So this article is going to be about crepe soles. We will be discussing everything related to these crepe soles in detail. Are they a good choice for boots or not? Let’s find it out.
So crepe soles boots were first time worn in world war 2 by Churchill’s officers. These crepe soles offer much more grip than leather soles. They are super light than hard rubber.
You should consider crepe soles for your own boot collection because of these qualities as well as their distinctive look.
Camping in the summer or tailgating in the summer might be a good use for them. It might shock you but they are a perfect option for dance floors too.
So let’s not waste any more time and directly jump into the main topic of our article that is,
Contents
- What Is a Crepe Sole?
- What Is Crepe Rubber?
- Crepe Sole Benefits:
- Crepe Sole Drawbacks:
- 3 Iconic Crepe Sole Boots:
- Clarks Desert Boots:
- Grenson Oscar Suede Desert Boots:
- Common Projects Chelsea Boot:
- How Can I Distinguish Between A Genuine Crepe And An Artificial Crepe?
- How Should Crepe Soles Be Treated?
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Wrapping It All Up!!
What Is a Crepe Sole?
The crepe sole gives shoes a casual look. Rubber crepes are made from tree sap latex, which is a natural, biodegradable, and textured material.
Rubber crepes provide sneaker-like comfort, but they are not durable, so they shouldn’t be used on a daily basis or for heavy activities.
What Is Crepe Rubber?
The texture of crepe rubber is crumpled due to its porous nature and its natural origins in latex.
Latex made from organic sap is extracted from a South American tree, the Pará, also known as the rubber tree.
It is then coagulated and rolled into sheets for use in rubber products. Hard rubber by further processing can also be manufactured from crepe rubber.
This material is unrefined so the soles that are made from crepes will be very flexible and they have a lot of traction.
One best thing about these crepe soles is that they look very natural and high-end at the same time.
This is similar to the use of biodegradable paper in the packaging of fancy organic food companies. In addition to adding a casual flair, they are often built into chukkas.
Those crepe soles that have a dressier look to them go perfectly with a suit or formal wear.
Crepe Sole Benefits:
Crepe soles not only look good but they have many more benefits apart from the nice looking factor.
Let’s take a look at its benefits.
- Crepe soles are ultra-lightweight, soft, and flexible so you feel very comfortable while wearing them.
- They have a very soft cushion-like feeling which is great for your joints.
- Crepe soles are a perfect versatile option as they are very comfortable like sneakers but with a dressier look.
- As long as the conditions are reasonable, these soles provide good traction.
- When WWII soldiers were able to cross desert terrain wearing crepe soles, you shouldn’t have a problem getting from your car to your barstool.
- Make sure you avoid them in the rainy season otherwise you will slip as these soles are slightly slippery.
- Another great thing about crepe rubber is that it is very sustainable and biodegradable too which means it is suitable for the environment.
- The Pará tree is not only harmless to sap tapping but it is also strengthened as a result.
- There should be a Nobel prize for every pair of crepe sole shoes.
- The look of these products is unique and organic.
- Casual uppers look more sophisticated with crepe soles, while dressier uppers look less extravagant with them.
Crepe Sole Drawbacks:
If these soles have lots of benefits then they will also have some drawbacks.
So let’s take a look at some of its drawbacks.
- The first thing is crepes soles are not a long time running means these are not very durable shoes.
- Do not ever think about wearing them hiking otherwise either you will survive or either these shoes will survive.
- As a result of the flexibility, your foot is not protected against the jagged rocks on the trail.
- These are not appropriate for daily wear so make sure you avoid wearing them regularly until and unless you change your crepe soles every year.
- In my opinion, there are very few cobblers capable of replacing crepe soles again and again.
- The biggest drawback of these crepe soles is that they get dirty very easily.
- They have dirt magnets in them that catch all the dirt very easily.
- Yes, these shoes are great for joints but they are not good for low arches as these soles are not able to provide support to your feet.
- The flat-footed gentleman experiences a break-in saga during the break-in period.
3 Iconic Crepe Sole Boots:
Clarks Desert Boots:
Clarks Desert Boots are unique among crepe sole shoes. Two pieces of leather are used to construct the uppers.
They offer 2 different types of leather that are beeswax and suede, choose whatever you like the most. It doesn’t require alot of maintenance as the upper leather is treated with heavy oil.
Clarks look extremely amazing with casual attire. As a result of their leather construction, the sneakers elevate casual looks and jeans.
Grenson Oscar Suede Desert Boots:
There is a strong connection between Grenson and Goodyear Welt shoemaking. Oscar Suede Boots are unique because of this process.
Cobblers who know how to use the Goodyear Welt can replace soles more easily than they would without it.
Welts are thin leather pieces that run around the edge of the outsole, as well as sewn to them.
All three components of the shoe are sewn together by the welt. The soles can be replaced without damaging any other parts of the shoe.
Fine stitching adds an elegant touch to this desert boot in the grand tradition of Grenson.
It still has a rounded toe, and the crepe sole makes it an appropriate boot for a casual occasion.
Common Projects Chelsea Boot:
The simple, laceless upper of this boot accentuates its tapered silhouette. Its understated classic form pairs seamlessly with evening wear, but its rounded toe makes it effortlessly casual.
Common project Chelsea boots look amazingly wonderful and compared to the other two these boots are the fanciest ones.
They are slightly overpriced so if you want an alternative then we will recommend you to check the New Republic Sonoma Suede Chelsea.
How Can I Distinguish Between A Genuine Crepe And An Artificial Crepe?
You can easily distinguish between a genuine crepe sole and an artificial crepe sole just by its appearance.
If the crepe sole is genuine then it will have an open crinkly structure. It feels very porous and you will feel a good grip.
The smell of genuine crepe will be like a mixture of stationery rubber and oat straw.
If the crepe sole is genuine then it will only be available in two colors that are; milky slightly yellowish white and light brown honey-like color.
If you see the crepe sole in black color then it might be possible that it is dyed.
Genuine crepe is slightly expensive this is the reason many shoe manufacturers use artificial crepe and sell it as genuine one.
Artificial crepe is easy to manufacture but the main thing is it is not going to offer any of those benefits that natural crepe offers.
Make sure you invest your valuable money in authentic and genuine crepe soles every time.
How Should Crepe Soles Be Treated?
A crepe sole is durable and robust. There is no need to protect it specifically.
The sole, however, should not be subjected to extreme environmental conditions due to its natural nature, similar to a leather sole.
Avoid tarmac surfaces that are extremely hot (e.g. in desert areas) to maximize your enjoyment of the soles.
Fuel, solvents, and similar substances should not come into contact with the shoes – this is harmful to the surface.
There is no difference between crepe and mineral or chemical-based soles in terms of durability.
The biggest differences are softness, flexibility, naturalness, and sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Also Read: Nubuck Vs Suede – What’s the Difference?
Wrapping It All Up!!
So I hope that finally, you know what is crepe sole and what are its benefits.
We have tried our best to cover each and every point related to crepe soles in this article but if you think we skip something let us know in the comment section.