Waterproofness in Footwear
Martin Waibel about Water-repellent fabrics and sustainable solutions
Being prepared for any situation is something most people desire. You feel safe when nothing unexpected can happen. However, perhaps fortunately, we often carry our "superhero suit" around unnecessarily. Of course, our shoes are also part of our superhero equipment. Before we head out in the morning, we look out the window, choose the right shoes, and feel safe, perfectly prepared for the day. We glance down, our chin touches our chest, and we see it’s the same pair as yesterday, the same as the days before. It might spontaneously start raining, and we want to be prepared. After all, no one likes having wet feet! - Martin Waibel
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PERFORMANCE DAYS presents special FOOTWEAR FORUM THEME
Footwear is a complex subject. Regular boots can have more than 50 components, making them far more intricate than most clothing items. If this moisture cannot escape, it creates ideal conditions for blisters to form. At next PERFORMANCE DAYS, October 23-24, there will be with the topic "Footwear complexity and waterproofing: Key insights" a special Theme for the Footwear Forum.
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Materials Section
Fabrics that match perfect for dry feet!
Waterproof materials in shoes are essential for protecting feet from moisture, particularly during outdoor activities and in rainy conditions. Increasingly, the focus is shifting towards sustainability, with manufacturers adopting eco-friendly alternatives and sustainable production methods.
HDry - Altexa srl ST 3875 'b5' (2.0)
HDry 'b5' biobased waterproof/breathable membrane
Footwear Adhesive Membranes
100% PES, 53% biobased PU membrane
HDry ‘b5’ membrane is the biobased version of HDry 3D direct lamination technology for footwear. HDry ‘b5’ is made from 53% renewable plant sources, PTFE-free, PFAS-free and Oeko-Tex certified. The patented HDry ‘3D direct lamination’ process bonds the waterproof / breathable membrane directly to the upper material, blocking water at the outermost level. At the same time, it eliminates the gap between the outer layer and the membrane, (typical of ‘bootie’ lining construction) and the risk of moisture accumulation: the weight is significantly reduced, and boots take much less time to dry.
Sympatex Technologies GmbH L000176
CASERTA
Footwear Adhesive Membranes
14% PA, 6% PES, 8% PU, 72% rec. PES
CASERTA is a 3-ply shoe liner made of 100% recycled PES combined with a dynamic breathable 100% PES hydrophilic poreless Membrane that has up to 20% bio-based and up to 15% recycled content. Liner fabric has a soft touch knitted fabric perfect for bike, running and golf shoes.
About the Author
Astrid Schlüchter
PERFORMANCE DAYS
Starting February 2024, Astrid Schlüchter is taking on the role of Senior Communication Manager at PERFORMANCE DAYS. To drive further growth with innovative communication strategies, PERFORMANCE DAYS is bringing Astrid Schlüchter on board not only as a seasoned industry expert but also as a renowned specialist journalist. Before joining PERFORMANCE DAYS, the trained fashion designer led the editorial team of the print and online medium SAZsport as Editor-in-Chief and was instrumental in the development of the Sports Retail Congress. Prior to that, Schlüchter worked for a long time as a freelance writer for various media in the sports, fashion, and lifestyle segments.
