Upper components for footwear include: (a) a first layer including a first filament including first plural, non-intersecting, spaced apart path segments (wherein the first filament may have a width dimension of less than 3 mm wide); and (b) a second layer including a second filament including second plural, non-intersecting, spaced apart path segments (wherein the second filament may have a width dimension of less than 3 mm), wherein the second layer is fused to the first layer at locations where the layers contact one another. Additional layers of material, including additional layers with filament, may be included in the upper. The filament material in the different layers may be the same or different from one another (e.g., a thermoplastic material, a thermoplastic polyurethane material, a hydrophobic material, a water-repelling material, a non-water absorbing material, etc.). One or more layers each may be formed as a continuous extruded path of filament.

Upper components for footwear include: (a) a first layer including a first filament including first plural, non-intersecting, spaced apart path segments (wherein the first filament may have a width dimension of less than 3 mm wide); and (b) a second layer including a second filament including second plural, non-intersecting, spaced apart path segments (wherein the second filament may have a width dimension of less than 3 mm), wherein the second layer is fused to the first layer at locations where the layers contact one another. Additional layers of material, including additional layers with filament, may be included in the upper. The filament material in the different layers may be the same or different from one another (e.g., a thermoplastic material, a thermoplastic polyurethane material, a hydrophobic material, a water-repelling material, a non-water absorbing material, etc.). One or more layers each may be formed as a continuous extruded path of filament.

A moisture-permeable waterproof shoe includes an outer shoe body unit including an outer shoe upper, a midsole and an outsole. The outer shoe upper and the midsole cooperatively define an insertion space. A sock-shaped inner shoe body unit is disposed in the insertion space and includes a moisture-permeable waterproof shoe-shaped inner sleeve, an outer sock body having a sock body portion sleeved on the shoe-shaped inner sleeve, and an inner adhesive layer adhered between an outer surface of the shoe-shaped inner sleeve and an inner surface of the sock body portion. A connecting layer is fixed between the outer shoe upper and the sock body portion and between the midsole and the sock body portion.

A footwear construction is provided including a waterproof gasket formed between components of the footwear. The footwear can include an upper including a first layer and a waterproof functional second layer adjacent the first layer. A waterproof functional insole includes a perimeter that is disposed adjacent the first layer and/or the second layer. A thread extends through the first layer, sewn through it, and is located between the insole and the second layer, and adjacent the perimeter. The thread is melted to form a waterproof gasket between the second layer and the insole, along the perimeter. Alternatively, the first layer is surrounded with a hot melt flange stitched to an insole. A waterproof functional second layer seals the first layer and flange. A gasket panel can be disposed over the hot melt flange and insole, which can include insole stitching joining the same. Related methods also are provided.

A method for manufacturing a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe comprising the steps of providing an upper and a lining comprising at least one functional layer of vapor-permeable and waterproof material, providing an insole comprising a functional support sheet of vapor-permeable and waterproof material, coupling the peripheral edge of the functional layer of the lining to the peripheral edge of the functional sheet of the insole by way of a sealing waterproof adhesive so as to shape a sock of vapor-permeable and waterproof material, couple the upper to the outer surface of the lining by way of a vapor-permeable adhesive; and couple a sole to the upper and/or to the lining and/or to the insole.

A method for manufacturing waterproof and breathable shoes is provided. The method includes subjecting shoe sole materials to plastication and mixing, followed by cutting into pieces to be mold to form a shoe sole; stacking a knitted fabric as an outer layer, a polyurethane layer as a middle layer, and a knitted fabric as an inner layer sequentially into a mold for hot-pressing and shaping to form a shoe upper; and bonding the shoe upper to the shoe sole with an adhesive glue so as to form a shoe. The shoe is made flexible and light as the shoe upper is made up of two layers of knitted fabric bonded to a polyurethane layer. Moreover, the middle layer of the shoe upper includes a wavy structure, which is stretchable and helps improve waterproofness and breathability of the shoe upper.

A method for waterproofing footwear (2), the footwear (2) including an upper assembly (4) having an outer construction (6) and a sole (8), includes providing a waterproof, breathable bootie (10) having a waterproof, breathable laminate construction, the waterproof, breathable laminate construction comprising a functional layer (54) and at least one textile layer (56, 58); inserting the waterproof, breathable bootie (10) into an inner space (12) of the outer construction (6) and the sole (8), when the outer construction (6) and the sole (8) are in an assembled state; and fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie (10) in position in the inner space (12) of the outer construction (6) and the sole (8).

A multi-style moisture-permeable waterproof shoe includes an outer shoe body unit defining an insertion space, and a plurality of sock-like inner shoe body units inserted removably and selectively into the insertion space. Each sock-like inner shoe body unit includes a moisture-permeable waterproof shoe-like inner sleeve and an outer sock body. The shoe-like inner sleeve defines a foot space and is made from at least one cut piece. The outer sock body has a sock body portion sleeved on the shoe-like inner sleeve. An inner adhesive layer is adhered between an outer surface of the shoe-like inner sleeve and an inner surface of the sock body portion.

A footwear assembly having an upper that comprises a neoprene sock with a foot portion integrally connected to a leg portion. The foot portion has heel, vamp and under-foot portions. The leg portion has front shin, side wall, and rear calf-side portions. The upper has a unitary, outer, injection molded layer molded directly onto the foot and shin portions of the neoprene sock, while the sidewall and rear calf-side portions remain substantially uncovered by the injection molded layer. The injection molded layer encases the foot portion of the neoprene sock. The injection molded layer on the shin portion defines a shin guard portion having a necked down area integrally connected to the injection molded layer at the vamp portion, wherein the shin guard extends upwardly from the necked-down portion in an outwardly diverging shape away from the vamp.

A footwear assembly having an upper that comprises a neoprene sock with a foot portion integrally connected to a leg portion. The foot portion has heel, vamp and under-foot portions. The leg portion has front shin, side wall, and rear calf-side portions. The upper has a unitary, outer, injection molded layer molded directly onto the foot and shin portions of the neoprene sock, while the sidewall and rear calf-side portions remain substantially uncovered by the injection molded layer. The injection molded layer encases the foot portion of the neoprene sock. The injection molded layer on the shin portion defines a shin guard portion having a necked down area integrally connected to the injection molded layer at the vamp portion, wherein the shin guard extends upwardly from the necked-down portion in an outwardly diverging shape away from the vamp.