The days are getting shorter again, the temperatures are cooler and it is raining more again. Now, at the end of the golden October, it is again advisable to equip yourself with weatherproof protective work clothing and work shoes. This should not only warm and protect against the wind, but above all be water-repellent or, even better, waterproof.
Many manufacturers boast water-repellent materials, but after wearing and using them several times, many lose their effectiveness. That's why we from the protection professionals have tested some of the newly developed revolutionary waterproof materials and want to introduce one of them for shoes.
To counteract cold and wet feet, the manufacturer Sixton has developed the material HDRY®. We put it through its paces and how it works.
Is the concept of waterproof shoes being revolutionized?
According to Sixton, HDRY® can guarantee absolute waterproofness and still high breathability. Completely waterproof and yet breathable? That drew our attention. Sixton itself writes of an innovative process that coats the upper leather of a work shoe directly with a waterproof membrane. Especially in places where water could otherwise penetrate, the work shoe is permanently closed thanks to the membrane. Well, other manufacturers also write that, but Sixton also titles it with a high level of comfort, as the shoe remains breathable.
Hydrohop and breathable at the same time - is that even possible?
According to the manufacturer Sixton, HDRY® should leave no space between the upper leather and the membrane, which prevents water from penetrating the shoe. At the same time, the breathable HDRY® membrane wicks away foot sweat, as demonstrated in the SATRA TM 47 test. This means that condensation can also be optimally removed and the feet stay dry and warm even in cold temperatures. For example, the safety shoes with HDRY® from Sixton have hydrophobic or water-repellent properties and are still breathable.
"In conventional shoes with the "Bootie" system, water can penetrate between the upper leather and the lining, and even if it does not penetrate to the foot, it reduces wearing comfort and increases the weight of the shoes due to the moisture build-up. In addition, the foot feels cold due to the condensation of moisture, which can even freeze in winter temperatures. Drying is lengthy and rarely complete, which makes wearing the shoes uncomfortable for a long time."
Result: The innovative HDRY® technology has solved and fixed this problem. The hydrophobic and waterproof membrane sits directly against the upper and thus does not allow moisture to pass through, which keeps the internal lining and the area around the foot really dry - in fact, it wicks moisture from the inside of the shoe faster thanks to the breathability.
