What is EVA Foam? ( FULL OVERVIEW WITH EXAMPLES) 

You just opened my world up to making some awesome armor replicas thank you so much man!

Hey. I'm a beginner to costuming armor. From the tutorials I've seen online, most of them look insanely hard to build. Your videos are so helpful though. Thanks a lot for making these. I'm currently building a full Spartan set. I will definitely consider using the EVA foam.

Thank you! You are probably the only person on here who explains what is EVA Foam. Great video

In the USA, EVA foam can be found at a store called "Harbor Freight Tools". It costs $15 but I got it on sale for $8.

admirable craftsmanship, you've earned yourself another subscriber good sir

Really helpful video, your right nobody ever talks about the material itself.

This particular guy does good work. Cosplay people all have so much talent and make the coolest stuff, but I wish they would do more of their own designs. I hope this trend evolves into people taking pride in not doing anything that has come before.

I've used Eva foam for a good while and I've also found that the kids play foam works just as well.

@DaFrontlineTrooper I was referring to the "craft foam" mentioned by SuperHD27. I am presuming he means the extruded polystyrene foam (the pink or blue stuff) that you use on your guns. I haven't been able to find pink or blue foam here in Australia. I keep looking around building sites, with no luck.

I'm pretty sure that the other foam that he uses is Blue sculpting foam. If you live in NZ, you can buy blocks of it from Gordon Harris (the art supply shop).

Cool project your working on. Didn't realize that you could make costumes out of EVA. Will remember that for next halloween.

oh my god this video is perfect subscribed

Andrew you did a good presentation on the material EVA. It was informative. I have a pair of thongs that sole was made of EVA. I did not know about EVA & now I do. Thank you!

they sell small blocks of this stuff at the dollarstore here. well, now i know i can build armor pretty much completly from dollarama products lol

I would LOVE an updated version of this video C: Your best tips and tricks today~

You can find "Blue camp foam" which is EVA foam in the camping section at your local wal-mart. Mine's has run out though. (Because I bought them all) :D

I already know what it is and use it but you did a really good job! I sat through it all

The way you pronounced Home Depot was priceless haha but thank you! This was so informative im going to be testing this out for a cosplay!

DAMN! Now I know what Material to use for a *Gundam Cosplay*! XD

Thanks for the video. I've been on the hunt for this material for a while now and could only find the kid squares with letters/numbers for $80. Now I'm off to Lowes/Home Depot to test my luck. Hopefully the sales floor guys know what it is....Cheers!

So far this has been one of the better videos I've seen on using EVA foam for armor. I was wondering how easily it can be shaped. Can you use sand paper on this foam? What would be the best way to shape it? What's the best option for securing the different pieces together? Would you suggest coating it in any kind of fiberglass for strength?

is it possible or even a good idea to bed eva foam into a cylinder type shape with heat treating or something?

itl leave little hit points much like in ur skin but it wont break

Harbor Freight in the US usually has a pack of 4 on sale for $10.

Thanks this video really helped for I need a quick material to make my cosplay/Halloween costume of a Titan from Destiny with the exotic Red Death.

this foam can be painted straight out of packet, but a good sealer is just pva glue and water =) super easy =) and then you can spray paint without worring about it falling off

in the US you can find it in some 5 below stores

Thanks for making this video. I needed some good information on EVA foam. I am researching football shoulder pads for my son. This helped a lot.

look forward to seeing how you shape it

Amazing over view! extremely helpful!

I got here sort of by accident, now just staying for the eye candy. You're cute!

Hi, I would like to start working with foam, but in my local shop, I can only find Polyethylene foam. Will this work as well or has it to be EVA? Another question I have is whether heating it up will cause any health problems. Greetings from Europe

Would you mind making a similar video for Styrofoam? I've been wondering which type you use and where I can find it.

I'm curious as to what you think of the blue foam Ozark Trail mats that Walmart carries (at least in the US). If you do look into it, a latex primer makes it able to be spray painted safely and let's it retain its flexibility. 1-2 layers of primer may work (I got messy when I tried it and forgot to keep track of layers). Sorry for rambling in a comment. Finally because I can....... FIRST!

thank you so much for this video! as a total newbie to foam, this video was most helpful! :)

Thank Goodness a Kiwi!!!!...now I know we can get this in New Zealand...for RC model aircraft in my case...Regards...Laurie

what was the stored called, =) im makin a list of locations =)

Can you suggest on how I can cut and trim a swimming kickboard? I believe it's a bit more compressed compared to that EVA foam. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated. Also, what kind of glue can I use to put two EVA foams together?

in Canada's Dollar Store you can buy a 4-pack for $2-3

So ironic, I cut out a section about EVA Foam for weapons in the PM...

This is really awesome and sorts out my problems a lot, but i want to make gauntlets and was wondering if there are thinner types of eva foam to use for the fingers, etc. or to just use the thick stuff.

In Aus $ it is $14.95 for a pack of 4 mats at Bunnings

thank you so much now i know how to cut it

DFT have you heard of the heat gun technique its pretty useful for armor

Very good info. Thank you!

omg what an awesome video!, random question does it come in any other thicknesses? also do you have a Clark rubber in NZ and do you think it would be cheaper from there if you have that shop?

I'm wanting to make a giant lollipop. I was thinking of using craft foam and cutting it into long strips then bending them around lengthwise to create tubes and then spiraling them into a large spiral for the lollipop shape before painting. Do you think EVA foam would work better?

after makeing my me3 armor, I would highly suggest you getting a hot knife. works great. but it burns quick

man you are saving my hide!!!!! thank you. Can ask what you use for adhesive?

Since you live in New Zealand, you might not know this (not that I doubt you), but here goes: what stores sell it in America?

Thank you thank you thank you soooo much!! I'm going to start cosplaying and where I live the "expert" materials such as worbla are wayy too expensive and this is going to help me cosplay on a budget with a good quality!!

@TheShrubpig Yea like i use cardboard or lego. Im not sure i could use foam it looks complicated

may sound a bit strange, but have you ever thought of trying to design props for historic (Real) weapons, such as a winchester rifle? not that im complaining about the weapon props you're currently making.

How flexible is the foam after you brought it into a shape? Thanks in advance.

Cool man, good videos. Where bouts you located in NZ?

Would you say this is a good material to cushion benches (like for a van project, if you can find 1" foam)?

@SuperDH27 You'll have to tell us which New Zealand or Australian "ware house" you can get this craft foam from.

Where did you get your knife please reply good video man

It's a shame I already started my Halo Marine assault vest with pepakura and resin. At the same time, however, I think I'd prefer a rigid and heavier feel to the main bulk of the armor--aside from the helmet which I'm nearly finished with. Maybe the other bits and pieces I'll make with EVA foam. I can already see advantages that it would have over pepakura armor.

amazing!! ill be making dbz saiyan armour for my upcoming Fasha cosplay. i heard about EVA foam but needed to know what it looked like. :)

Any new updates for this info? I'm a cosplayer who already uses this and I found the best and cheapest for everything towards purchasing it.

How thick should the EVA foam be? How thick is the one you use?

Can you please add the company name or label description? So people might be able to order it off the internet if their respective stores stink. Thanks.

@merlin207 Hot glue works well with EVA foam!

I hot glued some seam together and got some glue on the parts that show.... how can I get this off without destroying the smooth surface of the finished piece?!? Or can I smooth it in the painting possess!?!?

Hi, is it possible to make the foam rigid? If so, how do you recommend it? I am needing a strong rigid piece for a solar rc project. Thanks.

How does it handle water? If it gets wet does it soak it up?

Can you make a tutorial for an ODST helmet or make a tutorial for a full marine costume with helmet and can you use an exacto knife?

i am hoping to make a fallout new vegas ncr ranger vet armour and this really helps me alot thank you

You can find it at lowes

Have you seen the ghostly orb at :20 that passes over his head? What is that?

@SVFreedomFighters lowes,sears,home depot,Walmart,harbor freight

What are the sizes of the EVA foam you use? The ones I find are 24x24".

Nice i can maybe buy this.

I'm cosplayinng as Shizuo Heiwajima from Durarara and I'm making his more noticable prop, a street sign, I'm making the pole 5'7 since I have no clue what the prop/weapon height limit is at Naka-Kon and want to make it a bit over 6 ft, of course it's going to be bent, but I want to know how to bend it to make a round object the size of a thin PVC pipe, but since I'm going to have to bend the sign, also so it fits in the damn car, I can't use PVC and want to use EVA foam for the street sign. Should I use EVA foam for this prop or regular craft foam?

@SuperDH27 By "craft foam" do you mean the blue/pink foam? Or do you mean the foam mats that you can find in bunnings/kmart, etc?

good one dude ! cheap and a really good product !

Hi I was wondering what kind of system you use to wear the costume? Like I saw that you used buckles over the shoulders for the marine costume, how else do you make it wearable and stay on? Do you just make it to your size and slip it on or are there things under the armour like straps that keeps it on? I apologise in advance if this question makes no sense.

Please make a tutorial on the mass effect armor.

It's non posionable during the heating or after it?

what did you've used to stick the piece toghether in the second and third armor? the hot glue gun? thank you

only if you paint the foam. if you don't usually it leaves no mark.

Do you have a video where you heat it up and bend it ?

I live in the UK where can i get Eva foam from? What is the width of the eva foam that you were holding?

Not on it directly. You'd need to seal it, coat it with something, then try the dye. But you'd probably be better off with paint.

so that's what it is... i was watching a diy minion phone case tutorial using EVA and wondered if i could just use craft foam instead.

@WyattGoolsby I am a girl, wat should it matter anyway?

Ooh that's awesome, I have one local.

you can but it just takes a little longer.

what was that thing that flew across the screen at 0:20?

I cant seem to find this foam in my local stores for the thickness that I need (6mm or 1/4inch) I am currently making an iron man costume and need help finding this material of that specific thickness. If you could please tell me where exactly to find this or give me a specific link where I can buy this, it would be much appreciated.

would PVA glue and water based sealant work well on styrofoam ?

Hey Andrew, I'm going to start making some sort of Halo armor and I was wondering how are you suppose to bend or mold the foam to have a rounded shape? Such as shoulder plates or something. Thanks!

so polystyrine is what you mainly use for the base of the guns, and eva foam is for cosumes and weapon detail right? also, im trying to make the mark 6 helmet. which should i use for that?

I have a very serious question for you... north or south island?

is there a cheaper mateial to buy ou there because 3 packs add up quite fast and counting the taxes, it was supposed to cost me 70 $ but I didnt by it in the end. I dont want to use pepakura eitheer becaus it is far too complicated. ANSWER PLEASE!

i make props from wood it works pretty well but its hard work.

you could use eva foam in paintball but id use it more for airsoft just make it full body and you should be ok

Hey, I'm making a buster sword atm, would it be best to use just styrofoam?

very useful!