A type of rubber outsole with a tall “sidewall” section, a cup sole gets its name from the fact that it firmly cradles the upper of its attached shoe. This design provides exceptional protection to the heel, toe, and side of the shoe, making it an ideal choice for high-end athletic footwear as well as casual lifestyle sneakers. Because they facilitate attachment without the inclusion of a midsole or welt, cup sole shoes also offer increased flexibility and lighter overall weight.
The British footwear company Viberg has recently released two different cup sole sneakers with authentic sidewall stitch construction. An interpretation of a WWII-era American Navy sneaker built to handle slippery conditions at sea, the lace-up Viberg Deck Shoe comes in both white horsehide and black suede. An homage to the laceless shoes of America’s early 1980s punk and skateboard scene, the Viberg Slip On comes in both black washed horsehide and grey suede.