Shoe for “unexplored market segment” from Garmont
Outdoor footwear brand Garmont believes it has invented a new category of shoe, or at least a shoe that meets the needs of “a currently unexplored segment of the market”.
The shoe in question is the 9.81 Hi Ride, which Garmont describes as “a hybrid shoe developed for those who love to cycle along rolling dirt trails, but not without getting out of the saddle for short walks in the woods or around a picturesque old town”. It is, therefore, “a new, all-in-one shoe for hiking and biking”.
It was a challenge to come up with a shoe with sufficient rigidity force applying force to the pedal and, at the same time, the required flexibility to be comfortable enough to walk in, the Veneto-based footwear company has admitted.
It said it had overcome this challenge thanks to a two-zone outsole it calls the Garmont Traction Formula (GTF) Hyve.
One part of the sole is made from recycled rubber with large, deep lugs, to achieve the right compromise between grip, traction and durability while walking. The other zone is made from a softer compound with high-density honeycomb lugs to offer increased pedal grip.
Another feature is a proprietary heel-lock technology, which keeps the heel in place when the laces are tightened. This works by means of loops that are integrated into the lateral reinforcement. Reflective accents have been added to the heel for greater visibility.
The upper is in recycled, abrasion-resistant rip-stop nylon, while the lightweight protective panels and the heat-bonded TPU trim provide added protection. The shoe also has an Ortholite insole made from 98% recycled materials, and a midsole made from a bio-based compound derived from sugarcane.
