Gum Sole Shoes: Our 12 Handsome Picks & How to Wear Them [2021 Guide]

A spring and summer style essential.

By Pyung Kim / Photos By Andrew Snavely

This post may contain affiliate links, read about our editorial promise

Some of the things you'd used to wear only to softball practice are now very much a deliberate part of the smart casual trend, and chief among them are sneakers. But not just any sneaker. We’re talking about a one-hundred-year-old sneaker style that has cemented its place in even the the most dapper of adult men’s wardrobes: the gum sole shoe.

Sneakers: Puma (similar), $94 / Jeans: Levi's, $60 / Henley (similar): Amazon, $21 / Sweater (Similar): Amazon, $34

Rubber Doesn’t Grow on Trees – It Grows IN Them

Why are they called “gum soles”? Are they really made out of gum?

Well… kind of.

The gum sole is a natural rubber made from tapping the hevea brasiliensis tree (also known as “rubber trees”), sort of like tapping maple syrup. The milky white fluid from inside the tree is essentially a type of latex that gets heat-treated to break up most of its proteins and create rubber. Chewing gum was also originally made from latex sap, only from a different kind of tree (sapodilla).

After the tree “blood” is treated, it becomes a bouncy, sticky, yet incredibly strong substance that’s naturally tan colored. It’s at this stage before any further processing that we get gum soles, also known as crepe soles. And this material is what you’ll find on your Clarks and classic gum sole sneakers.

Gum on Your Shoe – Forever

Gum soles are a natural alternative to the polyurethane soles of most modern sneakers. Not to mention, the neutral tan hue goes great with any color. So why don’t we see them as much? Well, the gum sole is heavier, so it’s not the most common choice for athletic footwear – but man, does it last forever!

In fact, this kind of rubber is vulnerable only to oxidation… you know, that thing that slowly destroys nearly every material on earth (including you). But it would take eons and extended ozone exposure before your rubber soles would get affected, if at all – and no one can jump that high.

But remember that due to rubber's sticky softness (what provides its superior traction), extensive friction will cause attrition to the rubber over time. But it would have to be some serious friction – so as long as you're not a racecar (or moonwalking every step you take), your gum soles should be good.

These days many sneakers labeled as “gum sole” actually use polybutadiene, a synthetic that is very close to natural isoprene rubber, which can also be commercially referred to as “gum sole”, as opposed to the label of “natural gum”.

I’m Rubber, You're Glue

Back in the day, all shoe soles used to be made from leather, but the first sneaker as we know it (with rubber soles) didn't show up until 1917. Rubber had been around before then – they had been used for soles since the late 1890s. Those earlier rubber soled shoes were known as plimsolls, and it was around this time that nine small American rubber companies merged to become the U.S. Rubber Company.

One of these small companies was the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company. They were the first to manufacture shoes with a process called vulcanization, patented by Charles Goodyear himself. This is a process whereby rubber gets heated to permanently bond to cloths, canvas, or other rubber parts. Along with the vulcanized rubber sneaker innovation came a new breed of athletic shoe that featured the durable traction of a rubber sole. Forever fused onto the comfortable flexibility of a canvas upper.

Did you know? Keds was once known as The United States Rubber Company

It was a huge boon, and U.S. Rubber made their shoes under 30 different brand names, so by 1916 they decided to consolidate all these brands under a single name – but what should they call it? “Peds” (from the Latin word for “foot”) was the initial choice, but that name was already taken. So, they went with “Keds”.

Shoe historians (yes, all three of them) agree that Keds were the first true sneakers, which means they were also the first to market canvas rubber soled “sneakers” to the masses.

The word “sneakers” was coined by Henry Nelson McKinney, an ad man at N.W. Ayer & Son, to emphasize the stealthiness of rubber soles. And obviously, it caught on.

The next significant innovation in rubber soles came after the 1970's, when we started getting industrial rubbers from Malaysia and Indonesia that were graded on a numerical system. Even higher grade than rubber that's strong enough for your tires is a kind called “Pale Crate”, which has very special applications. Among them is medical tubing, as well as – you guessed it – your fresh gum sole sneakers.

How to Wear Gum Sole Sneakers

Not all athletic shoes can pass for smart casual – save your flashy Air Jordans for the gym or the basketball court. We’re talking about sneakers than can work with smart casual outfits – or dressier – so when it comes to gum sole sneakers, choose a style that’s not too garish.

A man wearing a bomber jacket and sneakers

Gum sole sneakers look great with a bomber jacket – Read our full guide on bomber jackets here

Pick shoes in white, gray, or navy so that you can match them with any color palette. Or, you can even bring out the tan of the gum sole with a more monochrome ensemble. Keeping your shoes simple is what allows you to stay versatile. The right pair of gum sole sneakers can look stylish and smart with shorts, jeans, or dress pants.

cardigan with shorts henley killshot gum sole sneakers

From You Won’t Believe This Road Trip Is In America + 4 Getups & Travel Vlog

Think of your gum sole sneakers as a trendier alternative to boat shoes: You can wear them anytime you'd previously worn your Sperry's. They’re great for spring and summer, especially in a clean white or off-white, which can give any outfit a bright pop and lends a crisp overall appearance to even the most casual clothes.

Don’t be afraid to show some ankle – embrace low-top sneakers by wearing no-show socks (or no socks at all), even if you’re wearing long pants or jeans.

Where to Find Gum Sole Sneakers

Vans Old Skool, $75

Resdesigned for modern skateboarding while maintaining the aesthetic of the original Old Skool. Featuring a cushioned footbed to lessen leg fatigue, and higher sidewall and toe bumpers for increased durability and protection. And the gum sole version gives the shoe a more mature, classic touch.

Nike Killshot, $95

No discussion of gum sole sneakers would be complete without mentioning this shoe. The Nike Killshot is a legend on internet forums like Reddit, where fans have created guides on how to wear it. These instantly recognizable menswear favorites are easy to wear and style, and even the brighter swooshes like red or orange serve more as a cool accent color to the overall neutral aesthetic. Used pairs have been known to go for hundreds, but check out eBay for some great deals on this legacy sneaker.

Lululemon, $138

Lululemon’s style approach with the City Verse is clean and streamlined, making it versatile enough to pair with both activewear and casual outfits. The mixed material upper makes this shoe easy to spot clean, and the gum sole keeps this classic staple piece looking sleek.