Recent innovations in knitting technology have resulted in an increase on the use of knits for shoe uppers. The success of wool in footwear lies not only in the fibre’s natural properties, but also in its ability to be constructed in a way that aids performance.
極上の快適さ
最新のフルファッションニット技術を用いて、ウールのフットウェアは最終形まで編み上げることが可能なため、通常のカット＆ソーの方法で発生するゴミを削減しています。
耐臭性
化学繊維とは対照的に、メリノウールは大量の水蒸気を吸収することができるため、足に汗が残りません。 さらに、メリノウールは汗のにおい分子を吸収し、洗濯時まで閉じ込めてくれます。
靴下を履かずに走ろう
革新的なデザインと製造技術がウール本来の吸放湿性を高め、靴全体を覆ったシームレスなデザインと吸放湿性に優れたソールを実現し、足をドライで快適に保ちます。
仕組み
ウールで編み込んだアッパー
メリノウールの糸はコアスパンやラップスパンと呼ばれる紡績技術を使って生産されるため、競合する化学繊維に負けないほど頑丈で編みやすく仕上がります。
Flatbed knit shoe upper
14gg Stoll ADF Knitting technology enables plating effects at the single needle level which can create the Ikat look.
The new knitting technology is ideal for shoe uppers because it allows the possibility of three layers of stitches to be created.
- The inner section uses a 100% Merino wool yarn to enhance next-to-skin wearing comfort.
- The middle layer is made from a fusible yarn to heat-fix the 3D shape of the upper.
- The outer-layer uses a wool/polyamide Sirofil type yarn for improved abrasion resistance and a wide range of texture effects.
Circular knit cut and sew shoe upper
This technology uses traditional circular knitting with an inlay attachment to enable a yarn comprising wool, two types of polyester - one of which has enhanced thermal attributes - and polypropylene to be knitted in a wide range of pattern types. The wool is allowed to felt during finishing to create texture and the thermal polyester maintains bulk to ensure lightness.
Contact the Woolmark Technical Team for more information.
Woolmark partners using wool knitted shoe uppers
Vivobarefoot（ビボベアフット）
Vivobarefootは、天然素材とリサイクル素材、バイオ素材のみを使用する新しいエコ素材戦略にメリノウールを取り入れ、人気モデルのPrimus KnitとMagna Trailで初めてウール素材を採用しました。 シューズのアッパーは先進の3Dニッティング技術で編まれたメリノウールを採用し、インナーでは吸放湿性、耐臭性、快適性と保温性を実現しています。
Athletic Propulsion Labs®
US brand Athletic Propulsion Labs® (APL) used Merino wool to launch its most sustainable and lightest running shoe to date partnering with The Woolmark Company to release the APL TechLoom Breeze Merino Wool collection. Each shoe features 80% Australian Merino wool, innovatively knitted with APL’s patented, stretch-rebound TechLoom upper. This unique combination delivers greater elasticity, strengthens the shoe and allows it to naturally hug the foot for maximum support, especially during performance and sports lifestyle activities.
"Australian Merino wool is a naturally sustainable super-fibre that helps protect against odour, is incredibly strong, yet is light enough to be worn during all of your workouts and has beautiful hand feel and texture."
- APL co-founder Adam Goldston
The wool running shoe - available online for men and women - utilises the latest fully-fashioned knitting technology, meaning the shoe is knitted to its final shape, reducing the amount of wastage associated with regular cut-and-sew techniques. This innovative design also enhances wool's natural breathability, as the technology allows for seamless design features such as breathable panels.
Angel Chen, Nicholas Daley and Colovos
At the 2019 International Woolmark Prize final, Angel Chen, Nicholas Daley and womenswear winner Colovos all included wool footwear in their final submissions. Chen created a knitted shoe made with 87% Ultrafine Australian Merino wool upper, allowing for the shoe to breathe, retain a lightness, warmth and anti-bacterial effect. Daley collaborated with Northampton Tricker’s Shoemakers on an exclusive style incorporating Hainsworth Merino wool fabric with a water repellent coating and calf leather outer. Colovos partnered with Reebok to create a sneaker with inserts from washable and traceable 100% Merino wool.