Military Boot Technology Improved

GORE-TEX Footwear Technology Improves Comfort in Military Boots


W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., has introduced a footwear technology for the U.S. military with optimized breathability in extended climate ranges. Specifically designed for hot climate conditions, GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort Footwear protects feet from exposure to rain and inclement weather, while allowing moisture vapor to escape from the boot, keeping feet dry and more comfortable. Boots made of this construction also pick up less water and dry out faster, in addition to reducing boot weight.



With a single-wall construction, GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort Footwear has been engineered specifically to ensure maximum breathability without compromising durable waterproof performance. Unlike other jungle or hot weather footwear, boots with this new technology have proven to provide waterproof protection and breathable comfort. Lab tests showed that these new boots retained 90 percent less water than comparable boots and that breathability over time was excellent. In field tests, participants perceived that these boots kept feet as cool as both the current desert boot and the temperate weather boot.



This new technology provides the opportunity to have one pair of boots for the widest range of climate conditions. According to Bill Candy, Gore’s North American footwear product specialist, Gore works closely with each manufacturer as each new boot design is developed. Candy explains, “We work with our customers to deliver the best product for their intended application, which in this case was to increase the comfortable climate range, particularly on the warm to hot side, of waterproof boots. We also work with customers to understand their requirements, develop a solution, and test the final designs to ensure that each product meets the unique environmental challenges that the military is faced with today.”



W. L. Gore & Associates



Gore is a leading manufacturer of thousands of advanced technology products for the electronics, fabrics, industrial and medical markets. Perhaps best known for its waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® fabric, the company’s portfolio features a diverse array of innovations, including everything from guitar strings to life-saving cardiovascular devices. Gore is headquartered in Newark, Del., and employs 9,000 associates in 30 countries worldwide. It is one of a select few companies to appear on all of the U.S. “100 Best Companies to Work For” lists since the rankings were introduced in 1984. Visit www.GoreMilitary.com to learn more.