Crepe soles, or crepe rubber soles are widely used in footwear and in boot manufacture. Because of the durability and relatively low cost, crepe rubber has been used for decades, but what isn’t known is how eco-friendly crepe rubber can actually be.

Depending on the process, natural latex and rubbers have a rough hewn textured look although crepe rubbers can vary somewhat in texture and in color. The material is produced through a process called coagulation which combines melted latex with a natural coagulum – shell scrap, bamboo, jute fibers and even tree lace are often used in combination with the latex and the crepe rubber is the product.

The process is fairly inexpensive and the materials used can be entirely natural, making crepe rubber a smart option for casual shoes. It’s hard for organic and sustainable footwear companies to keep costs low, so crepe rubber can be a terrific option.

The color variance in crepe rubber is dependent on the amount of natural dirt or other contaminants allowed to remain in the material. Basically, higher grades of crepe leather have dirt and other contaminants removed during extra steps during production – which therefore adds cost to the material.

Crepe rubber is a great choice for eco-friendly casual shoes. The texture and color can be taken into consideration and actually add to and work with the style of the shoe. The rubber sole can reduce impact on your feet, ankles and knees and, when used properly, crepe rubber soles add traction to minimize slippage in wet situations.

So which of our eco-friendly brands use crepe rubber in their production? Well, a number of our shoe makers use rubbers melded with eco-friendly materials, but only a few specifically cite crepe rubber in their materials.

Groundhog Shoes – Groundhog shoes use crepe rubber made from the Lactae Meva Rubber tree.

The natural liquid latex is actually tapped from the trees and collected and the trees and process are both sustainable practices.

Groundhog uses crepe rubber soles in many of their shoes to offer support, comfort and sustainable materials.

The North Face Shoes – The North Face uses crepe rubber as a mudguard and heel reinforcement for added eco-friendly heel support and extra protection in wet and muddy conditions.

The North Face is working hard to integrate sustainable materials in creative ways into all their rugged shoes and this innovative use of crepe rubber as a support material and trim is a testament to their smart and sustainable design!