Material Glossary
Bellows Tongue - The tongue is "joined" to the upper from the top, sides & bottom, generally specified on our waterproof shoes/boots to give complete protection against water intake.
Brushed - Knit or woven fabrics of wool, cotton or synthetic fibers which have been brushed or napped to produce a flannel like hand, sometimes called "sueded or "peached".
Canvas - A strong, durable, closely woven fabric that can be nylon, cotton or polyester.
Eva - Ethylene Vinyl Acetate; a lightweight, shock absorbing synthetic rubber commonly used for cushioning insoles (footbeds) and midsoles of footwear.
Footbed - The area of the shoe in which the foot rests on.
Goretex - The GORE-TEX® membrane is the heart of all GORE-TEX® products. It contains over 9 billion microscopic pores per square inch. These pores are 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, but 700 times larger than a water vapor molecule, which makes the GORE-TEX® membrane completely waterproof from the outside, while allowing perspiration to escape from the inside. An oleophobic, or oil-hating, substance is integrated into the membrane, preventing the penetration of body oils and insect repellent that could otherwise affect the membrane.
Gusset - An insert of extra fabric to allow for greater freedom of movement, generally in our case, the gusset would be elastic.
Insole - The area of the shoe in which the foot rests on.
Latex - Natural Rubber taken from the rubber tree.
Lining - The material closest to your foot.
Lycra - A synthetic fiber that offers built in lasting elasticity and strength. It is always used in combination with another fiber, such as cotton, polyester or nylon and is often used as a gusset (see above).
Membrane - A thin film of porous material.
Mesh - A type of fabric characterised by it's net like open appearance and the spaces between the yarns.
Neoprene - A synthetic rubber that is durable and very resistant to external substances such as oil. Most commom in scuba wear for durability and warmth.
Nubuck - A full grain leather that has been "shaved" on the right side for a softer velvet type feel.
Polyurethane - A manmade fiber or thermoplastic resin with a low melting point, high strength, durability - a rubber like substance produced for the soles of most of our shoes!
PVC - Poly vinyl chloride: a firm rubber like plastic.
Rand - An extra piece of rubber wrapped around the bottom of a boot or shoes just above the connection between the upper and the sole. It is designed to protect the upper from excessive wear at the pressure pointed created from the foot within the boot, it also aids when stepping in puddles.
Suede - Any kind of leather, usually heavy leather, that has been split. After splitting, the leather goes through an abrasive process to form a napped (soft fuzzy) surface.
Siped - Footwear term ; Traction Tread, "Razor Cut" tread that produces a surface with a smooth look but gripping tread that is exposed when you walk and flex the shoe, used primarily for deck/boat shoes.
Vamp - The part of the shoe or boot upper covering the forepart of the foot that and sometimes extending forward over the toe to the back seam of the upper.
Velcro® - Two pices of fabric, one piece has small hooks the other has small loops.
Velour - Plush fabric comparable to cotton velvet but with a greater and denser pile. Very soft and delightful to the touch.
