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Crepe Rubber – What is it and Where Does it Come From? - Blue Beach Denim

Crepe Rubber – What is it and Where Does it Come From? - Blue Beach Denim

David Shuck
December 08, 2025

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Crepe Rubber – What is it and Where Does it Come From?

It's not a thin pancake, the crepe rubber you find on your shoes is a natural latex byproduct and one of the best sole options.

James Smith

In the shoe and boot world, leather and hard rubber soles are commonplace, but a softer, less common variant appears from time to time—Crepe Rubber. This crinkly, cushioning material is famous for appearing on the sole of the iconic Clarks Desert Boot, and many brands still use it today for a softer sole.

What is Crepe Crepe Rubber?

Crepe, or Plantation Rubber, is a natural material that’s predominantly made from latex tapped from trees such as the Pará rubber tree. After being harvested in liquid form from the tree, the raw latex is then coagulated to form a semi-solid substance, then crushed, pressed, and rolled into sheets using a series of machines. Now a solid material, the sheets of crepe rubber are then sent to manufacturers—such as Clarks or Yuketen—to be cut into soles for shoes and boots.

There are other types of crepe rubber available that utilize slightly different production methods, such as Estate Brown Crepe and Pale Latex Crepe, but the core process of coagulating latex remains in most variants. Crepe Rubber is often sweet-smelling and crinkly in appearance, but textures and composition can vary from sole to sole. Some Crepe Rubbers can be stiff and almost as hard as a leather sole upon purchase—requiring some breaking in—while others will be softer and provide more traction from the get-go.

Image via Kelani Valley Plantations

/ In Partnership with Blue Beach Denim /

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The Pros and Cons of Crepe Rubber

Pros

Affordability — Crepe rubber has a relatively low production cost, which in turn can lower the cost of products that use the material.
Comfort — As it softens more and more with each wear, the material provides excellent traction and cushioning for your feet. Some hail Crepe soles as the most comfortable, and brands often add a crepe sole to their mainstay models for a more comfortable option.
Sustainability — Tapping rubber does not harm trees. In fact, a single tree can be tapped regularly for up to 40 years and produce up to 19 pounds of latex rubber every year.

Cons

Cleaning — Crepe rubber soles can become dirty very easily due to their abrasive nature, and once they’ve been marked, it can be extremely difficult to restore the rubber back to its original color. You may be able to remove some surface marks, but the sticky Crepe retains dirt, making discoloration nearly impossible to reverse.
Resoling — Some Crepe Soles are not replaceable or repairable.
Durability — Crepe rubber will eventually break down if frequently worn on hard, rough surfaces like concrete. The longevity of the sole will depend on how thick it has been cut, however.

Iconic Usage of Crepe Rubber Soles

Clarks Desert Boot

Originally released in 1949, the Clarks Desert Boot was inspired by soldiers stationed in Burma, who had obtained Crepe-soled boots from local merchants. An ankle-high boot traditionally made up in suede or leather, the Desert Boot features a heeled Crepe Sole and remains one of the most iconic shoes of all time.

Available for $150 at J. Press.

Clarks Wallabee

The Wallabee is Clarks’ moccasin shoe, first introduced in 1967. Originally designed by a German company named Sioux and christened The Grassshopper, Clarks struck a deal allowing for their version of the shoe to be made in Ireland under contract by Padmore & Barnes (see below).

The Wallabee is now made in-house, but still has its original two-piece leather construction, with two eyelets and a wedged crepe sole. It comes in a few variations, including an ankle-height boot and the Wallabee Weaver, which features more pronounced mocassin stitching.

Available for $157 at HAVEN.