A fabric having resilient prominences on at least one surface is described for improved thermal protection, drag reduction and quick drying. Resilient prominences are bulges that extend outward from a fabric surface and trap some volume of air or other material therein. For example, a resilient prominence may be dome shaped and extend outward from the fabric plane. A resilient prominence is resilient in shape, whereby the resilient prominence may be compressed and then popped back into substantially the original shape. Reflective and/or absorptive materials may be configured on the surface of the fabric to provide camouflage from IR cameras. Reflective material may be configured on the fabric to reflect heat back to the wearer of a garment made with the fabric described.

Cushioning elements include a breathable material configured to allow gases to pass through at least a portion thereof, and a plurality of discrete segments of thermoplastic elastomeric gel (gel) heat-fused or otherwise attached to the breathable material. The gel comprises an elastomeric polymer and a plasticizer, with a plasticizer-to-polymer ratio of from about 0.3 to about 50. The plurality of discrete segments defines at least one breathable gap between adjacent discrete segments. Methods of forming cushioning elements include forming a plurality of discrete segments of gel, securing each segment to a breathable material, and providing a gas path through the breathable material and between adjacent segments. Another method includes providing molten gel within a mold, providing at least a second portion of the gel within a permeable material, and solidifying the gel to form discrete segments of gel.

A gripping fabric and method for construction thereof is provided. A fabric structure that defines an inner surface and an outer surface is created. The fabric structure or the gripping fabric is configured to conform to a user's body part for constructing a garment, for example, a sock. The inner surface is proximal to a user contact surface and distal to an external contact surface. The outer surface is proximal to the external contact surface and distal to the user contact surface. A gripping material is selectively applied on the inner surface and/or the outer surface of the fabric structure. The gripping material on the inner surface and the outer surface of the fabric structure adheres to the user contact surface and the external contact surface respectively, thereby providing grip between the user contact surface and the fabric structure, and grip between the fabric structure and the external contact surface.

The present invention concerns a shoe upper, including (a) a first sheet, (b) a second sheet, (c) a connecting region in which the first sheet is connected to the second sheet, and (d) a first coating. The first coating is applied onto a first region of the first sheet, a second region of the second sheet, and a third region of the connecting region. The first region, the second region, and the third region are connected.

The present invention concerns a shoe upper, including (a) a first sheet, (b) a second sheet, (c) a connecting region in which the first sheet is connected to the second sheet, and (d) a first coating. The first coating is applied onto a first region of the first sheet, a second region of the second sheet, and a third region of the connecting region. The first region, the second region, and the third region are connected.