Outdoor specialist W.L. Gore & Associates has developed a 3D footwear insert for use in knitted uppers that is designed to contour to the shape of the foot like a sock. Gore says it recognised the opportunity to develop the Gore-Tex 3D Fit footwear inserts following the growth in popularity of mesh, elastic, knitted athletic footwear suitable for everyday use. Part of the Gore-Tex Guaranteed To Keep You Dry product brand, this latest development gives footwear manufacturers access to a waterproof, breathable insert offering seamless comfort in a lightweight stretchy material that can be used in a variety of lighter-weight athletic and lifestyle shoes.
Silke Kemmerling, Product Specialist for the Gore Fabrics Division said, “With Gore-Tex 3D fit footwear, consumers get a shoe that more effectively contours to the shape of their foot, and manufacturers get a technology that is easy to integrate into existing footwear designs.” Gore-Tex 3D fit footwear will be unveiled at the upcoming Outdoor Show in Friedrichshafen, Germany (17-20 June 2018) and at the OutDoor Retailer Show in Denver, Colorado (23-26 July 2018). Brand partners adidas, Terrex and Salomon will manufacture and market shoes featuring the new technology with their custom made ME:sh shoe.
“Consumers will like this technology because it will allow them to wear their favourite knitted, elastic, mesh footwear in broad range of conditions, regardless of weather or activity,” the company said. “By wearing shoes with Gore-Tex 3D fit footwear, they will no longer need to compromise style or be restricted on what they can wear for their favourite outdoor activities.”Gore- Tex 3D fit footwear simplifies the assembly process for manufacturers, as Gore assembles the three-dimensional waterproof elastic footwear insert. This significantly streamlines the integration into the footwear – especially even in shoes that feature elastic, knitted uppers.”
