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.

An installing hole forming mechanism includes at least one guiding sleeve and an inserting set. The at least one guiding sleeve includes a bore. The inserting set is detachably coupled to the at least one guiding sleeve and includes at least one spike configured to couple to the bore of the at least one guiding sleeve. The at least one spike includes a tip. When the at least one spike passes through the bore of the at least one guiding sleeve, the tip exposes from the guiding sleeve, and the at least one spike and the at least one guiding sleeve are forced to puncture a shoe such that at least one installing hole is formed on the shoe.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper that is attached to the sole structure. The upper defines a cavity that is configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The upper is at least partially defined by a textile. The textile includes a first area that is substantially smooth. The first area defines a reference boundary that conforms to the cavity. The textile includes a second area. The second area includes a plurality of projection structures that project away from the reference boundary and outwardly from the cavity at varying heights. The second area includes a plurality of recess structures that recess away from the reference boundary and inwardly toward the cavity. The plurality of projection structures and the plurality of recess structures are in an alternating arrangement across the textile.

A composition contains a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU-1), obtained or obtainable by reaction of an isocyanate composition (IZ) containing MDI with a polyol composition (PZ), and hollow glass microspheres. The polyol composition (PZ) contains at least one polyol (P1) selected from polytetrahydrofurans having an average molecular weight Mn in the range from 900 to 2,000 g/mol. The polyol composition (PZ) also contains a chain extender (KV1), selected from 1,2-ethandiol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol and 1,6-hexanediol. Ski shoes, preferably ski boots, particularly preferably the outer shell of a ski boot, can be based on such a thermoplastic polyurethane. Corresponding processes can be used for producing ski shoes.

An installing hole forming mechanism includes at least one guiding sleeve and an inserting set. The at least one guiding sleeve includes a bore. The inserting set is detachably coupled to the at least one guiding sleeve and includes at least one spike configured to couple to the bore of the at least one guiding sleeve. The at least one spike includes a tip. When the at least one spike passes through the bore of the at least one guiding sleeve, the tip exposes from the guiding sleeve, and the at least one spike and the at least one guiding sleeve are forced to puncture a shoe such that at least one installing hole is formed on the shoe.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper that is attached to the sole structure. The upper defines a cavity that is configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The upper is at least partially defined by a textile. The textile includes a first area that is substantially smooth. The first area defines a reference boundary that conforms to the cavity. The textile includes a second area. The second area includes a plurality of projection structures that project away from the reference boundary and outwardly from the cavity at varying heights. The second area includes a plurality of recess structures that recess away from the reference boundary and inwardly toward the cavity. The plurality of projection structures and the plurality of recess structures are in an alternating arrangement across the textile.

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.

A composition contains a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU-1), obtained or obtainable by reaction of an isocyanate composition (IZ) containing MDI with a polyol composition (PZ), and hollow glass microspheres. The polyol composition (PZ) contains at least one polyol (P1) selected from polytetrahydrofurans having an average molecular weight Mn in the range from 900 to 2,000 g/mol. The polyol composition (PZ) also contains a chain extender (KV1), selected from 1,2-ethandiol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol and 1,6-hexanediol. Ski shoes, preferably ski boots, particularly preferably the outer shell of a ski boot, can be based on such a thermoplastic polyurethane. Corresponding processes can be used for producing ski shoes.

A customizable footwear assembly and manufacturing method. The footwear assembly having a plantar shell and dorsal shell forming a caging system. The plantar shell has a contour shaped to conform with a bottom surface contour of the wearer's foot. An upper perimeter portion forms an opening to the interior area configured to receive at least a portion of the wearer's foot therethrough. A dorsal shell has a shaped to conform with an upper surface contour of the wearer's foot. The dorsal shell is movable between open and closed positions relative to the interior area of the plantar shell. The dorsal shell has an outer perimeter portion configured to engage the upper perimeter portion of the plantar shell to form a caging system that transfer loads between the dorsal and plantar shells when the dorsal shell is in the closed position and during use of the footwear by the wearer.

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.