Geox
Geox S.p.A. is an Italian multinational corporation engaged in the design, manufacture, and sale of breathable footwear and apparel, founded in 1995 by Mario Moretti Polegato following his invention of a waterproof yet breathable sole technology in 1989.[1][2] The company's patented system features perforated outsoles combined with a microporous waterproof-breathable membrane that permits vapor expulsion and air intake while blocking liquid water, enabling thermo-regulation and comfort in diverse conditions.[1] This innovation, initially developed after Polegato punctured his shoe soles during a hike in the Nevadan desert to alleviate overheating, has been protected by over 60 international patents and extended to leather soles, garments such as jackets, and advanced systems like the NET Breathing System for sports footwear.[2][1] Geox products, encompassing men's, women's, and children's lines, are distributed through a network spanning over 100 countries, with the firm listing on the Milan Stock Exchange in 2004 and achieving significant global sales growth predicated on its intellectual property-driven differentiation.[2][1]