Northborough,
Mass. — December 20, 2005 — Forget heavy socks
this winter, ToastyFeet™ insole liners have
just been introduced by Polar Wrap.
“Most people don't realize it, but beyond
heavy socks, there is no real underfoot insulation
for cold feet,” said Bruce McCormick, president
of Polar Wrap, the company that created the
insole liners using patented nanotechnology
from Aspen Aerogels.
In fact, ToastyFeet™ just might protect
you from cold symptoms.
As reported by Reuters on November 14th, British researchers claimed
that exposing bare feet to cold water for 20 minutes increases a person's
chance of getting cold symptoms. The researchers said that cold feet
causes a constriction to blood vessels in the nose which can aid the
cold virus, according to Reuters.
“It's clear that to keep
from getting a cold, you need to keep your
feet warm,” said McCormick. “In the winter,
it often feels like you're standing on ice.
That's because the soles of your shoes or
boots are where your feet need to be protected
from the cold the most.”
But why isn't your footwear keeping out
all of the cold?
”Because most insulation requires loft — like
the loft in a cotton ball or fiberglass house
insulation,” said Marc Lebel, vice president
of Aspen Aerogels, “but when you step on
it, it gets compressed and loses its loft
and therefore its insulating power.”
But Aspen Aerogels' insulation doesn't require
loft. Its structure contains nanometer-sized
pockets of air that can maintain thermal
protection and shape even when you step on
it. In partnership with NASA, this same flexible
aerogel technology is being developed for
next generation space suits.
“We are delighted to put an end to cold
feet with this new, space-age technology,” said
McCormick. Recently the company tested its
product by having people step on a block
of dry ice with only the Toasty Feet™ insole
as a barrier. “No one felt any cold,” reported
McCormick.
Toasty Feet™ is available now at Wal Mart
and Kroger stores across the country.
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