When it comes to running footwear, the number one requirement for runners is how well a shoe fits. GORE® Invisible Fit represents a new way to build a waterproof, breathable running shoe that results in unparalleled comfort. It offers the same fit and feel as a running shoe without a GORE-TEX waterproof membrane.
Under Armour and GORE have teamed up to create a new trail running shoe that will have you salivating for those winter trail runs. The Horizon RTT GTX combines the ruggedness of a trail running shoe with the new GORE® Invisible Fit to provide a whole new feel in waterproof running shoes.
WHY IT’S DIFFERENT
• The GORE-TEX brand pioneered the concept of building a lightweight waterproof shoe 40 years ago, and it has led this market since it first unveiled this technology. Adding a waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX inner bootie to footwear is an upgrade that has been proven in hundreds of millions of pairs of shoes and boots.
• Adding weatherproofing to footwear has many obvious benefits – one of the reasons that weatherproof shoes made with a GORE-TEX membrane have been so popular for so long. Now, with new GORE® Invisible Fit technology, consumers can get all of the weather-protective benefits in a package with improved fit and feel.
• Running shoes that use GORE® Invisible Fit offer complete protection in inclement weather with no compromise to the shoe’s fit and performance. With GORE® Invisible Fit technology, runners get the same fit and feel in a waterproof-breathable shoe as they do in a shoe that does not use a GORE-TEX membrane.
HOW IT WORKS
• With GORE® Invisible Fit technology, the GORE-TEX membrane is engineered to directly bond to footwear uppers. That means the GORE-TEX membrane is integrated with the materials in the shoe’s upper from the very start, rather than being installed as a separate layer later in the construction process. That makes the waterproof membrane virtually “invisible” in the construction of the shoe.
RESULTING BENEFITS
• By perfectly matching the GORE-TEX membrane to the footwear upper material through the direct-bond process, wrinkles and folds are eliminated, reducing pressure points and creating a true to size forefoot area.
• Reduced weight, decreased water pick-up, and faster drying times are among the other benefits of GORE® Invisible Fit technology. These benefits also result from the way the membrane is directly bonded to a shoe’s upper materials.
• GORE® Invisible Fit means runners who are serious about their training in inclement weather can buy footwear knowing they’ll get the same fit and feel as their favorite non-waterproof running shoes. Based on Gore consumer surveys, 65 percent of runners run in wet, rain or snow conditions, while 75 percent of runners run in colder weather.
“We did our research, and runners want to pursue their passion for running, despite even the harshest conditions. We created GORE® Invisible Fit technology in response to consumer demand,” said Kirk Christensen, Global Product Specialist for the Outdoor Athlete category for the Gore Fabrics Division. “The feedback we are getting from everyone who has run in the product is incredible, a real game changer. Testers who put it on say, ‘Based on the fit I was surprised this was a waterproof, breathable shoe. I never thought a protective shoe could feel this good.’”
I had a chance to try these shoe out while in Breckenridge for fall break. And wouldn’t you know, it snowed in October! It was truly a beautiful trip and having the Horizon RTT GTX help keep my feet dry while out on the Peaks Trail. The shoe felt like any other running shoe on my foot, not stiff like those waterproof shoes you are used to. The technology held up good in the mud, snow and rain that I encountered while in the mountains.