How INSITE Combines the Best Features of Poured PU and EVA for Optimal Lightweight Performance
No matter what sport they’re built for, athletic shoes require insoles that can provide comfort and performance without weighing down the rest of the shoe.
EVA and PU are two popular athletic insole materials that each offer unique benefits for athletic footwear. But when every gram counts, which material is best for balancing lightweight performance and durability?
EVA Insoles for Athletic Shoes
Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) is often a popular choice for insole materials because of its lightweight cushioning properties, especially in the world of running footwear. The structure of EVA can provide good energy return, providing wearers with a responsive underfoot feel that works well on pavement or hard terrain.
For footwear developers, EVA has the benefit of low density, which keeps the overall weight of the shoe low and making its construction a little more cost-effective. While it cuts down on the weight of the insole, EVA does not have the same durability or compression set as other insole materials.
This means an EVA insole can flatten out more quickly over time, unlike materials like poured PU, which retain their original thickness for much longer. For this reason, wearers may need to replace their EVA insoles at least once during the life of their shoes.