Scarpa develops new shoe for Exum programme - footwearbiz: Leading sit

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Scarpa develops new shoe for Exum programme

03/06/2010
Scarpa has been named as official footwear sponsor for North American service Exum Mountain Guides. To mark the deal, the company will make a range of shoe and mountain boots available for the Exum demo fleet, including the Dharma Pro, a new Scarpa approach shoe developed specifically to meet Exum’s requirements for guiding in Jackson Hole’s Teton Range. All Exum guides, of which there are more than 70, will wear the Dharma Pros.
“What’s great about Scarpa shoes, beyond exceptional construction and performance, is that they are able to fit a really wide variety of foot shapes, and that’s ideal for a situation like ours,” said Nat Patridge, vice president and chief of operations for Exum Mountain Guides.
Mr Patridge said those factors, along with the brand’s willingness to build a shoe to meet Exum’s needs, made it a suitable footwear partner. Scarpa design team members travelled to Jackson Hole last summer to interview and climb with Exum.
“Based on experience, we figured the best way to understand the requirements for the Exum shoe was to go to Jackson Hole, go through Exum’s climbing school, and ascend the Grand Teton as clients,” said Kim Miller, CEO of Scarpa North America and member of the design team. “That way, we could truly see and feel the specific performance needs for footwear through the eyes of both guides and clients.”
The footwear needed to offer support and cushioning for the hike into the mountains and the descent out, while remaining sensitive enough to climb 5.5 to 5.7 rock so that clients and guides can take just one pair of shoes with them. The Dharma Pro combines a low-profile, sticky rubber forefoot with a dual-density midsole, shock-absorbing heel, and mid-cut ankle to balance sensitivity and responsiveness on the climb with support and cushioning for the trail.


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