history

GORE-TEX FOOTWEAR: A HISTORY OF INNOVATION

Gore-Tex is a waterproof, breathable fabric that has become a popular choice for outdoor footwear. Invented in 1969 by Robert W. Gore and Wilbert L. Gore, the technology has been widely used in outdoor gear for decades. In the 1980s, Gore-Tex was first used in running shoes, marking the beginning of its use in athletic footwear.

The first running shoes to incorporate gore-tex technology were the nike lava dome and nike approach, which were released in 1986. the shoes were designed for trail running and featured a gore-tex membrane in the upper to provide waterproof and breathable protection for the foot.

NIKE AIR LAVA DOME 2.4 QS (SOURCE: SNS) AND NIKE 1981 APPROACH (SOURCE: THE CULTURE PDX)

Since then, gore-tex has become a popular choice for outdoor shoe manufacturers. One of the most well-known brands to use gore-tex in their shoes is la sportiva. The company's bushido ii gtx is a popular trail running shoe that features a gore-tex membrane in the upper, providing protection from wet and muddy conditions. Another popular model is the la sportiva ultra raptor gtx, which is designed for long-distance trail running.

Nike has also continued to use Gore-Tex technology in their shoes. The Nike Air Zoom pegasus 37 GTX is a popular running shoe that features a Gore-Tex upper, providing waterproof and breathable protection for the foot. The shoe is designed for all-weather running, making it a great choice for runners who want to train year-round.

Other popular models of shoes with gore-tex include the Salomon Speedcross 5 GTX, which is designed for off-road running, and the Merrell Moab 2 GTX, which is a popular hiking shoe.

Athletes and sports enthusiasts have also adopted shoes with gore-tex for their training and competition. for example, ultra-runner Michele Graglia wore La Sportiva shoes with Gore-Tex in the 2020 moab 240 race.

Overall, Gore-Tex has become a popular choice for outdoor shoes due to its ability to provide waterproof and breathable protection for the foot. Its use in athletic footwear has also made it a popular choice for runners, hikers, and other sports enthusiasts who want to train and compete in all weather conditions.

Shoe with Gore-Tex at @DV