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F E A T U R E D T O P I C
Technical Footwear Business Commemorates 20 Years in Europe
Serves Military and Workforce Markets
“Soaking wet, full of blisters and
generally sore”—this is how a German
military major described the condition of
his soldiers’ feet following a high-altitude
mission in the rain and snow more than
two decades ago. In fact, their feet were
so wet and wounded they had to cancel
their mission.
This negative experience led to a
partnership between Gore and the German
Armed Forces, and, ultimately, to the first
commercialized GORE-TEX ® footwear
product within Europe’s Technically
Oriented Fabrics business unit.
That product—a waterproof mountaineer
boot for Germany’s Federal Defense Force—
paved the way for additional contracts with
European military units, as well as various
sectors of the European workforce.
“Our level of innovation, our outstanding
technology and the quality and durability
of our products set us apart from
competitors,” says European Footwear
business leader Günter Nötzold.
Meeting Diverse Needs
When the technical footwear business
first began, it leveraged resources from
Gore’s consumer footwear business,
which already had a presence in the
United States and Europe. Today, these
businesses continue to benefit from a
number of the same tools, such as the
“whole boot comfort test” designed
to measure breathability. But each
business also has its own set of unique
resources, based on customer and
enduser requirements.
Günter, who started in consumer
footwear, says the growth of technical
footwear over the past two decades
has exceeded expectations. He adds,
“The reaction from end-users is always
very positive. They comment on how
comfortable and reliable our footwear is.”
There are more than 450 styles of
GORE‐TEX ® footwear for the military and
workplace markets in Europe. End-users
include firefighters, law enforcement
Firefighters in Reutlingen, Germany, are among
the many who rely on GORE-TEX ® footwear to
keep their feet comfortable and safe. The brand
is the market leader in the firefighting and police
segments in Germany.
officials, construction workers and railway
workers, among others. “We strive to
maintain optimum skin temperature and
humidity under all conditions and in all
categories,” Günter says.
To meet the diverse needs of different
end-users, three product classes exist: one
for use in cold weather, another for use in
moderate to warm weather and another
for use in changing weather conditions. In
addition to protecting against the weather,
GORE‐TEX ® footwear also protects against
chemicals and bloodborne pathogens in
certain applications.
“We work hard to understand the specific
needs of each end-user,” Günter says.
“Whether you’re exposed to freezing cold
temperatures, the desert heat or chemical
and biological agents, we have a solution
engineered for you.”
Collaborating with
Manufacturers and End‐users
One reason GORE‐TEX ® footwear stands
apart from competing products, Günter
says, is because Gore works closely
with manufacturers to ensure consistent
quality across all brands.
“In the 1990s, as more shoes with
GORE‐TEX ® membranes were being
worn in the workplace, the difference in
quality among these shoes was becoming
greater,” he says. “This was almost
always attributed to the way our materials
were built into the finished product. We
started working with the manufacturers
to make sure that the finished shoe had
the same water-repellent and breathable
properties as our membranes. Only those
shoe manufacturers who meet our quality
assurance standards are granted a
license to use our footwear laminate.”
Gore also works closely with end-users
to ensure that their needs are met.
Gore associate Michael Haag recalls
one notable example—a partnership
with Swiss Railways in the mid-1990s
that helped cut down on injuries and
employee absences.
“At the time, the number of accidents
per 100 employees at Swiss Railways
had reached 13.8—this was significantly
higher than the accident rate of the
American railways or British Rail,” he says.
“As a result, Swiss Railways decided to
equip those who worked in particularly
dangerous areas with safety boots. Their
goal was to reduce the number of working
days lost due to foot or leg injuries by
50 percent within two years. In order to win
over those employees who weren’t happy
about the idea of wearing safety boots
and to determine the exact requirements
of the boots, we conducted trials with
employees. After two years, the goal
had been accomplished—half as many
work days were lost. This prompted the
German and Austrian railways to procure
similar footwear for their employees.”
Looking Ahead
The technical footwear business is
working to develop new technologies in
all three of its product classes. “We’ve
accomplished a lot during the past two
decades, and we are extremely optimistic
about the future,” Günter says. “We
have established long-term partnerships
with many of Europe’s top footwear
manufacturers. People throughout
Europe in a variety of industries trust our
technology to keep their feet comfortable
and protected. We look forward to
building upon these relationships, as
well as expanding into new markets.”