Safety Jogger
safetyjogger.com › technical features › hydrolysis
Hydrolysis, the crumbling of shoe soles explained | Safety Jogger
August 1, 2026 - One of the main technical challenges ... is the chemical breakdown of the PU polymer and the resulting physical breakdown or crumbling of the PU sole by the attack of water (usually in vapour form), occurring over a period of several years (even when ...
Carbodiimide
carbodiimide.com › hymax anti-hydrolysis additive › basic knowledge › blog › how to stop hydrolysis in shoes? tips and solutions - hymax anti-hydrolysis additive
How to stop hydrolysis in shoes? Tips and Solutions - HyMax Anti-hydrolysis Additive
March 21, 2024 - Several common materials used in shoes are particularly susceptible to hydrolysis. EVA foam, PU midsoles, and rubber outsoles are often used for their comfort and support, but they can degrade when exposed to moisture.
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Hydrolysis Caused These Red Wing Boots to Crumble ...
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British Army Boot Ruined by Hydrolysis – A Sentimental Repair ...
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What is Hydrolysis? Upgrade your favorite boots with Vibram soles!
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PU Midsole Disasters! Is Polyurethane Foam a Poor Choice? - YouTube
HYDROLYSIS Why do shoe soles disintegrate? Some of you have no ...
Shoe-repairs
shoe-repairs.co.uk › blog › understanding-hydrolysis-footwear-and-how-protect-your-shoes
Understanding Hydrolysis in Footwear and How to Protect Your Shoes | Original Cobblers Ltd
Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction where water molecules break down the molecular bonds of certain materials, leading to their degradation or weakening. In the context of footwear, this process primarily affects materials such as rubber, foam, and adhesives – common components found in shoes.
BÄR GmbH
baer-shoes.com › hydrolysis
Hydrolysis in shoe soles – causes & prevention
Hydrolysis is a chemical process that is constantly taking place. In BÄR hiking shoes, the sole is connected to the shoe by a midsole. This midsole is made of polyurethane (PU) and provides cushioning, flexibility, and lightness.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/buyitforlife › prevent premature breakdown of boot and shoe soles from hydrolysis
r/BuyItForLife on Reddit: Prevent premature breakdown of boot and shoe soles from hydrolysis
August 20, 2025 -
I have these boots that I used very rarely. I noticed that the sole has separated and degraded. They can’t be used anymore. I couldn’t figure out what happened until I learned about hydrolysis from another post. This morning I wore my winter boots on a walk with my dog to keep them used and prevent this from happening. May all your boots and shoes live a long and useful life. 🫡
Hydrolysis is a process where sole units separate or degrade due to a build-up of moisture within the sole unit. Sole units will degrade when your footwear is used only occasionally and is stored for long periods of time.
To avoid early onset hydrolysis, wear your boots at least once every 2-3 months to keep up frequent usage.
https://lowa.co.nz/pages/hydrolysis Hydrolysis – LOWA Boots NZ
Top answer 1 of 5
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it's foam soles. 90% of today's shoes and boots are made from that crap. it's a LOT cheaper and faster to produce, but consumers never saw the price reduction from its use. try to find proper rubber soles, specially for work. you'll pay 10-20% more and they will last for years
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tl;dr scientific name for dry rotting
Nitti Footwear
nittifootwear.com › home › news › hydrolysis explained
Hydrolysis explained » Nitti Footwear
May 29, 2026 - Abrasion rate: 100-150mm³ Advantages: Very low weight Good comfort Good resistance to chemical agents and hydrocarbons Good grip Disadvantage: Low resistance to strong acids These however can be divided in 2 kinds: Polyether: is more resistant to Hydrolysis Polyester: has better fuel/oil resistance Double Density Polyurethane Temp.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/boots › how to prevent hydrolysis?
r/Boots on Reddit: How to prevent Hydrolysis?
September 6, 2024 -
I recently purchased a pair of boots that I use pretty much frequently, I've noticed that in some forums they talk about the effects of "Hydrolysis."
Any idea on what hydrolysis means? Thank you for your responses in advance.
Top answer 1 of 5
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Hydrolysis is the process of water breaking down PU foams, like those used in injection molded soles like Blundstones, or Red Wing Supersoles. Wear is the sole preventative, no pun intended. Flexing and squishing, movement, prevent it. Leave any pair of PU soled boots unworn long enough, particularly in a humid climate, and they will crumble away.
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Just wear the boots. From my understanding keeping the PU chemically active will help prevent hydrolysis.
Springstepshoes
help.springstepshoes.com › en-US › what-is-hydrolysis-277157
What is hydrolysis?
What is Hydrolysis?. Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction that occurs when a compound reacts with water. In the case of shoes, hydrolysis can occur when the polyurethane (PU) in the sole reacts with water vapor in the air. This reaction can cause the PU
Coverguard
coverguard-safety.com › en › blog › conseils › hydrolyse-thorium.html
Hydrolysis: How To Prevent Safety Shoes Premature Aging Personal protective equipments
One of the main technical challenges with polyurethane (PU) is to overcome deterioration due to aging, known as hydrolysis. Hydrolysis is the destruction of a chemical substance (in our case Polyurethane) by water molecules.
SNKRDUNK
snkrdunk.com › home › 2024 › october › 17 › kickswrap: understanding the causes and prevention of sneaker hydrolysis
Understanding the Causes and Prevention of Sneaker Hydrolysis | SNKRDUNK Magazine
October 17, 2024 - When applied to sneakers, this means that the bonds of the polyurethane that form the sole break down, resulting in the sole crumbling apart. Additionally, hydrolysis is not limited to the sole; it can also affect the adhesives used to bond ...
Aitken's Saddlery
aitkenssaddlery.com › blogs › news › why-unworn-boots-crumble-and-how-to-prevent-it
Why Unworn Boots Crumble and How to Prevent It – Aitken's Saddlery
December 18, 2023 - How is it possible that unworn shoes can deteriorate over time? The answer lies in a process called hydrolysis, a chemical breakdown of the polyurethane (PU) polymer commonly found in shoe soles.
Kickswrap
kickswrap.com › en › blogs › all › sneaker-hydrolysis
Explaining the causes of hydrolysis in sneakers | Take the right measu
February 11, 2026 - You want to keep your favorite sneakers in good condition for as long as possible. However, hydrolysis is an unavoidable deterioration process that most sneakers on the market undergo. When you touch the sole, it crumbles. The sole peeled off The opening feels sticky The symptoms described above are signs of hydrolysis
Low American Military Boots
lowamilitaryboots.com › the-sole-destroying-effects-of-hydrolysis-on-leather-boots
The Sole Destroying Effects of Hydrolysis on Leather Boots
Hydrolysis is the process in which a chemical compound breaks down when it comes into contact with moisture. This process occurs in the soles of boots which are made using a compound called Polyurethane (PU).
workXwear
workxwear.com › home › articles › safety footwear (hydrolysis & overflexing)
Safety footwear (Hydrolysis & Overflexing) - workXwear
March 4, 2026 - Hydrolysis is the chemical breakdown of the polyurethane polymer and is caused by excessive water and moisture. You may be thinking that you don’t have worry about hydrolysis damaging your safety shoes because you don’t use them in wet ...
ProFit Footwear
profitfootwear.com › home › polyurethane injected soles and hydrolysis
Polyurethane Injected Soles and Hydrolysis
November 20, 2021 - If left in an unventilated area ... in which the plasticizer (which makes the soles flexible) leaves the sole, and the soles becomes very soft, then brittle, and begin to crack and break into small pieces....
12 Degrees North
12degnorth.com › single-post › hydrolysis-and-tips-to-avoiding-it
Hydrolysis, And Tips To Avoiding It
November 2, 2021 - Garmont, one of our boot suppliers takes all things into consideration when they design their boots. Comfort, flexibility, durability and of course, great quality boots. After a lot of wear and tear though, your boots can succumb to damage and decomposition, otherwise known as hydrolysis.
Medium
medium.com › @specialshoes758 › how-to-stop-hydrolysis-in-shoes-b5ea6d493aeb
How To Stop Hydrolysis In Shoes?. Hydrolysis is a common problem that… | by SpecialShoes | Medium
August 18, 2024 - A Brief Overview Hydrolysis occurs when water molecules break down the bonds in certain midsole material, such as polyurethane (PU) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), commonly found in shoe soles.
BÄR Shoes
baer-shoes.co.uk › hydrolysis
Hydrolysis- avoid the detachment of the sole with proper care.
BÄR shoes are made with eco-friendly materials, under fair working conditions, and with a focus on durability to reduce waste and protect the planet. Read more ... Hydrolysis is a chemical process that actually always takes place. In BÄR hiking ...
Meindl UK
meindl.co.uk › home › sole hydrolysis
Sole Hydrolysis - Meindl UK
August 16, 2022 - Hydrolysis causes two main issues – the sole material crumbling away, or the sole separating from the boot. ... The number one cause is lack of use. The midsole materials must be regularly compressed and released to shift fresh air through them.
The Stalking Directory
thestalkingdirectory.co.uk › firearms, accessories and ammunition › equipment & accessories
Hydrolysis of polyurethane soles -warning | The Stalking Directory
July 28, 2015 - These boots have polyurethane soles and the present state of these soles is due to aging. They have basically dried out in time. This usually happens after 5 years. What is occurring is a common phenomenon in the footwear manufacturing industry known as "hydrolysis".