Why Cork Is An Incredible Resource
Why is cork such a desirable material? We are delighted that you have requested this because it is frequently employed in a great many of the shoes that we provide, including those made by Biza, Birkenstock, and a great many other brands that you have grown to adore. Remember to use cork as the stopper on your favorite bottle of wine; am I correct in assuming that this is the case?
Did you know that cork has a very low impact on the environment? In point of fact, when cork is harvested, the trees are not felled; rather, their bark is delicately peeled off by hand in an intricate process that requires a skilled profession that has been handed down through the years. When it comes to environmentally friendly, cruelty-free, and sustainable materials, cork is at the top of the list.
It can take anywhere from nine to twelve years for the bark to grow back to a thickness that allows it to be collected once more. The removal of the cork from the tree is beneficial to both the environment and the trees themselves. As the trees begin to regrow their bark after harvest, they are able to absorb up to five times the amount of carbon from the surrounding atmosphere. They accomplish this so that they can power the photosynthesis that is necessary for the regeneration. The versatility of cork is only one of the many reasons we adore it.
Allow us to highlight FOUR of the many reasons why cork deserves to be honored.
The first reason is that cork is a shock absorber
Because of its high level of flexibility, cork helps to lessen the stress that is placed on joints and provides a low impact transference to the shins, knees, and ankles. Because of its capacity to absorb shock, cork is capable of maintaining the foot and heel in an anatomically and biomechanically advantageous posture. When you walk in cork sandals, you won’t only feel comfortable in your feet — your whole body will, too.
The second reason is that cork may be shaped to the foot
When you first start wearing cork, your feet will warm to the material, and the pressure from your body weight helps to assume the form of your specific foot. This results in a personalized fit that is both highly comfortable and offers a high level of convenience. In comparison to rubber or artificial insoles, this substance may be molded to some extent, but it still maintains its firmness, which is important for providing enough arch support and correcting foot alignment. Cork is similar to an aged wine in that it only improves with time.
The third reason is that cork has natural antibacterial properties
Cork is a naturally antibacterial substance, which, to put it more simply, means that your feet won’t smell after wearing it. In point of fact, cork naturally inhibits the growth of fungus, making it an excellent material for footwear. Simply let your shoes air out, which means taking them off and setting them aside for a day or two, and you’ll be able to feel and smell as fresh as a daisy in no time at all.
Cork is a renewable resource
To go full circle, let’s go back to the beginning of the article when we explained how incredible cork really is. Due to the fact that it is extracted from cork trees, which have the material developing just under the top layer of bark, cork trees are harvested after 25 years, and then every nine to 13 years after that. In order to avoid harming the trees, the debris may only be removed during the months of May and August. This material may be recycled and used into other products such as flooring, insulation, and of course, footwear.
