Vibram leads the evolution of Work & Safety

Born out of tragedy and grown thanks to a pioneering vision, the Italian company – now a leader in the production of high-performance rubber soles – has been able to transform a technical intuition into global industrial leadership, providing footwear for athletes, mountaineers, professionals and workers all over the world. Founded in 1937 by Vitale Bramani, a mountaineer and visionary entrepreneur, Vibram revolutionised the world of technical footwear forever with an invention that changed history: the lugged design, still one of the most iconic and best-selling sole models in the world today.

Almost ninety years later, the visionary approach remains unchanged: innovation, research, testing and improvement are the pillars that have made and continue to make Vibram a global company, present in over 120 countries and active in numerous market segments: outdoor, sports, fashion, lifestyle, military and, with an increasingly strategic focus, in the world of Work & Safety.

Workplace safety has become a global priority, and there is growing attention on personal protective equipment, starting with footwear. In this context, the sole is not just a component, but a real prevention tool.

Technologies such as Vibram Litebase, which allows for a drastic reduction in weight without compromising performance, or Vibram Traction Lug, which increases traction by up to 25% thanks to an innovative design, represent concrete responses to real needs. Behind every product is a continuous cycle of testing and development that starts in the laboratory, passes through the test park (with simulations in extreme conditions) and is completed in the field, with specialised operators testing the soles in real-life contexts.

More and more workers – from rope workers to forestry operators, from offshore platform technicians to chefs and catering professionals – are choosing footwear with Vibram soles to cope with long days, difficult environments and treacherous surfaces. Because when safety is essential, the difference can be seen in one very specific detail: the yellow octagon.

‘The Work&Safety sector is growing rapidly,’ explains Annalaura Gatto, EMEA Marketing Manager at Vibram. ‘We are constantly seeking real, measurable performance, with the aim of consistently exceeding our targets. We study every context, surface and movement requirement. For us, innovation means providing a concrete response to a real need, and we do this through technical precision, listening and co-design with our partners.’