Running shoes, hiking shoes and boots, snowboard boots, alpine boots, hiking boots, and the like, having waterproof/breathable moisture transfer characteristics

Abstract

The waterproof / breathable moisture transfer liner for a running and hiking shoe includes an inner liner selected from technically advanced fabrics which are carefully selected. A series of layers are provided outside the inner liner including foam material layers, breathable membranes, a supportive mesh or a moldable foam, and an outer shell fabric. The applicability of the liner to alpine, snowboard boots, cross country, hiking boots, protective gear and helmets, along with appropriate variations for each application.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 786,416, filed Feb. 26, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 500,535, filed Feb. 9, 2000 (now abandoned), which is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 08 / 910,116, filed Aug. 13, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,810), which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 08 / 832,800, filed Apr. 4, 1997 (now abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 08 / 747,340, filed Nov. 12, 1996 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,937), and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Applications 60 / 330,477 and 60 / 330,478, both filed on Feb. 26, 2003. The entire disclosures of all of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, the entire disclosures of abandoned applications U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 600,711, filed Jun. 23, 2003 and U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 757,454, filed Jan. 15, 2004, are also hereby incorporated by refere...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a shoe and boot liner that is breathable and waterproof, designed to improve the comfort of runners, snowboarders, skiers, and hikers. The liner includes a unique combination of layers that transfer moisture in a way that prior art has not been able to achieve. The liner is made up of a breathable inner liner, a foam layer, a flexible mesh, and a breathable membrane. The liner is used in various types of shoes and boots, such as running shoes, snowboard boots, and alpine boots. It is designed to provide better breathability, support, and comfort for the foot. The liner is also used in the tongue, sole, and upper cuff area of the shoe or boot. The liner helps to keep the foot cool and dry, which is important for performance and comfort."

Problems solved by technology

However, these liners do not provide the advantages realized by the present invention.

The inner liners have been leather, synthetic leather, nylon, or polyester blends which extremely limit the ability to breathe or wick moisture away from a runner or rider's body.

These materials have prevented the foot from breathing adequately.

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