A hybrid material may be configured as a hybrid fabric. An illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two yarns engaged with one another and exhibit a moisture absorbency of ten seconds or less and a differential in moisture spreading speed one a first face of the hybrid fabric compared to that of a second face. Another illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two yarns engaged with one another and exhibit a moisture absorbency of ten seconds or less and a planar wicking rate of at least 2.5 mm/min. Another illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two welded yarns produced via welding processes differently configured such that the resulting welded yarns have one or more differing properties. Illustrative embodiments of such hybrid fabrics include but are not limited to pique and jersey and pique fabrics constructed of cotton.

A hybrid material may be configured as a hybrid fabric. An illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two yarns engaged with one another and exhibit a moisture absorbency of ten seconds or less and a differential in moisture spreading speed one a first face of the hybrid fabric compared to that of a second face. Another illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two yarns engaged with one another and exhibit a moisture absorbency of ten seconds or less and a planar wicking rate of at least 2.5 mm/min. Another illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two welded yarns produced via welding processes differently configured such that the resulting welded yarns have one or more differing properties. Illustrative embodiments of such hybrid fabrics include but are not limited to pique and jersey and pique fabrics constructed of cotton.

The invention provides a thermal control combination yarn system including a first plurality of the yarns within the system including microdenier or almost microdenier hydrophobic yarns, such as, for example, polypropylene (PP) and a second plurality of the yarns including less hydrophobic ultra microfibers (UMF), wherein the first plurality of yarns is in direct contact with the second plurality of yarns. The yarn system can include from 97% yarns made of a microdenier or almost microdenier hydrophobic material and 3% yarns made of a less hydrophobic ultra microfibers (UMF) material to 97% yarns made of the less hydrophobic ultra microfibers material and 3% yarns made of a microdenier or almost microdenier hydrophobic material.

The present invention relates to a shoe including an upper, the upper including an instep cover that covers the instep of a foot. The instep cover includes an instep cover body and a tongue. Two or more protrusions that are configured to extend in use from the instep cover body toward the foot are located at least in a region between the MP joint and the talus in a side portion of the instep cover body. The protrusions are made of embroidery. The protrusions have a height of 0.5 mm or more, a width of 2 mm or more, and a length of 2 mm or more. A distance between each pair of the adjacent protrusions is 2 mm or more in part of the region. The shoe of the present invention includes the upper that improves the heat dissipation properties without impairing the contact between the foot and the shoe.

Disclosed is a method of producing a variable-color textile, the method comprising: providing a plurality of filaments into a commercial textile-production machine, the plurality filaments having at least a first color and a second color; and twisting at least one of the plurality of filaments to display a first color on a first side of a fabric surface and a second color on an opposite side of the fabric surface.

A nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, and wherein in at least one of the microzones, the first region is hydrophobic and the second region is hydrophilic.

Disclosed is a structured knitted fabric and method for production, having a single layer resulting from several components. The fabric has a knitted layer machined on circular machines, a membrane thermo-coupled to the internal surface of the knitted layer, and a fine knitted layer joined to the membrane or knitted layer and a waterproofing treatment on the external surface. Different combinations produce different fabrics. A first fabric includes a knitted layer, a membrane, and a waterproofing treatment and, depending on the weight of the knitted layer, is suitable for all sports, from skiing to cycling. A second fabric has a knitted layer, a fine knitted layer, and a waterproofing treatment, and is suitable for lightweight, breathable garments. Lastly, a third fabric has a knitted layer, a membrane, a fine knitted layer, and a waterproofing treatment, and is suitable for garments used in cold weather and for winter sports.

A nonwoven fabric is provided. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, wherein at least one of the surfaces has a TS7 value of less than about 15 dB V.sup.2 rms, and wherein the first surface has a TS7 value that is higher than the second surface TS7 value.

A nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, and wherein in at least one of the microzones, the first region is hydrophobic and the second region is hydrophilic.

A fabric system which can provide a skin care effect and which is comprised of first and second faces, a first face having a lower coefficient of friction than a second face, is disclosed.