The Val di Fiemme company, leader in the production of footwear and technical clothing for mountain sports, officially presents two new Mountain Running® models, Prodigio and Levante, and introduces Bushido III, an update of one of the company’s most iconic products and one of the most loved by sky-runners on ultra-distances. Prodigio and Levante introduce to the market the use of XFlow® foam, a latest-generation supercritical EVA present in the midsole of the two models, designed and developed to guarantee maximum cushioning, fluidity during the running phase and elastic return during thrust. A patent that raises the bar for ultra-distance running performance, created to meet the needs of runners seeking maximum fluidity and agility on mountain trails.

La Sportiva also expands its product catalogue by introducing a re-edit of Bushido, 10 years after the first model was born. Bushido III comes with a new look, without neglecting the renowned comfort, precision fit and stability during movement. The new version is lighter and more breathable and also introduces the ‘wide-fit’ variant, which offers a more generous fit for feet with wide soles.

In response to the growing demand for ultra-lightweight low-cut models for both day hikes and long-distance thru-hiking, HANWAG has developed the new Kaduro Light GTX: a lightweight, well-cushioned yet very durable boot that goes further and lasts longer. Thanks to a blend of eTPU and PU particles, the innovative midsole technology (unique in the outdoor footwear sector) makes the Kaduro Light GTX particularly light, comfortable, durable and capable of returning energy, over any distance. The lightweightdesign is combined with a robust polyester/polyurethane upper.

A shoe with a sole that is as transparent as glass, but completely and easily customisable aesthetically, in terms of colour, texture and design. Ultra-light, which allows you to walk glued to the ground, with great flexibility in every movement, maximum constant performance in all weather conditions: all this is NexX4™, the new brand that identifies the innovation patented by JV International srl and developed by JVI Engineering, the Business Unit owned by the same company. The first example of this innovation is the Element collection, signed ACBC X Garmont Uncharted, where each sole represents one of the natural elements – fire, air, water, earth, nature – with an innovative and never-before-seen graphic design.

Created for dynamic travellers and those who enjoy fast hiking, the new 9.81 Engage employs Garmont’s proprietary ADD® (Anatomical Directed Design) technology, which offers construction asymmetries linked to the anatomy of the foot and specifically positioned to allow the foot to be stable, protected and in comfort throughout the activity. The Garmont proposal for next season features a highly breathable polyester upper reinforced with layers of double thermoplastic material. The 9.81 Engage adopts the innovative G-WRAP system and an elastic tongue in microfibre, giving the shoe improved stability. The insole is Garmont PU with 20% recycled material while the midsole is made of single-density EVA, with 20% material from sugar cane, and an anti-torsion TPU insert. The Vibram® Durmast sole, exclusive to Garmont, has a Megagrip compound that significantly improves grip on the most technical terrain, even when wet.  In addition, the presence of Vibram® Traction Lug technology increases traction by 25%, adds stability and improves grip by 50%.

For those looking for agility on demanding trails alongside protection and stability, Garmont has created the new 9.81 Engage Mid GTX, the slightly elevated ankle-high offering for dynamic travellers and demanding hikers.

The design of the new GEL-QUANTUM 360™ VIII is inspired by the Urban Agility concept of ‘The Metropolis Series’, a collection dedicated to the discovery of modern urban landscapes. The upper construction features 5D moulded details that replicate some of the shapes found in nature, while the TRUSSTIC™ technology and external counter heel contribute to better stability and a more dynamic look. The midsole of the shoe has been redesigned with DIVISION SPACE™ technology to offer more cushioning and less weight. Finally, the FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO foam is composed of approximately 24% sugarcane-derived biomass, which provides more resilience and comfort underfoot.

Now in its 26th year, the GEL-NIMBUS™ improves fit and grip for an even smoother ride, and continues to be the company’s flagship cushioned running shoe. The most significant update involves the combination of ASICSGRIP™ technology and AHARPLUS™ outsole rubber, which provide improved traction, enhanced softness and enhanced durability, allowing runners to feel comfortable when running on wet and slippery surfaces. With improvements to the fit in the midfoot area, an engineered knit upper and an updated eyelet construction, the GEL-NIMBUS™ 26 offers a softer yet more supportive midfoot grip.

The company’s new additions include the GEL-KAYANO™ 20, the first trainer created in collaboration with KENZO and designed by Nigo, artistic director of the French fashion house, available in three colour variants. The model, born as a stable running shoe, is now relaunched by KENZO as a lifestyle trainer, continuing to provide advanced comfort and technical design features.

The Japanese company, founded in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka, also announced the opening of its new Italian operating headquarters in Cuneo, Italy, in an innovative space at Corso Alcide De Gasperi 57, confirming a solid economic performance in Q3 2023 for ASICS EMEA, with consolidated net revenue up 5.5% and operating profit margin up 12.6%, from the beginning of the year to September 2023 compared to the same period last year.

A trail running shoe that encapsulates the best of the experience of Rossignol and its partners and extends the brand’s S/S 2025 range to include the simplest and purest form of mountaineering. Vezor is, in fact, a shoe with a precise fit, effective and very responsive cushioning, allowing you to run fast and on technical trails. Its design is inspired by the morphological structure of the wings of the dragonfly, to offer lightness, comfort and stability in the most rapid changes of direction. The combination of the new ultra resilient nitrogen injected foam and Diapazon+ technology gives the Vezor the right balance between energy return and stability. The Michelin sole, exclusively designed and engineered for Rossignol, features Formula technology, developed through motorsport experience, and guarantees impeccable grip on all terrains. Ideal for medium distances, Vezor will be a great ally of the most demanding trail runners, accompanying them during training sessions and high-intensity races. Its neon red colour evokes the Rossignol tradition and performance-oriented DNA.

Lucia Merlo Bags

A creative entrepreneur, visionary, with decades of experience in fashion and fashion design at big names in the sector, Lucia Merlo offers herself as a creative consultant in the design of designer products, accompanying the customer step by step in the process of creating a unique and unrepeatable piece, adapting it and thinking it up according to the style and needs of the wearer. Lucia Merlo bags are produced in a single version, unique in its combination of stitching, accessories and colours, and are not repeated a second time under any circumstances. Made from fine materials, exotic and non-exotic leathers, with quality accessories and hardware, they are created entirely by hand, in Milan, by craftsmen of excellence.

Maglow

The name originates from a neologism given by the words ‘mind’ and ‘aglow’ and indicates a brilliant and original way of thinking. The key words to define Maglow’s set of values and intentions are: modern craftsmanship, minimalism, made in Italy and sustainability. Upcycling at Maglow’s is made from high-quality, locally sourced materials from surplus stock or off-cuts, all combined with a made-to-order system that guarantees no waste and supports a circular production cycle. One example is the Ensemble bag: a luxurious bucket bag made by putting together leathers in different shades, textures and finishes, remodelled and stitched together in patchwork style and with handcrafted embellishments, such as visible stitching.

Naeita

A brand that fuses a passion for architecture with meticulous attention to detail, shapes and the use of sustainable materials, it offers collections made in Italy by master craftsmen, and with a refined aesthetic, supported by an environmentally conscious production process. Sustainability is a driving force behind the brand, which embraces a Slow Fashion philosophy, creating timeless collections destined to last. NAEITA’s creations blend geometric shapes and organic forms, creating sculptural and fluid designs in which functionality and elegance coexist harmoniously.

Supermateria

Founded by Lorenzo Banchini and Lorenzo Masini, Supermateria’s mission is to guide companies along the path of innovation, helping them identify the technologies best suited to their needs, integrating design creativity with the most advanced technological solutions. Supermateria is, in fact, a design studio that stands out for its innovation and continuous experimentation in the field of 3D printing and new technologies. Based in Florence, the team is made up of experts in additive manufacturing, robotics and computational design and combines high-level skills to offer advanced technological solutions tailored for companies. Thanks to its know-how, it is able to guide companies through the technological transition, providing solutions that combine artificial intelligence, algorithmic modelling and additive manufacturing to optimise production and industrial processes.

Unflock

Born in July 2022 with the mission to break free from standardisation, Unflock, combines in its name the term ‘UNLOCK’, meaning ‘to unlock’, with ‘FLOCK’, ‘flock’. At a time when consumerism pushes people to frequently change their shoes to follow the trends of the moment, Unflock has, in fact, developed an accessory that is inspired by the simplicity and functionality of smartphone covers and does so in a sustainable way. Made of high-quality, soft and flexible materials, Unflock offers exceptional comfort and is designed to fit any model and size of trainer, while also protecting them from wear and tear. Unflock’s innovation lies in the clips along the sole, designed to attach the accessory to the shoes without the use of glue, adhesives or laces, allowing Unflock to be applied and removed without compromising the aesthetics of the shoes. It not only improves their appearance, but also prolongs their life.

WhyOnlyWhite

WoW’s technology is based on Spatial Augmented Reality (SAR), an innovative approach that enriches physical reality with projected digital content, without the use of visors or smartphones. Using a patented tracking solution optimised with artificial intelligence (AI), the platform recognises the shape, size and position of any 3D object, instantly generating perfectly aligned projected images. This precise process enables a seamless fusion of the physical and digital worlds, creating the so-called ‘Phygital’ (Physical + Digital) object, where the tactile realism of the object is combined with the dynamism of the projection. The most innovative aspect of WoW lies in its ability to modify the appearance of a physical product in real time without altering its substance, allowing it to be touched and manipulated, but with a dynamic and customisable aesthetic. The platform also manages and stores the digital content required for projections, supports the generation of variants through AI-based algorithms, and records all changes made, thus improving the user profile and offering increasingly targeted solutions.

Huntsman has developed a new range of innovative, high-performing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) materials for the footwear industry that offer game-changing possibilities for soling applications. The new AVALON® GECKO TPU portfolio offers a series of products that have exceptional grip and durability and have been developed with circularity in mind. Tailor made for use in high performance soling applications, the range includes an extrudable grade for creating super thin outsoles and a product that can be foamed to produce a very low density and super soft material with a unique touch and feel. Drawing inspiration from the extraordinary grip of geckos, products in the AVALON® GECKO TPU portfolio offer comparable slip performance to rubber in both wet and dry conditions. Ideal for outsoles of running, hiking and safety shoes, the new GECKO TPU portfolio contains products that are soft (shore 60-65A) yet highly durable with excellent abrasion resistance.