Structural and Physiological Properties of Footwear Textiles

Textile uppers in the form of fitted knitted fabrics are now gaining in importance in the production of commercial footwear. The subject of this study was twelve different textile uppers and two reference leather materials. Structural properties and parameters of physiological comfort were characterized for selected variants. In order to analyze the thermo-physiological properties of the upper parts of the footwear, air permeability, thermal insulation properties, water vapor permeability and sorption properties were measured. Among the variants of textile uppers analyzed, the most desirable functional properties were shown by knitted fabrics made on cylindrical crochet machines of large diameters. The varnished cowhide leather variant was characterized by the worst hygienic properties.