The birthing of the twenty-first century saw the creation and rise of the now popular, yet semi-futuristic at the time, concept of breathable textiles.
In our contemporary societies, breathable textiles can be found in a large variety of apparel, including countless lines and brands of shoes.
The benefits of breathable shoes can only be grasped with an understanding of the creation of garment breathability.
Breathable fabrics were initially produced using methods similar to waterproofing, a method that was first used during WWII.
Fabrics were glossed with solvents which were eventually eradicated for environmental concerns.
Moisture Vapour Control
Today, breathability in the fashion industry is attained using Moisture Vapour Control, a process which is both water repellent and breathable without the use of solvents or other environmentally detrimental products.
Moisture Vapour Control allows fabrics to possess micro-pores. These pores are too small for water molecules to pass through yet large enough for steam to escape. This results in dry, non-humid areas beneath these fabrics.
Breathable shoes can be simplistically defined as those shoes containing fabrics which permit water vapour to escape while maintaining water repellence. Such shoes are beneficial for everyone particularly in hot climates and seasons.
However, those with athletic lifestyles would find these shoes exceptionally useful. Breathable shoes can assist in the prevention of Athlete’s Foot, a foot fungus which thrives in warm, moist environs such as sweaty non-breathable shoes, and the minor discomfort associated with sweaty, smelly feet.
Today, breathable shoes are available in a large variety of styles ranging from formal to athletic wear in ladies, gents, and gender-neutral styles.
The benefits of breathable shoes combined with their non-solvent methods of creation deem them nothing short of a step forward in an ever increasing environmentally conscious world. How many breathable shoes do you have?