Abstract: An expandable last (2) for furnishing footwear (110) with an insert (100) includes an expansion assembly (40); an expandable shell (6), arranged around the expansion assembly (40); and a liquid chamber (8) within the expandable shell (6); wherein the expandable last (2) is insertable into the footwear (110) through a collar of the footwear (110) and wherein the expandable shell (6) is configured to expand for pressing the insert (100) towards an inside of the footwear (110); and wherein the expansion assembly (40) is configured to adapt its extension for exerting localized pressure onto the expandable shell (6) towards the inside of the footwear (110).

Abstract: A method for waterproofing footwear (2), the footwear (2) including an upper assembly (4) having an outer construction (6) and a sole (8), includes providing a waterproof, breathable bootie (10) having a waterproof, breathable laminate construction, the waterproof, breathable laminate construction comprising a functional layer (54) and at least one textile layer (56, 58); inserting the waterproof, breathable bootie (10) into an inner space (12) of the outer construction (6) and the sole (8), when the outer construction (6) and the sole (8) are in an assembled state; and fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie (10) in position in the inner space (12) of the outer construction (6) and the sole (8).

Abstract: Footwear (2) includes an upper assembly (4) having an outer construction (40, 42) and further having a bootie (50) made with a waterproof, breathable laminate, the waterproof, breathable laminate (51) including a one-piece functional layer (54) and at least one textile layer (56, 58), and a sole (6) attached to the upper assembly, wherein the bootie has elasticity in a circumferential direction of the bootie, wherein the bootie is fixed in position in a toe region (90) of the footwear and fixed in position in a heel region (96) of the footwear, and wherein the bootie is not attached to the outer construction on an upper side of a midfoot portion (92) of the bootie.

Abstract: The invention relates to an upper assembly (12) for a waterproof, water vapor permeable footwear article (10), the upper assembly comprising a laminate (16) including a waterproof water vapor permeable functional layer (22) and an inner lining layer (24) directly attached to the functional layer (22) on an inner side of functional layer (22), the inner lining layer (24) being a knitted or woven fabric made with monofilaments.

Abstract: Waterproof footwear having a liner material, stretchable insole, and strobel board are described herein. The stretchable insole exhibits a reduction of cushioning stiffness in the forefoot area of at least about 6% in comparison to a standard footwear construction when the waterproof footwear is subjected to the Mechanical Cushioning Test.