To move safely when walking or working, you need to be able to rely on your footwear. Specifically, on the soles and how they act in contact with different surfaces. We address this issue with product development experts at Vibram, an Italian company that, with its nearly 90 years of experience in the development of high-performance soles, represents one of the most influential players in the world of rubber soles intended for footwear, including safety footwear. Vibram is not just a brand of soles, but a true laboratory of excellence where technology, research and development are perfectly integrated. From the chemistry of the compounds to the mastery of state-of-the-art machinery, Vibram controls the entire production cycle, ensuring the highest quality and innovation in every sole produced. A team of experts works tirelessly to create specific solutions for every need, making the most of the potential of each compound and design. From outdoor compounds to occupational safety technologies, it uses state-of-the-art tools such as a movement analysis laboratory and baropodometric platform to study the biomechanics of gait and improve the performance and safety of each shoe. Vibram’s goal is clear: to comply with industry regulations while conducting additional testing that aims to increase product quality, offering solutions that not only meet safety standards but significantly improve the wearer’s experience. Giordano De Vecchi, mechanical engineer and Vibram Team Tester Manager, talks about this.
What research and development processes does Vibram employ to create innovative compounds for safety soles? How does the company use cutting-edge technology to test and perfect its soles?
“One of Vibram’s strengths is its in-house Research and Development (R&D) department. It allows the company to master in-depth knowledge of polymer chemistry, facilitating the development of customized compounds for different applications. Close collaboration between R&D and the testing department facilitates rapid feedback and performance optimization. Vibram has developed internal testing protocols for evaluating slip resistance and other crucial characteristics of soles. External field tests are also conducted for durability and performance. The primary goal is to achieve the best possible grip given the diversity of surfaces encountered in various work environments. Vibram performs a careful analysis of the specific risks associated with different occupations to identify the most appropriate soles for each work environment.”
How does the use of high-quality compounds and advanced technologies translate into effectiveness and durability in Vibram soles?
“The use of complex formulations and high-quality raw materials are the starting point for excellent performance. When developing new compounds, the first two factors we consider, in addition to the characteristics imposed by regulations (resistance to oils, hydrocarbons, electric current), are: grip, which is essential for the safety and stability of the worker, and durability, to ensure a long service life of the sole. Our goal is always to optimize both aspects. Our rubbers and soles, in addition to meeting the strictest standards imposed by international regulations, are tested by Work & Safety professionals under real working conditions. This allows us to obtain objective data and compare new solutions with previous ones, ensuring continuous improvement.”
What are the main Vibram technologies used in safety footwear?
“For us, meeting the needs of the consumer is the top priority. In fact, we do not focus on a specific technology, but on the one that is best suited to the end use of the product and the environmental context in which the worker will operate. As a major player in the world of soles, our main goal is to constantly innovate and introduce cutting-edge technologies to the market, capable of setting new standards and benchmarks in terms of grip, traction, lightness, comfort and durability.
Over the past few years, we have introduced innovative technologies to the safety world that can revolutionize the standards of lightness, traction and grip on ice. Prominent among these are Vibram Litebase, Vibram Traction Lug, Vibram Coltello, and Vibram Arctic Grip Pro.
Vibram Traction Lug design technology is more specific to the world of heavy duty and outdoor work. It is based on an innovative lug design concept and a complex molding process that allow for lugs with sculptures and treads that can amplify traction by about 25%.
Also, in the area of design technology, we introduced Vibram Coltello, which was created to provide workers in the HO.RE.CA & Health Care worlds with comfortable, high-performance soles on specific surfaces that are often soiled by oils and on which one must move quickly. The technology is based on a specific tread design, which is extremely flat, but with specially designed grooves to ensure excellent liquid and grease escape while ensuring a safe, comfortable and firm stride. The flat design, maximizes the performance of the compound, helping to optimize grip.
Vibram Arctic Grip Pro is a cutting-edge technology designed specifically to provide superior grip on wet ice. This innovation has set new standards of grip and safety for outdoor workers operating in the world’s most extreme and coldest conditions. Integrated with the Vibram Minus 40 compound, which is optimized to maintain its properties in the harshest weather conditions and designed to meet the strictest standards in the accident prevention industry, the technology ensures excellent performance and reliable grip even in extremely cold temperatures.
We have also worked to reduce the environmental impact of our products by introducing Vibram Ecostep Pro, made with up to 30% recycled rubber from the recovery of production waste from other Vibram compounds.”