How sneakers are made

The word sneaker was coined for how quietly the rubber sole let you walk, and nine in ten shoes are made in Asia.

stations: 6
things upstream: 49
raw sources: 13
steps from the ground: 8

The short version

A sneaker is a fabric upper stitched together, pulled over a foot-shaped last, and glued to a rubber sole. Panels of canvas or synthetic textile are cut, sewn and fitted with eyelets. A foam midsole absorbs impact, and a tough rubber outsole grips the ground. The shoe is laced and packed.

Cut the upper panels

Dies cut the front, sides, tongue and heel pieces from rolls of fabric or synthetic textile. Layers can be stacked and cut together.

Goes in
Cotton fabric Polyester
Stitch the upper

Sewers join the pieces into a soft sock-like shape and add the tongue, eyelets and a lining. The finished upper is flat until it is molded to a foot shape.

Goes in
Sewing thread
Mold the cushion layer

A midsole sits between the outsole and the foot to absorb shock. Running shoes put extra material under the heel, where most pressure lands.

Goes in
Polyurethane
Press the rubber outsole

A rubber compound is pressed into a mold with a tread pattern. Most modern soles are natural rubber, polyurethane or PVC.

Goes in
Vulcanized rubber
Last and glue it up

The upper is stretched over a foot-shaped last, and its bottom edge is wrapped under. Workers coat it and the sole with cement and press them together until they bond.

Goes in
Adhesive
Lace and pack

Laces are threaded, the shoe is inspected and the pair goes into a box.

End of the lineSneaker

Worth repeating

In 1892, the U.S. Rubber Company introduced the first rubber-soled shoes in the United States.
The word sneaker is often attributed to Henry Nelson McKinney, an advertising agent who used it in 1917 because the rubber sole made the wearer's steps stealthy.
Adolf Dassler began making sports shoes in his mother's wash kitchen in Herzogenaurach, and went on to found Adidas.