Short video recorded pre-travel
Added 2023-07-11 04:01:54 +0000 UTCI found a pair of my old rigger boots (in a surprisingly low-wear state) and found that the rubber-like material on the soles is degrading and going soft, sticky and crumbly.
I'm guessing it's just a synthetic polymer that is breaking down.
I felt the need to mention that it was not in an ozonated area, since that does tend to degrade natural rubber. But usually only on the surface.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mNZ_q4CHuk
Comments
So the soles are made from pooh?
Gordo
2023-08-21 20:09:16 +0000 UTCWell, when the soles are made from PU polymer, this is quite common. It happened to several pairs of mountain hiking boots I owned. Just google "PU hydrolysis".
Kai-Steffen Hielscher
2023-07-18 20:29:36 +0000 UTCBeatles fan here, appreciate this
Tom.D.Gamble
2023-07-14 11:47:27 +0000 UTCDid someone say ... RUBBER SOUL??? https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lvTG69VbZm3r3r9crRBvT1Tj305YEbuaM
Peter Laws
2023-07-13 18:13:15 +0000 UTCInteresting.
Mike Page
2023-07-12 22:39:35 +0000 UTCThe rubber was actually made from oatmeal as a way to keep costs down. It's probably still edible, if you add enough syrup...
Curtis Hoffmann
2023-07-12 17:18:38 +0000 UTCRubber products start degrading from when they are first cured. ISO standards generally give then a shelf life of around 7 years. Oxygen and UV light accelerate the degradation. It may be these were already old stock when you purchased them.
Mike Hanley
2023-07-12 16:19:10 +0000 UTCI've had that happen to several pairs. I just assumed some manufacturer had produced a synthetic rubber with a short and disappointing life, and that several shoe and boot makers found it cheaper but didn't test it properly. I've had some for 5 years which failed quite suddenly. Some chemist needs a slap, although I usually blame accountants first.
Jim Hewlett
2023-07-12 13:32:15 +0000 UTCThere is a long list of bacteria and fungi that thrive on both latex and synthetic rubber. They produce cleavage enzymes that cut through the polymer which can turn it into a crumbly mess in just a few months.
Dave Davies
2023-07-12 12:13:23 +0000 UTCHappened to my old cadet boots as well. With my rigger boots however, the glue holding the soles to the boots failed. π
StevieC
2023-07-12 08:42:14 +0000 UTCSo many synthesizers and drum machines from the 90s-10s featured soft touch rubberized knobs and wheels. They've all turned to tack now. Some of them are not replaceable. It's a serious consideration for any piece of kit that I buy -- to not have that rubber on it.
Loscha
2023-07-12 08:38:28 +0000 UTCI had a pair of golf shoes that I hadnβt worn in 10 years (impact of kids) do that to me on a charity golf tournament. Soft spikes started falling off in the parking lot, and the shoes continued to degrade as I walked 18 holes - dropping bits of sole on the greens as I went. They were a top brand, and spendy, but not meant to last. Reading other comments, I remembered the βrubberβ on the inside passenger door handle of my 10 year old BMW turned gooey. This is apparently due to the plasticizer that gives it a nice soft feel, until it abruptly goes bad. Things fail in ridiculous ways now!
Kevin Bauer
2023-07-12 01:37:19 +0000 UTCMight be similar to car tires. Let them sit, the oils dry out.
2023-07-11 21:22:49 +0000 UTCMy guess (along with several others) is either FUBAR or designed obSOLEscence. See what I did there? lol
2023-07-11 20:58:19 +0000 UTCPlanned obsolescence!
evilution
2023-07-11 18:00:03 +0000 UTCPlanned obsolescence ?- they want you to buy a new pair every winter maybe? edit: I just found this article about it and it is pretty damning of industry practices these days :https://productdesignonline.com/tips-and-tricks/products-buy-designed-fail/
Mike Hughes
2023-07-11 17:57:41 +0000 UTC
