The primary use of this sheet is to create the toe puff and heel counter.
- Toe Puff:
- This is the stiffener at the front of the shoe that helps the toe area keep its rounded, well-defined shape. It protects the wearer's toes and maintains the aesthetic of the shoe.
- Heel Counter:
- Located at the back of the shoe the heel counter provides support and stability for the heel, preventing it from collapsing inward or outward and helping to hold the foot securely in place.
- Key characteristics:
- High Elasticity and Resilience: The most defining feature. This material has an excellent "ping pong effect," meaning it can be bent compressed or deformed and will spring back to its original shape. This is crucial for maintaining the shoe's form over time preventing it from getting "crushed" or misshapen.
Toe Puff
The primary use of this sheet is to create the toe puff and heel counter.
This is the stiffener at the front of the shoe that helps the toe area keep its rounded, well-defined shape. It protects the wearer's toes and maintains the aesthetic of the shoe.
: Located at the back of the shoe the heel counter provides support and stability for the heel, preventing it from collapsing inward or outward and helping to hold the foot securely in place.
High Elasticity and Resilience: The most defining feature. This material has an excellent "ping pong effect," meaning it can be bent compressed or deformed and will spring back to its original shape. This is crucial for maintaining the shoe's form over time preventing it from getting "crushed" or misshapen.
It adds structure without adding significant weight which is important for sports and casual shoes.
It is typically a "hot-melt" material which means it becomes pliable and bonds strongly with other materials (like the shoe's upper) when heated. This ensures a secure and lasting hold.
It is designed to be tear-resistant wear-resistant and flexible which contributes to the longevity and comfort of the shoe.
Ping pong sheets are available in various thicknesses and hardness levels to suit different types of shoes from soft and flexible casual shoes to more rigid and supportive safety or sports footwear.