Tag: cork

Cork Hat For the 21st Century

Back in Victorian times many soldiers and even civilians donned “pith helmets,” which were often not made of sola pith but rather cork. The material, which grows on trees in Spain and Portugal, is widely known for its use in corkboards and of course wine bottles.

But now Tilly Endurables, a Toronto-based hat maker, is utilizing a new material developed by Schoeller Texitle that comes from cork. And unlike the sun helmets of years ago, which used virgin cork, the Corkshell material is actually a byproduct from the production of wine corks. Just as cork was useful in protecting a wearer’s head from sun the Corkshell has the potential to provide 50 percent higher thermal insulation than other fabrics, plus it is soft and pliable. Continue reading Cork Hat For the 21st Century

Sole Support

Sole custom footbeds provide support without the expense of orthodics.

Walk into a running shop and you’ll see a stand for shoe inserts. They offer more support than the sockliner. They also help make a worn out pair of shoes feel better. Custom footbeds from Sole use cork, a sustainable material, to provide support, springiness, and resilience. While they aren’t made for your individual feet as the name implies, at around $40 to $50 for a pair of Sole instead of a few hundred dollars, a pair provides enough support without going the custom route.

Sole footbeds consist of four layers: a moisture-wicking top sheet, a softec cushioning layer, a moldable orthopedic base, and high-density frame. The four layers create a deep heel cup and custom arch support. Whether you use them just for activities like running, or slip them into your casual shoes, the custom supports address foot problems such as overpronation, oversupination, plantar fasciitis, and shin splints. The company also says they can aid joint pain and back and neck pain.

As part of its green initiative, Sole sources its cork from wine bottles. Sole collects used corks from wineries, airlines, and other heavy drinkers to make their product. They’ve set up a cork collection program at ReCork.org. Reclaimed cork will be used for another line of footwear.

Sole product page

Cork page

This post was edited. It originally stated the SOLE inserts were made from recycled cork, however they are not.