How 70-Year-Old Machines Make Chrome’s Tough, Cheap Sneakers

How 70-Year-Old Machines Make Chrome’s Tough, Cheap Sneakers

Cycling outfitter Chrome Industries makes solid gear that’s designed to last even the hardest rider for the long haul. To make its super tough new sneakers, it picked up 86 World War II boot making machines from Slovakia. The $US85 Forged Rubber shoes they make will kick the crap out of your Chucks.

The 70-year-old machines use 150C of heat and extreme pressure to “forge” a molten rubber sole to the canvas shoe during a 15-minute process. Usually, classic shoes like Converse All Stars or Vans have their soles essentially glued on, which leads to the soles eventually falling apart. If you’ve ever worn through your Chucks in a season, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The sweat, heat, and friction just kills the work of the cheaper, faster, gluing manufacturing process.

How 70-Year-Old Machines Make Chrome’s Tough, Cheap Sneakers

The Forged Rubber process, combined with much higher grade canvas materials, make Chrome’s new sneaks a lot tougher. They will last way longer than your Slip Ons, even if they also they will take you longer to break in. But like all sneakers, these too will go the way of the dumpster eventually. Even though they’re are made using old boot making machines, they’re not going to hold up as well as a contemporary stitched sole boot that will last you years and years.

Generally, these Forged Rubber shoes are made in Thailand, but Chrome is taking one of the machines on the road to promote them. We saw them in person and it’s a pretty impressive process to watch, and the results go to show that anything worth doing is worth doing well.

How 70-Year-Old Machines Make Chrome’s Tough, Cheap Sneakers

How 70-Year-Old Machines Make Chrome’s Tough, Cheap Sneakers

How 70-Year-Old Machines Make Chrome’s Tough, Cheap Sneakers

How 70-Year-Old Machines Make Chrome’s Tough, Cheap Sneakers

How 70-Year-Old Machines Make Chrome’s Tough, Cheap Sneakers

Pictures: Nick Stango


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