Every material used in the shaft of a GORE-TEX® shoe is subject to the Wicking Test.

The GORE-TEX® lining isn't the only element of footwear that's crucial for durable waterproofness. Materials used in the shaft must be water repellent or they could carry water to the edge of the shaft by capillary action, and in extreme cases to the inside of the shoe. That's why we test everything from the shoe’s leather and foam to the stitching and laces, to determine how much water they absorb.