For boot wearers who spend all day on their feet, crepe soles are a comfortable option to consider beyond traditional leather and rubber soles. For the ultimate in all-day comfort, many choose crepe soles for superior footbed cushioning while still maintaining a classic Western look.
What are crepe soles?
Crepe soles are similar to traditional rubber soles, but are lighter weight and offer great flexibility and cushioning. The term “crepe” is not used for a single material across the industry. There are natural crepe options that are derived from natural rubber that is mixed with acid to form latex. This mixture is then run through heavy-duty rollers to produce a thin, soft sheet. There are also synthetic crepe soles that are specially formulated to deliver that same enhanced flexibility and comfort.
Key Features of Crepe Soles
1. All-Day Comfort
Crepe soles are preferred by many boot wearers for their ultra-soft, cushioned feel underfoot. The softer footbed of these soles makes them excellent for those who stand and work on hard surfaces for long periods of time. Crepe soles naturally have more give than traditional leather soles, absorbing more impact with every step.
2. Increased Flexibility
Crepe soles are soft and flexible, further enhancing the comfort of these outsoles. They allow the sole to bend as you walk rather than feeling rigid or stiff underfoot.
3. Reduced Foot Fatigue
For boot wearers who find themselves doing more walking than horseback riding, crepe soles provide extra cushioning and shock absorption for a softer, more supportive step.
Men’s Anderson Bean Chestnut Remuda with 13″ Bone Glove Tops and 24 Iron Cream Crepe Sole.
4. Traction & Grip
Crepe soles can make cowboy boots more practical for the modern boot wearer. While leather-soled boots are appreciated for their smooth feel, crepe soles provide increased grip and traction right out of the box.
5. Temperature Control
Crepe soles naturally provide increased insulation, helping to protect feet from both hot and cold pavement.
Important Considerations
Crepe soles are not as common as leather or standard rubber soles, especially when it comes to cowboy boots. Only select bootmakers offer them as an option, often limiting them to specific styles or small production runs.
Because of their softness, crepe soles do tend to wear down faster with heavy use. If they do wear down, some brands do have a replacement option. With the Rios of Mercedes Recrafting program, your crepe sole boots can easily be overhauled and outfitted with a brand new crepe sole when needed. Beyond replacing soles, the Rios’ boot artisans can also replace heels and welts to give well-loved boots a thorough restoration.
Rios of Mercedes Family of Brands Performance Crepe Soles
The Rios of Mercedes Family of Brands offers cowboy boots made with natural crepe soles and its own proprietary synthetic Performance Crepe Sole. Natural crepe soles are available on select styles of Rios of Mercedes and Anderson Bean boots, while the proprietary Performance Crepe Sole option is available on select Horse Power boots.
The Performance Crepe Sole features a blown rubber/EVA blend designed to provide lightweight cushioning. “Blown” refers to the expanded cellular structure of the rubber, which further reduces weight and adds extra cushioning. This unique blend gives these Performance Crepe Soles greater flexibility and improved wear resistance compared to soles made from EVA alone.
Crepe Sole Boots from Nigro’s Western Store
Nigro’s Western Store has a limited number of natural crepe and Performance Crepe Sole boots available from the Rios of Mercedes Family of Brands. Like all cowboy boots in the Family, each pair is crafted entirely by hand by trained artisans with top-quality leathers and time-tested bootmaking techniques. The majority of the cowboy boots at Nigro’s feature a traditional leather outsole, but you can find some Rios and Anderson Bean styles sporting a natural crepe sole, and there are a limited number of Horse Power boots in stock now at Nigro’s with the brand’s ultra-comfortable premium crepe sole.
