Human beings have always taken advantage of what is around them, sometimes in a natural way and sometimes transforming it. All this is known as materials and we can classify them in 3 different ways depending on the modifications we have made and their origin.

• The natural is what we extract from nature and use without making substantial modifications. 

• Artificial ones are what we manufacture, that is, they have been transformed by people, but they use existing elements in a natural way. 

• On the other hand, synthetics are those that are obtained by certain chemical processes. 

In the world of footwear this difference is significant, because if a product is artificial, natural or synthetic, it can change characteristics of the shoe such as design, perspiration, grip, safety... Therefore, we think it is important to comment briefly on what materials a shoe can be made of and its characteristics. 

Natural materials

• Cotton
  

It is a fiber of vegetable origin that is used for the industrial process of making fabrics, becoming for centuries the most important natural fiber in the world. It is ideal for warm and humid climates (as it could be the Miami one), it is also light, easy to wash and comfortable.

• Wool
  

It is a natural fiber and a common resource in cold areas because of its ability to maintain body heat, which can also be interesting when making winter footwear.

• Leather
  

Thanks to its flexibility and resistance, it can be easily handled. Thus, it is one of the most used materials for its advantages, which are the following:

1. Good thermal insulation.

2. Permeability to water.

3. It is hot in winter and cool in summer.

4. Its elasticity makes that it can be modeled and that, once it has been given a new form, it retains it without any inconvenience.

5. It has good heat resistance.

Artificial materials

• Rayon
  

Also known as "viscose", is a previously solubilized and subsequently regenerated cellulose fiber. It is a very versatile material, with certain properties that make its use really comfortable. In this way, the touch can imitate silk or cotton. It can be easily stained with colors, in addition it is a soft, light, fresh, comfortable and very absorbent material, although it is not a good insulator. It is for these reasons that it is ideal for hot and humid climates. 

• Rubber
  

In the world there are many varieties of rubber, either artificial or synthetic (made with petroleum) and both can be used for footwear. It is mainly used for the soles of the shoes and, together with other polymers, gives the perfect grip, achieving both good cushioning and safety.

Synthetic materials

• Nylon
  

It is a synthetic polymer to which you can add fiberglass to increase its rigidity. It is an elastic and resistant textile fiber, as it is not natural fiber, it is not attacked by moths and is used in many areas of fashion, including footwear, where historically replaced silk and rayon.

• Polyester
  

From the distillation of petroleum. The most commonly known is PET, a thermoplastic polyester. This material has several advantages such as:

1. Its cost is economic.

2. Light weight.  

3. It is an elastic material. 

4. It resists the abrasion.  

5. It is easily combined with other fabrics. 

• Polypropylene
  

It is a structure of polymers with which it is easy to produce yarn for weaving, among the most outstanding features we find the following:

1. Stain resistance, dirt and easy washing.

2. Low weight.

3. High power of coating.

4. It is a material that resists mold and bacteria.

This material is widely used in health centers or at jobs where it is necessary to protect other footwear.

• Lycra
  

Elastane is a synthetic textile fiber that has great elasticity. It is commercially known as Lycra or Spandex, all of which are the same compound. It is common to find this fabric fused with cotton and other natural and even synthetic fibers such as polyester. In addition to elasticity, it has other outstanding features such as: 

1. Good ability to dry.  

2. Sweat resistance. 

3. It can be a more durable fabric when bonded with cotton or polyester.

Whatever material you use, we know that, as a craftsman, when you create a shoe, it is almost like a child that we will deliver to the customer: we will have dedicated many hours, not only making it of but also of thinking about the design to get the perfect one for the person. 

If you want to have the best materials for your creations, at Europieles we have  a wide range of quality
 materials that will suit each of them. Count on us to make them come true!