Waterproof knitted shoe Kickstarter

Initial miscommunication
Initial miscommunication (deception) aside, I rather like the idea.
They look not dissimilar from my Nike free running shoes that I use when taking my bike out for functional journeys (shops, school run, meet up etc.). I like using them as the soft flexible sole allows it to flex around the raised clipless element in the pedals and remove any discomfort and the look good. The main disadvantage is that they are not waterproof at all, in fact they seem to attract and soak in water. This is not ideal when hitting the puddles on the way and has resulted in me wearing sealskinz socks with them quite often to mitigate it but is still not ideal.
Just my thoughts for what they’re worth.

andrew [at] fortuneltd.co.uk

andrew@fortuneltd.co.uk wrote:

Thanks for the responses.

For winter road cycling in the Dales, I am currently using a pair of waterproof breathable socks, my summer cleated shoes and a really good overshoe from Sealskinz. This all works ok but is a bit of a time-consuming effort to assemble. I have looked at winter cycling boots but these seem heavy and uncomfortable.

My business – 360 Textiles – is a specialist in waterproof breathable membranes. We are developing a high quality leasure shoe which is knitted and contains a stretchy waterproof breathable PU membrane. I believe Goretex use PTFE which doesn’t stretch like PU and which is why currently there are no other knitted waterproof shoes around.

My aim was to see whether our proposed shoe could combine with a waterproof sock to replicate my existing cycling set-up but which would be much easier and quicker to change into. The shoes wash really easily due to the inherent waterproofing. They are also much comfier than hard leather or other waterproof shoes/boots (but this might mean they are not stiff enough for cycling).They are also incredably light.

We are conducting some wearer trials and I wonder whether any cyclists think, like me, that there is a potential market for a knitted waterproof shoe, perhaps with a cleated sole or perhaps with a Vibram sole containing a mountain bike style cleat.

As this is a cyclists forum, perhaps some fellow cyclists might be able to offer their thoughts?

I am not asking anyone here to buy anything – the shoe isn’t available for sale currently in any case. 

If all our wearer trials prove successful, we are planning to launch a Kickstarter in the New Year.

Further comments would be most welcome.

If you are using PU uppers with a membrane can I ask how you are stiching the shoes? I only ask from a durability point of view as the tape will generally stretch and leak

If they have some of the
If they have some of the trainers ready on their website then I’d be happy to test these from an ‘uppers’ viewpoint. A quick ride on flats in wet weather would quickly tell a product innovation team whether it’s even worth thinking about soles, cleats etc.

The other option with this wonder fabric would surely be overshoes…

This thread should be deleted

This thread should be deleted. sales pitch was too disingenuous. Guy who happens to ‘stumble across’ a website is also the owner who is plugging his own business. 

andrew [at] fortuneltd.co.uk

andrew@fortuneltd.co.uk wrote:

Thanks for the responses.

 

Why didn’t you just say that in the first place? It comes across much more genuine than the “I see that a company…” nonsense.

A stretchy fabric wouldn’t be

A stretchy fabric wouldn’t be most cyclists choice for a shoe as you don’t want your foot to move around in the shoe. I’d imagine that it might be better suited for the more ‘casual’ cyclist as in someone who prefers comfort over power. Personally, I wouldn’t be interested in that unless the amount of movement can be limited.

Well, aside from the ham

Well, aside from the ham fisted approach to marketing, have a look at what Giro and Fizik have already one in this area.