Soft shell boots and waterproof/breathable moisture transfer composites and liner for in-line skates, ice-skates, hockey skates, snowboard boots, aplpine boots, hiking boots and the like

Abstract

The soft boot and liner include a moisture transfer system that includes an inner fabric layer carefully selected from technically advanced fabrics. A series of layers are provided outside the inner liner including foam material layers, spacer fabrics and breathable membranes, in various orders. Encapsulation technology and waterproofing are used as well. The outer fabric layer is also capable of working with the other layers to promote the transfer of moisture. Frothed foams and flocking with fibers are further characteristics of the present invention. The moisture transfer system is incorporated into a soft boot or skate or as a removable liner for a shell boot. Numerous other modifications and applications are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A removable, soft shell alpine or snowboard composite insert liner or technical hiking footwear composite product comprised of a series of composite layers:
 a first layer of an absorbent, breathable, moisture transferring, anti-microbial, inner lining spacer fabric, fabric or material or combination of one or more fabrics and/or materials;   a second layer comprising a breathable, moisture transferring, absorbent, open-cell, anti-microbial, foam material mechanically bonded to a bed of absorbent, breathable, moisture transferring, antimicrobial, nonwoven material including synthetic fibers, shaped fibers, deep groove polymer fibers, and channeled fibers;   a third layer, at least a portion thereof being a breathable, moisture transferring, absorbent, open-cell, anti-microbial, moldable, foam material; and   a fourth layer of a breathable, stretchable, flexible, soft-shell, synthetic fabric, nonwoven or spacer mesh material or a combination thereof treated with a waterproof or water-resistant technology or nanotechnology.   
     
     
         2 . A removable, soft-shell alpine or snowboard composite insert liner or technical hiking footwear composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven composite includes split, stretchable fibers and/or wool fibers. 
     
     
         3 . A removable, soft-shell alpine or snowboard composite insert liner or technical hiking footwear composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the first layer adjoins a moisture transfer moldable knitted spacer fabric and/or mesh material. 
     
     
         4 . A removable, soft-shell alpine or snowboard composite insert liner or technical hiking footwear composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth layers are adhesively or ultrasonically bonded or flame laminated. 
     
     
         5 . A removable, soft shell alpine or snowboard composite insert liner or technical hiking footwear composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the layers contains thermally regulating materials or moisture transfer nano-technology. 
     
     
         6 . A removable, soft shell alpine or snowboard composite insert liner or technical hiking footwear composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the first layer contains synthetic, shaped, grooved, channeled, stretchable fibers, and wool and silver fibers. 
     
     
         7 . A removable, soft shell alpine or snowboard composite insert liner or technical hiking footwear composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the first or second layer is embedded or topically coated with a dotted matrix or pattern containing thermal regulating materials. 
     
     
         8 . A removable, soft shell alpine or snowboard composite insert liner or technical hiking footwear composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the breathable, moisture transferring, absorbent, open-cell, anti-microbial, moldable, foam material is affixed to a second moldable foam, spacer fabric, polymer mesh or a combination thereof to develop a molded and shaped foam composite support for the ankle, heel cup, tongue or toe box region. 
     
     
         9 . A removable, soft-shell alpine or snowboard composite insert liner or technical hiking footwear composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven composite includes open cell breathable foam material treated with a thermal regulating technology. 
     
     
         10 . A removable, soft-shell alpine or snowboard composite insert liner or technical hiking footwear composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the composite product contains a shaped foam material that provides ankle support. 
     
     
         11 . A removable, soft-shell alpine or snowboard composite insert liner or technical hiking footwear composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the third layer is a shaped foam material that provides support around a heel cup and/or toe box. 
     
     
         12 . A removable, soft shell alpine or snowboard composite insert liner or technical hiking footwear composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein a moldable, three dimensional spacer material or knitted mesh is inserted and attached between the second layer and third layer in one portion of the liner to provide support around an ankle, tongue, and/or toe box area. 
     
     
         13 . A removable, soft shell alpine or snowboard composite insert liner or technical hiking footwear composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is attached to a shaped foam material in one portion of the liner to provide support around an ankle area. 
     
     
         14 . A removable, soft shell alpine or snowboard composite insert liner or technical hiking footwear composite product according to  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is attached to a shaped foam material in one portion of the liner to provide support around a heel cup and/or toe box.