Why do Aylla shoes have different outsoles?
When choosing barefoot shoes, you’ll probably focus on how they look and where you’re planning to wear them. The outsole often gets a little less attention. Yet it’s the outsole that determines how the shoe performs on a trail, on wet pavement or during a full day in the city.
That’s why we don’t use one universal outsole across all Aylla models. Lightweight summer sneakers, hiking shoes and elegant low shoes all have different needs. We design each outsole around exactly what we expect it to do.
What do all Aylla outsoles have in common?
All our outsoles share the same foundation. They are all made from a rubber compound that combines synthetic rubber with other ingredients, such as curing agents, pigments and UV stabilisers.
We use one tried-and-tested compound that strikes a good balance between durability and flexibility. This allows the individual outsoles to differ in construction and purpose without changing the material itself.
How do you choose between our outsoles?
| Outsole | Best for | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Grip | Demanding terrain, hiking, winter | 3.5 mm + 3 mm |
| Urban Grip | City and lighter terrain | 3 mm + 1.5 mm |
| Urban Light | City, summer, indoor use | 3 mm + 1 mm |
| Urban Flat | City and indoor use | 3 mm + 1.5 mm / 5 mm + 1.5 mm |
| Neo Grip | Demanding terrain, hiking, winter | 3 mm + 5 mm |
| Ballerina | City and special occasions | 3 mm + 1 mm |
Urban Grip outsole
If we had to choose one truly versatile outsole, it would be Urban Grip. It feels most at home in the city, but a forest path or lighter terrain won’t catch it off guard either. That’s why you’ll find it on models designed to handle an ordinary day from morning to evening.
What makes it different?
The outsole consists of a 3 mm base and a 1.5 mm tread.
Its zigzag tread helps reduce slipping both lengthways and sideways. The tread is never completely closed, so water and small pieces of dirt have somewhere to escape.
Although it looks understated, it also performs well away from asphalt.
You’ll find it on models including: RURAQ, INCA and SAMAY.
.jpg)
You’ll find the Urban Grip outsole on our INCA low shoes.
Urban Light outsole
Our lightest and thinnest outsole. Apart from the slightly more specialised Ballerina outsole, it offers the strongest barefoot feel in our collection. We designed it mainly for lightweight summer footwear and models where low weight and the most natural possible ground feel come first.
What makes it different?
The outsole consists of a 3 mm base and a 1 mm tread.
The outer edge of the heel is slightly raised to make driving more comfortable. The tread is fuller in the areas that come into contact with the ground most often, helping to increase durability. In less heavily used areas, it is lighter.
You’ll find it on models including: WAYRA and KALLPA.
You’ll find the Urban Light outsole on the WAYRA sports sneakers.
Urban Flat outsole
We use Urban Flat wherever a pronounced trail tread isn’t needed. You’ll find it on cork sandals and slippers, as well as on more elegant footwear. We make it in two thicknesses because each of these categories has slightly different requirements.
What makes it different?
The outsole has a fine, continuous tread that works well both in the city and indoors.
It comes in two versions:
- 3 mm + 1.5 mm for cork sandals and slippers,
- 5 mm + 1.5 mm for SINCHI and SINCHI HIGH.
This means every shoe can have exactly the construction it needs.
You’ll find it on models including: THAK, TINKU and SINCHI.
You’ll find the Urban Flat outsole on the THAK cork slides.
Grip outsole
Grip is our trail outsole, used on the MITU and RUMI models. It is designed mainly for more demanding terrain and winter conditions. It also suits anyone who, for whatever reason, prefers a thicker outsole.
What makes it different?
The outsole consists of a 3.5 mm base and a 3 mm tread.
It has a pronounced trail structure and added toe protection. On our original last, it is our most capable outsole for demanding terrain. The women’s version has a raised edge running around the outsole. This makes the rugged tread look less pronounced from the side and gives the outsole a softer appearance.
You’ll find it on: MITU and RUMI.
You’ll find the Grip outsole on the MITU hiking boots.
Ballerina outsole
The Ballerina is a specialised outsole designed — who would have guessed — for our ballet flats.
It is highly flexible, has a fine tread and works beautifully with shoes designed mainly for the city or special occasions.
The outsole consists of a 3 mm base and a 1 mm tread.
At the moment, our barefoot ballet flats come with outsoles from two different manufacturers. The outsole material remains the same, although the exact blend of individual ingredients differs slightly in older ballet flats.
.jpg)
Aylla barefoot ballerinas have a highly flexible outsole with a fine tread.
Neo Grip outsole – coming to new Aylla shoes soon
Our most trail-ready outsole yet, arriving this autumn. It was developed for a new generation of hiking models because the original Grip outsole no longer matched the new last. Our aim was to create an outsole that would grip well on different types of surface without looking overly rugged on models you can easily wear in the city too.
What makes it different?
The outsole consists of a 3 mm base and a 5 mm tread.
At first glance, its repeating arrow motif stands out. But it wasn’t created just for looks. The arrows are based on an Aylla graphic element and positioned to support the outsole’s natural flexibility both lengthways and across the foot. Their direction also depends on whether they are meant to help when pushing off or slowing down.
The contact surfaces have a fine texture that helps improve traction. The tread is also never completely closed, allowing water and dirt to escape more easily.
We paid close attention to the shape of the outsole itself too. It is higher around the heel and big toe to protect the foot more effectively. In the area where the shoe bends most during walking, it is lower, helping it remain flexible.
You’ll find it on selected new models this autumn.