Sports
Polymers in Athletic Equipment
Quick fact
The first synthetic polymer used in sports was nylon for athletic stockings in the 1930s; today, a single performance sneaker may include nylon, polyester, polyurethane, EVA foam, and rubber blends.
Why this is interesting
Your running shoes can contain over a dozen different polymers, each engineered to do a specific job—cushioning your landing, propelling you forward, and keeping you stable for thousands of strides.