The invention of the bootie was a game-changer. Getting it right was a challenge because of the many stresses a boot is put under, the potential for leaks in the traditional boot design, and the importance of comfort and fit. It moved Gore’s expertise from traditional garment construction to something that could bring all the protection of GORE-TEX membrane into a 3D form, and that could be included as a layer within footwear production for superior protection and breathability. 
Its invention meant that a little over five years after entering the market, Gore started to influence the footwear sector – a position it has maintained for the past three decades. In the same way that GORE-TEX fabric revolutionised jackets and outer gear over the last 40 years, the bootie moved hiking footwear on from the previously heavy leather of earlier years, which was reliant on careful external oiling and waxing for protection, yet which compromised breathability. It was GORE-TEX technology’s unique combination of waterproofness and breathability that made it so right for footwear. Breathability is a key detail in footwear as it allows feet to stay drier from the inside out by allowing perspiration to evaporate out of the shoes, preventing feet from feeling clammy or uncomfortable. It is a key part of keeping feet safe from the effects of extreme cold, which is crucial to anyone undertaking winter sports. 
In the ensuing years, Gore has applied its know-how to re-work its footwear offering, allowing it to extend its offering in the outdoor sector, alongside product developments in the casual and kids’ footwear markets. Winter hiking boots now sit alongside running shoes and more casual styles that nevertheless still carry the GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY™ promise, meaning the technology is suitable for a variety of end uses and all seasons. 
The latest innovation added to the Gore footwear offering is GORE-TEX SURROUND®. While shoes containing Gore’s technology have always been breathable through the upper part of the shoes, the new innovation provides for breathability from below the foot, where around one-third of the foot’s sweat glands are found. Initially introduced for casual footwear with an open sole construction, the product was introduced into hiking boots and shoes in 2015, making it the first all-round breathable and waterproof hiking shoe/boot. Today, this innovative streak continues, with breathable side sole construction also introduced for both casual and hiking footwear. The result of these efforts, as Gore has shown many times before, is a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation which has produced footwear that meets customers’ desires for comfort and sturdy performance, no matter the activity.
