August 01, 2019

Keep it as natural as a Crepe Sole

Have you ever wondered what your shoe’s soles are made out of?

At CANO, we care about our shoes being as biodegradable as possible, and that’s why we chose to use a premium natural material for our soles.

The natural rubber crepe sole comes from an indigenous South American tradition – not so common any more because of its complex manufacturing – that involves a handcrafted process, and requires expert knowledge and lots of experience.

There are several manual steps involved in the chemical substance-free process, and the following is a glimpse into the idea behind the beautiful artistry of producing crepe soles. First, sap from the tropical rainforest Hevea-tree is collected. Thin stripes are cut into the tree’s bark enabling it to release a latex substance, which serves as the raw material for the sole. Don’t worry, this process does not exploit the tree, on the contrary, this method of harvesting sap helps the tree thrive and makes it stronger.

The next step consists of filtering the rubber latex, then acetic acid (a naturally occurring, bio-degradable substance) is added so the latex can curdle and then be sliced into blocks. This cheese-like mass still contains excess water, so it is then pressed in between rollers to help squeeze out the liquid. This results in a 1cm thick crepe rubber sheet that is then continuously pressed and rolled until it becomes 1mm thick. The final step is to put 12 of these sheets together into a mold…we have a sole!

So what are the wonders of the natural crepe sole, you ask? Besides giving our huaraches a natural, luxury finish, rubber crepe is also an incredibly flexible and resistant material that offers unequivocal comfort and support for long walks. With crepe soles, you feel like you are walking on clouds because the cushioning bubbles absorb the shock in every step.

Natural crepe is an open-pored material that offers excellent grip on slippery surfaces, so don’t be afraid to try all your dancing moves – your CANOs won’t let you fall. And, thanks to its compressed structure, you can rest assured knowing that these soles provide long-lasting durability.

As if all of that wasn’t enough, crepe soles are biodegradable. So one day, very far from now, after your CANOs have been a part of your path for a long time and look worn out, they will decompose and come back to earth.

Even though crepe soles make for self-sufficient and low maintenance shoes, if you want to enjoy them for longer, you might opt for some easy-care tips such as avoiding exposing them to extremely hot temperatures and cleaning them once in a while. We know that a little bit of dirt on your shoes is proof of how adventurous you’ve been, but it doesn’t do any harm to give them back a little bit of shine and sparkle.

How to clean your natural crepe soles:

Mix some warm water and a few drops of clear detergent (preferably an eco-friendly option to avoid extra water pollution).
Make some foam and gently apply with a sponge or brush (if the dirt is hard to remove).
Wash off with clean and cold water.

You can also use curd soap if you prefer and apply it directly onto the sole. Be very careful not to get the leather wet or spill detergent on it, it might stain the leather or alter its natural color. Do not use abrasive cleaning solvents because they might permanently damage the sole.