The heel has a cutaway to reveal the Phylon midsole in the outsole for compression. When various layers are used, soles may consist of an insole, midsole, and an outsole. Traction was provided with a solid rubber outsole with flex grooves. The outsole/midsole is almost identical to the XX9, with very minor technical tweaks. In July 1929, the Company patented first puncture resistant rubber outsole for work shoes. The outsole is crafted from recycled and re-ground rubber. Those designed for grass pitches have studs on the outsole to aid grip. The shoe was sold in an all-grey colour scheme with a phosphorescent (glow-in-the-dark) gum outsole. This can be in reference to either the outsole or the vamp.