Hot Feet.......

In recent years I have become acutely aware of how different shoes and boots seem to affect the temperature of my feet. Without doubt, leather is typically a very good fibre structure that can naturally breathe and transfer moisture in a way to keep your feet comfortable. But, I have noticed in recent times that many modern shoes seem to keep my feet incredibly hot, and I am currently researching this to see whether it is the materials used in the shoe construction, or some other aspect of the footwear manufacture, because quite simply I'm starting to find it uncomfortable. Are you guys seeing the same thing.

The leather can be enhanced to have a better moisture management and vapour transmission system through some treatments. But this is negated if non-breathable components are utilised in the shoe/boot, and then we have the issue of the glue possibly creating impermeable barriers as well.

As a background, suede and nubuck leathers are the best for breathability, so long as the fibre structure has not been 'stuffed' with other retan chemicals, which was common once to get a waterproof leather. A fully pigmented and heavily finished leather will have significantly reduced breathability in contrast due to the continuous polymer film applied to the leather surface.

So the question being posed this month is........ do you guys hate getting hot feet????

Look forwards to hearing from you. Rgds,

Dr Leather