Shoes with water-resistant membranes and coating

Abstract

A shoe may include an upper portion that includes one or more textile (e.g., wool) layers and one or more water-resistant membranes for providing or enhancing water resistance of the shoes. The water-resistant membranes may be positioned between the textile layers to provide or enhance water resistance without affecting the appearance and/or feel of the interior and exterior surfaces of the upper portion. The shoe may include a durable water repellent coating along at least a portion of an exterior surface for water resistance and durability. The shoes described herein may be constructed at least partially using bio-based materials.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe, comprising:
 a sole defining a tread surface and a top surface opposite the tread surface; and   an upper portion attached to the top surface of the sole and comprising:
 an outer textile layer comprising wool; 
 an inner textile layer comprising wool; 
 a first water-resistant membrane positioned between the outer textile layer and the inner textile layer and extending from a lower perimeter of the upper portion to a first boundary a first distance from the lower perimeter; and 
 a second water-resistant membrane positioned between the outer textile layer and the inner textile layer and extending from the lower perimeter of the upper portion to a second boundary a second distance greater than the first distance from the lower perimeter. 
   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the outer textile layer defines at least part of an exterior surface of the upper portion and comprises a durable water repellant coating disposed on the exterior surface;   the first water-resistant membrane comprises bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane; and   the second water-resistant membrane comprises bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane.   
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the durable water repellant coating is not disposed on a second surface of the outer textile layer opposite the exterior surface. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the outer textile layer is formed from a first single piece of textile that extends along an entirety of the upper portion; and   the inner textile layer defines at least part of an interior surface of the upper portion and is formed from a second single piece of textile that extends along the entirety of the upper portion.   
     
     
         5 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first water-resistant membrane has a first thickness; and   the second water-resistant membrane has a second thickness greater than the first thickness.   
     
     
         6 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the shoe further comprises an eyelet configured to receive a shoelace; and   the second distance is substantially equal to a third distance between the eyelet and a surface when the tread surface is placed on the surface.   
     
     
         7 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the sole comprises first and second traction pads defining at least a portion of the tread surface. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the sole comprises a bio-based material. 
     
     
         9 . A shoe, comprising:
 an upper portion defining a gap and comprising:
 a first membrane region comprising a first water-resistant membrane positioned between an outer textile layer and an inner textile layer; and 
 a second membrane region comprising a second water-resistant membrane positioned between the outer textile layer and the inner textile layer; and 
   a tongue comprising a third water-resistant membrane and configured to be positioned at least partially in the gap defined by the upper portion.   
     
     
         10 . The shoe of  claim 9 , wherein at least part of the first membrane region overlaps the second membrane region. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe of  claim 9 , wherein the first water-resistant membrane and the second water-resistant membrane comprise bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the shoe further comprises a sole attached to the upper portion; and   the first membrane region and the second membrane region extend across a seam between the upper portion and the sole.   
     
     
         13 . The shoe of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the upper portion further defines an interior surface and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface; and   a first region of the interior surface is brushed to soften the first region.   
     
     
         14 . The shoe of  claim 13 , wherein the shoe further comprises a heel lining attached to the upper portion and positioned along a second region of the interior surface. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the upper portion defines a cavity configured to receive a foot of a wearer; and   the shoe further comprises an insole positioned within the cavity and defining a top surface configured to contact a bottom of the foot.   
     
     
         16 . The shoe of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the shoe further comprises:
 an eyelet attached to the upper portion; and 
 a shoelace extending through the eyelet; and 
   the first membrane region extends from a lower perimeter of the upper portion to the eyelet.   
     
     
         17 . An upper portion for a shoe, comprising:
 a first membrane region comprising:
 a first part of an outer textile layer, the outer textile layer; 
 a first part of an inner textile layer; and 
 a first water-resistant membrane comprising bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane and positioned between the first part of the outer textile layer and the first part of the inner textile layer; and 
   a second membrane region adjacent to the first membrane region and comprising:
 a second part of the outer textile layer; 
 a second part of the inner textile layer; and 
 a second water-resistant membrane comprising bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane and positioned between the second part of the outer textile layer and the second part of the inner textile layer; wherein: 
   the outer textile layer is knit as a single, unitary piece comprising wool; and   at least a part of the first membrane region overlaps the second membrane region.   
     
     
         18 . The upper portion of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the outer textile layer defines an exterior surface of the upper portion; and   the inner textile layer defines an interior surface of the upper portion opposite the exterior surface.   
     
     
         19 . The upper portion of  claim 18 , further comprising a durable water repellant coating disposed on the exterior surface of the upper portion. 
     
     
         20 . The upper portion of  claim 17 , wherein a thickness of the first water-resistant membrane is greater than a thickness of the second water-resistant membrane.