The innovative EXTRAGUARD upper material is incorporated into GORE-TEX safety footwear, making it robust, waterproof and at the same time permanently lightweight - even in extreme weather conditions. Compared to leather, the material enables a wide range of design options because it can be processed differently - the best prerequisites for the 'EXTRAGUARD and AI' project.

"We see ourselves as an incubator of ideas, want to inspire our customers and open up new horizons for them as well as for us. This also includes thinking differently about shoe design with the support of AI," explains Leonhard Schlichting, Business Leader Workwear at GORE-TEX Professional. "But one thing is clear: AI can be used to quickly visualize footwear designs, but whether they can actually be realized still requires technical expertise from Gore and the customer."

The starting point for the AI experiment was a selection of keywords that were refined during the AI process, and from these, individual AI design variants were subsequently created. "In total, we developed four EXTRAGUARD categories with style variants, all in the safety footwear segment. Chelsea boots, rigger boots, athletic safety shoes and rubber boots - instead of rubber, with EXTRAGUARD material," says Cornelius Waiblinger, Managing Director at AI Alanis.

"There is already a lot of interest from customers in what the design of safety footwear with AI could look like. With this project, we want to initiate discussions for new GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD styles and are already looking forward to the exchange with our customers," explains David Bastias, responsible for strategic marketing footwear at GORE-TEX Professional.

Summarizing the voice of the consumer, resarch conducted by Ipsos Research in 2020:

• GORE-TEX brand is the brand for synthetic and high performance fabrics: the GORE-TEX brand is well-known amongst safety footwear users. 
• GORE-TEX brand stands for increased breathability in addition to waterproofness: the GORE-TEX brand is directly linked and trusted to increase the breathability of safety shoes
• GORE-TEX brand is a sign of high-quality shoes:  for many end-users, a shoe with GORE-TEX product technology is perceived as “the better safety shoe”, and even increases trust that the shoe will actually fulfill all safety demands.

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to military operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. https://www.goretexprofessional.com/uk

Beginning of 2021, GORE-TEX Professional identified megatrends that are likely to have a significant impact on the workwear and protective clothing industry by 2025 (https://news.goretexprofessional.com/en/gore-identifies-workwear-megatrends/ ). Building on its existing research in design trends, GORE-TEX Professional is now going one step further and aims to inspire its manufacturers of protective clothing with new designs. This was preceded by intensive research into current and future market needs using focus groups. These interview results were then grouped into three distinct design concepts for workwear and PPE: “Heritage Handyman”, “High Performer” and “Street Operator”.

The “Heritage Handyman” concept shows protective clothing with traditional looks and the latest functionality - robust and comfortable at the same time.

“High Performer” offers an innovative solution for work clothing: sophisticated details and durable materials - a combination of active performance wear that meets protective clothing.

“Street Operator” is exposed to constant safety and weather-related challenges in the outdoors and relies on protective clothing that provides high visibility coupled with robust and functional design elements.

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX Fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. gore-tex.com and goretexprofessional.com