Technology Update: Gore-Tex Surround Footwear

If your feet perspire – and you suffer from heat and moisture build-up as a result – look to Gore-Tex’s SURROUND technology. The sweat-snubbing tech can be found in both progressive casual and multi-sport shoes this year, giving everyone a shot at long-distance comfort. 

La Sportiva Synthesis Surround GTX Hiking Boots $179.95 Active Junky previewed SURROUND at recent trade events. We got an up-close demonstration of how the Gore-Tex laminate moves wet and warm moisture into the “open structure of a spacer” before kicking out unwanted humidity through integrated side and bottom vents.

Why’s this special, you ask? Well, SURROUND differs from traditional venting systems that typically rely solely (pun-intended) on breathable uppers to dispense with moisture. In fact, a study revealed that on 3.5-hour hikes, SURROUND-wearing hikers saw notably less “relative skin humidity” compared to those lacing up shoes without the novel tech.

Though only a handful of innovative brands are using this technology currently (La Sportiva, Mammut and Scarpa, to name a few), Active Junky predicts this multi-sport and casual shoe science will become a new industry standard. 

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Images via Gore-Tex and La Sportiva