Abstract: An outsole unit for an item of footwear comprises a base layer of a flexible material having fibres extending from one surface, for example a napped leather such as pigskin suede or a textile material, and one or more lugs of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) moulded directly to the fibrous surface so as to form a tread. Multiple lugs may form a regular array separated by grooves, and may be connected solely by the base layer, by a skin of TPU extending across the base layer or by narrow connecting elements of TPU. An upper of an item of footwear may comprise a backing of suede leather with a grid of strips of TPU moulded to its napped surface. An item of footwear may comprise the outsole unit of the invention, the upper of the invention, or both.

Abstract: A boot (1) or other item of footwear is made up of a rubber sole unit (2) mounted to an upper comprising both leather and rubber components, for example a foot piece (3) of rubber and a shaft piece (4) of leather having a napped outer surface, such as suede, particularly pigskin suede. The boot (1) is assembled with an edge of the rubber foot piece (3) overlapping the outer surface of the leather shaft piece (4), and a rubber tape (11) binding the edges (13) of the shaft piece (4) together. The whole boot (1) is then vulcanised, bonding the leather and rubber components sealingly together. The boot (1) or other item of footwear is attractive, durable and waterproof.