The Impacts of the Airflow System in the Shoe on the Foot Environment

Abstract

Army soldiers stationed in frigid regions are highly susceptible to foot health problems, partly due to the constant sweating and moisture inside closed military boots. Winter military boots on the market lack attention to dehumidification and ventilation. To address these issues, we propose a boot system that includes a dynamic airflow system integrated into the core of the shoe midsole. This system works on the principle that the user's heel naturally squeezes the airbag under the heel during movement, thus creating an air pressure difference that drives the air movement inside the shoe. Through the experiments on the product prototype, it was found that this system allows the temperature and humidity of the foot to drop significantly within the shoe and boot environment, improving foot comfort and reducing the generation of sweat on foot. What can be expected is that after soldiers wear this shoe and boot product, the moist air inside the shoe can be continuously exported out of the shoe during dynamic training while also avoiding the consumption of external energy, keeping the foot dry and comfortable, and reducing foot injuries. And this system has the potential to be extended to a broader civilian market.