Sport Sandal Technology

Sport Sandals

There were many outdoor enthusiasts who doubted the sport sandal from the very beginning, but it has continued to increase in popularity as a worthy and unique piece of footwear for any activity. Much of this success is due to the innovative design improvements and construction ideas from major investments from companies such as Teva. These advancements have established a place for sport sandal footwear in just about every outdoor sporting activity.

The original sandals we extrememly simple - die-cut stock sheet rubber sole units with flat nylon webbing - but the basic concept has been expanded a long. In the sport sandal world today, consumers can choose sport specific sandals for almost any type of activity including rafting, sailing, running, walking, hiking and even aerobics!

Sports Sandal Anatomy

There were many outdoor enthusiasts who doubted the sport sandal from the very beginning, but it has continued to increase in popularity as a worthy and unique piece of footwear for any activity. Much of this success is due to the innovative design improvements and construction ideas from major investments from companies such as Teva. These advancements have established a place for sport sandal footwear in just about every outdoor sporting activity.

The original sandals we extrememly simple - die-cut stock sheet rubber sole units with flat nylon webbing - but the basic concept has been expanded a long. In the sport sandal world today, consumers can choose sport specific sandals for almost any type of activity including rafting, sailing, running, walking, hiking and even aerobics!

Sport Sandal Outsole

All sport sandals have some kind of anti-slide material that grips the wet and dry surfaces outdoors. This material is normally able to shed mud and dirt easily, and be abrasion resistant maintaining its durrability.

The rubber material that composes the outsole is what determines the level of grip. The ousoles are designed in different patterns for different activities, and all outsoles are designed to not hold on to mud and durt. (This would descrease their gripping capebilities.) When you choose a sandal based on traction, there is a bit of a trade off as grippier soles have a tendency to wear out at a faster rate while soles that are less grippy tend to last longer. Teva uses a material called "Spider Rubber" that is made from a material that allows sandals to have a wonderful grip in wet and dry enviroments but lasts longer than even harder outsoles.

Sport Sandal Midsoles

The sport sandal midsole (or "dual density midsoles") comfort the foot and act as a shock absorpbing pad in rough environemtns. The midsole is made out of EVA. Sometimes, sport sandal midsoles will have a sorbothane-type shock absorption plug (ShocPad) and an even more dense plug inside the heel area to protect the foot and ankle rolling inwards.

Sport Sandal Outsole

All sport sandals have some kind of anti-slide material that grips the wet and dry surfaces outdoors. This material is normally able to shed mud and dirt easily, and be abrasion resistant maintaining its durrability.

The rubber material that composes the outsole is what determines the level of grip. The ousoles are designed in different patterns for different activities, and all outsoles are designed to not hold on to mud and durt. (This would descrease their gripping capebilities.) When you choose a sandal based on traction, there is a bit of a trade off as grippier soles have a tendency to wear out at a faster rate while soles that are less grippy tend to last longer. Teva uses a material called "Spider Rubber" that is made from a material that allows sandals to have a wonderful grip in wet and dry enviroments but lasts longer than even harder outsoles.

Sport Sandal Topsole

The final portion of the sport sandal sole is the topsole, the part you foot rests on. It is imperative this material is comfortable to your foot while still providing a decent amount of traction so your foot is not sliding all over especially in wet environments. In hot weather conditions your feet can sweat a signifacant amount and as sport sandals are generally worn without socks, we have a good equation for bad smelling sandals. Teva and other premiem sandal footwear brands normally utilize a topsole that absorb the bad smelling bacteria inhibitor to allieviate this problem. Teva uses a silver-based, antimicrobial compound that absorbs these odors, whilie similar competitors are using synthetic organic chemicals to reduce sandal stench.

Sport Sandal Arch Support

Any healthy sandal will assist your foot in keeping the proper shape. This particular shape keeps the heel, ankle, and lower leg in the correct alignment, preventing immediate foot fatigue and pain in the ankle and knees.

Sport Sandal Straps

There a strapping system that is patented which is most commonly used and appropriately named the "Universal Strapping system". However, there is a wide varity of strapping materials, from synthetic sport sandal straps (nylon, polypropylene etc.) to leather (full grain, waterproof, suede etc). The most important factor of any strapping system is the comfort and support is allows your feet. These factors are nroamlly unique to each individual, but many sandal comsumers find that nylon straps are best for harder environments (like water), while leather is used for casual comfort.

Synthetic straps need to be soft on your skin. The tubular nylon is woven very tight and made to dry fast. Of all synthetic strapping materials, nylon is the premier. Polypropylene is often used but does not last as long as nylon when exposed to sunlight for an extended period of time. Cheaper sandals use this material more often. Be sure to also check that the sandal straps extend all the way under the heel and under the front of your foot so they cannot be removed or come undone.

Leather is best used for less harsh environements. It can streach, but look for leather with nylon backing that helps the strape keep its shape. Waterproof leather will absorb less water and dry faster. Suede is sometimes used with other types of fabrics (such as neoprene or mesh) to keep the straps lightweight and still comfortable.