Athletes often say that a shoe stands out because of its good cushioning. Apparently, that is already half the battle. But what exactly is sole cushioning, and how does good cushioning affect the feel of running?
First, we would like to explain what is meant by sole cushioning. A shoe’s cushioning is its ability to absorb the force of impact with every step. When the foot strikes the ground, a vibration travels from the muscles to the bones. This means that the body has to expend a certain amount of force to cushion the impact and roll through the foot in order to keep moving. A good cushioning system reduces this vibration and relieves the strain on our body as it works to absorb the impact. Every sole provides a different level of cushioning, and depending on the occasion, this can be crucial for having comfortable and functional footwear during sports, hiking, or everyday activities.
THERE ARE THREE MAIN LEVELS OF CUSHIONING
Light cushioning:
Light summer shoes, sandals, and slippers have a light level of cushioning. A zero heel is a given. To make the shoe as light as possible, the sole is very thin and therefore provides little cushioning.
Medium cushioning:
A medium level of cushioning can be found in everyday or office shoes. Sneakers and ankle boots are ideal for a walk or for work, providing complete comfort through their soles.
High cushioning:
Sports shoes and hiking shoes have to withstand particularly high levels of stress. You often spend the entire day wearing them, and your body is also exposed to a great deal of movement. The level of cushioning is especially important here to relieve some of the strain on your feet, back, and legs.
A little tip: When looking for your new BÄR shoes, you can specifically search by cushioning level. Simply select your desired level under “Cushioning level” in the filter bar, and all matching shoes will be displayed. The cushioning level is also described in every shoe description below the product images.
You can find particularly light cushioning, for example, in our summer shoes and slippers
You can find medium cushioning, for example, in our everyday sneakers and boots.
You can find particularly high cushioning, for example, in our sports and hiking shoes
WHAT MATERIALS ARE OUR SHOE SOLES MADE OF?
We use the right material for every shoe requirement. These range from soft natural rubber or natural crepe to abrasion-resistant polyurethane (PU) or TPU. Natural rubber soles are exceptionally soft and highly flexible. PU soles provide a very high level of cushioning, which is why PU is mainly used in sports or hiking shoes. It retains its shape and can withstand heavy use, such as contact with rocks and branches. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) soles have an elegant appearance and are very lightweight. They provide good stability and guarantee a secure step. Rubber soles are highly resilient and support the foot’s natural rolling motion for a barefoot-like walking experience.
FIRMOFLEX ® technology impresses with its high stability, particularly in our Bergkomfort hiking shoes. The forefoot area contains four transverse supports arranged to provide a higher degree of firmness without affecting flexibility. FIRMOFLEX® gives the shoe unbeatable durability under continuous stress.
Find out more about: FIRMOFLEX
Find out more about our different soles! Here: Our shoe soles
HYDROLYSIS—THE BREAKDOWN OF THE SHOE SOLE
Hydrolysis is a chemical process that actually always takes place in a shoe. In most hiking shoes, the sole is connected to the shoe by a midsole. This midsole is made of polyurethane (PU) and provides cushioning, flexibility, and lightness. If these shoes are stored for too long and are not used, the sole changes shape and becomes hard and crumbly.
We have put together a few tips to help you prevent hydrolysis in your shoes:
• Clean and care for your shoes regularly. You can find all the information about shoe care here: Shoe care in winter
• Store your shoes in ventilated, dry, and relatively cool rooms
• Avoid high temperatures, such as those found in direct sunlight, as they accelerate the progress of hydrolysis. The leather becomes brittle and cracks.
• Your hiking shoes should always be dry. Moisture promotes mold growth and can cause the hiking shoes to deform.
• Use wooden shoe trees, ideally inserting them directly after wearing the shoes. Beechwood absorbs the moisture that develops inside the shoe particularly well. Here you can find our wooden shoe trees: Shoe accessories
Why do we use PU soles, then? Read on: Hydrolysis
