Materials Guideline

 Composed of carbon fibre material with a mesh backing. Carbon vinyl provides a smooth top surface with just enough grip to prevent slipping and sliding within the shoe. Carbon vinyl is durable enough to be a stand alone top cover on a device length orthotic, and it can easily be layered on top of other materials to allow for accommodation, add cushion, or improve shoe fit. This material is approximately 0.6mm thick, and is available in black.  

  ETC © is  an expanded, neolon-backed, technical top cover that provides excellent cushioning properties. The ETC top cover  works to pull moisture away from the foot and  studies have shown it reduces friction to near zero on the sole of the foot. ETC is durable, and can stand up to even the most active patients. Crux Lab carries ETC in  both 1.5mm and 3mm, but we find 3mm ETC performs the best.

Neoprene is a durable, expanded cell neolon-backed top cover material  with a nylon top sheet. This material offers great cushioning and insulation properties, and can also be washed with a damp cloth and gentle soap. Neoprene boats both shock absorption and energy return, making it highly versatile. This material is available in black  in both 1.5mm and 3mm thicknesses. Neoprene performs well in either thickness.

Orthohyde is a  stretchy, smooth, low-profile top cover material. We find it is more durable than standard vinyl, and has a supple leather-like look and feel. This material is commonly used on dress orthotics and can be layered on top of other cushion layers or top cover materials to create a sleek look and smooth top surface. Orthohyde is only available in black.

 Microcell puff is an EVA-based material that is widely used in the custom foot orthotic industry. It is easy to grind making it highly versatile and commonly used in features and accommodations. This is our most commonly used top cover material. We carry black puff in 1.5mm and 3mm thickness.  We also carry a few varieties of multi-coloured microcell puff in 3mm thickness. 

 Our Diabetic top cover combination is comprised of blue poron and pink plastazote.We off this combo in 3mm (1.5mm poron + 1.5mm plastazote), and 6mm (3mm poron + 3mm plastazote. This combination of material provides cushioning and is great for accommodative devices. You can learn more about poron and plastazote as separate materials.  

 Both leather and suede offer natural antibacterial and natural antimicrobial properties. They  are easy to maintain and can be cleaned with standard leather cleaning products and a cloth. Leather and suede can elevate the look and feel of an orthotic device, and are commonly used on dress orthotics or orthotics fit to sandals 

Microfash is low-profile, durable and has a leather-like appearance and feel.  This technical material is 100% breathable, washable, anti-odor, is not sensitive to light, and does not stain. The low-profile and durable nature of this material make it highly versatile. Crux Lab carries Microfash in black and pink in unperforated, and black in perforated. We also carry a limited stock of Microfash suede in black. 

 Microfash with poron boasts all of the qualities offered in microfash:100% breathable, washable, anti-odour, not sensitive to light, and does not stain along with some extra benefits. This material is partially perforated, which prevents moisture from pooling against the skin. 3mm poron cushion layer has moderate energy return, and adds a layer of cushion. The closed cell nature of poron ensures this material won’t bottom out. We carry this material in black with beige poron in 3mm thickness.  

Plastazote © is a Closed cell cross-linked polyethylene foam. It is both non-allergenic and non irritating on sensitive skin. The cross-linked material is washable and discourages growth of bacteria.  Plastazote is commonly used on accommodative devices, and is very popular with diabetic patients. Its soft and light weight design makes it a great option when a patient wants an extra layer of cushion on top of their existing device.  The peach/pink will show bleeding or pus if there is an ulcer a

 Vinyl is a popular top cove material. It has a leather-like grain and woven mesh backing to improve adhesion. At 0.7mm it is often used as a stand alone cover on low-profile devices, and can be added on top of cushion layers and other top covers to create a cover. Crux Lab carries vinyl in black, and additional colours can be made available upon request.  

 XS ©  uses the naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of silver to prevent odour and keep material fresh. XS Neosponge boasts many benefits including temperature control (keep cool in warm conditions, and insulates in cold conditions), along with anti-static properties. This material is available in 1.5mm and 3mm thickness, and the benefits are evident in both thicknesses.  

Vinyl is commonly used as a bottom cover material to add some structure, create a smooth bottom surface to make it easier when putting orthotics in and out of shoes, and protect the bottom surface of the orthotic shell, cushion layers, and bottom of top covers 

  Nyplex is a blend of nitrile rubber and P.V.C. that has an excellent closed-cell cushioning capability, as well as being durable, resilient and washable.  It makes a great bottom cover to add shock absorption, cushion and thickness to the device.    Crux Lab carries Nyplex in black in both 1.5mm and 3mm thickness.  

Crux Lab uses  a rubberized cork that is durable, semi-flexible  and versatile. Cork is often used as an extension material to add some structure to top cover materials, and create offloads. Crux Lab also utilizes cork as the standard material for Reverse Morton’s and Morton's extension. We carry cork in 1.5mm and 3mm. 

Crux Lab uses  a rubberized cork that is durable, semi-flexible  and versatile. Cork is often used as an extension material to add some structure to top cover materials, and create offloads. Crux Lab also utilizes cork as the standard material for Reverse Morton’s and Morton's extension. We carry cork in 1.5mm and 3mm. 

 Poron is a versatile, soft,  open-cell material . Once compressed, poron will spring back to full thickness making it an excellent mid-layer and extension material. Poron is used for heel cushions and can be requested for almost any addition/accommodation. We carry poron in 1.5mm, 3mm, and 6mm thickness in light blue. 

 Nyplex is a blend of nitrile rubber and P.V.C. that has an excellent closed-cell cushioning capability, as well as being durable, resilient and washable.  Nyplex makes an excellent mid-layer as a forefoot extension or cushion layer, and is occasionally used as a top cover.   Crux Lab carries Nyplex in black in both 1.5mm and 3mm thickness.