Method of manufacturing footwear with thermal retention layer

Abstract

A boot that includes a rubber sole, and an upper portion attached to the rubber sole. The upper portion is made from rubber. The rubber sole includes a layer of aerogel material for an interior section of the boot. The layer of aerogel material covers the interior portion of the rubber sole along with a front part of the boot such that the layer of aerogel material contacts a sole of a foot of a wearer while also surrounding the toes of the wearer. In certain embodiments, the layer of aerogel material has a thickness ranging from 0.1 millimeters to 20 millimeters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing footwear having a sole and an upper attached to the sole, the method comprising the steps of:
 cementing a front portion of the sole to a corresponding front portion of the upper; and   goodyear welting a rear portion of the sole to a corresponding rear portion of the upper;   wherein the goodyear welting is performed along at least half the length of the sole, and the cementing is performed along at least 40 percent of the length of the sole.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the percentage of the length of the sole that is attached to the upper via cementing ranges from 40 percent to 50 percent. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the percentage of the length of the sole that is attached to the upper via goodyear welting ranges from 50 percent to 60 percent. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the percentage of the length of the sole that is attached to the upper via goodyear welting is 55 percent, and the percentage of the length of the sole that is attached to the upper via cementing is 55 percent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein goodyear welting a rear portion of the sole comprises assembling an insole to the rubber sole and attaching a rib to the insole. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the rib is made from ethylene vinyl acetate. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein goodyear welting a rear portion of the sole comprises attaching a welt to the upper and to the rib. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the welt is made from one of leather, linen, and a synthetic material. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein attaching the welt to the upper and to the rib comprises using a lock stitch to attach the welt to the upper and to the rib. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein goodyear welting a rear portion of the sole comprises filling a cavity enclosed by the welt with a filling material. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the filling material is made from a porous material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein cementing a front portion of the sole comprises cementing a front portion of the sole using a high-strength adhesive or hide glue.