An item of footwear which is impermeable to liquid water but is water-vapour-permeable comprises: an inner lining comprising an upper portion (4) and a midsole (12); the upper portion being formed of a laminate comprising an inner lining material (10) and an outer water-impermeable water-vapour-permeable layer (8); and the midsole being formed of an inner midsole board (9) laminated to an outer water-impermeable water-vapour-permeable layer (8); the upper portion having an entrance for a foot and a lower lasting margin (16), the lasting margin being folded around the periphery of the midsole so as to overlap the midsole periphery and being attached thereto so as to form a seam; and the water-impermeable water-vapour-permeable layer of said lasting margin being sealed to the water-impermeable water-vapour-permeable layer of the midsole. Usually the seam is sealed by adhering seam sealing tape over the seam. The water-impermeable water-vapour-permeable material may be expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene.
