Winter footwear production uses a variety of materials designed to retain heat and meet consumer needs: natural sheepleather, faux fur, faux fur made from natural wool, and others. Each type of lining fur has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at the properties of each.
Sheepleather is the most common natural fur used in footwear production. Millions of pairs of sheepleather-lined shoes are sold in Russia every year, as it offers numerous beneficial properties unmatched by faux fur. Sheepleather for footwear has a lower pile density than sheepleather used in outerwear, and its durability depends solely on the quality of production. Most buyers who choose sheepleather-lined shoes value not only their beauty and comfort, but also their practicality.
The advantages of lining fur from sheepleather:
Faux fur is a textile product that imitates natural fur. It consists of a base (ground) and a pile covering. Artificial materials that imitate natural fur are gaining popularity every year. They are attractive due to their comparatively lower cost, environmental friendliness, and equally aesthetic appeal. Modern faux fur can feel and look virtually identical to natural fur, or it can be dyed in bold, unexpected colors when used to decorate shoes. The advantages of faux fur over natural fur include its lightweight construction, ease of care and storage, reduced susceptibility to damage, and, of course, lower cost. However, there is a significant drawback to keep in mind: while natural fur allows feet to "breathe" and protects against freezing, faux fur is more likely to cause increased sweating. Faux fur tends to "clump" more quickly, gradually turning into a thin lining.
Wool fur, which contains at least 80% natural sheepleather, is a high-quality and affordable alternative to real fur. The combination of 80-70% wool and 20-30% synthetics preserves all the benefits of the natural fiber and makes the material more durable. Wool fur breathes well and doesn't create the "smoothing" effect common with faux fur. At the same time, it retains all the warming properties of real fur while maintaining its wearability much longer.
The main advantages of woolen fur:
Felt Lining
Perhaps the most healthy and useful is felt shoes. Felt products are not only original and very warm, but also have a lot of useful properties. Sheep’s wool is able to absorb excess moisture and at the same time keep warm, therefore shoes created using felt will be comfortable, soft and will prevent colds due to anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic lanolin. Felt shoes can absorb sweat from the soles of the feet, while retaining heat and inhibiting the formation of fungus. In addition, it will help soothe arthritis and rheumatism pains. The animal wax contained in the sheep’s wool, together with the unique structure of the felt itself, has a unique massaging effect on the foot, improving its blood circulation. Felt shoes are suitable for those who choose not only comfort, but also health. An interesting feature of felt is that in the process of socks it is exposed to almost the same effects as in the production process. Friction on the soft surface of the foot, as it were, continues the process of lapping and only improves its properties.
Not so long ago, a new combination appeared: felt and fur. The return of the fashion for felt boots and the growing demand for these products influenced the creation of boots made of felt lined with faux woolen or natural fur, which creates even more comfort.
Combined fur is a new technology being used by many winter footwear manufacturers today. In this case, the shaft is lined with faux fur, while the foot is lined with real fur. Another popular option is the "European" style, which features a fabric-lined shaft and real fur on the foot. This variation allows for a winter boot that fits snugly around the shaft without making the boot too bulky.
Thinsulate is one of the best synthetic insulation materials: lightweight, waterproof, and durable. The thermal insulation properties of a Thinsulate lining can rival those of natural fur. It can withstand temperatures down to -30°C . Merrell produces footwear made with Thinsulate.
The membrane is a thin fluoroplastic film that allows moisture to pass through in only one direction—outward. This is possible due to the large number of very small holes per unit area, allowing only water molecules to pass through as vapor, not as droplets. The membrane's drawback is that it's designed for temperatures down to -10°C (14°F). However, when combined with sheep's wool, it can withstand temperatures down to -30°C (-22°F ). Many companies, including Superfit, ECCO, RICOSTА, and Elefanten Viking, produce footwear with the Gore-Tex membrane , while Scandia produces footwear with the Sympatex membrane . There's also a domestic membrane , the a-tech, used by the company "Antilopa."
How can you tell real fur from faux fur? Faux fur has a distinctive sheen, while real fur is dull. If you spread the fur with your fingers, you'll see that faux fur is attached to the fabric, not the flesh side.
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