Footwear glossary · Materials
What is EVA in shoes?
EVA foam
EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) is a lightweight, flexible closed-cell foam used for midsoles, footbeds and outsoles. It cushions well and weighs very little, which makes it the default midsole material in sneakers, sandals and slippers.
EVA is valued for its low weight, good cushioning and easy moulding. Its firmness is tuned by density and hardness (Asker-C / Shore), so the same material can be soft and plush or firm and supportive.
Its trade-off is abrasion resistance and "compression set" — cheap or low-density EVA can pack down over time. Quality is controlled by specifying the right density and testing rebound and compression set.
DOING checks EVA density and hardness against the approved sample and tests midsole compression set and rebound so the cushioning holds up over the life of the shoe.
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