MILIPOL 2023: GORE-TEX for the outer part of combat boots

GORE-TEX Professional (Gore) introduces EXTRAGUARD, an upper material technology for military combat boots that combines the benefits of a robust upper material with those of lightweight, flexible, and breathable textiles for the first time. It paves the way for the production of a completely new class of GORE-TEX combat boots for general infantry and special forces. Like all GORE-TEX combat boots, they are durable waterproof, breathable, and flame retardant. However, they are not only lightweight - they remain so even after long exposure to wet, muddy terrain and quickly dry afterwards.

The challenge: Military forces need rugged, waterproof, and breathable footwear that reliably protects them in dangerous missions in all weather conditions and different terrains. Conventional military combat boots are therefore rather heavy and uncomfortable. As the product lifespan increases, the water-repellent treatment wears off: The upper material becomes heavier the longer the boots are exposed to moisture. The drying process afterwards often takes many hours. If the boots need to be worn again in a wet state, they can extract heat from the body - resulting in cold feet.

Lightweight, Stays Lightweight, and Dries Quickly

EXTRAGUARD upper material sets new standards for combat boots: When dry, it is 40 percent lighter than equally strong and dry leather. Since EXTRAGUARD upper material absorbs less moisture from the outside, it remains lightweight even during prolonged wetness and dries considerably faster. Additionally, EXTRAGUARD upper material is flame retardant.

Combination of EXTRAGUARD Upper Material and GORE-TEX Bootie

The full benefits of EXTRAGUARD upper material are realized in combination with GORE-SEAM® Tape and the GORE-TEX Bootie.

The EXTRAGUARD upper material itself consists of three layers: a highly abrasion-resistant and flame-retardant outer protective layer, a functional layer for physical protection, and a construction inner lining with low water absorption. During the production of GORE-TEX combat boots, it is sealed with GORE-SEAM® Tape so that no moisture can penetrate through the seams. The upper material is integrated into the boot with the interior waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX Bootie. The GORE-TEX Bootie construction ensures the boot's long-term waterproofness, even if the water-repellent treatment is worn off or the upper material is damaged.

Comfortable Fit, Easy Cleaning, Robust Protection

In operations, GORE-TEX combat boots prove themselves from the first minute: They are comfortable from the beginning, do not need to be broken in, and remain dimensionally stable. The robustness provides reliable protection against sharp objects, common chemicals, and moisture. Maintenance is straightforward, rinsing with water is sufficient. No specific care products are necessary. Even after months of wearing in a wet environment, they remain permanently waterproof and breathable, surpassing the required values according to EN ISO 20345/347 by multiples.

Result of Years of Research

"The EXTRAGUARD upper material technology is the result of years of research and close collaboration with defense forces around the world," explains Martin Pfister, Defense Footwear Product Specialist at GORE-TEX Professional. "Initial feedback from military field tests in various demanding terrains confirms our laboratory results in reality." ALL INFORMATION about EXTRAGUARD directly from GORE-TEX PROFESSIONAL

The EXTRAGUARD upper material technology for GORE-TEX combat boots will be presented for the first time at Milipol in Paris from November 14 to 17 at the GORE-TEX Professional Stand 5 C110.

GORE-TEX PROFESSIONAL online