TECHNOLOGY FOOTWEAR
What makes a real dream team? Total trust combined with skill – that is the magic formula for success in the outdoors! Upper material Protective knit GORE-TEX® Membrane Inner lining
adidas and Gore
Dream Team Uwe and Felix breathe hard – they’ve both been on the move since the early morning. Threads of mist hang in the forest, although that doesn’t bother them in the slightest. Undeterred they blast on up the steep trail – great fun and a cool pace. 20 tough minutes later they are both standing next to the cross at the top. Even though there is no view, they are satisfied all round: with themselves, the route and their boots. A glance downwards gives the game away: they are both wearing a very special item on their feet: the TERREX™ Fast X Mid GTX® – “their baby”. And today it had survived a real baptism of fire. The test by two professionals who have invested an enormous amount of effort and expertise, putting their heart into the development of this pair of boots: Felix Stobitzer, Chief Developer at adidas Outdoor, and Uwe Bauer, Sales Manager at Gore. Together with their teams they have developed a boot that completely meets their high expectations. “The TERREX™ Fast X Mid GTX® is my absolute favourite in the collection, because it is comfortable and reliable on every terrain,” says Uwe, who is also a mountain and ski guide.
Testing, testing ... A statement like that from Gore is almost like receiving a medal for the adidas development team. That’s because Gore places the highest demands on its partners: nobody can use GORE-TEX® technologies or materials without obtaining a license. Gore decides who is allowed to use GORE-TEX® – it’s as easy as that. Or not. If you want to qualify for working together with Gore you have to meet the toughest specifications first.
Fast and light, 100% tight and super-comfortable
The adidas development team invested a great deal of time, energy and passion in designing a boot that would meet their own high expectations. The Outdoor (addicted) girls and boys wanted to develop a fast hiking boot without any compromises. The objective: light, comfortable and reliable. And meet all Gore standards. “Guaranteed to keep you dry – is our motto and what we promise – customers no compromises”, says Uwe, who has been working on boots for 20 years.
“For us that doesn’t mean just totally waterproof, it also means excellent breathability only then can feet remain permanently dry.” That’s why Gore puts the product through its paces from conception through to manufacturing. “If our strict quality specifications are not met, then the product does not get our approval,” states the Sales Manager. That’s why sometimes a boot is withdrawn shortly before it is launched. “With adidas Outdoor products that has never been the case.” Quite the opposite in fact: the two companies have a sound working relationship across the board – a partnership on equal terms. “Our relationship is based on mutual respect, great trust and a friendly atmosphere,” says Uwe. In the Outdoor boot collection the adidas team have implemented two of Gore’s proven, high quality product technologies. GORE-TEX® PERFORMANCE FOOTWEAR technology – ideal for long and multiple day tours – used in boots like the TERREX™ Hike GTX®. That’s because of its sturdy construction and light insulation layer. On extended tours your feet are sure to remain dry and the boots feel comfortable – even if you’ve been wearing them for days. TERREX™ Fast X Mid GTX® on the other hand belongs in the GORE-TEX® EXTENDED COMFORT FOOTWEAR class. This technology dispenses with a layer of insulation, ensures rapid moisture transport and dissipates heat efficiently – perfect for fast hikes and tough uphill sections. GORE-TEX® Laminate is integrated into the boot as a lining – a challenging and complex process. “There is an unbelievable amount of work that is done by hand in one of these boots – they are assembled meticulously from more than a hundred individual parts.” explains Felix. Integrating a GORE-TEX® Laminate lining demands special expertise and highly qualified and speciallytrained personnel.” A spot too much adhesive, a seam in the wrong place – and the functionality of the GORE-TEX® Membrane can no longer be guaranteed. That’s why the factories that process GORE-TEX® Laminate also have to be approved. Only workshops with special machinery, trained personnel and laboratories can be certified. At the summit they high five. For more than 30 years their companies have been working together on new product developments. Trust combined with respect and competence, that’s what makes their cooperation so successful on the drawing board as well as outdoors. And that is something you can feel as soon as you have worn a pair of TERREX™ Fast X Mid GTX®: comfortable, reliable and safe – an excellent partner for all types of terrain.