Jul. 14, 2025
EVA boots are the answer: warm, thanks to the material they're made from, they don't let moisture in. Initially designed for extreme weather conditions, EVA's other characteristics of lightness, buoyancy and cleanliness have made it a popular choice.
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It is used for many purposes, including snowboarding equipment, water sports and outdoor activities. A favorite of fishermen, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, they're perfect for many outdoor activities, whatever the season. Easy-care and durable, this ultra-lightweight material is resistant to frost and moisture. Demand for EVA boots is growing fast. Not only among ice-fishing enthusiasts, but also among city dwellers with active lifestyles.
Ethylene vinyl acetate or EVA is a lightweight, flexible synthetic material made from a variety of polymers. It consists of low-molecular-weight expanded substances and organic gas. Comparable in composition to styrofoam, the air contained in the material gives it its high-quality insulating properties. Considered a thermoplastic (heat-molded by injecting material into molds), the interaction of its molecules increases at low temperatures, so the product does not lose its elasticity when cold. On the other hand, it can melt at high temperatures. Care must therefore be taken in contact with heat.
Another notable advantage is that EVA is well-suited to humid environments. Since it is non-porous, it cannot be contaminated. It is therefore totally anti-microbial and cleans easily with a wet cloth.
EVA is also very versatile, being used to make everything from toys and braces to yoga mats and cable sheaths, flip-flops and much more.
Environmentally-friendly, EVA production uses no glue or artificial rubber, as with other types of boots. Nor does it use tannins, as with leather products. As a result, these boots are suitable for children and people with sensitive skin, since they don't cause allergies.
The comfort of this material is unrivalled; light, supple and shock-absorbing, it is ideal for a wide range of uses. What's more, its hygienic properties are incomparable. Since EVA does not absorb moisture, it dries quickly, is easy to clean, has no unpleasant odors and does not accumulate bacteria.
Since the boots have no seams (they are molded in one piece), they are resistant to extreme environmental conditions. Dense in composition, they form a weather barrier around your feet. So, you won't have to worry about water, snow, dirt or chemical fertilizers. For the same reason, they retain heat perfectly without letting in the cold. Indeed, the first generation of boots was much appreciated by ice fishermen. In fact,
the first models were produced with them in mind, to protect their feet from freezing and getting wet from prolonged exposure to icy water.
The wonderful characteristics of the material inspired us to diversify our EVA-based products. Today, it's a material we use in many of our products. But this material has a number of special features that need to be explained.
Firstly, EVA is flexible and can be long-lasting. However, as it is a rather soft material, small cracks may appear at the points of curvature,
but the product will not lose its insulating properties due to the thickness of the walls and the profiled sole.
Secondly, EVA is ideal for use at low temperatures. Our boots can withstand temperatures of -70° C. A good way to keep your feet warm is
to choose the removable liner option. It's also practical for maintenance. After outdoor use, we recommend removing the liner so that it dries properly and doesn't accumulate perspiration, or wiping the inside of the boot with a cloth.
Extremely lightweight, EVA boots don't restrict the foot on long walks. And the boot's monocoque structure ensures even weight distribution. It also provides the cushioning your feet need when walking; important criteria when choosing footwear for children and the elderly.
Its flexible nature makes it extremely comfortable, but also less resistant to wear caused by friction with hard, rough surfaces such as asphalt, concrete and stones. So, EVA boots are not suitable for prolonged daily use (if you wear them every day, for hiking, they will last a good season but will have to be replaced for the following season).
Nor can EVA boots be stretched by stretch shoe lasts (as with leather shoes). So, it's vital to choose the right size. (This is important. The size
of the foot varies, during the day, by one cm and increases with physical activity. If you wear ill-fitting shoes all day long, your feet will be sore and irritated.)
As a general rule, manufacturers will help you choose the right size, according to their size chart. A pair of shoes or boots should be selected according to the size of your feet and the type of activity you'll be doing. Sometimes, you'll be offered a size larger than your shoe size, so that you can insert a liner and use your boot for the winter season. But beware, improper care can irreparably damage the product: EVA is sensitive to high temperatures. Consequently, near an open flame or a source of high heat, it can melt and/or warp. Boots can also lose their structure irreversibly under heavy external pressure. The material is sensitive to mechanical damage.
EVA foam, or ethylene-vinyl-acetate is a synthetic material used to make sneakers for over half a century. Thanks to its shock-absorbant, customizable properties, EVA has begun to appear in boot and shoe construction.
EVA is more comfortable than most materials, and it’s great straight out of the box; if there’s one issue with EVA, it’s that it won’t remain durable for as long as other materials.
I’m a traditionalist at heart, and I’m always wary of footwear innovations when it comes to my boots and shoes. So when I recently spotted a pair of boots with an EVA sole, I decided to do my research.
I had no idea whether an EVA sole was comfortable, so I decided to see what EVA foam is and how it can be used.
EVA has been used on sneakers for decades, but can it benefit boots? After researching what EVA brings to the table, I was pleasantly surprised at how beneficial it can be.
EVA foam in footwear is hardly revolutionary, but it’s more often seen in sports footwear, such as running shoes, than it is in dress shoes or boots.
EVA is becoming more commonly found in boots and shoes because people now expect the same comfort in their shoes as in their sneakers.
Say hello to the last boot socks you'll need.
Even really popular rugged boot brands like Thursday Boot Company use EVA foam to make their boots more comfortable.
Most of us over the years have worn a pair of dress shoes, and often they can be pretty uncomfortable, especially if you don’t wear them often.
I’ve seen my wife hobble around in heels, with her feet covered in band-aids. Her “they hurt like hell, but they look good” just doesn’t cut it for me. I want style and comfort.
You wouldn’t put up with painful sneakers, so why put up with painful boots? EVA foam is an incredibly versatile material and, used properly, can make your dress shoes feel like your favorite pair of sneakers.
Unlike many materials used to make boots, EVA is immediately comfortable; there’s no breaking in period, and EVA foam immediately cushions your feet. Often used in making midsoles, EVA foam boot is pliable enough to mold to the contours of your foot, making it one of the most comfortable choices if you’re wearing your footwear straight out of the box.
EVA foam retains its shape very well, too. Unlike materials such as cork, EVA will compress and then return to its original form. This feature makes EVA an excellent shock absorber when walking; while leather will mold to your feet, it’s not great at absorbing impact, EVA is superb at it.
Manufacturers don’t just use EVA for midsoles; more and more dress shoes are available with an EVA outsole too. An EVA outsole is more rigid than an EVA midsole would be because EVAs can be manufactured to different densities.
1. Waterproof EVA vs. Leaky Leather
If you’ve spent time trying to keep your leather dress shoes dry, you’ll know it’s not easy. You must keep applying something like mink oil to try and maintain its water-resistant qualities.
With an EVA sole on your dress boots or shoes, you can happily splash in puddles and see no lasting issues. EVA foam is a closed-cell foam, which means water can’t get in. Leather is a superb material, but it is also porous, which doesn’t help with waterproofing.
2. EVA Can be Made to Order
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Leather can be cut to shape, molded, and stitched and has been a staple of footwear manufacturing since the first human stood on a thorn and decided enough was enough. EVA foam, though, can be manufactured in low or high quality, poured into shape, and can be used to create several parts of a boot.
You can even buy footwear that’s completely made of EVA foam; Crocs are made entirely of EVA and are some of the most comfortable footwear created. This flexibility and comfort make using EVA a no-brainer; I expect to see more boots and shoes made of this versatile material in the future.
Your new dress shoes could have an EVA sole that’s rigid enough to be durable but flexible enough to absorb impact, with a lower quality, more pliable midsole that’s there to keep your feet insanely comfortable.
3. EVA is Recyclable and Cost-Effective
Green is definitely the new color; companies need to reduce emissions, cut costs, and prove they’re trying to impact the environment positively. EVA is inexpensive, can be recycled, and allows companies to show they are using renewable materials.
Buying environmentally friendly boots may not be your primary concern when shopping, but it’s a start in the right direction. Pretty soon, you could be driving your electric vehicle to the office and then walking around all day in your EVA dress shoes.
4. Manufacturers can Vary the Hardness of your Soles
Allowing manufacturers to vary the hardness of EVA is a great way to alter the feel of your shoes. EVA hardness varies, unlike most materials used for outsoles, such as leather and rubber. You either have a hard leather sole, or you don’t; you can’t make a leather sole more shock absorbent or softer.
EVA hardness is measured in degrees, from 5 to 70 degrees, and the higher the degree, the harder the EVA. There needs to be a balance between hardness and stability, though; a 7-degree EVA outsole will be like walking on a bag of jello, just as a 30-degree EVA midsole would mean your feet wouldn’t feel stable.
With experience and experimentation, it’s possible to find the perfect balance for your dress shoes, making EVA one of the most customizable materials around. I can see EVA being used more widely in the future, as it can be customized in ways that leather and rubber simply can’t.
EVA foam is an excellent material for footwear, and while the positives are incredible, there are always downsides to consider. EVA doesn’t have many drawbacks, but the ones it does have seem considerable.
1. EVA Loses its Cushioning Over Time
One of the significant drawbacks to EVA foam in shoes is that over time, the minuscule bubbles inside the EVA that provide your feet with cushioning start to degrade. It’s a lot like jumping into a pool that you can’t refill; at first, it’s full of water, so you’re fine; two years later, you dive in and hit bottom as the waters have slowly disappeared.
EVA manufacturers have found ways to reduce the loss of these bubbles by using molds to compress the EVA, making the EVA much denser. These techniques have been used to create better midsoles and outsoles, but there’s a drawback; the cost goes through the roof.
2. EVA Breaks Down Much Quicker than Rubber or Leather
EVA foam struggles in the heat, so if you’re in a warmer climate, you may find that your dress shoes degrade quicker than what you’re used to. Regardless of the temperature, EVA has a history of being less long-lasting than more traditional materials.
Used regularly, shoes with an EVA sole will only last around 1-2 years before needing to be replaced. Admittedly, the higher the quality of the EVA used, the longer they’ll last, but good luck finding out what EVA was used.
Compared to rubber or leather, EVA loses out in the longevity race, but you can have EVA boots resoled, and the old material can be recycled, so there is at least a positive there too.
3. EVA Doesn’t Grip as well as Rubber
If you are planning on wearing your EVA-soled dress shoes in colder climates, it’s worth noting that EVA doesn’t grip as well as rubber does. Ice and snow won’t degrade the EVA as they can do with leather, and EVA is waterproof, but you’ll have to be wary about keeping on your feet.
As EVA was first used in running shoes, comfort, not grip, was the primary concern; you don’t often jog 10k in the ice and snow. Now that dress shoes have EVA soles. The problem remains; you’ll have comfort and shock absorption, but the grip isn’t fantastic.
A big difference between EVA and polyurethane is that while EVA won’t last forever, it does take some time for the material to degrade. Polyurethane will degrade regardless of how many times you wear your boots.
If you wear your dress shoes sporadically, the EVA will last longer as the reduced usage takes longer to degrade the EVA, so those shoes you bought for special occasions could last for years. If the same shoes were made of polyurethane, they would degrade even if you left them in a closet for two years.
Texon is manufactured using natural cellulose materials, making it an incredibly environmentally friendly material. While Texon isn’t used to make outsoles, it is used to make insoles, midsoles, toe boxes, and heel reinforcements.
Texon can be made much thinner than other materials while still offering your feet great support; it’s a strong material, too, and will hold its shape much better than a rubber heel counter. EVA is a better material for an outsole, but Texon can be cut from a sheet and glued to a shoe, making it a much easier material to use in repairs.
While EVA and high-density foam have similar chemical structures, EVA foam is usually considered a low to medium-density foam. EVA is more pliable and better suited to use in making footwear components than high-density foam.
High-density foam deals with high temperatures much better than EVA and is a much harder material. We’re looking at EVA because it’s great for making midsoles and outsoles; the density and durability lend themselves well to making shoes shock absorbent yet comfortable.
A high-density foam would potentially make a more long-lasting sole for your dress shoes but would lose a great deal, if not all, of the comfort that EVA brings.
I was impressed with just how versatile, and comfortable EVA foam is, especially the outsole, which I think could be a massive hit. A high-quality EVA outsole on a pair of dress shoes will add real comfort; they’re perfect for work or special occasions.
Until EVA foam becomes as long-lasting as other materials, I can see boots with these soles being used more for infrequent wear rather than everyday use, though for midsoles, you’ll not find a more comfortable bed for your feet.
EVA foam is used for so many day-to-day things that you probably use it without realizing it. Anything from footwear to bike seats, packaging, and fishing rods. EVA foam can be manufactured to various consistencies and thicknesses, making it one of the most widely used materials around.
EVA foam won’t melt unless it reaches over 150º Fahrenheit, so unless you plan on cooking your dress shoes, you should be fine. EVA does have a history of degrading quicker in warm conditions; a warm climate will affect the ability of the EVA to act as a shock absorber.
While some materials make squeaky noises on hard surfaces, EVA outsoles are much quieter. A leather sole will often make noises on a marble or wooden floor, but EVA should allow you to walk around quietly.
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