The soft boot and liner include a moisture transfer system that includes an inner fabric layer carefully selected from technically advanced fabrics. A series of layers are provided outside the inner liner including foam material layers, spacer fabrics and breathable membranes, in various orders. Encapsulation technology and waterproofing are used as well. The outer fabric layer is also capable of working with the other layers to promote the transfer of moisture. Frothed foams and flocking with fibers are further characteristics of the present invention. The moisture transfer system is incorporated into a soft boot or skate or as a removable liner for a shell boot. Numerous other modifications and applications are disclosed.

Systems and methods of manufacturing a shoe outsole are provided wherein at least a portion of the resulting shoe outsole includes embedded particles. An example method includes applying adhesive to at least one region of the shoe outsole, depositing selected particles onto the adhesive to provide the shoe outsole with a first coat of particles, and at least partially curing the adhesive. The method continues by applying additional adhesive over the first coat of particles, depositing additional particles onto the adhesive to provide the shoe outsole with a second coat of particles, and at least partially curing the subsequent application of adhesive.

A method and kit are provided for the customization of footwear comprising an upper which is partially or totally made of thermoformable material. The method provides for selectively heating the portions made of thermoformable material of the footwear, while leaving the remaining portions of the footwear at a substantially unchanged temperature, and for applying to the thermoformable material portions a pressure sufficient to adapt their shape to the specific morphology of the user's foot. This allows to customize even footwear comprising delicate portions, which would be damaged if subjected to high temperatures. The method may provide for customizing a footbed, partially or totally made of thermoformable material, to the specific morphology of the user's foot sole. The kit is compact, preferably transportable and capable of autonomously carrying out all the steps of the method.

A performance footwear, apparel or medical accessory product for hot, cold, and all-weather conditions, the performance footwear, apparel or medical accessory product comprised of a series of material layers having: a first layer of a breathable, moisture transfer, antimicrobial inner lining, fabric or nonwoven material or a combination of fabric or nonwoven material; a second layer comprising a breathable, moisture transfer, absorbent, antimicrobial, mechanically bonded, antimicrobial, nonwoven material comprised of shaped, channeled, grooved and lobed synthetic polymer fibers, antimicrobial silver polymer fibers and natural and synthetic, thermal and cooling fibers wherein the fiber combinations naturally provide adjustable thermal regulation; and a third exterior layer comprised of a breathable, antimicrobial woven fabric, knitted fabric, spacer fabric, nonwoven material, leather material or a combination thereof.

Systems and methods of manufacturing a shoe outsole are provided wherein at least a portion of the resulting shoe outsole includes embedded particles. An example method includes applying adhesive to at least one region of the shoe outsole, depositing selected particles onto the adhesive to provide the shoe outsole with a first coat of particles, and at least partially curing the adhesive. The method continues by applying additional adhesive over the first coat of particles, depositing additional particles onto the adhesive to provide the shoe outsole with a second coat of particles, and at least partially curing the subsequent application of adhesive.

An accessory for an elongated cord or fabric includes front and back portions that each have at least a front side, a rear side, a top side, and a bottom side. The rear sides each include a groove extending from the top side to the bottom side. The grooves are cooperative such that when the rear side of the front portion contacts the front side of the back portion, the two grooves together form a channel through which the at least one elongated cord traverses. A magnetic latch is fixed between the rear side of the front portion and the front side of the back portion, such that the front and back portions are mutually magnetically attractive, and attached either around the at least one elongated cord or by capturing a portion of fabric therebetween.

Methods and systems are disclosed for three-dimensional printing directly onto an article of apparel. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing onto an article of apparel, including positioning at least a portion of the article on a tray in a three-dimensional printing system, the portion being positioned substantially flat on the tray, printing a three-dimensional material directly onto the article using a three-dimensional pattern, curing the printed material, and removing the article from the three-dimensional printing system.

A footwear construction unit for receiving a decorative component is provided along with an embellished shoe that incorporates the construction unit. The construction unit comprises an upper body and a weight-bearing peripheral wall extending downwardly from the upper body, which together define an interior upraised area that accommodates at least a portion of the decorative component. Thus, the decorative component is elevated above the walking surface and protected from dirt and abrasion. The decorative component may optionally extend across the arch and/or down the inner heel and/or onto other surfaces herein disclosed.

Stitching is applied to a shoe or shoe component and then printed. The stitching may be formed from a continuous thread. After printing, a portion of the continuous thread may have a different color or appearance from other portion(s) of the continuous thread.

Methods and systems are disclosed for three-dimensional printing directly onto an article of apparel. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing onto an article of apparel, including positioning at least a portion of the article on a tray in a three-dimensional printing system, the portion being positioned substantially flat on the tray, printing a three-dimensional material directly onto the article using a three-dimensional pattern, curing the printed material, and removing the article from the three-dimensional printing system.