Wrapped Microfiber: A Fabric Finer Than Silk, An Insole Worthy Of Your Feet
You'll notice when shopping that some of our sandals feature a material called microfiber. Microfiber may be used in the straps of flip flops or wrapped in the insole (upper part) of the shoe. But what makes microfiber so special?
Microfiber really is a feat of human ingenuity. Microfiber is a synthetic fiber that is incredibly thin---hence the name, microfiber. For context, a strand of microfiber is thinner than a strand of silk and its diameter is more than ⅕ smaller than that of a typical human hair, according to Revolvy.com.
Microfiber is usually made from polyester or a polyester blend and was invented by a Japanese scientist in the 1960s.
Because of the fine, soft quality of microfiber, it is used in a number of different textile products across numerous industries. Microfiber is used to make mats, knitted goods like clothing, upholstery, and accessories to replace those that used to be made from leather, like purses, wallets, backpacks, and of course shoes.
Microfiber has numerous benefits. First of all, it can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth, and will dry out if it becomes wet. This makes it an essentially waterproof product. Some shoes made from microfiber can even be tossed in the washing machine and left out to dry---easy peasy!
Shoes made from microfiber are also much lighter than shoes made with other materials. Lightweight shoes are not only a plus for traveling purposes, such as packing in luggage or getting through TSA checkpoints quickly, but the material also means less strain on your feet, especially if you’re in a service job in which you’re walking around on your feet all day.
Microfiber materials are also breathable and can help to wick away moisture, which helps to lessen the threat of bacteria forming.
Also, because microfiber strands are so small and tightly wound, they make a very soft insole. When your feet rest on a footbed of microfiber, you’ll feel soft and secure so that you can go about your day without worrying about your feet.
And when flip flop straps are made with microfiber, a new host of benefits opens up. One of the biggest flip flop pet peeves is when a strap rubs on the skin and makes a blister, or at the very least an uncomfortable red mark. Flip flops are supposed to be the epitome of casual comfort, so why do we put up with straps that are cheap, uncomfortable, or don’t fit?
When you’re wearing a pair of sandals with a microfiber strap, the strap will fit perfectly to your foot, as it is elastic and flexible. Furthermore, it will be soft and snug, so that you’ll look forward to wearing your flip flops, making your flip flop or slippah experience exactly the way it’s supposed to be.
When you’re browsing the AlohaShoes.com product pages, make sure to keep an eye out for shoes that contain microfiber, such as the Mele. Should you choose to purchase a pair, you can rest assured that you’ll be less susceptible to bacterias, have a comfortable and cushy walking experience, and that you’re a part of human innovation.
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What is Polyurethane Leather? Benefits of PU Made Sandals
You’re looking for a shoe that is smooth and durable, and feels great on your feet. Perhaps a shoe coated in Polyurethane, abbreviated as PU, is for you. But what exactly is PU?
Polyurethane is a polymer, or synthetic resin. PU is desirable because of its strength, durability, water resistance, and because it generally dries as a transparent, taking on whatever color it is dipped in or whatever it’s brushed on. It also tends to be scratch-resistant.
But, you may be wondering, what does this varnishing material have to do with shoes?
PU is most commonly connected in the shoe world to PU leather. PU leather is split leather, or an animal hide that has been split into thinner sheets than top-grain leather is, and then dipped into the PU resin to create a thicker, water-resistant, and more durable material. This PU leather is what is generally seen on shoes, although regular PU may be brushed onto a rubber or EVA surface to make it tougher, or PU may be molded into plastic sheets to be used on the outsoles of shoes, especially running shoes and sandals.
Although PU leather generally has a hide base, it is categorized as a synthetic because it has been altered by the polyurethane. Some PU leathers, called vegan leathers, do not have any animal hide products at all, but instead are made of fabric brushed with polyurethane made to look like genuine leather.
There are some definite upsides that PU leathers have that top-grain leathers do not. First of all is the cost. Genuine top-grain animal-hide leather can be prohibitively expensive because of the amount of labor and time it takes to complete the finished product. Using PU leather maintains the look and feel of leather while keeping costs down.
Secondly, because of the PU varnish, polyurethane leather is more waterproof than top-grain leather, which is perfect for sandals, flip flops, slides, or other shoes that might be brought on adventures that involve water.
It’s also lighter than genuine leather. Think of a 100% leather boot. It’s usually tough and very heavy. For a sportier shoe, there’s a great advantage to having PU leather, and that’s the weight (or rather, lack thereof). PU leather is very light, so when a sandal or other shoe is made with PU leather, it’ll be easier to walk in, travel with, and hop into when you need to get moving quickly.
PU leather looks and feels great on shoes, but many other products take advantage of PU leather. For example, wallets and purses often use PU leather, as do office chairs and other office supplies, backpacks, journal covers, and low-cost car interiors.
Still, PU leather arguably looks and feels best on footwear, as it is one of the only products in which the PU leather, which feels like top-grain leather, comes into contact with your skin. PU leather takes the stress off, because you can rest assured that you didn’t have to pay an exorbitant amount for it, and because you can clean it with water---something that simply isn’t an option for top-grain hide. Because it is water-safe, you can take the caution you’d normally have to take with leather and throw it to the wind. Want to head to the beach with your PU leather sandals? Go for it! The polyurethane can take it.
Make sure to check out the sandals available with PU leather options on AlohaShoes.com to get a sense of what PU leather looks like on sandals and slippers. Chances are you won’t be disappointed, and the price point for these products can’t be beat.
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