Interviews
GORE-TEX Fabric adds extended comfort to new STC boots
08 Mar '10
3 min read
GORE-TEX Extended Comfort Footwear Fabric has been selected by STC to enhance comfort in their new Lima and Zulu boots, which are engineered to perform in a broad range of climates. This new fabric and Gore's patented boot construction improve comfort in three ways. First, the boots pick up less water and dry out faster, which reduces boot weight. Second, the waterproof fabric protects the feet from exposure to rain and inclement weather. Third, the boot's construction increases the amount of moisture vapor (sweat) that can escape from the boot, keeping feet drier and more comfortable.
This GORE-TEX Extended Comfort Footwear has been designed specifically to ensure maximum breathability with its single-wall construction. According to Bill Candy, North American footwear product specialist at W. L. Gore & Associates, "Gore is committed to providing the right product for each application. We drew on our experience in engineering fabrics for military, law enforcement, and fire professionals to identify both the breathability and protection requirements for STC's new boots. The Lima and the Zulu are the first boots that provide this level of comfort and performance for tactical officers who work in both hot and cold climates."
To ensure the performance of its fabric, Gore performed a variety of tests, both in the laboratory and in the field. First, they tested the breathability, water retention, and waterproof durability of these new boots in the lab. In the whole-boot breathability test, they placed the boots in a controlled environment to measure breathability over time. Second, trained participants evaluated their perceived comfort in both hot and cold field environments. Finally, Gore tested the water retention by measuring weight gain after a participant walked for 30 minutes in a trough of water. The laboratory tests showed that STC's boots retained 90 percent less water than comparable boots and that breathability over time was excellent. In the comfort tests, participants perceived that wearing the Lima and Zulu boots was equivalent to wearing a hot weather boot in hot environments and a military temperate boot in cold weather.
Gore worked closely with STC throughout the development process of the Lima and Zulu boots. Candy described this on-going process, saying, "We work with our customers to deliver the best product for their intended application, which in this case was to increase the climate range of waterproof boots while improving performance and comfort. We worked with STC to understand their requirements, develop a unique fabric solution, and test the final design to ensure that the product meets the needs of the end-user."
With approximately 8,000 employees worldwide, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. specializes in fluoropolymer innovations that improve the quality of life. Gore has applied its world-renowned expertise in fluoropolymer fabrication to thousands of technology-driven applications in consumer, electronic, pharmaceutical, and medical product manufacturing.
This GORE-TEX Extended Comfort Footwear has been designed specifically to ensure maximum breathability with its single-wall construction. According to Bill Candy, North American footwear product specialist at W. L. Gore & Associates, "Gore is committed to providing the right product for each application. We drew on our experience in engineering fabrics for military, law enforcement, and fire professionals to identify both the breathability and protection requirements for STC's new boots. The Lima and the Zulu are the first boots that provide this level of comfort and performance for tactical officers who work in both hot and cold climates."
To ensure the performance of its fabric, Gore performed a variety of tests, both in the laboratory and in the field. First, they tested the breathability, water retention, and waterproof durability of these new boots in the lab. In the whole-boot breathability test, they placed the boots in a controlled environment to measure breathability over time. Second, trained participants evaluated their perceived comfort in both hot and cold field environments. Finally, Gore tested the water retention by measuring weight gain after a participant walked for 30 minutes in a trough of water. The laboratory tests showed that STC's boots retained 90 percent less water than comparable boots and that breathability over time was excellent. In the comfort tests, participants perceived that wearing the Lima and Zulu boots was equivalent to wearing a hot weather boot in hot environments and a military temperate boot in cold weather.
Gore worked closely with STC throughout the development process of the Lima and Zulu boots. Candy described this on-going process, saying, "We work with our customers to deliver the best product for their intended application, which in this case was to increase the climate range of waterproof boots while improving performance and comfort. We worked with STC to understand their requirements, develop a unique fabric solution, and test the final design to ensure that the product meets the needs of the end-user."
With approximately 8,000 employees worldwide, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. specializes in fluoropolymer innovations that improve the quality of life. Gore has applied its world-renowned expertise in fluoropolymer fabrication to thousands of technology-driven applications in consumer, electronic, pharmaceutical, and medical product manufacturing.
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc
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