First look at inov-8’s graphene-enhanced footwear
20/06/2018
The products have been developed in collaboration with researchers at the National Graphene Institute at the University of Manchester in the UK. It was at this university that scientists Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov first isolated graphene in 2004, an achievement for which they were later awarded with the Nobel Prize in Physics.
Graphene is just one-atom thick, making it the thinnest material on earth, but it is 200 times stronger than the strongest steel. These remarkable attributes have seen it find a use in a range of industries.
Inov-8 has incorporated graphene into the rubber outsole of its G-Series shoes. The range includes three different products: the Mudclaw G 260 (pictured), designed for running over muddy mountains and obstacle courses; the Terraultra G 260, tailored for running long distances on hard-packed trails; and the F-Lite G 290, targeted at crossfitters working out in gyms.
Each product includes inov-8’s specially developed graphene-enhanced rubber outsole and an upper featuring Kevlar.
Michael Price, inov-8 product and marketing director, said: “Prior to this innovation, off-road runners and fitness athletes had to choose between a sticky rubber that works well in wet or sweaty conditions but wears down quicker and a harder rubber that is more durable but not quite as grippy. Through intensive research, hundreds of prototypes and thousands of hours of testing in both the field and laboratory, athletes now no longer need to compromise.”
For his part, inov-8 CEO Ian Bailey, has insisted the brand would not stop at rubber outsoles when it comes to its work with graphene. He explained that it aims to incorporate graphene into 50% of its range as part of what he calls a “four-year innovation project”. This will allow it to halve the weight of running and fitness shoes without compromising on performance or durability, he added.
The G-Series shoes will be available to pre-order from June 22 and will officially go on sale on July 12.
Image courtesy of inov-8.
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