Fibres And Fabrics For Performance Footwear

Publication Date	November 2007
Publisher	Textiles Intelligence
Product Type	Report
Pages	56
ISBN Number	978-1-906196-38-7
Product Code	TXI00029

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Summary

The specialist performance footwear market may be divided into two categories: footwear for safety at work and footwear for sports and recreation.

The market for safety footwear is affected by legislation which governs personal protective equipment
(PPE), and footwear items must be affordable by potential wearers and employers. By contrast, the market for sports and recreational footwear is driven by branding, and by technological advancements which improve the performance of the wearer.

Common to both these markets is an increasing trend towards the development of specialist footwear which help the wearer to perform better in a particular situation. For example, shoes which are used for running or sprinting provide different performance characteristics from those which are used in aerobics. Similarly, footwear for firefighters has different requirements from those which are used in industrial applications.

The requirements of fibres and fabrics for specialist footwear are equally diverse. However, one universal requirement is that the materials used are capable of providing good moisture management. However, the challenge in today's market is to produce technologically advanced fibres and fabrics which can manage moisture while also providing other specialist benefits. Some footwear fabrics have to be flame resistant, for example. Others have antistatic properties, and some are capable of regulating the temperature of the foot.

A number of performance fibres and fabrics incorporating new properties are being introduced to the market to replace or improve existing materials. Also, consumer demand is growing for products which are "environmentally-friendly". These demands are being met in several ways-by, for example, using blends of Fosshield antimicrobial and Ecospun recycled polyester fibres, or by ensuring that the methods and materials used during manufacture are not harmful to the environment.

Content

Summary
Introduction
- Factors Affecting The Market
The Market For Performance Footwear
- Sports And Active Footwear
- Protective Footwear For Work
The Anatomy Of A Shoe
Types Of Specialist Performance Footwear
- Running Shoes
- Moisture Management
- Durability
- Weight
- Water Resistance
- Visibility
- Support
- Aerobics
- Moisture Management
- Antimicrobial
- Support
- Baseball Shoes
- Cross Training Shoes
- Football Boots
- Branding And Sponsorship
- Hiking And Walking Boots
- Materials Used
- Safety Boots/Workwear
- Moisture Management And Breathability
- Reduced Weight
- Better Fit
Conventional Fibres For Specialist Performance Footwear
- Cotton
- Polyester
- Polyamide
Advancements In Fibres For Specialist Performance Footwear
- Holofiber Enterprises: Holofiber
- Noble Fiber Technologies: X-Static
- Transpor: Transpor Dry Yarns
- Traptek: Cocona Natural Technology
Conventional Fabrics For Specialist Performance Footwear
- Canvas
- Leather
- Fabrics Containing Leather Material Advantages And Disadvantages Of Leather Versus Synthetics
- Polyurethane
Advancements In Fabrics For Specialist Performance Footwear
- Bha Group: Event Fabrics
- Innovative Insulation: Temptrol
- Invista: Cordura
- Kelme: Shark Skin
- Kuraray: Clarino Synthetic Leather
- Kuraray: Parcassio
- Schoeller: Dynatec
- Schoeller: Keprotec
- Wl Gore: Crosstech
- Wl Gore: Gore-Tex Xcr
- 3m: Thinsulate
Conventional Antimicrobial Treatments And Technology
- Bactericidal Treatments
- Bacteriostatic Treatments
Advancements In Antimicrobial Coatings And Finishing Technology
- Aegis Environments: Aegis Microbe Shield
- Foss Manufacturing Company: Fosshield Antimicrobial Technology
- Nanohorizons: Smartsilver
- Pittards: Microspike
Conventional Waterproofing Finishes
- Durable Water Repellent (Dwr) Finishes
- Advancements In Waterproofing Coatings And Finishing Technology
- Nikwax: Nikwax
- P2i: Ion Mask
- Schoeller: 3xdry
Phase Change Materials
- Outlast Technologies: Adaptive Comfort Technology
Outlook
List Of Tables
- Table 1: Skin Temperatures In Different Parts Of The Human Body