What soling material for felted slippers

[cakelady973]

I want to make some felted slippers using C1 fiber and the wet technique-I don't know what kind of soling material to use so they can be worn indoor or outdoor-can any one help me-I thought about AVA foam about 3/8" thick but can't find a supplier that is not in China.

[koffipot]

I sometimes use latex, though I've also used leather from an old handbag.

[zed]

I haven't tried it yet, but recently I saw slipper soles being sold with holes around the edge for stitching, I think there was suede and synthetic. I can't remember where because it wasn't what I was looking for, but you could google it.

[Shepherdess]

you can do what the Russians do and put golosi on them hers the link. they have clear ones so you can still any pastern you've put on them. if you h ave access to tier crumbles you can paint the latex on then dip in tier crumbles and more latex. you can do several layers. they do this to make quiet boots for hunting. if there is a tier recycling plan near you you should be able to get a small amount. Find a sho repair place and see what they have and if you are lucky enough to have a real cobbler in town you should be able to get anything you need.

[Shepherdess]

for got the link for you
www.rusclothing.com/valenki-felt-boots/adults/n--galoshi/

[MTRuth]

I use the latex stuff they make to dip tool handles in. It works great.

[cakelady973]

Thanks for the help-I really didn't want to use the stuff you dip the handles into-and the Russian boots won't work either-I need the type of material that is used on summer sandals-you know the cheep ones tongs-oh well I guess I keep looking or maybe have to order from China(bad)most cobblers use leather and I don't want to do that because it is dangerous-to slipper on wet floors-the material I am talking about is a type of foam rubber-very dense and flexible but soft on the feet-like a memory foam would be but waterproof-it's out there and I WILL FIND IT-I want to add these to my line of felted wearables so it must be professional-look good and be sturdy-I hate things that self destruct so you have to buy another one every few months-again thanks-I'll keep you posted-also these should have to be glued on with contact cement or something-

[MTRuth]

Do let us know if you find a source. I'd love to see the slippers after you're finished.

[zed]

From what I remember, flip flops suck up water like a spong and ooze water out the next day, so maybe something like that wouldn't be great. Maybe you could ask at the Cobblers, they always have lots of kinds of soles, they could do it for you or suggest something

[cakelady973]

thanks Zed-you are probably right-i just have to go on a fact finding expedition and a trial and error sort of adventure-I am going to amass different things I think might work and try and glue them to some felted material I have-certainly not my good stuff-just scraps-I didn't think this was going to be as difficult as figuring out world peace-but I have never been one to give up the fight-so I'm off to research what makes the perfect sole for indoor outdoor slippers(and world peace in between)

[cakelady973]

I found the type of sole I was talking about on one of the etsy stores but she only sells the bottoms on her slippers-the site is Ekohaus.etsy.com---the bottoms look sturdy and are indoor/outdoor but also I'm sure she would not give me her source-so I must keep looking-I am pretty sure I could get these from China-but I'd probably have to buy a boat load of them-onward I go.

[Shepherdess]

There is an american site with different soles. I remember finding it a couple of years ago. Look under shoe repair rather than shoe making. Sorry i don't have the link that computer dyed. Una walker of woolly walkers might be able to help you I know she took a show making course a few years back.

[Shana]

I chased down a link I saw a while back:

www.simpleshoemaking.com

It has great info and apparently she sells on Etsy now:
www.etsy.com/shop/simpleshoemaking?ref=seller_info