EVA foam products are widely seen in the US or World market these days. What is it? How to tell good EVA foam from the not so good EVA foam?

The name EVA foam stands for Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, it is basically plastic with air blown into the material to make a cushioning effect. You may not know it, this material is a very important ingredient to our "civilized" world. For example, shoe insole is made of EVA foam. Slippers, flip-flop, karate protection gears, trade show floor mats are made of this material. Inside of automobile bumper, EVA foam is functioning as the cushion.You can find this material around you,  if you pay attention to your surroundings. Due to its water-proof, light weight, soft and yet durable characteristics, EVA foam was started being made into children's toys.  Heavy duty interlocking mats was first introduced to US market on early 90's in the US toy market by Wandix International. That was the first time EVA foam was presented in the major US market. At approximately the same year, Zippy Mats of Wandix was introduced by The New York Times to its readers.

At the time, these 12" x 12" EVA interlocking mats, known as Zippy Mats was selling at the price of at least $120.00 retail for each set of 36 alphabets and numbers. Very shortly after this initial introduction, more EVA toy products were introduced into America. EVA toys can be spotted in  dollar stores, craft stores, babyproofing stores we well as martial art equipments stores with price ranged from 1 dollars to over $100.00. 

So, what is the difference? Few things to look for when buying EVA foam products:

1. Color: Bright and bold colors usually means better quality, light and faded colors most of the time means a lower grade EVA was used.
2. Density: For ages from 3 and up, foam should be able to bounce back when squeezing with both fingers. Foam should hold for at least 2/3 of the original thickness.  For children age from baby  and up: Foam should be flexible at the touch, however, difficult to squeeze with fingers.
3. Size: For children age from baby to 3: All parts should be larger than 1.75" in length or width.
4. Odor: Other than the light smell of plastic, no odor should be sensed.
5. Test: For all EVA foam products, it is very important that the products pass safety test standard. You can usually find it on the packagings. For US, the test is ASTM, for Europe, the test is CE.

EVA foam is a great material when designed and used in the right age category. These are general rules when you are looking for products that are made of EVA foam.