Vibram Technical Handbook

VIBRAM

TECHNICAL HANDBOOK

ABOUT VIBRAM VIBRAM IS THE GLOBAL LEADER IN H I G H-P E R F O R M A N C E R U B B E R S O L E S FOR THE OUTDOORS, WORK, LIFESTYLE, O R T H O P E D I C A N D R E PA I R M A R K E T S .

I T H A S S E T T H E I N D U S T R Y S TA N D A R D FOR ALMOST 90 YEARS, AND THE ICONIC YELLOW OCTAGON SYMBOLIZES THE BRAND’S TRUSTED QUALIT Y, PERFORMANCE, SAFETY, INNOVATION AND DESIGN. THROUGH EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND D E V E L O P M E N T, V I B R A M E N G I N E E R S EVERY SOLE TO DELIVER THE IDEAL BALANCE OF PERFORMANCE, COMFORT AND DURABILITY. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH EXTREMELY DEMANDING TESTS IN THE L AB AND IN THE FIELD BY ELITE ATHLETES ACROSS SEVERAL DISCIPLINES. VIBRAM’S LEGACY BEGAN IN 1936 W H E N FOUNDER VITALE BRAMANI AN ACCOMPLISHED MEMBER OF THE ITALIAN ALPINE CLUB—CREATED THE FIRST RUBBER S O L E F O R M O U N TA I N E E R I N G W I T H A MORE AGGRESSIVE TREAD. THIS STROKE OF GENIUS GAVE BIRTH TO THE CARRARMATO, THE FAMED ORIGINAL VIBRAM SOLE THAT REVOLUTIONIZED BOTH MOUNTAINEERING AND THE WORLD OF FOOTWEAR FOREVER. B A S E D I N A L B I Z Z AT E, I TA LY, V I B R A M’S HEADQUARTERS ARE THE HUB FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT. ADDITIONAL FACILITIES AND OFFICES ARE LOCATED IN NORTH AMERICA, SOUTH A M E R I C A A N D A S I A W I T H A S TAT E O F THE ART RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER AND IN CHINA.

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CONTENTS 04 01 Sole vocabulary.......................6

How to read a Vibram sole....28

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For the user's needs...............10

Tested where it matters.........36 Lab test ..................................39

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In vivo test ..............................41 Field test ...............................45

Performance solutions...........14 Compound..............................17 Design.....................................23 Technology.............................25

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SOLE VOCABULARY

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HOW TO READ A SOLE TOE BUMPER FOREPART

LUG

MIDSOLE

HEEL

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VIBRAM’S DESIGNERS FOCUS ON THE SOLE’S PERFORMANCE AND RELY ON DECADES OF EXPERTISE TO IMPROVE FORCE TRANSFER FROM THE FOOT TO THE GROUND

CLIMBING ZONE: GRIP ON ROCK PERFORMANCE

BROAD LUGS: MAXIMUM STABILITY ON UNEVEN GROUND

SELF-CLEANING GROVE: MUD AND SNOW RELEASE

TOE BUMPER: FOOT PROTECTION, DURABILITY AND GRIP

UNDERCUT HEEL: DOWNHILL BRAKING PERFORMANCE

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FOR THE USER'S NEEDS

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VIBRAM DEVELOPS EVERY SOLE WITH PERFORMANCE, DURABILITY AND COMFORT IN MIND

GRIP

TRACTION

GRIP IS THE FRICTION BETWEEN THE SOLE AND THE GROUND OR SURFACE. IT’S INFLUENCED BY ELEMENTS SUCH AS SAND, ICE OR WATER.

TRACTION REFERS TO THE ADHESIVE FRICTION BETWEEN THE SOLE AND AN UNSTABLE SURFACE.

ON SMOOTH SURFACES WITHOUT SUCH ELEMENTS, ALSO KNOWN AS CONTAMINATION, GRIP IS MEASURABLE THROUGH THE COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION (COF)

THE GROUND HAS TWO LAYERS: THE TOP LAYER IS TYPICALLY SOFTER AND MORE UNSTABLE, AND THE LOWER LAYER IS USUALLY HARDER AND MORE PREDICTABLE. TO REDUCE SLIPPAGE, THE SOLE MUST BREAK THROUGH THE TOP LAYER, WHICH COULD INCLUDE MUD, GRAVEL OR SNOW, TO GET MAXIMUM TRACTION ON THE LOWER LAYER

RUBBER

FLAT SURFACE

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GROUND SURFACE

DURABILITY LIGHTNESS DURABILITY IS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF SUSTAINING PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY OVER A LONG PERIOD. BUILT WITH VIBRAM’S EXCLUSIVE RUBBER COMPOUND, THE OUTSOLE RESISTS WEAR AND TEAR, WHILE THE MIDSOLE MAINTAINS THE ABILITY TO ABSORB IMPACT AND RESIST ABRASION.

A LIGHTWEIGHT SOLE AND SHOE CAN SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCE ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE AND REDUCE STRAIN AND FATIGUE ON THE FEET AND LEGS. THE WEIGHT REDUCTION ALLOWS FOR MORE EFFICIENT MOVEMENT AND QUICKER RESPONSIVENESS ON THE TRAIL OR THE ROAD. ADDITIONALLY, A LIGHTER VIBRAM SOLE PROMOTES ENERGY CONSERVATION, IMPROVED ENDURANCE AND PROLONGED PERFORMANCE.

MORE WEIGHT

NEW LUG

USED LUG

LESS WEIGHT

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PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS

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FOR NEARLY A CENTURY, VIBRAM HAS BUILT THE MOST ADVANCED SOLES IN THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY. THE KEY TO VIBRAM’S LONGSTANDING SUCCESS IS THE OPTIMAL COMBINATION OF HYPERFUNCTIONAL DESIGN, EXCLUSIVE RUBBER COMPOUNDS AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES. VIBRAM SOLES ARE MAINSTAYS IN OUTDOOR SPORTS, INCLUDING MOUNTAINEERING, HIKING, TRAIL RUNNING AND CLIMBING, AS WELL AS IN CASUAL AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS. WITH THE RECOGNIZABLE VIBRAM YELLOW OCTAGON, THE SOLES HAVE BECOME THE GOLD STANDARD OF QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE.

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COMPOUND THE ELASTICITY OF A RUBBER COMPOUND IS SIMILAR TO AN INTERNAL SPRING. THE COMPOUND HAS THE ABILITY TO COMPRESS UNDER STRESS AND QUICKLY BOUNCE BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL SHAPE. THIS SPRING MECHANISM IS THE FUNDAMENTAL BASIS OF ITS DURABILITY. IT ALLOWS THE COMPOUND TO WITHSTAND REPEATED COMPRESSIONS AND MAINTAIN ITS SHAPE AND FUNCTIONALITY WITHOUT SUSTAINING PERMANENT DAMAGE. VISCOSITY PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN GRIP. IT ENABLES THE COMPOUND TO CONFORM TO THE TEXTURE OF THE SURFACE. THROUGH INTERNAL FRICTION, VISCOSITY DISSIPATES ENERGY, INCREASING THE CONTACT AREA AND ALLOWING THE MATERIAL TO CONNECT BETTER WITH THE GROUND. THIS DAMPING EFFECT AND THE RESULTING MECHANICAL INTERLOCKING TRANSLATE INTO A HIGHER COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION, REDUCING SLIPPAGE. IN SUMMARY, ELASTICITY ENABLES THE SOLE TO MAINTAIN ITS SHAPE AND PERFORM WELL OVER A LONG PERIOD, AND VISCOSITY ALLOWS ADAPTATION AND ENERGY DISSIPATION, CRUCIAL FOR GOOD GRIP. THE TWO PROPERTIES ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO 17

THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF ATHLETIC SHOES’ SOLES. WHEN DESIGNING A SOLE, EACH RUBBER COMPOUND IS FORMULATED WITH A PRECISE AMOUNT OF VISCOSITY AND ELASTICITY, CAREFULLY FORMULATED TO BEST SUIT THE DEMANDS OF THE RESPECTIVE SPORT OR ACTIVITY. FOR INSTANCE, A COMPOUND FOR ROAD RUNNING SHOES MIGHT PRIORITIZE GREATER ELASTICITY TO ENHANCE PROPULSION AND DURABILITY ON PAVEMENT, WHILE A SOLE FOR TRAIL RUNNING SHOES MIGHT REQUIRE HIGHER VISCOSITY TO MAXIMIZE GRIP ON UNEVEN AND SLIPPERY TERRAIN. THE SKILLFUL CALIBRATION OF THESE TWO PROPERTIES, ALONG WITH OTHER MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS, DETERMINES THE SOLE’S OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE.

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focus on DURABILITY MONT X ABRADE XS TREK DURASTEP

STICKINESS XS GRIP 2 XS EDGE XS GRIP XS ECO

GRIP IDROGRIP MEGAGRIP XS RIDE XS TREK EVO

SUSTAINABILITY ECOSTEP NATURAL ECOSTEP RECYCLE

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COMPOUND

DURABILITY

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MONT

DURASTEP

Tested on the world’s highest peaks

Firmer compound for maximum support and durability

Maintains performance at extremely low temperatures

Improved grip on wet surfaces

Firmer compound for maximum support and durability

Maintains performance at extremely low temperatures

XS TREK

X ABRADE

Optimal balance of traction and durability

Unparalleled traction and durability on court

Responsive on unpredictable terrain

Adaptable for indoor and outdoor surfaces

Engineered for stability and comfort

Engineered for stability and comfort

COMPOUND

GRIP MEGAGRIP

IDROGRIP

Unparalleled grip on wet and dry surfaces

Ideal on wet surfaces

Rugged longevity Optimal ground adaptability

Improved grip on slippery terrain Inspired by free-climbing rubber

XS RIDE

XS TREK EVO

Excellent grip on pedal

Multisurface grip and durability

Easy on pedal

Responsive to unpredictable terrain and conditions

Extreme durability

Engineered for stability and comfort

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COMPOUND

STICKINESS

XS GRIP 2

XS EDGE

Best-in-class grip

Excellent edging

Great sensitivity

Durability

Peak performance

Support on small footholds

High-performance formula

High-performance formula

XS GRIP

XS ECO

Excellent grip on various rock types

Grip

Edging on small footholds Durability and lasting performance High-performance formula

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Edging on small footholds Sustainable High-performance formula

COMPOUND

SUSTAINABILITY ECOSTEP NATURAL

ECOSTEP RECYCLE

Made with more than 90% natural ingredients

Made with up to 30% recycled Vibram rubber

Inherent Vibram quality, grip and performance

High-quality compound formulation

Unique sole colors obtained from 100% natural pigments

Embodies Vibram’s dedication to environmental conservation

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DESIGN VIBRAM SOLES ARE DESIGNED TO OPTIMIZE GRIP, TRACTION, BRAKING, STABILITY AND SELF CLEANING. THESE FEATURES WORK TOGETHER TO PERFORM IN VARIED TERRAINS AND CONDITIONS.

GRIP

STABILITY

Balanced combination of design and compound

Large contact lug design

Large contact lug design

Larger lugs on the perimeter

High-performance rubber compound

High-performance rubber compound

BRAKING

SELF CLEANING

High-profile with undercut heel

Lug positioning (open design)

Slanted heel for natural rolling on touchdown

Large mud/snow release channels

High-performance rubber compound

Low-profile lug design (shallow lugs)

TRACTION High profile lug design Sharp-edge lug design Stable lugs

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Rigid/semi-rigid frames

Draining micro incision (sipping)

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TECHNOLOGY TRACTION LUG

PERFORMANCE AMPLIFIED

LIGHTNESS WITHOUT COMPROMISE

AN INNOVATIVE DESIGN CONCEPT, THE VIBRAM TRACTION LUG FOCUSES ON THE KEY ELEMENT IN TRACTION: THE SHAPE OF THE LUG. THE LUGS ARE ENHANCED BY MICRO FEATURES AND USE A TEXTURED DESIGN TO BOOST TRACTION WHEN IT MATTERS MOST.

VIBRAM LITEBASE DRASTICALLY REDUCES THE WEIGHT AND THE THICKNESS OF THE SOLE WITHOUT COMPROMISING PERFORMANCE.

THANKS TO THE INPUT OF ELITE ATHLETES AND THE COMPANY’S DRIVE TO IMPROVE GRIP AND TRACTION, VIBRAM’S TRACTION LUG REVOLUTIONIZES PERFORMANCE BY INCREASING TRACTION UP TO 25%*.

IT ALSO ADDS STABILITY AND ENHANCES THE SURFACE AREA BY 50%. THE SCIENCE BACKS UP THE PROPULSION AND BRAKING POWER. *Traction increase up to 25% (tested @ Heelux using their proprietary KIT Traction set up) compared to soles with plain lugs, depending on different type of terrains and different combination between soles and micro-featured lugs, available in Traction Lug collection.

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LITEBASE

THE RUBBER BASE IS 50% SLIMMER THAN T YPICAL OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE OUTSOLES, AND THE OVERALL SOLE WEIGHT IS UP TO 30% LIGHTER. THE RESULT IS A LIGHTWEIGHT HIGH-EFFICIENCY SOLE WITH THE SAME TRACTION AND DURABILITY AS A TRADITIONAL VIBRAM SOLE.

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ARCTIC GRIP ALL TERRAIN

SPRINGLUG TECH

BREAKING THE ICE

ALL-IN-ONE SOLUTION

THE ORIGINAL VIBRAM ARCTIC GRIP TOOK WINTER GRIP AND TRACTION BY STORM, USING A UNIQUE POLYMER BLEND AND ADVANCED FILLER SYSTEM THAT REVOLUTIONIZED GRIP ON WET ICE SURFACES.

A VERSATILE SOLUTION FOR OUTDOOR AND URBAN USE, VIBRAM SPRINGLUG TECH OFFERS COMFORT, SHOCK ABSORPTION AND TERRAIN ADAPTABILITY.

NOW, VIBRAM INTRODUCES VIBRAM ARCTIC GRIP A.T., AN ALL-NEW COMPOUND AND LUG DESIGN THAT IMPROVES GRIP AND TRACTION ON WET ICE AND INCREASES DURABILITY.

ITS RUBBER SHELL ENSURES GRIP AND PROTECTION, AND INNER LOW-DENSITY POLYURETHANE ENHANCES COMFORT ON UNEVEN SURFACES. THE COMBINATION OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPOUNDS AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES WITH A COMPATIBLE MIDSOLE DELIVERS TARGETED CUSHIONING AND EFFICIENCY.

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04

HOW TO READ A VIBRAM SOLE

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TRAIL RUNNING COMPOUND MEGAGRIP

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UNPARALLELED GRIP ON WET AND DRY SURFACES RUGGED LONGEVITY OPTIMAL GROUND ADAPTABILITY

TECHNOLOGY TRACTION LUG INCREASE TRACTION UP TO 25%* LITEBASE

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UP TO 50% SLIMMER, UP TO 30% LIGHTER, PERFORMANCE 100% UNCHANGED

*Traction increase up to 25% (tested @ Heelux using their proprietary KIT Traction set up) compared to soles with plain lugs, depending on different type of terrains and different combination between soles and micro-featured lugs, available in Traction Lug collection.

HEXA-BASE LUG DESIGN FOR TRACTION AND 01 VIBRAM STABILITY

02 SELF CLEANING OPEN DESIGN FOR TRACTION AND SAFETY 03 BROAD LUGS FOR MAXIMAL STABILITY 29

MTB - XC / GRAVEL COMPOUND MEGAGRIP UNPARALLELED GRIP ON WET AND DRY SURFACES RUGGED LONGEVITY OPTIMAL GROUND ADAPTABILITY

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TECHNOLOGY TRACTION LUG INCREASE TRACTION UP TO 25%*

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*Traction increase up to 25% (tested @ Heelux using their proprietary KIT Traction set up) compared to soles with plain lugs, depending on different type of terrains and different combination between soles and micro-featured lugs, available in Traction Lug collection.

PLATFORM TO OPTIMIZE POWER TRANSFER ON PEDAL

02 CLEANING CHANNELS FOR PERFORMANCE ON MUD AND WET PROFILE LUGS FOR TRACTION ON UNSTABLE AND 03 HIGH HEAVY GROUND 30

HIKING COMPOUND MONT TESTED ON THE WORLD’S HIGHEST PEAKS

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MAINTAINS PERFORMANCE AT EXTREMELY LOW TEMPERATURES FIRMER COMPOUND FOR MAXIMUM SUPPORT AND DURABILITY

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01 BROAD LUGS FOR MAXIMAL STABILITY PROFILE LUGS FOR TRACTION ON UNSTABLE 02 HIGH AND HEAVY GROUND

03 LARGE TOE AND HEEL LUGS FOR DURABILITY 31

APPROACH 01

COMPOUND MEGAGRIP UNPARALLELED GRIP ON WET AND DRY SURFACES RUGGED LONGEVITY

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OPTIMAL GROUND ADAPTABILITY

MIDSOLE SLE SUPER LIGHT

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30% LIGHTER THAN THE AVERAGE OF STANDARD EVA CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET STUDIED TO OFFER THE BEST COMFORT AND CUSHIONING FOR TECHNICAL USES* * TESTS CONDUCTED INTERNALLY @ VIBRAM AND EXTERNALLY @ BIOMECHANICA, LLC

01 CLIMBING ZONE FOR GRIP ON ROCK 02 LARGE SURFACE LUGS FOR DURABILITY PROFILE LUGS FOR TRACTION ON UNSTABLE 03 HIGH AND HEAVY GROUND 32

MOUNTAINEERING 01

COMPOUND DURASTEP FIRMER COMPOUND FOR MAXIMUM SUPPORT AND DURABILITY IMPROVED GRIP ON WET SURFACES MAINTAINS PERFORMANCE AT EXTREMELY LOW TEMPERATURES

MIDSOLE SLE SUPER LIGHT 30% LIGHTER THAN THE AVERAGE OF STANDARD EVA CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET

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STUDIED TO OFFER THE BEST COMFORT AND CUSHIONING FOR TECHNICAL USES* * TESTS CONDUCTED INTERNALLY @ VIBRAM AND EXTERNALLY @ BIOMECHANICA, LLC

TECHNOLOGY TRACTION LUG INCREASE TRACTION UP TO 25%*

01 CLIMBING ZONE FOR GRIP ON ROCK PROFILE LUGS FOR TRACTION ON UNSTABLE AND 02 HIGH HEAVY GROUND

03 ASYMMETRICAL HEEL FOR OPTIMAL BRAKING CAPABILITY 33

*Traction increase up to 25% (tested @ Heelux using their proprietary KIT Traction set up) compared to soles with plain lugs, depending on different type of terrains and different combination between soles and micro-featured lugs, available in Traction Lug collection.

MTB - GRAVITY COMPOUND XS RIDE EXCELLENT GRIP ON PEDAL

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EASY REPOSITIONABILITY ON THE PEDAL EXTREME DURABILITY

TECHNOLOGY

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TRACTION LUG INCREASE TRACTION UP TO 25%*

*Traction increase up to 25% (tested @ Heelux using their proprietary KIT Traction set up) compared to soles with plain lugs, depending on different type of terrains and different combination between soles and micro-featured lugs, available in Traction Lug collection.

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01 REGULAR FLAT DESIGN FOR ADJUSTABILITY OF FOOT ON PEDAL 02 CIRCULAR LUGS DESIGN ENSURE EXCELLENT PEDAL PIN GRIP AND HEEL HIGH-PROFILE LUGS ENHANCE GRIP 03 TOE AND BRAKING WHEN WALKING 34

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TESTED WHERE IT MATTERS

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METHOD 1st process

LAB TEST AIM : EVALUATION OF THE BEHAVIOR IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT METHODS : CERTIFIED MACHINE-BASED TESTS FOR PHYSICAL/MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS MATERIALS : SOLES, SAMPLES AND SHEETS WITH A SPECIFIC DESIGN OR SHAPE OUTPUT : DATA ON SLIP RESISTANCE, ABRASION, ELASTICITY, HARDNESS, DENSITY, ETC.

2nd process

IN VIVO TEST AIM : EVALUATION OF SOLE BEHAVIOR IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT METHODS : REAL INDIVIDUALS USING INTERNALLY DEVELOPED SCIENTIFIC PROTOCOLS (“IN VIVO”) MATERIALS : FLAT DESIGN SOLELY TO HIGHLIGHT THE COMPOUND’S PERFORMANCE OUTPUT : RELIABLE DATA ON SOLE GRIP

3rd process

FIELD TEST AIM : EXAMINE THE PRODUCT'S FIELD EFFECTIVENESS AND CONDUCT LONG-TERM TESTS METHODS : TEST IN REAL-WORLD OUTDOOR CONDITIONS TESTING PHASE MATERIALS : ENGAGE ABOUT 200 EXPERT MEMBERS OF THE TEST TEAM EACH YEAR OUTPUT : APPROVAL PRODUCT IS READY FOR MARKET

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LAB TEST 1 st pro c e s s

what

why

how

DENSITY

LIGHTNESS

DENSIMETER

HARDNESS

SURFACE ADAPTABILITY

SHORE DUROMETER

ABRASION RESISTANCE

DURABILITY (USE)

ABRASIMETER

ELONGATION AT BREAK

DURABILITY (ELASTICITY)

TENSIOMETER

NOMINAL BREAKING LOAD

DURABILITY (TOUGHNESS)

TENSIOMETER

TEAR RESISTANCE

DURABILITY (TEAR)

TENSIOMETER

RESISTANCE TO REPEATED FLEXING

DURABILITY (PACE)

FLEX MACHINE

TROPICAL TEST

DURABILITY (AGING)

OVEN

(HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HUMIFITY)

All tests follow ISO standards, are conducted in a controlled environment, maintaining constant temperature and humidity.

The same tests are performed to ensure quality control of industrialized compounds 39

LAB TEST 1st pro c e s s

DYNAMIC MECHANICAL ANALYSIS (DMA): DYNAMIC MECHANICAL ANALYSIS (DMA) IS AN INSTRUMENT THAT ALLOWS VIBRAM TO ANALYZE COMPACT RUBBER SAMPLES FOR SOLES AND EXPANDED RUBBER SAMPLES FOR MIDSOLES. DMA VERIFIES THE VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF THE COMPOUND BY APPLYING CONTROLLED STRESSES AND DEFORMATIONS. THROUGH EXPERIENCE AND MANY YEARS OF RESEARCH, VIBRAM HAS ESTABLISHED INTERNAL STANDARD PROCESSES TO TEST THE COMPOUND’S RESPONSE TO SPECIFIC CONDITIONS TO REPLICATE FUTURE USAGE. THE DIVERSE TESTS FOCUS ON GRIP, ENERGY RETURN, SHOCK ABSORPTION, FATIGUE TESTING AND COMPRESSION SET, AMONG OTHER FEATURES. THE RIGOROUS LAB TESTING ENABLES THE TEAM TO TRANSITION INTO THE IN-VIVO TESTING STAGE WITH CONFIDENCE, MAINTAINING THE LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE HALLMARK OF VIBRAM.

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IN VIVO TEST 2nd pro c e s s

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what

why

how

STATIC GRIP

THE ABSOLUTE PERFORMANCE

MAXIMAL TRACTION TEST

DYNAMIC GRIP

SLIDING PHASE CONTROL CAPABILITY

INCLINABLE RAMP

PERCEIVED SAFETY

REAL CONDITIONS USER EVALUATIONS

FEEDBACK RAMP

PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION ON THE GROUND

INTERACTION GROUND SOLE

BAROPODOMETRIC RAMP

IMPACT ABSORPTION

DETERMINE PROPERTIES

FORCE PLATFORM

BIOMECHANICS PARAMETERS

MOVEMENTT EVALUATION

GAIT ANALYS LAB

GRIP ON ICE

SAFETY EVALUATION

CADENCE TEST

INTIMATE BEHAVIOUR

SEE THE INVISIBLE MOVEMENTS

HIGH SPEED CAMERA UP TO 1200 FPS

IN VIVO TEST 2nd pro c e s s

MAXIMAL TRACTION TEST THE MAXIMAL TRACTION TEST (MTT) ENABLES VIBRAM TESTERS TO EVALUATE THE GRIP BETWEEN SOLE/FOOTWEAR AND WALKING SURFACES, INCLUDING GRANITE, STONEWARE AND MARBLE, UNDER BOTH DRY AND WET OR SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. THE VIBRAM TESTER USES A PIVOT POINT, AND SAFELY SECURED WITH A CABLE AND A BELT, THE TESTER TILTS THE BODY TO EXERT MAXIMUM FORCE ON THE SOLE. WHEN SLIPPAGE OCCURS, THE FORCE PLATFORM RECORDS FORCE DATA. THE FINAL OUTPUT IS THE STATIC COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION (COF).

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IN VIVO TEST 2nd pro c e s s

GAIT ANALYSIS THE VIBRAM GAIT LAB IS A SPECIALIZED FACILITY EQUIPPED TO ACCURATELY ANALYZE HUMAN MOVEMENT. ITS MAIN FOCUS IS TO UNDERSTAND HOW FOOTWEAR AND SOLES INFLUENCE GAIT, POSTURE, AND OVERALL BIOMECHANICS. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE FOOT, A COMPLEX STRUCTURE THAT, TOGETHER WITH THE SHOE, FORMS THE FIRST POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE GROUND—CRUCIAL FOR BALANCE AND EFFICIENT MOTION.

BY COLLECTING DETAILED DATA ON MOVEMENT PATTERNS, MUSCLE ACTIVITY, AND GROUND REACTION FORCES, VIBRAM CAN DESIGN INNOVATIVE SOLES AND EVALUATE THEIR PERFORMANCE FROM A BIOMECHANICAL PERSPECTIVE.

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FIELD TEST 3rd pro c e s s

FIELD TESTING IS A CORE PART OF VIBRAM’S PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT. THESE TESTS ARE CONDUCTED INDOORS AND OUTDOORS ON TRACKS, ROCK WALLS AND HIKING TRAILS, AND ARE KEY TO CREATING INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS AND EXPLORING NEW IDEAS. VIBRAM’S FIELD TESTS ARE CAREFULLY PLANNED, USING STRICT METHODS TO GATHER CLEAR, USEFUL INFORMATION. THIS ENSURES THAT VIBRAM SOLES MEET AND EXCEED WHAT OUTDOOR ATHLETES AND ADVENTURERS EXPECT. THE COMPANY’S SUCCESS RELIES ON A LARGE NETWORK OF EXPERT TESTERS INCLUDING MOUNTAINEERS, TRAIL RUNNERS, CLIMBERS, FREERIDERS, MOUNTAIN BIKERS, PARA ATHLETES WHO GIVE VITAL FEEDBACK FROM CHALLENGING TERRAIN AND DEMANDING ACTIVITIES. WITH DECADES OF HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE, VIBRAM CAREFULLY ANALYZES THE INPUT AND USES IT TO FIND IMPORTANT INSIGHTS AND MAKE SIGNIFICANT PRODUCT IMPROVEMENTS.

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VIBRAM’S EXTENSIVE TESTING HELPS ENSURE SOLE STRENGTH, GRIP AND COMFORT, REINFORCING ITS REPUTATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL QUALIT Y AND PIONEERING INNOVATION.

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NOW EQUIPPED WITH THE TOOLS OF SOLE DESIGN, YOU'RE READY TO STEP INTO VIBRAM’S WORLD— NOT JUST AS AN OBSERVER, BUT AS PART OF WHAT COMES NEXT. THIS HANDBOOK REFLECTS OUR PASSION FOR PERFORMANCE IN THE OUTDOORS SPORTS.

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©2025 VIBRAM S.P.A. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED VIBRAM ® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF VIBRAM S.P.A. - ITALY