Tire sole. Sandals made from car tires
There may be many reasons why you might be left without shoes in field or hiking conditions far from populated areas. Here’s an option: the shoes were left to dry by the fire, but you weren’t careful and they were partially burned. Another option: Your dog, playing with a shoe on the bank of a mountain stream, accidentally dropped it, and the shoe quickly floated downstream. The dog liked this dynamic scene and repeated the procedure with the second shoe.
How to make your own shoes from nothing
But now we won’t talk about the reasons why you lost your shoes. In the off-season or winter, you need to find an immediate way out of this situation. First of all, you need to insulate your feet. You can wrap them with any dry, warm, soft things (jacket, torn pants, sweater, etc.), cover them with dense material on top and then tie them with rope. You can also insulate your feet by stuffing bird feathers, fluff, dry leaves, moss or grass between two layers of socks worn on your feet (or layers of windings).
After this, you need to build some temporary shoes from available materials. Homemade shoes will help you out until the end of your autonomous existence or until help arrives.
The simplest shoes, commonly referred to as “wraps”, are several pieces of dense dry fabric measuring 80x80 cm. These pieces are placed on top of each other and then folded to form a right-angled isosceles triangle. The foot is placed in the center of this triangle with the fingers pointing towards the right angle. This corner is bent first, followed by others. The “wrapper” is tied on top with thin straps or ropes.
You can turn plastic bottles into shoes. If there is only one bottle, then it must be cut lengthwise into equal halves. The legs are placed in these halves and tied in a circle using ropes.
If there are two bottles, then a hole is cut in each of them so that a leg with the toe extended forward can freely pass through it. This “boot” is more comfortable and more airtight. Of course, you won’t go far on slippery slopes or rocky paths with these plastic boots, but on grassy soft ground they will serve well and for a long time.
Sturdy shoes are made from motorcycle or car tires. The soles are cut from the tire, and straps are cut from the inner tube, with which the soles are attached to the legs. It should be remembered that such hard shoes should be worn on feet that are well wrapped in several layers of fabric.
A softer motorcycle tire can simply be cut into short lengths (the length of your leg). You will get “boats”. You need to insert your feet into them, tighten the upper edges of the “boats” with straps or ropes, and you can go about your business.
Soles with ears along the edges are cut out of a car tire according to the size of the foot. To do this, a template is cut out of cardboard or thick paper, as in the figure:
Using this template, soles are cut from a tire:
Straps (or strings) cut from the camera are attached to the ears of the soles. Now you can put on the sandals you received, fasten the straps (tie the strings) and go where you need to go.
Another option: two outsoles are cut out on the side of a car tire (fragment “a” of the lower figure), two slits are made between the layers of the tire (fragment “b”), and straps or ropes are threaded into these slits (fragment “c”). It turns out to be a different model of sandals.
As the experience of poor African countries shows, very comfortable shoes can be made from old tires. Afghan peasants also make original sandals from tires.
An improvised sole can also be made from a piece of birch bark (birch bark), linden bark (bast) or willow. Such shoes are not very suitable for long journeys, but for some time they can protect your feet from thorns, sharp stones and hypothermia.
Practice shows that people in extreme conditions successfully use a variety of improvised means as shoes: metal, plastic and other durable boxes (for example, old cans of brake fluid or oil), earflap hats tied to their feet (etc. ... to the best of your imagination). In extreme conditions, reliable homemade shoes can be essential for survival.
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An entertaining video on how to update old shoes:
What benefits can you get from old car tires besides creating swans and flower beds? African craftsmen also make shoes from used tires, which are sold to the local population and tourists.
Many people know that car tires are often used as flower beds, garden figures and even pieces of furniture. In Africa, craftsmen also make shoes from used tires. Thanks to the high strength of the material, sandals made from tires do not wear out for up to 10 years: they do not fall apart, do not wear out, and do not get wet. You can buy them for almost nothing at a price of 2-3 dollars, which makes them popular among the local poor population. The technology is quite simple, if not primitive. From found ownerless tires, Africans cut blanks for soles, which are then added with straps and ropes for attaching to the legs. The smooth inner side of the rubber adheres to the heel, and the tread to the ground.
You can find similar shoes in many African tribes. But most of all, the Kenyan Maasai tribe became famous in this craft. Shoes made from tires have even become one of the country's attractions and are successfully sold to tourists as souvenirs.
Some entrepreneurs based on Maasai technology have created entire production facilities aimed at European buyers. An example is the Maasai Trends online store. The shoes of this company are made by the same craftsmen, but the quality of the products is higher. For example, almost new tires, leather and good quality denim are used in production. In a word, the slippers are much better than the creations of artisans for the Kenyans themselves. And such slippers cost an order of magnitude higher. If you believe the prices listed in the online store, children's sandals will cost $12, men's and women's sandals will cost up to $19.
You can make 4 pairs of sandals from one old car tire. Finding a tire from a truck promises much greater profit - up to a dozen pairs of shoes will come out of it. The actual production process usually begins with a search. Sometimes it comes down to theft: it’s not for nothing that tourists from Europe and America are advised to take a closer look at the safety of their wheels and spare tire. True, lately local businessmen have no time for theft. Sales are gradually falling as equally cheap but more convenient Chinese products penetrate the market. After the material is obtained, the African artisan arms himself with an awl and a hammer and gets to work.
In the assortment of manufacturers you can find different types of shoes. The simplest Maasai version is an ordinary piece of tire with holding straps. There are also more advanced types, such as flip-flops and even shoes with heels in the form of a piece of uncut tread. Sometimes the range is expanded with dishes, baskets, buckets and other utensils.
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Shoes are one of those items on which creative and scientific experiments have always been and will be carried out. Let's find out what the footwear industry has already surprised the world with in 2018.
When it comes to DIY fashion pieces, shoes can't be ignored. Handmade shoes are a fun and unique way to personalize your wardrobe, as well as give some items a second life that can serve as a great example for others. And this time we'll show you a pair of retro sneakers made from old tires and denim scraps.
The idea to create these homemade sneakers came from watching the Tarahumara races. The Tarahumara are an indigenous people who live in an area with massive canyons. Residents walk incredible distances wearing homemade sandals made from old tires, called hauraches. For ordinary people, such sandals are not particularly comfortable, so below we describe how to make more comfortable shoes using the same tires.
Necessary materials for making homemade sneakers:
Aluminium foil;
Old sneakers;
Boot glue;
Old tires or a flat piece of rubber, about 6-8 millimeters;
Old jeans or other durable fabric;
Fabric waste;
20 krengels (iron spacers);
Hammer;
Sewing machine;
Sewing pins;
Rubber bands (rubber bands);
Clothespins;
A good pair of large scissors;
Making sneakers from tires
1) Get a pair of old sneakers that fit you well. Cut a sheet of aluminum foil long enough and wide enough to wrap around the entire length of one shoe. Wrap the aluminum foil around the shoe so that the 2 ends meet at the heel and the sole is completely wrapped.
2) Take a marker and use it to trace the outline of the top of the shoe sole onto the aluminum foil. Then turn the shoe over and continue drawing a line on the foil until it closes. Also outline the upper part of the sneakers, not forgetting about the recess for the tongue.
3) Cut the foil along the lines you drew. Attach the trace cut out of foil and trace a “template” around it with a fabric marker. Do the same to create a second trace. Don’t forget to also draw another outline next to each of the footprints, one centimeter from the previous outline. Only then cut out both traces.
4) Now take the top part of the foil, cut it along the contour and unfold it so that it does not tear. Place it on the fabric and carefully trace the outline with a marker. Here, too, adhere to the tactic that you will need to draw another circuit for the firmware. Cut out fabric blanks.
5) You will also need to cut out the tongue for the shoe from the fabric. It should be about 10 centimeters wide and 18 centimeters long. As a last resort, you can then shorten it later when you need to sew it to the shoe. Sew along the edges of the fabric that will be visible when the shoes are completely finished. To do this, wrap about 5 centimeters of fabric and sew it using a machine. This doesn't just apply to reeds.
6) Take the krengels (iron spacers) and secure them in the upper fabric part of the sneakers, 10 pieces for each (5 on each side), after making small holes. Use a hammer. These will be the holes for our laces. Attach the tongue with sewing pins to the inside of the shoe and adjust it the way you want it to look.
Using different colored fabrics to cut out shapes to decorate your shoes. Then sew them all the way around the edges of the top of the sneakers. You should get it as shown in the photo.
7) Now the blanks can be wrapped around the legs and secured with sewing pins so that nothing stings anywhere. But remember that at the moment the outer part of them should be inside. Take the laces and thread them through the holes, tying them off. This way you can see how the sneakers will fit on your feet.
8) Remove the workpiece and lace it again. Turn the pieces inside out (that is, leave them the way you put them on). Now carefully secure the part that is responsible for the sole, and carefully sew everything together. Do the same for the second sneaker, sewing the blanks together.
9) Remember that you need to stitch along the black marker line that you applied to the fabric. Be sure to leave a little extra space around the toe of the shoe. It will probably tighten up as you glue the sole. Turn the shoes inside out so that the right side remains on top.
10) Put your shoes on your feet to make sure they fit well. Turn it inside out again, and go over the second seam again to strengthen the stitching. You can also make some adjustments at any point and trim excess fabric to ensure the shoe fits comfortably.
Here is the first article in a series on the topic “Do-it-yourself sandals.” This is a short guide on how to do their hands sandals made from tires.
Before we get into the cutting process, let's talk about sandals made from old tires. There is enough information about production on the World Wide Web, so I won’t torment you with unnecessary information, I’ll just give some tips that are based on my personal experience. They're not very comfortable to wear barefoot, but they work great with moccasins or thick socks
Step 1: Select tires
First, forget about using rubber with metal wire. It is difficult to cut no matter what you use to cut it with. Plus, pieces of wire flying in all directions can hurt you, not to mention you might end up piercing your finger or foot.
The most common source of material is spare car tires. They are marked “temporary use, driving speed no more than 72 km per hour.” The reason is that there is no cord in the rubber structure. You can purchase such tires at a car dismantling station or at a flea market. In addition to these tires, you can use lawn mower tires or ATV tires.
Step 2: Cut the tires
The original idea was to use only hand tools, but over time I abandoned that idea and went to a power tool store. After removing the tire from the rim, cut off the beads with a jigsaw, after making a hole for a file using a knife. Next, using a handsaw/jigsaw, cut the tire into four equal pieces to make two pairs of sandals.
Step 3: Cut out the sandals
Let's draw a preliminary drawing of the leg on the inside of the tire, and then cut out the blank. For cutting, I first used an engraver with a small cutting disc. It cut, but it was hard to hold and made a mess. The cut pieces were terrible (they moved to the corner of the workshop, I hate even looking at them). My father was a carpenter and he suggested using a chisel. After the first hit, it simply bounced off, leaving a small mark.
There were attempts to cut with a knife. It cut well, but it would take a very long time and hundreds of passes to get a set of cut sandals. After that I switched to a small heat cutter (usually used for cutting foam). Plugging it in and letting it warm up, I began another attempt to cut the tire... And what do you think? I couldn’t believe it, the attachment cut rubber like a hot knife cuts butter. Just a gentle wiggle to pierce the rubber and no more extra effort. The heat cuts the rubber, but also keeps the blade from slipping, as is the case with a cold blade. All this allows you to make large cuts, beautifully, smoothly and accurately. You may accidentally burn yourself or cut yourself, so be careful. In addition, cutting must be done in the fresh air, smoke and odor are released, although it is small, but safety is important. The simplicity of this method is that in extreme conditions it will be possible to heat up a knife blade or a piece of any other metal and cut out the sandals.
Step 4: Finishing the Sandals
The sandals had 5 protrusions for attaching nylon straps and ties. First, we cut out the sandals with a supply of material, because it is better to make additional minor changes than to re-cut the blank. Leave the overhangs as long as possible. In addition to the spare length, you get additional foot girth. We will use the engraver from the heel tab because it was too hard.
Let's put on shoes and oversized sandals. This is done so that during cutting you do not make mistakes and do not start the manufacturing process from the beginning. We carry out pruning using the same hot blade. Next, mark the locations for the slots for attaching the nylon straps. We'll drill a hole at the end of the lines and then cut the slits.
Step 5: Install the Straps
All that remains to be done is to thread and sew the straps.
The sandals passed the tests fine. But the front edge of the moccasin protruded about 1.2 cm beyond the overlay. I repeat once again that leave the length in reserve (especially on the tabs) until the moment when you conduct tests. Purchase a hot cutter before you begin. This will save you a lot of time.
Thank you for your attention! Enjoy your walks!
10.04.2014 481157“What is the difference between TPE and EVA? What does tunit promise me? PVC is glue? What are the soles of these boots even made of?” - The modern buyer wants to know everything. In order not to lose face in front of him and be able to explain whether such a sole is suitable for him, carefully study this article. In it, process engineer Igor Okorokov explains what materials shoe soles are made of and what is good about each of them.
- engineer-technologist of shoe production, graduate of Vitebsk State Technological University of Light Industry. Since 2002, he has been working as a specialist for various shoe companies in Russia.
Materials used to make soles
The sole is one of the most important parts of the shoe, which protects it from wear and largely determines its service life. It is the sole that is subjected to intense mechanical stress, abrasion on the ground and repeated deformations. Therefore, the materials used to make soles must be as resistant to environmental influences as possible. In this article I will tell you what materials a sole can be made from and what the advantages and disadvantages of each of them are.
Sole attachment methods
There are two main methods of attaching the sole: adhesive and injection. But contrary to popular belief, fastening technology does not in any way affect the consumer properties of shoes. The adhesive method is used for classic and dress weekend shoes, most often with leather or tunit soles. In the manufacture of comfortable shoes for everyday wear, the injection molding method is most often used.
Soles made of different materials have different fastening methods. Polyurethane soles are most often made by direct casting, but in rare cases a pre-molded sole is glued to the upper. TPU soles are produced by high temperature injection molding. Heels are also made from thermopolyurethane. The TPE bottom is injection molded and then glued. PVC soles are most often attached using the injection molding method in the manufacture of footwear for outdoor activities and everyday wear. EVA soles are attached to the uppers of shoes only by injection, while tunit and leather soles are attached only by adhesive. For TPR, both options can be used.
Polyurethane (PU) soles
Advantages: Polyurethane has good performance properties: it weighs little because it has a porous structure, has good abrasion resistance, is flexible, has excellent shock absorption and good thermal insulation. The soles made of polyurethane are light and flexible, therefore they are used in shoes where these characteristics are of particular importance.
Flaws: The porous structure of polyurethane is also a kind of flip side of the coin. For example, because of it, polyurethane soles have poor grip on snow and ice, so winter shoes with PU soles slip a lot. Another disadvantage is the high density of the material and loss of elasticity at low (from -20 degrees) temperatures. The consequence of this is fractures in the places where the sole bends, the speed of which depends on the characteristics of the use of the shoe, in particular, on the person’s gait, the degree of his mobility and other factors.
Thermo polyurethane (TPU) soles
Advantages: Thermopolyurethane has a fairly high density, so it can be used to make soles with deep tread that provide excellent traction. Another advantage of TPU is its high wear resistance and resistance to deformation, including cuts and punctures.
Flaws: The high density of thermopolyurethane is at the same time its disadvantage, because because of this the weight of the thermopolyurethane sole is quite large, and the elasticity and thermal insulation leave much to be desired. To improve these characteristics, TPU is often combined with polyurethane, thereby reducing the weight of the sole, increasing its thermal insulation and elasticity. This method is called two-composition casting, and it is quite simple to recognize: the sole made using this technology consists of two layers, and the top layer is made of polyurethane (PU), and the bottom one, in contact with the ground, is made of thermopolyurethane.
Thermoplastic elastomer soles (TEP, TRP)
Advantages: This material can be considered all-season. It is durable, elastic, resistant to frost and wear. TEP provides good shock absorption and traction. Thanks to the technology of manufacturing the sole from TPR, its outer layer is monolithic, which provides it with strength, and the inner volume is porous, retaining heat. Thermoplastic elastomer can be recycled, which means that its use in soles saves resources and does not pollute the environment.
Flaws: At high and very low temperatures (over 50 degrees and below -45 degrees), TPE loses its properties, so it is used only in everyday shoes and, by the way, is rarely used for safety shoes.
Soles made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC, PVC)
Advantages: PVC soles resist abrasion well, are resistant to aggressive environments and are easy to manufacture. They are often used in household and children's shoes, and previously they were especially widely used for safety shoes, since when mixed with rubber, PVC acquires properties such as oil and gasoline resistance.
Flaws: PVC is used only in the production of casual shoes for autumn or spring, because this material has a large mass and low frost resistance, and cannot withstand temperatures below -20 degrees. Additionally, PVC soles do not attach well to leather shoe uppers, so quality leather shoes with PVC soles are difficult and expensive to produce.
Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) soles
Advantages: EVA is a very light material with good shock-absorbing properties. It is used mainly in children's, indoor, summer and beach shoes, and in sports shoes - in the form of inserts, because it is able to absorb and distribute shock loads.
Flaws: Over time, EVA soles lose their shock-absorbing properties. This occurs because the pore walls break down and the entire mass of EVA becomes flatter and less elastic. Also, EVA is not suitable as a material for winter shoes, since this material is very slippery and not resistant to frost.
Thermoplastic rubber (TPR) soles
Thermoplastic rubber- This is shoe rubber made from synthetic rubber, which is stronger than natural rubber, but no less elastic. However, modern technologies make it possible to increase its flexibility with the help of various additives.
Advantages: Thermoplastic rubber has a low density and, accordingly, less weight than other materials. There are no through pores in it, so moisture does not pass through it. However, there are surface pores in TPR, and they provide high thermal protection. In addition, TPR, like other porous rubbers, is an elastic material that provides good shock-absorbing properties. Thanks to this characteristic, shoes with TPR soles relieve unnecessary stress on the legs and spine.
Flaws: The low density of the material can be not only an advantage, but also a disadvantage. In the case of TPR, it leads to the fact that the sole made of this material does not have particularly outstanding heat-protective properties. In addition, in wet and frosty weather, the thermoplastic rubber sole slips a lot.
Leather soles
Advantages: Leather soles are used in all types of shoes, including children's, home and dress shoes of all seasons. Shoes with leather soles look great and allow the foot to breathe, as it is a natural membrane.
Flaws: When worn in wet weather, the leather sole may become deformed, and caring for it requires the constant use of special sprays and impregnations. Leather has low wear resistance, so it is recommended to install preventive maintenance on leather soles, and it is mandatory for winter shoes, otherwise without it the sole will slide on ice and snow and deform even faster.
Tunit soles
Tunit- This is rubber with the inclusion of leather fibers, so the second name for this material is “leather fiber”.
Advantages: In appearance, hardness and ductility, tunit soles are similar to leather ones, but they behave better in use: they hardly wear out or get wet. These soles are easy to apply texture to, which gives them a little more grip than leather.
Flaws: But even despite this, shoes with tunit soles are very slippery due to the high rigidity of the material. Therefore, tunit is used in the manufacture of only summer and spring-autumn shoes using the adhesive fastening method.
Wood soles
Advantages: Wood is an environmentally friendly and very hygienic material, and wooden soles have an original appearance. However, recently, instead of wood, plywood is more often used to make shoes. It can be made from birch, oak, beech or linden wood and as a material it is easier to machine, is easy to shape and is inexpensive. Soles using cork material are also popular. When dealing with them, you need to understand that balsa wood, due to its natural softness, cannot serve as the main material for making soles, so cork is used only for decorative covering.
Flaws: Wooden soles are hard, wear out quickly and have poor water resistance. A lot of material is consumed in the manufacture of such soles. Cork coverings are susceptible to chips and defects due to the softness of the material.
“What is the difference between TPE and EVA? What does tunit promise me? PVC is glue? What are the soles of these boots even made of?” - The modern buyer wants to know everything. So as not to lose face in front of him and...
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