Abstract: A waterproof garment, such as a shoe, is formed from a first seamless circular knitted liner, which is coated with resin and cured to form a waterproof layer. The first liner is fitted within a second seamless circular knitted liner. In the case of a shoe, a sole can be attached and a reliably waterproof shoe is thereby provided which can be efficiently manufactured. In another embodiment, the combined liners are used as a waterproof lining for a shoe upper.

Abstract: An item of footwear including an outsole secured to an upper is provided. A bootie is attached to the infill panel. The bootie and infill panel combine to form a cavity receiving the wearer's foot. The bootie is provided by a single air permeable, moisture vapor permeable, and waterproof sheet formed from a plurality of layers of material laminated together. The sheet forms at least one edge portion extending, at least one time, a distance between a toe end and a heel end of the bootie. A protection strip is attached to the outer surface of the sheet adjacent the at least one edge portion. A stitching seam is formed by a thread-type material securing the at least one edge portion of the bootie adjacent an outer peripheral edge portion of the infill panel. The thread-type material extends through the protection strip and the infill panel to form the seam.

Abstract: A bootie for use in a footwear item, a method of making the bootie, and a footwear item including the bootie are provided. The bootie provides the upper of the footwear item that will surround the wearer's foot. The bootie includes a body formed from a single air permeable, moisture vapor permeable, and waterproof sheet formed from a plurality of layers of material laminated together. The body has a bottom portion that is located under a wearer's foot in use. The body defines an opening through which a wearer's foot will extend when in use. A single bottom seam extends substantially an entire length of the bottom portion of the body between a toe-end and a heal-end of the body.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a bootie for use in a footwear item is provided. The method includes laminating a plurality of layers of material together into a single air permeable, moisture vapor permeable, and waterproof sheet, and forming a bootie out of the sheet. The sheet includes a first membrane layer having a first side and a second side; the first layer being air permeable, moisture vapor permeable, and waterproof. The sheet also includes a second protection layer having a first side and a second side. The second layer is positioned between the first layer and an outside environment when the footwear item is completed, and configured to facilitate protecting the first layer from an outside surrounding environment. In addition, the sheet can include a third bonding layer having a first side and a second side. The third layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer to facilitate bonding of the first layer to the second layer.

Abstract: A footwear construction that includes an improved footwear upper liner is provided. The liquid impermeable footwear upper liner is constructed of air permeable, waterproof and moisture vapor transmissive materials as well as air impermeable, waterproof and moisture vapor impermeable materials. A process for constructing a footwear component utilizing the improved footwear upper liner is also provided. The process comprises providing a sole; providing an upper that together with the sole define a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer's foot against external elements and securing the improved liquid impermeable footwear upper liner within the footwear so that the footwear upper liner is located underneath the upper. In an alternative embodiment, the improved footwear upper liner is attached to a sole to form a bootie for use in footwear construction.

Abstract: A shoe construction that includes a sole and an upper, wherein the sole and the upper together define a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer's foot against external elements. There is a liquid impermeable bootie that includes an inner, upper liner that is attached to a sole liner. The inner, upper liner is preferably air permeable, moisture vapor transmissive, oleophobic and liquid impermeable and is located inside the upper. The sole liner is air impermeable, moisture vapor impermeable and liquid impermeable and is located above the sole. The sole liner is preferably, but not necessarily, inelastic. Materials that may be utilized for the inner, upper liner can include treated membranes. Some of the types of materials that may be used for the sole liner can include inelastic, thermoplastic materials, fiber reinforced polymeric materials and nonthermoplastic materials.

Abstract: A footwear construction that includes an improved footwear upper liner is provided. The liquid impermeable footwear upper liner is constructed of air permeable, waterproof and moisture vapor transmissive materials as well as air impermeable, waterproof and moisture vapor impermeable materials. A process for constructing a footwear component utilizing the improved footwear upper liner is also provided. The process comprises providing a sole; providing an upper that together with the sole define a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer's foot against external elements and securing the improved liquid impermeable footwear upper liner within the footwear so that the footwear upper liner is located underneath the upper. In an alternative embodiment, the improved footwear upper liner is attached to a sole to form a bootie for use in footwear construction.

Abstract: A shoe construction that includes a sole and an upper, wherein the sole and the upper together define a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer”s foot against external elements. There is a liquid impermeable bootie that includes an inner, upper liner that is attached to a sole liner. The inner, upper liner is preferably air permeable, moisture vapor transmissive and liquid impermeable and is located inside the upper. The sole liner is air impermeable, moisture vapor impermeable and liquid impermeable and is located above the sole. The sole liner is preferably, but not necessarily, inelastic. Materials that may be utilized for the inner, upper liner can include microporous membranes. Some of the types of materials that may be used for the sole liner can include inelastic, thermoplastic materials, fiber reinforced polymeric materials and nonthermoplastic materials. An alternative embodiment of the inner, upper liner is air impermeable, moisture vapor transmissive and liquid impermeable.