Which Soles are Best for Work Boots: PVC vs Rubber

What qualities do work boots’ soles need?

When we’re talking about work boots, let’s assume we don’t mean that 9 to 5 in the office – we mean active work for tough jobs or work that involves a lot of outdoor walking. The features you need most are:

• Waterproof – all-weather wear means rain, snow, puddles and mud

• Comfortable – long days on your feet require shock absorption but a steady step

• Chemical resistance – a degree of resistance to corrosive substances might be necessary

• Insulating – standing on cold ground for long periods is better with a dense layer

• Electrical insulation – stopping you from earthing electric current

• Tough – for walking on stones, broken glass, nails, splinters and such like

• Grip – slip protection is important in many workplaces, especially around water and ice

What is PVC?

PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, and it’s a synthetic polymer, one of the most used plastics in the world. You’ll see window frames, cable insulation, pipes, clothing, medical equipment, the list goes on. It can be made hard or soft, and it’s the soft type that’s used in soles.

What is rubber?

Rubber is a material that is made from latex, a liquid found under the bark of rubber trees. It has been harvested for hundreds of years and used industrially for about two centuries. Like PVC, at the molecular level, it resembles strands bound together, but this has organic origins.

Is PVC rubber or plastic?

PVC is a type of plastic. It’s completely synthetic – it doesn’t occur in nature, unlike latex, from which rubber is made. However, rubber itself isn’t a natural substance – liquid latex goes through several stages of heat and chemical processing to produce the blocky material used in soles, tyres and erasers. 

Is a PVC sole good?

PVC soles do have some uses in the workplace, particularly around chemicals, as they are good at resisting corrosion and oil spillages. As far as comfort is concerned, they can be as shock-absorbent as rubber, and the insoles can help with comfort too. It is a good electrical insulator and is also tough and waterproof. All in all, it is a decent replacement for rubber in many circumstances but can lack the grip, heat insulation and comfort of the more natural material.