EVA foam
Ethylene-vinyl acetate
Injection-molded in one piece, so there is no assembly cost. Cushioned, wipes clean, and barely registers in the carton.
Use: EVA slides, spa pairs, promo
Materials & specs
Choose the material before the price.
Material sets the comfort, the cost, and who the sandal is for.
EVA
Light, water-friendly, and the cheapest to run. One mold covers a whole size range, which is why it is our default for basics, promo, and spa.
EVA footbed
Molded EVA, ~45-55C
The comfort surface under most casual sandals. We set it soft or firm by density; the harder spec costs a touch more.
Use: EVA slides, beach footbedsPU
A leather look without the leather price. It color-matches reliably, which makes it the workhorse for retail private label.
PU synthetic
Polyurethane
Reads like leather from a step away at a fraction of the cost. Consistent batch to batch, so seasonal drops stay on-brand.
Use: Retail and DTC, wellness shopsPU strap
PU strap material
Soft, clean-edged straps that take a screen print well and match to a Pantone code.
Use: Retail and e-commerce private labelTPR & rubber
Where grip and wear matter. TPR is the lighter, cheaper outsole; solid rubber grips best when the ground is wet.
Rubber outsole
Solid rubber
The best traction we offer on wet tile, deck, and rock. We cut the lug pattern to the surface you name.
Use: Beach, travel, outdoor
TPR outsole
Thermoplastic rubber
Lighter and cheaper than solid rubber, with good grip for everyday and resort pairs.
Use: Beach sandals, resort retailLeather
The premium tier. The grain, the edge finish, and the stitch line are what a boutique or gift buyer is paying for.
Genuine leather
Cowhide upper
Real grain that ages well. Costs more and samples a few days longer, but nothing else looks like it.
Use: Leather sandals, boutique, gifting
Leather strap
Stitched leather strap
Edge-finished, stitched straps for a pair that reads premium on the shelf.
Use: Leather sandals, hospitality giftingCork
A warm, natural footbed that molds to the foot with wear. We back it with EVA so it lasts.
Cork footbed
Cork over EVA
Reads premium and gets more comfortable the more it is worn. The natural-look choice for wellness and boutique pairs.
Use: Spa wellness, premium leatherWoven
Texture and a hand-made look on the strap, without paying for leather.
Woven webbing
Woven textile strap
A crafted, textured strap that dries fast and adds character to a casual or premium pair.
Use: Casual sandals, beach, premium accentsThe comparison at a glance
Cost, comfort, and who each material suits, side by side.
| Material | Relative cost | Comfort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| EVA | Low | Good | Promo, basics, spa |
| PU | Low-mid | Good | Retail, e-commerce |
| TPR / rubber | Mid | Good | Travel, outdoor, beach |
| Leather | High | High | Boutique, gifting |
| Cork footbed | Mid-high | High | Spa, premium comfort |
| Woven webbing | Mid | Good | Casual, premium accents |
Care and handling
What to tell your end customer, and how each material holds up.
EVA and PU
Wipe clean with mild soap and water. Keep out of long, direct heat so the foam holds its shape.
Leather
Wipe dry, condition now and then, and air-dry away from heat. The color deepens with wear.
Cork
Brush off grit and keep it mostly dry. A worn cork footbed molds closer to the foot.
Materials questions
Where do I start?
Pick by customer and price: EVA for basics and promo, PU for retail, rubber for grip, leather for premium. Send a reference photo and a price point and we will tell you which to sample.
Can you mix materials?
Most of our sandals already do. An EVA footbed on a rubber outsole, or a leather strap over a cork footbed, is normal. We spec the construction with you.
Is the leather genuine?
When you order leather, yes, genuine cowhide. If import rules or budget call for it, we also run a quality PU that looks close and will say so plainly.
Not sure which one fits? Ask us.
Send a reference photo and your target price. We will recommend the material that matches the customer and the budget, and quote it.