Shoe Lasts For Use With Conformable Booties, Shoe Inserts, Footwear Assemblies and Waterproof Breathable Socks

Abstract

Waterproof, breathable socks, booties, shoe inserts, and footwear assemblies containing the shoe inserts are provided. The booties and shoe inserts include a laminate of a seamless ePTFE membrane and at least one textile. The bootie is conformable over a range of sizes and shoe shapes, and may be shaped to fit numerous sizes and shapes of asymmetrical shoe lasts. The bootie may shrink to fit, or, alternatively, be stretched to fit, an asymmetrical last having a desired size to form a shoe insert. Such a conformable bootie eliminates the need to have multiple sizes of shoe inserts correlating to particular shoe sizes. In embodiments where the ePTFE is seamless and continuous, the shoe insert eliminates the need for a waterproof seam tape, which is conventionally used to make shoe inserts waterproof. Methods of forming the socks, booties, and shoe inserts are also provided. Unique lasts and sock constructions are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A last comprising:
 a symmetrical shaped form having generally the shape of a foot having a sole region, a toe region, a heel region and a protruded gusset region.   
     
     
         2 . The last of  claim 1 , wherein said last comprises a multi-part last. 
     
     
         3 . The last of  claim 1 , wherein said last comprises a two-part last, the last comprising a first part having the shape of a conventional last and a second part comprising a protruded gusset region which is separable from said first part. 
     
     
         4 . A sock comprising a protruded gusset region.