INTEGRATED FOOTWEAR CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

摘要

An integrated article of footwear including a waterproofing membrane dire ct attached to an upper of the footwear. An outsole is further secured to the membrane and/or the upper. In one embodiment, the membrane includes a visible aesthetic bead in the footwear forefoot region, but not the heel region. The membrane may be of greater thickness in the forefoot region to provide added rigidity. A heel cradle is positioned in th e footwear heel region between the upper and the outsole. The footwear provides the durability of a direct attach construction in the forefoot and the comfort and cushion of an athletic construction in the heel of the shoe. A method for constructing the footwear includes direct attaching t he membrane to an upper of the shoe. Optionally, a heel cradle is disposed in the heel region of the shoe, and the outsole is secured to the heel cradle and/or upper there.