An ultraviolet (UV) footwear illuminator for footwear treatment is disclosed. In one embodiment, the UV footwear illuminator includes an insert adapted for placement in an article of footwear. At least one UV radiation source is located in the insert and is configured to emit UV radiation in the footwear through a transparent window region formed in the insert. A control unit is configured to control at least one predetermined UV radiation characteristics associated with the radiation emitted from each UV radiation source. A power supply is configured to power each UV radiation source and the control unit.

A scent masking kit for maintenance of a hunting environment. The hunter, before entering into the hunting environment opens an airtight sealed package and dons scent masking gloves and shoe covers contained therein, wipes masking scents on the contact surfaces of the gloves and shoe covers, and enters the hunting environment temporarily to maintain the area's equipment, and uses a kneeling pad when working close to the ground to avoid leaving human scent in the environment. Upon leaving the area, the hunter disposes of the kit components and thus is prevented from contaminating the hunting environment with human scents which may repel the wildlife.

This document presents algae-derived antimicrobial fiber substrates, and a method of making the same. The fiber may be a synthetic fiber, but can also be formed as a cellulosic (e.g., cotton). In various implementations, an algae-derived antimicrobial fiber substrate can be made to have identical properties and characteristics of nylon-6 of nylon 6-6 polymer or the like, and yet contain antimicrobial, anti-viral, and/or flame retardant algal derived substances. Any of various species of red algae, brown algae, blue-green algae, and brown seaweed (marine microalgae and/or macroalgae) are known to contain a high level of sulfated polysaccharides with inherent antimicrobial, antiviral, and flame-retardant properties, and can be used as described herein. Additionally disclosed are algae-derived flexible foams, whether open-cell or closed-cell, with inherent antimicrobial, antiviral, and flame resistant properties. Further, a process of manufacturing is presented wherein the process may include one or more of the steps of: harvesting algae-biomass; sufficiently drying the algae biomass; blending the dried algae biomass with a carrier resin and various foaming ingredients; adding an algal-derived antimicrobial compound selected from various natural sulfated polysaccharides present in brown algae, red algae, and/or certain seaweeds (marine microalgae); and adding a sufficient quantity of dried algae biomass to the formulation to adequately create a fire resistant flexible foam material.

An insert liner is provided and is configured to be removably received in an inner cavity of a shoe. The elastomeric liner includes: a longitudinal portion; opposing first and second lateral portions; and opposing front and rear portions, wherein the longitudinal, lateral, front, and rear portions define a cavity having an opening configured below the opposing front and rear portions and configured to receive a user's foot; and a fastener coupled to at least the front portion and the rear portion of the liner while being bond free relative to a toe portion of the shoe, the front portion is configured to releasably adhere to the tongue portion to maintain the opening below an upper edge of at least one of the heel portion and the opposing sidewall portions and to define the opening configured to receive the user's foot.

A weighted insole assembly, comprising a top thermoformable material layer, a bottom thermoformable material layer, and a weighted unit encapsulated between the top and bottom thermoformable material layers, the weighted unit including a heavy filler material and having a specific gravity between about 2.0 and about 4.0.

A shoe that includes a base layer, middle layer and top layer all having a top and a bottom surface. A first portion of the bottom surface of the middle layer is adhered to the top surface of the base layer, and the bottom surface of the top layer is adhered to the top surface of the middle layer. The base layer, middle layer and top layer cooperate to define a main body portion that includes a heel cup, an arch portion and a forefoot portion. The forefoot portion includes a part of the middle layer and a part of the top layer, but not a part of the base layer.

A shoe cover is provided that has a main cover body constructed and arranged for placement over a shoe wherein the body has a plurality of openings constructed and arranged to permit ambient air to pass through.

A weighted insole assembly, comprising a top thermoformable material layer, a bottom thermoformable material layer, and a weighted unit encapsulated between the top and bottom thermoformable material layers, the weighted unit including a heavy filler material and having a specific gravity between about 2.0 and about 4.0

An article of footwear having an upper comprising leno woven fabric. The leno woven fabric may be a single layer leno woven fabric. The leno woven fabric may have a pattern to provide desired characteristics, such as but not limited to, ventilation, thermal conductivity, stretchability, strength, moisture wicking, and/or antimicrobial protection. The pattern may be non-uniform to provide varying degrees of one or more of these characteristics. Methods for manufacturing an article of footwear including an upper comprising leno woven fabric are also provided.