Abstract The cellular structure, physical properties, and structure–property relationships of novel open‐cell polyolefin foams produced by compression molding and based on blends of an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer and a low‐density polyethylene have been studied and compared with those of closed‐cell polyolefin foams of similar chemical compositions and densities and with those of open‐cell polyurethane foams. Properties such as the elastic modulus, collapse stress, energy absorbed in mechanical tests, thermal expansion, dynamic mechanical response, and acoustic absorption have been measured. The experimental results show that the cellular structure of the analyzed materials has interconnected cells due to the presence of large and small holes in the cell walls, and this structure is clearly different from the typical structure of open‐cell polyurethane foams. The open‐cell polyolefin foams under study, in comparison with closed‐cell foams of similar densities and chemical compositions, are good acoustic absorbers; they have a significant loss factor and lower compressive strength and thermal stability. The physical reasons for this macroscopic behavior are analyzed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009