Waterproof breathable vamp
By employing a composite structure of a waterproof layer, a support mesh layer, and a breathable membrane on the shoe upper, combined with a toe reinforcement and a pressure-absorbing pad, the waterproof and breathable upper's waterproof, breathable, and structural support issues in rainy or humid environments are resolved, thus improving the upper's lifespan and stability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing shoe uppers are not waterproof enough in rainy or humid environments, and their breathability is limited, resulting in a stuffy and humid interior. Furthermore, they lack structural support and are prone to deformation or collapse, affecting their lifespan and stability.
The shoe features a composite structure consisting of a waterproof layer, a support mesh layer, and a breathable membrane, combined with a toe reinforcement, a cushioning pad, and a seam sealing layer to create a waterproof and breathable upper that enhances the shoe's waterproof, breathable, and structural support properties.
It enables the shoes to stay dry in rainy or humid environments, enhances the stiffness and impact resistance of the upper, extends service life, and improves wearing stability.
Smart Images

Figure CN223968730U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of shoe upper structure technology, and in particular to a waterproof and breathable shoe upper. Background Technology
[0002] With the increasing popularity of outdoor activities and functional footwear, the upper, as a crucial component of the shoe structure, not only fulfills the basic functions of protecting the feet and connecting the sole, but also demands higher standards for wearing comfort and adaptability to various usage scenarios. Especially in complex outdoor environments such as mountaineering, hiking, and training, users require uppers to possess not only excellent support and impact resistance, but also stringent requirements for waterproofing and breathability.
[0003] In existing technologies, shoe uppers mostly use fabric or synthetic leather as a base, supplemented by localized waterproofing treatments, such as applying waterproofing agents or splicing waterproof fabric layers to achieve a waterproof effect. At the same time, to enhance breathability, ventilation holes are often incorporated into the upper surface or microporous membrane materials are laminated. While these structures achieve a balance between waterproofing and breathability to some extent, they suffer from problems such as complex manufacturing processes, poor material stability, and the potential for ventilation pathways to fail.
[0004] However, in rainy or humid environments, existing shoe upper structures generally suffer from insufficient waterproofing and limited breathability, leading to stuffiness and dampness inside the shoe and affecting the wearing experience. Furthermore, the lack of structural support can easily cause the upper to deform or collapse, affecting its lifespan and stability. Therefore, a waterproof and breathable upper is proposed to address these issues. Utility Model Content
[0005] To overcome the above shortcomings, this utility model provides a waterproof and breathable shoe upper, which aims to improve the existing technology where the waterproof materials used lack structural support and are prone to deformation or collapse, affecting the service life and stability.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a waterproof and breathable shoe upper, comprising a shoe upper body, wherein a waterproof layer and a support mesh layer are sequentially attached to the outer side of the shoe upper body, a breathable membrane is provided in the middle of the waterproof layer and the support mesh layer, a comfortable lining is provided on the inner side of the shoe upper body, and a toe reinforcement piece is provided at the front end of the shoe upper body to enhance the deformation resistance of the front end.
[0007] Furthermore, multiple shoelace holes are provided on both sides of the upper body. The shoelace holes penetrate the waterproof layer and the support mesh layer and are used to thread shoelaces through for tightening and fixing.
[0008] Furthermore, the lower part of the upper body is provided with a central pressure-relieving pad, which is used to provide cushioning support to the instep during walking.
[0009] Furthermore, the upper side of the shoe upper body is provided with ventilation holes and a waterproof cover sheet. The ventilation holes and the waterproof cover sheet work together to maintain breathability while blocking water. A seam sealing layer is provided at the seams to prevent water seepage.
[0010] Furthermore, the comfortable lining is made of foam material, fits the inner wall of the main body of the shoe upper, and has moisture-wicking and rebound cushioning functions.
[0011] Furthermore, an adhesive layer is provided between the vent and the waterproof cover to enhance the bonding strength between the functional layers and improve the overall structural stability.
[0012] Furthermore, the supporting mesh layer is a nylon fiber mesh structure, used to enhance the three-dimensional support and structural stability of the shoe upper.
[0013] Furthermore, the waterproof cover is fixed to the inside of the vent hole by a hot-pressing process, forming a micro-elastic protrusion structure, which is conducive to moisture removal and enhances visual recognition.
[0014] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0015] 1. In this invention, a waterproof layer and a supporting mesh layer are sequentially bonded to the outer side of the main body of the shoe upper, with a breathable membrane sandwiched between them, effectively achieving a balance between waterproof and breathable performance. The waterproof layer has excellent water-resistant capabilities, while the breathable membrane has microporous ventilation functions; together, they keep the inside of the shoe dry in rainy or humid environments. The supporting mesh layer serves as structural support, enhancing the overall stiffness of the shoe upper and resisting deformation. The toe reinforcement plate enhances the impact resistance of the forefoot, prevents toe collapse, improves wearing stability, and extends the lifespan of the shoe upper.
[0016] 2. In this invention, a waterproof layer and a supporting mesh layer are sequentially bonded to the outer side of the main body of the shoe upper, with a breathable membrane sandwiched between them, effectively achieving a balance between waterproof and breathable performance. The waterproof layer has excellent water-resistant capabilities, while the breathable membrane has microporous ventilation functions; together, they keep the inside of the shoe dry in rainy or humid environments. The supporting mesh layer serves as structural support, enhancing the overall stiffness of the shoe upper and resisting deformation. The toe reinforcement plate enhances the impact resistance of the forefoot, prevents toe collapse, improves wearing stability, and extends the lifespan of the shoe upper. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 This is a front view of a waterproof and breathable shoe upper proposed in this utility model;
[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the back of a waterproof and breathable shoe upper proposed in this utility model;
[0019] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the waterproof covering sheet structure of a waterproof and breathable shoe upper according to the present invention.
[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the mid-section pressure-relieving pad of a waterproof and breathable shoe upper proposed in this utility model.
[0021] Legend:
[0022] 1. Upper body; 2. Waterproof layer; 3. Breathable membrane; 4. Support mesh layer; 5. Comfort lining; 6. Toe reinforcement; 7. Lace-up eyelets; 8. Midfoot cushioning pad; 9. Ventilation holes; 10. Waterproof overlay; 11. Bonding layer; 12. Seam sealing layer. Detailed Implementation
[0023] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0024] Reference Figures 1-4 This utility model provides an embodiment of a waterproof and breathable shoe upper, comprising a shoe upper body 1, which serves as the basic structural layer; a waterproof layer 2 and a support mesh layer 4 are sequentially attached to the outer side of the shoe upper body 1, the waterproof layer 2 providing waterproofing and the support mesh layer 4 enhancing structural support; a breathable membrane 3 is disposed in the middle of the waterproof layer 2 and the support mesh layer 4, providing breathability; a comfortable lining 5 is provided on the inner side of the shoe upper body 1 for wearing comfort; a toe reinforcement plate 6 is provided at the front end of the shoe upper body 1 to enhance the front end's resistance to deformation; multiple shoelace holes 7 are provided on both sides of the shoe upper body 1, the shoelace holes 7 passing through the waterproof layer 2 and the support mesh layer 4 for threading shoelaces for tightening and fixing; a central pressure-relieving pad 8 is provided at the lower part of the shoe upper body 1 for cushioning during walking. During the process, cushioning support is applied to the instep; the upper body 1 of the shoe has ventilation holes 9 and a waterproof cover sheet 10, which work together to maintain breathability while blocking water; a seam sealing layer 12 is provided at the seams to prevent water seepage; the comfortable lining 5 is made of foam material, which fits the inner wall of the upper body 1 and has the functions of moisture absorption, sweat wicking and rebound cushioning; an adhesive layer 11 is provided between the ventilation holes 9 and the waterproof cover sheet 10 to enhance the bonding strength between the functional layers and improve the overall structural stability; the support mesh layer 4 is a nylon fiber mesh structure to enhance the three-dimensional support and structural stability of the shoe upper; the waterproof cover sheet 10 is fixed to the inside of the ventilation holes 9 by a hot pressing process to form a micro-elastic protrusion structure, which is conducive to moisture wicking and enhances visual recognition.
[0025] Specifically, the upper achieves waterproof and breathable functionality through a composite structure of a waterproof layer 2 and a breathable membrane 3; a support mesh layer 4 provides three-dimensional support, and a comfortable lining 5 ensures wearing comfort; a toe reinforcement 6 enhances impact resistance, and a midfoot cushioning pad 8 provides cushioning during walking; the unique design of the waterproof cover 10 and ventilation holes 9 enables dynamic moisture wicking, and the seam sealing layer 12 ensures complete waterproofing; this design significantly improves the breathability and comfort of the upper while ensuring waterproof performance, making it suitable for various outdoor environments.
[0026] Working principle: When the upper is needed, a waterproof layer 2 is first attached to the outer side of the upper body 1. This layer prevents external liquid water from seeping in. Below it is a breathable membrane 3 with a microporous structure, allowing water vapor to escape and preventing moisture from entering, thus achieving a one-way breathability effect. A support mesh layer 4 covers the outside of the breathable membrane 3, providing a support skeleton for the entire upper and preventing deformation. A comfortable lining 5 is provided on the inside of the upper. This lining is made of foam material, which enhances the softness and moisture absorption of the shoe. A toe reinforcement plate 6 is provided at the front of the shoe to improve impact resistance and extend service life. The shoelace holes 7 on both sides pass through the waterproof layer 2 and the support mesh layer 4, achieving a tight fit without damaging the waterproof structure. A mid-section cushioning pad 8 is provided at the bottom of the upper to provide cushioning support for the instep. Ventilation holes 9 are provided at the top of the upper, below which are a waterproof cover 10 and an adhesive layer 11, maintaining breathability while preventing rainwater intrusion. Each seam is sealed with a seam sealing layer 12 to ensure that there are no water-seeping dead corners in the entire shoe upper structure, thereby achieving a good balance of waterproof and breathable performance.
[0027] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A waterproof, breathable upper, characterized by: Including the vamp main part (1), the vamp main part (1) outside is sequentially attached waterproof layer (2) and support net layer (4) with, waterproof layer (2) and support net layer (4) middle part are provided with breathable film (3), the vamp main part (1) inside is equipped with comfortable inner lining (5), the vamp main part (1) front end is provided with toe cap reinforcing piece (6), is used to enhance the deformation resistance of front end.
2. A waterproof, vapor-permeable footwear upper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vamp main part (1) both sides are provided with a plurality of shoelace holes (7), the shoelace hole (7) penetrates waterproof layer (2) and support net layer (4), is used to wear shoelace and is fixed with tightening.
3. A waterproof, vapor-permeable footwear upper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vamp main part (1) lower part is provided with middle part slow pressure pad (8), is used for the foot surface to exert buffer support during walking.
4. A waterproof, vapor-permeable footwear upper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vamp main part (1) upper side is provided with air hole (9) and waterproof cover piece (10), air hole (9) and waterproof cover piece (10) are used in cooperation, keep ventilating while blocking water, the stitch line is provided with stitch line sealing layer (12), prevents water seepage.
5. A waterproof, vapor-permeable footwear upper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The comfortable inner lining (5) is the foam material structure, is attached vamp main part (1) inner wall, and has moisture absorption and perspiration and springback buffering function.
6. A waterproof, vapor-permeable footwear upper according to claim 4, characterized in that: Air hole (9) and waterproof cover piece (10) between are provided with attached layer (11), are used for enhancing the adhesion strength between each functional layer and promoting the overall structural stability.
7. A waterproof, vapor-permeable footwear upper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support net layer (4) is nylon fiber mesh structure, is used for enhancing the three-dimensional support and structural stability of vamp.
8. A waterproof, vapor-permeable footwear upper according to claim 4, characterized in that: The waterproof cover piece (10) is fixed in air hole (9) inside through hot-pressing process, forms micro-elasticity convex structure, both benefits from wet and enhances visual recognition degree.