Royal DSM meets Salomon’s need for special material in new mountain shoe
13/04/2015
In the new range, Salomon X Alp, the outdoor brand has included a special plate built into the sole with a design that combines flexibility and stiffness, Salomon has said. The ‘edging chassis’ provides stability for the foot in the transverse direction to provide good grip on narrow ledges, but also allows enough flexibility in longitudinal direction to accommodate the natural flexing of the foot, the company insists.
This requires a material with the right combination of appropriate mechanical properties and toughness, and which can also be processed easily. EcoPaXX fits the bill for Salomon: Royal DSM has described its product as light with the necessary mix of flexibility and rigidity, the ability to retain its properties at very low temperatures, with reduced moisture uptake, despite being a polyamide. The material is suitable for injection moulding and is certified as carbon neutral from cradle to gate.
Aude Derrier, project manager for the footwear materials department at Salomon’s parent company, Amer Sports, said at the time of the launch: “The X Alp shoe expresses the cutting edge of light mountaineering. It is the result of over two years of intensive development and field tests with professional guides, rescue teams and athletes, and is a pure expression of Salomon’s approach to product innovation and its mountain heritage. We were confident that DSM could help us to create our new generation of mountaineering shoes, and our confidence has been justified.”
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