An item of footwear is described which comprises in combination: an outsole (11) having in its forepart at least a vent opening (12) which is made thsough the thickness of said outsole (11), a grating-like element (13) which is set into said vent opening (12) and acts as a screen by separating and protecting the inside of the footwear from the ground which comes into contact with said outsole (11), a pliable sheet insert (15) made from a breathable and waterproofed material which is embedded into the outsole (11) and is positioned inside the outsole (11) so as to overlie said vent opening (12), an insole (16) made of a breathable and waterproofed material, and an upper (17) made of a breathable and waterproofed material.