VIBRAM TECHNICAL HANDBOOK
ABOUT VIBRAM
VIBRAM IS THE GLOBAL LEADER IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE RUBBER SOLES FOR THE OUTDOORS, WORK, LIFESTYLE, ORTHOPEDIC AND REPAIR MARKETS. IT HAS SET THE INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR ALMOST 90 YEARS, AND THE ICONIC YELLOW OCTAGON SYMBOLIZES THE BRAND’S TRUSTED QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, SAFETY, INNOVATION AND DESIGN.
THROUGH EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, VIBRAM ENGINEERS EVERY SOLE TO DELIVER THE IDEAL BALANCE OF PERFORMANCE, COMFORT AND DURABILITY. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH EXTREMELY DEMANDING TESTS IN THE LAB AND IN THE FIELD BY ELITE ATHLETES ACROSS SEVERAL DISCIPLINES.
VIBRAM’S LEGACY BEGAN IN 1936 WHEN FOUNDER VITALE BRAMANI AN ACCOMPLISHED MEMBER OF THE ITALIAN ALPINE CLUB—CREATED THE FIRST RUBBER SOLE FOR MOUNTAINEERING WITH 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.
BASED IN ALBIZZATE, ITALY, VIBRAM’S HEADQUARTERS ARE THE HUB FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT. ADDITIONAL FACILITIES AND OFFICES ARE LOCATED IN NORTH AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA AND ASIA WITH A STATE OF THE ART RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER AND IN CHINA.
SOLE VOCABULARY 01
HOW TO READ A SOLE
TOE BUMPER
MIDSOLE
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
FOR THE USER'S NEEDS 02
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.
ON SMOOTH SURFACES WITHOUT SUCH ELEMENTS, ALSO KNOWN AS CONTAMINATION, GRIP IS MEASURABLE THROUGH THE COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION (COF)
TRACTION REFERS TO THE ADHESIVE FRICTION BETWEEN THE SOLE AND AN UNSTABLE SURFACE.
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 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.
PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS 03
DESIGN PERFORMANCE
TECHNOLOGY COMPOUNDPERFORMANCE
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.
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
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.
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
COMPOUND DURABILITY
MONT
Tested on the world’s highest peaks
Maintains performance at extremely low temperatures
Firmer compound for maximum support and durability
DURASTEP
Firmer compound for maximum support and durability
Improved grip on wet surfaces
Maintains performance at extremely low temperatures
XS TREK
Optimal balance of traction and durability
Responsive on unpredictable terrain
Engineered for stability and comfort
X ABRADE
Unparalleled traction and durability on court
Adaptable for indoor and outdoor surfaces
Engineered for stability and comfort
MEGAGRIP
Unparalleled grip on wet and dry surfaces
Rugged longevity
Optimal ground adaptability
XS RIDE
Excellent grip on pedal
Easy on pedal
Extreme durability
IDROGRIP
Ideal on wet surfaces
Improved grip on slippery terrain
Inspired by free-climbing rubber
XS TREK EVO
Multisurface grip and durability
Responsive to unpredictable terrain and conditions
Engineered for stability and comfort
COMPOUND STICKINESS
XS GRIP 2
Best-in-class grip
Great sensitivity
Peak performance
High-performance formula
XS EDGE
Excellent edging
Durability
Support on small footholds
High-performance formula
XS GRIP
Excellent grip on various rock types
Edging on small footholds
Durability and lasting performance
High-performance formula
XS ECO
Grip
Edging on small footholds
Sustainable
High-performance formula
SUSTAINABILITY
ECOSTEP NATURAL ECOSTEP RECYCLE
Made with more than 90% natural ingredients
Inherent Vibram quality, grip and performance
Unique sole colors obtained from 100% natural pigments
Made with up to 30% recycled Vibram rubber
High-quality compound formulation
Embodies Vibram’s dedication to environmental conservation
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
Balanced combination of design and compound
Large contact lug design
High-performance rubber compound
STABILITY
Large contact lug design
Rigid/semi-rigid frames
Larger lugs on the perimeter
High-performance rubber compound
BRAKING
High-profile with undercut heel
Slanted heel for natural rolling on touchdown
High-performance rubber compound
SELF CLEANING
Lug positioning (open design)
Large mud/snow release channels
Draining micro incision (sipping)
Low-profile lug design (shallow lugs)
TRACTION
High profile lug design
Sharp-edge lug design
Stable lugs
TECHNOLOGY
TRACTION LUG
PERFORMANCE AMPLIFIED
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.
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.
LITEBASE
LIGHTNESS WITHOUT COMPROMISE
VIBRAM LITEBASE DRASTICALLY REDUCES THE WEIGHT AND THE THICKNESS OF THE SOLE WITHOUT COMPROMISING PERFORMANCE.
THE RUBBER BASE IS 50% SLIMMER THAN TYPICAL 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.
ARCTIC GRIP ALL TERRAIN SPRINGLUG TECH
BREAKING THE ICE
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.
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.
ALL-IN-ONE SOLUTION
A VERSATILE SOLUTION FOR OUTDOOR AND URBAN USE, VIBRAM SPRINGLUG TECH OFFERS COMFORT, SHOCK ABSORPTION AND TERRAIN ADAPTABILITY.
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.
HOW TO READ A VIBRAM SOLE 04
TRAIL RUNNING
COMPOUND
MEGAGRIP
UNPARALLELED GRIP ON WET AND DRY SURFACES
RUGGED LONGEVITY
OPTIMAL GROUND ADAPTABILITY
TECHNOLOGY
TRACTION LUG
INCREASE TRACTION UP TO 25%*
LITEBASE 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.
MTB - XC / GRAVEL
COMPOUND
MEGAGRIP
UNPARALLELED GRIP ON WET AND DRY SURFACES
RUGGED LONGEVITY
OPTIMAL GROUND ADAPTABILITY
TECHNOLOGY
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.
HIGH PROFILE LUGS FOR TRACTION ON UNSTABLE AND HEAVY GROUND PLATFORM TO OPTIMIZE POWER TRANSFER ON PEDAL
CLEANING CHANNELS FOR PERFORMANCE ON MUD AND WET
COMPOUND
MONT
TESTED ON THE WORLD’S HIGHEST PEAKS
MAINTAINS PERFORMANCE AT EXTREMELY LOW TEMPERATURES
FIRMER COMPOUND FOR MAXIMUM SUPPORT AND DURABILITY
APPROACH
COMPOUND
MEGAGRIP
UNPARALLELED GRIP ON WET AND DRY SURFACES
RUGGED LONGEVITY
OPTIMAL GROUND ADAPTABILITY
MIDSOLE
SLE
SUPER LIGHT
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,
MOUNTAINEERING
COMPOUND
FIRMER COMPOUND FOR MAXIMUM SUPPORT AND DURABILITY
IMPROVED GRIP ON WET
PERFORMANCE AT EXTREMELY LOW TEMPERATURES
30% LIGHTER THAN THE AVERAGE OF STANDARD EVA CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON THE
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%*
*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
REGULAR FLAT DESIGN FOR ADJUSTABILITY OF FOOT ON PEDAL
CIRCULAR LUGS DESIGN ENSURE EXCELLENT PEDAL PIN GRIP
TOE AND HEEL HIGH-PROFILE LUGS ENHANCE GRIP AND BRAKING WHEN WALKING
COMPOUND
XS RIDE
EXCELLENT GRIP ON PEDAL
EASY REPOSITIONABILITY ON THE PEDAL EXTREME DURABILITY
TECHNOLOGY
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.
TESTED WHERE 05
METHOD
1st process
LAB TEST
AIM :
METHODS :
MATERIALS : OUTPUT :
EVALUATION OF THE BEHAVIOR IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT
CERTIFIED MACHINE-BASED TESTS FOR PHYSICAL/MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SOLES, SAMPLES AND SHEETS WITH A SPECIFIC DESIGN OR SHAPE
DATA ON SLIP RESISTANCE, ABRASION, ELASTICITY, HARDNESS, DENSITY, ETC.
2nd process
IN VIVO TEST
AIM :
METHODS :
MATERIALS : OUTPUT :
EVALUATION OF SOLE BEHAVIOR IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT
REAL INDIVIDUALS USING INTERNALLY DEVELOPED SCIENTIFIC PROTOCOLS (“IN VIVO”)
FLAT DESIGN SOLELY TO HIGHLIGHT THE COMPOUND’S PERFORMANCE RELIABLE DATA ON SOLE GRIP
3rd process
FIELD TEST
AIM :
METHODS :
MATERIALS : OUTPUT :
EXAMINE THE PRODUCT'S FIELD EFFECTIVENESS AND CONDUCT LONG-TERM TESTS
TEST IN REAL-WORLD OUTDOOR CONDITIONS TESTING PHASE
ENGAGE ABOUT 200 EXPERT MEMBERS OF THE TEST TEAM EACH YEAR
APPROVAL PRODUCT IS READY FOR MARKET
what why how LAB TEST
DENSITY LIGHTNESS
HARDNESS
ABRASION RESISTANCE
ELONGATION AT BREAK
NOMINAL BREAKING LOAD
TEAR RESISTANCE
RESISTANCE TO REPEATED FLEXING
TROPICAL TEST
DENSIMETER
SURFACE ADAPTABILITY SHORE DUROMETER
DURABILITY (USE)
DURABILITY (ELASTICITY)
DURABILITY (TOUGHNESS)
ABRASIMETER
TENSIOMETER
TENSIOMETER
DURABILITY (TEAR) TENSIOMETER
DURABILITY (PACE) FLEX MACHINE
DURABILITY (AGING)
(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
LAB TEST
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.
what how IN VIVO TEST 2nd process why
STATIC GRIP
DYNAMIC GRIP
PERCEIVED SAFETY
PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION ON THE GROUND
IMPACT ABSORPTION
BIOMECHANICS PARAMETERS
GRIP ON ICE
INTIMATE BEHAVIOUR
THE ABSOLUTE PERFORMANCE MAXIMAL TRACTION TEST
SLIDING PHASE CONTROL CAPABILITY
REAL CONDITIONS USER EVALUATIONS
INTERACTION GROUND SOLE
DETERMINE PROPERTIES
MOVEMENTT EVALUATION
SAFETY EVALUATION
INCLINABLE RAMP
FEEDBACK RAMP
BAROPODOMETRIC RAMP
FORCE PLATFORM
GAIT ANALYS LAB
CADENCE TEST
SEE THE INVISIBLE MOVEMENTS HIGH SPEED CAMERA UP TO 1200 FPS
IN VIVO TEST
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).
IN VIVO TEST 2nd process
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.
FIELD TEST
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.
VIBRAM’S EXTENSIVE TESTING HELPS ENSURE SOLE STRENGTH, GRIP AND COMFORT, REINFORCING ITS REPUTATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY AND PIONEERING INNOVATION.
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.
