand feel, vibrant colors, high gloss, and high technological content. Moreover, it can be 100% recycled, making it an eco-friendly shoe sole material.
Identification and characteristics of material soles
Regarding the identification of PU, PVC, TPR, TR, RUBBER, etc.: PU is the lightest and most wear-resistant material. PU material soles are easy to recognize. They feel light in the hand, and the holes on the back of the sole are round. PVC material soles feel heavier in the hand compared to TPR. TPR material soles have better elasticity than PVC. The sole falls naturally, and if it bounces back, it is made of TPR. PVC material soles are cheaper than TPR, but the quality is poor, especially in winter, they are prone to breaking. A characteristic of PVC material soles is that they do not have injection holes, they have an odor, and if left for a long time, white growth may appear. TR soles have a shiny surface and are harder than typical TPR soles. TR has more injection holes than TPR, and the injection holes are very distinctive.
In terms of weight, RUBBER (rubber) is the heaviest, while PU and EVA are the lightest; in terms of material, PU is expensive, EVA and TPR are moderate, and PVC is the cheapest; in terms of craftsmanship, TPR is molded directly, while PVC requires processing, and ABS is generally used for high-heeled shoes, which are expensive and hard; in terms of application, PVC is mostly used for lining or non-load-bearing parts, or for making children's shoes; PU leather can be applied to the surface of shoes or load-bearing parts. In terms of bags, PVC leather is more commonly used. This is because the items in bags are different from the feet worn in shoes, as they do not emit heat; they do not bear the weight of an individual.
The difference between PU and PVC is relatively easy to discern. From the edges and corners, the base fabric of PU is much thicker than that of PVC. There are also differences in hand feel; PU feels softer, while PVC feels harder. Alternatively, you can burn them with fire; the smell of PU is much lighter than that of PVC.
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Dongguan Changqi Automation Technology Co., Ltd. is a high-tech joint venture specializing in the design and manufacture of waterproof footwear and apparel equipment. Established in 1996, the company is headquartered in Dongguan, Guangdong. With a team of top-tier professionals, we are committed to product development, market promotion, online marketing, and the continuous improvement of our after-sales service system, greatly satisfying the needs of our customers.
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