I need materials

kozz

Barefooters
Jan 6, 2011
200
132
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I need super-thin but tough rubber to improve some devices I make to protect my skin from peeling when sprinting barefoot on a track or rough pavement.

Currently I have a big sheet of 1/16" butyl rubber which results in serviceable but clunky skin-guards that tear apart after two or three uses. That's less than 2mm but still a bit too thick and not flexible enough.

Where can I get rubber that's 1mm thick but durable? It doesn't have to be thin like latex, just thin enough to be flexible.

1/16" butyl was the thinnest stuff I could get from my local industrial rubber store.
 
Butyl rubber is airtight, that is the purpose of using it, e.g., in inner tubes of tires etc.; it is not particularly durable. I guess you want to look for natural rubber, which has the desired characteristics, e.g., material used for making bicycle tires' tread surfaces. http://www.allsealsinc.com/materials.html has a quick summary of rubber types, I am sure you can find out more by some simple googling.
 
Vibram sells 1mm and 2mm in Pro Tania sheets. Some might consider it expensive.
I made a pair of huaraches with the 2mm and it's held up fine for me. Though, I don't sprint in them.

That could be the right stuff. Yes it's expensive - if it's sole-worthy I wouldn't need a whole big sheet of it.

They claim it is extremely flexible, is this true? I need flexibility but not a lot of elasticity.

Also do you know anywhere to get the real barge cement, not the reformulation, in tubes instead of cans?
 
my moccasins, with thin leather (<1,2mm)
very flexible !
but too much flexible for sandals, thats why I chose to make moccasins
its great for road and trails, not good for mud and wet
anyway, I run 95% barefoot
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