Abstract: The present application relates to a waterproof and water vapour permeable footwear article comprising an upper, an insole, a sole, and a waterproof bridging tape; wherein the upper comprises an outer material and a waterproof and water vapour permeable membrane, wherein at least the top end of the waterproof bridging tape is attached to the waterproof and water vapour permeable membrane of the upper at the bottom perimeter edge of the upper and a method of making such a waterproof and water vapour permeable footwear article.

Abstract: A footwear article (15) comprises an upper assembly (1) and a sole assembly, wherein the upper assembly (1) comprises a monofilament layer (3), a functional layer (4, 8, 12) and a polymer grid (2), wherein the monofilament layer has a textile weight of less than 80 g/m2 and a thickness of less than 1 mm, wherein one surface of the monofilament layer (3) is laminated to the functional layer (4, 8, 12), wherein the polymer grid (2) is located on the surface of the monofilament layer (3) that is facing away from the functional layer (4, 8, 12).

Abstract: A layered product (1) comprises a waterproof and water vapor permeable membrane (4) having a first side (41) and a second side (42), the membrane comprising a membrane material (40, 40a, 40b) which is waterproof and water vapor permeable, and thermoplastic material (3) which covers at least a portion of the first side (41) of the membrane (4) and is formed by at least one three-dimensional build layer (3-1 to 3-n) printed onto the first side (41) of the membrane such that the thermoplastic material (3) of the at least one three-dimensional build layer (3-1 to 3-n) is bonded to the membrane material (40, 40a, 40b) of the membrane. The layered product can be part of footwear, such as a bootie or upper material.

Abstract: Waterproof, breathable socks, booties, shoe inserts, and footwear assemblies containing the shoe inserts are provided. The booties and shoe inserts may include a laminate comprising a seamless extensible film, such as a polyurethane film, and at least one textile. The bootie is suitable for a range of sizes and shoe shapes. The bootie may shrink to fit, or, alternatively, be stretched to fit, an asymmetrical last having a desired size to form a shoe insert. A bootie having a seamless extensible film eliminates the need to have multiple sizes of shoe inserts correlating to particular shoe sizes. In embodiments where the polyurethane film is seamless and continuous, the shoe insert eliminates the need for a waterproof seam tape, which is conventionally used to make shoe inserts waterproof. Methods of forming the socks, booties, and shoe inserts are also provided.

Abstract: Waterproof, breathable socks, booties, shoe inserts, and footwear assemblies containing the shoe inserts are provided. The booties and shoe inserts may include a laminate comprising a seamless extensible film, such as a polyurethane film, and at least one textile. The bootie is suitable for a range of sizes and shoe shapes. The bootie may shrink to fit, or, alternatively, be stretched to fit, an asymmetrical last having a desired size to form a shoe insert. A bootie having a seamless extensible film eliminates the need to have multiple sizes of shoe inserts correlating to particular shoe sizes. In embodiments where the polyurethane film is seamless and continuous, the shoe insert eliminates the need for a waterproof seam tape, which is conventionally used to make shoe inserts waterproof. Methods of forming the socks, booties, and shoe inserts are also provided.

Abstract: A shoe according to the invention comprises an upper assembly comprising an upper portion (10) having an outer material (11) for surrounding a foot and a lower portion (20) having at least a breathable layer (21). The shoe also comprises a sole comprising a ventilating container element (113) having a bottom part (103) and a side wall (102) surrounding said bottom part (103) so as to form an inner space of the ventilating container element (113), the ventilating container element being arranged below and attached to the upper assembly, and a filler structure or material (61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 112) allowing for air flow through it placed in the inner space of the ventilating container element (113).

Abstract: A water-vapor permeable shoe-sole combination (15) with an upper side (5) having at least on through hole (31) extending through the thickness of the shoe-sole combination, a barrier unit (35) with an upper side forming at least part of the upper side (50) of the shoe-sole combination, made of a water-vapor permeable barrier material (33) that forms a barrier against penetration of foreign bodies, by means of which the at least one through hole (31) is closed in a water-vapor permeable manner, a reinforcement device (25) formed for mechanical reinforcement of the shoe-sole combination (105), constructed with at least one reinforcement web (37) arranged on at least one surface of the barrier material (33) and at least partially crossing the at least one through hole (31), and at least one walking-sole part (117) arranged beneath the barrier unit (35).

Abstract: A water-vapor permeable shoe-sole combination (15) with an upper side (5) having at least on through hole (31) extending through the thickness of the shoe-sole combination, a barrier unit (35) with an upper side forming at least part of the upper side (50) of the shoe-sole combination, made of a water-vapor permeable barrier material (33) that forms a barrier against penetration of foreign bodies, by means of which the at least one through hole (31) is closed in a water-vapor permeable manner, a reinforcement device (25) formed for mechanical reinforcement of the shoe-sole combination (105), constructed with at least one reinforcement web (37) arranged on at least one surface of the barrier material (33) and at least partially crossing the at least one through hole (31), and at least one walking-sole part (117) arranged beneath the barrier unit (35).

Abstract: A Waterproof, breathable shoe according to the present invention comprises an upper assembly (8) with an upper portion (10) including a breathable outer material (11) and with a bottom portion (20), said upper assembly (8) comprising a waterproof, breathable functional layer arrangement (18; 13, 21) extending over said upper portion (10) and said bottom portion (20). The shoe further comprises a ventilating sole element having a structure or material allowing for air flow through it, said ventilating sole element being attached to said upper assembly (8), wherein at least one lateral passage (50) extends from said structure or material through a side wall (702) of said ventilating sole element, said lateral passage (50) allowing for communication of air between said structure or material of said ventilating sole element and an outside of said ventilating sole element.

Abstract: Waterproof, breathable socks, booties, shoe inserts, and footwear assemblies containing the shoe inserts are provided. The booties and shoe inserts may include a laminate comprising a seamless extensible film, such as a polyurethane film, and at least one textile. The bootie is suitable for a range of sizes and shoe shapes. The bootie may shrink to fit, or, alternatively, be stretched to fit, an asymmetrical last having a desired size to form a shoe insert. A bootie having a seamless extensible film eliminates the need to have multiple sizes of shoe inserts correlating to particular shoe sizes. In embodiments where the polyurethane film is seamless and continuous, the shoe insert eliminates the need for a waterproof seam tape, which is conventionally used to make shoe inserts waterproof. Methods of forming the socks, booties, and shoe inserts are also provided.

Abstract: A ventilating sole element (173) for a shoe according to the present invention comprises a side wall (608). A channel structure (178) is formed in the ventilating sole element (173) that comprises a plurality of channels (181, 183, 184). At least some of the lateral ends of said channels (181, 183, 184) are formed as air and moisture discharging ports (182), and at least one of the channels (181, 183, 184) is a peripheral channel (183) that intersects with a plurality of channels (181, 184). The channels (181, 183, 184) and the side wall (608) form functional pillars (400, 401); and said ventilating sole element (173) has a ratio of top surface area (Ap) of the functional pillars (400, 401) to top surface area (Ac) of the channels (181, 183, 184) between 0.5 and 5.

Abstract: A water-vapor permeable shoe-sole combination (15) with an upper side (5) having at least on through hole (31) extending through the thickness of the shoe-sole combination, a barrier unit (35) with an upper side forming at least part of the upper side (50) of the shoe-sole combination, made of a water-vapor permeable barrier material (33) that forms a barrier against penetration of foreign bodies, by means of which the at least one through hole (31) is closed in a water-vapor permeable manner, a reinforcement device (25) formed for mechanical reinforcement of the shoe-sole combination (105), constructed with at least one reinforcement web (37) arranged on at least one surface of the barrier material (33) and at least partially crossing the at least one through hole (31), and at least one walking-sole part (117) arranged beneath the barrier unit (35).

Abstract: A water-vapor permeable shoe-sole combination (15) with an upper side (5) having at least on through hole (31) extending through the thickness of the shoe-sole combination, a barrier unit (35) with an upper side forming at least part of the upper side (50) of the shoe-sole combination, made of a water-vapor permeable barrier material (33) that forms a barrier against penetration of foreign bodies, by means of which the at least one through hole (31) is closed in a water-vapor permeable manner, a reinforcement device (25) formed for mechanical reinforcement of the shoe-sole combination (105), constructed with at least one reinforcement web (37) arranged on at least one surface of the barrier material (33) and at least partially crossing the at least one through hole (31), and at least one walking-sole part (117) arranged beneath the barrier unit (35).

Abstract: The invention relates to an upper arrangement (22) for footwear (2), comprising an upper region (23) with a water vapor-permeable upper material layer (24) that comprises a lower end section; a waterproof and water vapor-permeable upper functional layer laminate (26) that comprises a lower end section; and an upper base (34) with an upper base functional layer laminate (38) that has a lateral end section. The lower end section of the upper region (23) is connected to the lateral end section of the upper base (34); and the upper base functional layer laminate (38) is designed as a multilayer laminate that comprises a waterproof and water vapor-permeable functional layer (40) that lies bottommost and at least one water vapor-permeable textile layer (42) that lies over said functional layer.

Abstract: A shoe according to the invention comprises an upper assembly comprising an upper portion (10) having an outer material (11) for surrounding a foot and a lower portion (20) having at least a breathable layer (21). The shoe also comprises a sole comprising a ventilating container element (113) having a bottom part (103) and a side wall (102) surrounding said bottom part (103) so as to form an inner space of the ventilating container element (113), the ventilating container element being arranged below and attached to the upper assembly, and a filler structure or material (61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 112) allowing for air flow through it placed in the inner space of the ventilating container element (113).

Abstract: A shoe according to the invention comprises an upper assembly comprising an upper portion (10) having an outer material (11) for surrounding a foot and a lower portion (20) having at least a breathable layer (21). The shoe also comprises a sole comprising a ventilating container element (113) having a bottom part (103) and a side wall (102) surrounding said bottom part (103) so as to form an inner space of the ventilating container element (113), the ventilating container element being arranged below and attached to the upper assembly, and a filler structure or material (61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 112) allowing for air flow through it placed in the inner space of the ventilating container element (113).

Abstract: A water-vapor permeable shoe-sole combination (15) with an upper side (5) having at least on through hole (31) extending through the thickness of the shoe-sole combination, a barrier unit (35) with an upper side forming at least part of the upper side (50) of the shoe-sole combination, made of a water-vapor permeable barrier material (33) that forms a barrier against penetration of foreign bodies, by means of which the at least one through hole (31) is closed in a water-vapor permeable manner, a reinforcement device (25) formed for mechanical reinforcement of the shoe-sole combination (105), constructed with at least one reinforcement web (37) arranged on at least one surface of the barrier material (33) and at least partially crossing the at least one through hole (31), and at least one walking-sole part (117) arranged beneath the barrier unit (35).

Abstract: The invention relates to an upper assembly (10) for footwear (100), comprising an upper (14) having a sole-sided upper end region, and an upper bottom (16). The sole-sided upper end region is joined to the upper bottom (16). The upper (14) includes an outer material layer (18) having a sole-sided outer material end region (18a), and an upper liner (20). The upper bottom (16) comprises a first water vapor permeable assembly sole (30) and an upper bottom laminate (32) including a first water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer (34). The outer material layer (18) in the sole-sided outer material end region (18a) is joined to the first water vapor permeable assembly sole (30).

Abstract: The invention relates to an upper arrangement (22) for footwear (2), comprising an upper region (23) with a water vapor-permeable upper material layer (24) that comprises a lower end section; a waterproof and water vapor-permeable upper functional layer laminate (26) that comprises a lower end section; and an upper base (34) with an upper base functional layer laminate (38) that has a lateral end section. The lower end section of the upper region (23) is connected to the lateral end section of the upper base (34); and the upper base functional layer laminate (38) is designed as a multilayer laminate that comprises a waterproof and water vapor-permeable functional layer (40) that lies bottommost and at least one water vapor-permeable textile layer (42) that lies over said functional layer.

Abstract: The invention related to a method for manufacturing at least one part of a sole assembly (7) of a shoe (300) comprising the steps of directing a laser beam towards the at least one part of the sole assembly, which comprises a polymer material, and creating at least one of an opening (55), passage, cavity or engraved pattern in the at least one part of the sole assembly by means of the laser beam, or removing material from the at least one part of the sole assembly by means of the laser beam.