SGB Golf: HI-TEC unveil breakthrough dry shoe technology

06 April 2009

Footwear company HI-TEC are creating a new quick-dry range on plasma technology designed to protect soldiers from chemical attack.

Originally used by the military, a process called ion-masking guards material by repelling liquids and other outside agents. It does, through, retain the material's original fibre - altering the fabric surface at a molecular level to repel water and other liquids which are forced to bead and run off.

The new range will be a collaboration between technology company P2i and HI-TEC, with the shoe company labelling the product 'a quantum leap in footwear technology'. "Ion Mask has so many attributes," says HI-TEC President Tony Linford, " especially the ability to be more breathable than other waterproof products. Potentially, this allows a show that can be comfortable to wear all year round. But first we nees to work out how we could apple those benefits to a range of footwear."

With HI-TEC still at the testing stage there are no details on the new shoes. But Linford expects the price to point to be similar to membrane technology footwear and hopes to bring the product to market in Spring 2009.