"Waterproof" is a marketing word until you read the material list. Here is what the layers in a winter barefoot boot actually are, using the Tracker Tova Sneaker as the example — the same construction logic runs through the Tracker Winter and Gobi Boot ranges.
The upper: recycled polyester, not leather
95% recycled polyester, 5% spandex. The polyester gives water resistance and abrasion resistance; the 5% spandex is what lets the upper flex with the foot instead of creasing like a stiff board. A water-resistant upper is not the same as a waterproof membrane — it sheds rain and splashes, and it stays breathable, which is why the boot does not turn into a sauna.
The lining: 100% recycled polyester (RPET)
Warm-lined models add a brushed RPET lining for insulation against the cold. RPET is polyester spun from recycled plastic bottles — same performance, roughly a third of the energy of virgin polyester.
The insulation: PrimaLoft
PrimaLoft is a synthetic microfiber insulation originally developed for sleeping bags. It traps warmth in lofted fibers and — crucially for footwear — keeps insulating when damp, unlike down.
The insole: 98% recycled PU foam
The Ortholite Performance Insole is 98% pre-consumer recycled polyurethane foam, with a 100% recycled polyester topper. It is removable, so you can swap it for a thinner one if you want even more ground feel.
The outsole: 55% synthetic rubber, 23% additives, 22% natural rubber
That mix is the All Terrain outsole: a 4 mm-ish lug pattern with a tread that grips on wet rock and packed dirt without turning the shoe into a stiff platform. Deep lugs give traction; the flat, zero-drop profile keeps the ground feel that makes the shoe barefoot in the first place.
Where it is made
Vietnam, in the same facilities as the rest of the outdoor line. Full material breakdowns are printed on each product page under Materials & Transparency — read them before you buy anything described as "technical".
What this means for care
Water-resistant uppers are not immortal. Mud that dries in the weave abrades it, and heat destroys the adhesives. Rinse cold, air-dry at room temperature, never on a radiator. The full routine is in our care guide.