The function of a heel counter is simply to add structure to the heel of a shoe.  There are all sorts of different materials with various properties that can be used for heel counters.  The choice hinges largely on the type of shoe and the desired structural effect.   Old school shoe construction calls for the combination of leather (some folks also use newspaper) and natural horse glue to create heel counters.  It's a time-tested pairing that has worked for centuries, but it can also be time-consuming and messy.  Heat and/or solvent activated plastics have become a mainstay in modern shoe manufacturing because of their cost, consistency, and efficiency.  But, more eco-friendly cotton-based alternatives have been steadily replacing plastic reinforcements with large and well-known shoe manufacturers around the world.  We're proud to now be able to offer it to the maker community.  We currently offer two options for heel counter material:  individual 8.5" x 11" sheets, and pairs (1 left and 1 right) of 2.75" x 12" precut pieces. In the next few months, we are planning to expand the lineup and likely offer materials in different thicknesses and varying degrees of rigidity. Manufacturer:  Morel (Italy)Thickness:  1.5mmBuilt-in adhesive:  YesHeat-activated:  Yes, about 150 degrees (F)Rigidity:  HighStretchy:  Yes, while heatedSkivable:  Yes, and it won't gunk up bell skivers (like thermoplastic)... you need a really sharp edge to get a good skive though. Precut Pieces come skived for you!   Printable Sample Pattern PDF