What PVC is
Polyvinyl chloride is a rigid plastic in its pure form. For footwear it is made soft and flexible by adding plasticisers, along with stabilisers, fillers and pigments. The type and amount of plasticiser decide hardness and flexibility. Some plasticisers, including several phthalates, are restricted under EU REACH, so modern footwear compounds use alternative plasticisers.
How PVC soles are made
- Compounding — PVC resin is blended with plasticiser, stabilisers and pigments into a dry blend or pellets.
- Injection molding — The compound is melted and injected into a mold, often directly onto the upper, which gives a waterproof one-piece bond.
- Cooling — The part cools and sets in the mold, then is ejected with little finishing needed.
Whole rain boots are often molded in one shot or in a few steps, which is a large part of why PVC boots are so affordable.
Grip: 4 / 8, Medium
PVC gives acceptable traction on wet and muddy ground when combined with deep, open lugs, which is why it works for rain boots. On smooth, wet hard floors it grips less than rubber, and grip falls further in the cold as the compound hardens. Occupational PVC soles rely heavily on tread design to meet slip-resistance requirements.
Flex: 2 / 8, Low
Flex is PVC's weakest property. Soles feel stiffer than rubber or TPR, and they stiffen markedly at low temperatures, where they can also crack. Over time, plasticiser can migrate out of the compound, making the sole harder and more brittle with age.
Abrasion: 6 / 8, High
PVC wears reasonably well in everyday and occupational use, better than TPR and EVA outsoles. It also resists water, many oils, fats and chemicals, which is why it remains in use for food processing, farming and wet work environments. It does not match vulcanized rubber or TPU for heavy-duty wear.
Where PVC is used
- Rain boots and wellingtons — one-piece, waterproof and affordable.
- Occupational footwear — food processing, agriculture and wet environments where chemical and fat resistance matter.
- Low-cost fashion footwear — colorful, glossy or transparent soles at entry price points.
- Slides and beach footwear — simple molded soles for light use.
Designing with PVC
Choose PVC for waterproof, chemical-resistant footwear at the lowest cost. For performance, comfort or cold climates, rubber, TPU or PU-based soles usually serve better.
- Use deep, self-cleaning lugs to make up for limited grip on wet surfaces.
- Specify low-temperature flexibility for boots sold in cold markets.
- Ask suppliers to confirm compliant plasticisers under EU REACH.
- Consider PVC/nitrile blends where oil resistance and flexibility both matter.