Cork oak in orthopedic shoes

What is the use of cork soles in shoes

What do you know about shoes with cork soles, except that they look stylish and are considered environmentally friendly? Have you heard about the properties of cork oak? This material is not only comfortable to wear, lightweight and aesthetically pleasing. It is also able to participate in the correction of orthopedic deformities, such as flat feet, varus or flat-valgus curvature of the feet. Of course, if you give the material the desired shape.

It turns out that cork oak began to be considered as a material for shoe production during the Second World War, in Italy. At that time, nothing was heard about the magical properties of cork and they resorted to this material out of necessity, since, given the time and circumstances, the use of metal in the light industry was prohibited.

A cork sole without a metal instep is the creation of designer Salvatore Ferragamo. Due to its porous structure, which provides the sole with natural cushioning, cork has become an ideal material for the production of comfortable and lightweight shoes.

What are the properties of cork? Advantages of What properties does a cork sole have? Pros and cons

The raw material is obtained from cork trees by removing the top layer of bark and drying it in the open air for a long time. The main condition is that the tree must be at least a quarter of a century old. After the bark layer is removed, the tree needs nine years to completely restore the shell.

The trick of cork is in its structure. The material is porous, due to which its density is relatively low, and therefore cork products are lightweight. This same property gives the cork elasticity, springiness, and resilience.

Cork is gas- and water-repellent - it does not absorb either one or the other. Actually, this is why cork products are characterized by significant resistance to environmental influences. The material may become deformed from water, but it will definitely not rot or mold.

As for the consequences of physical impact, the soft structure of cork is not a plus here: the material is quite easy to damage if you use force or sharp/heavy objects. For example, if you do not wear a cork shoe sole carefully, it is prone to scuffs, chips, and tears.

Cork material is considered to be environmentally friendly, because, due to its natural origin, it does not emit harmful substances into the environment that can harm humans or animals. Add to this the hypoallergenic properties of cork.

Use in the orthopedic industry

Children's orthopedic footwear with a cork insole (for example,orthopedic slippers for children) corrects precisely due to the special shape of the sole. Its effectiveness has been proven in practice. Such footwear, even with an average heel height, is recommended for the treatment and prevention of flat-valgus foot placement.

The porous structure of cork is simply a godsend for orthopedics. Giving the material the correct shape allows you to get a built-in relief of the instep support needed in a specific situation - longitudinal, transverse or combined, longitudinal-transverse, to correct the corresponding deformations.

In addition to the fact that cork contributes to orthopedic correction, it also has a beneficial effect on the musculoskeletal system as a whole: in shoes equipped with a cork insole, feet get tired less. The secret here is simple: the sole, with its anatomical shape and springy material, evenly distributes the load on the feet.

An additional, but no less important, function of the cork component in the shoe design is to soften the impact when walking, because the material springs, thus acting as a natural shock absorber.

So the use of cork material in both orthopedic and everyday shoes is fully justified, and this is proven by numerous positive reviews from parents whose children were recommended to wear such shoes (and very successfully wearing them!) for both therapeutic and preventive purposes.

Who are shoes with cork soles intended for?

In shoes where the sole or orthopedic insole is made of cork, there is no need to differentiate whether it is orthopedic or intended for everyday wear. Since such shoes perfectly cope with the tasks, regardless of the purpose and area of use. We can say that it is intended for everyone who wants to wear comfortable and lightweight shoes. Although it is worth admitting: due to its useful properties, it is more often bought for children who have problems to overcome valgus foot positioning.

A cork sole or insole can be built into any shoe, regardless of age, medical purpose or any other feature. There is perhaps a seasonal advantage - manufacturers are more willing to put cork in summer shoes.

Lightweight shoes with cork insoles or soles are available for children and adults, they can be intended for girls and boys, for women, for men, by purpose - corrective or everyday - in a word, the scope of application is quite wide. And all because the material and shape contribute ☺

Review of orthopedic sandals 4Rest Orto

So that you can get to know the subject of discussion better, let's look at one of the models of this footwear - it is definitely worthy of attention.

Let's take, for example,children's orthopedic sandals 4Rest Orto.

The thick layer of the specially shaped insole is made entirely of cork. The special relief provides support for the arch of the foot, as well as a separator for the toes. Please note the curved edges of the orthopedic insole and the recess for the heel. This shape holds the foot in the desired position, preventing it from slipping.

The sole made of microporous rubber provides resistance to abrasion.

The outer and inner parts of the upper are made of high-quality suede and leather.

The model is held on the foot by three "Velcro" - this number and this type of fasteners make it possible to accurately adjust the sandal to the volume of the foot. After all, for orthopedic shoes it is important that the ankle joint is securely and correctly fixed.

This model is recommended for medium and full feet.

The upper part of the fairly rigid back ends with a figured roller, eliminating the possibility of rubbing.

There are also very comfortable sandals on a cork sole for adults.

Popular models for men and women.

How to choose the right shoes

Since cork does not absorb moisture and dries quickly, it is an ideal material for many types of summer shoes, such as flip-flops, slippers, sandals, etc. And considering that cork is permanently in fashion, the number of offers on the market is quite large.

If you do not know how to choose shoes with a cork sole, then when buying an everyday or corrective model, pay attention to the shape of the insole - it should be made in compliance with the anatomical relief of the foot, the longitudinal and transverse arch support should be determined visually.

Often, shoes combine cork wood material and suede or leather, lining the inside with cork.

The impressive layer of cork retains its properties, so the cushioning from the additional layer of another material will not go anywhere.

Here you will have to be guided by your preferences and physical sensations. The sensations, regardless of the chosen pair, should remain comfortable, and the shoes should sit harmoniously on the foot. This is its main task ☺