Michelin Technical Soles: MTB Tires for your Feet

New for sneakerheads this spring is a unique intersection between rubber tire expert Michelin and six or more of the top footwear brands in the outdoor market.  The result is new outsole technology to benefit committed hikers, cyclists and trail runners.
 
Led largely by Under Armour in the U.S., footwear designers are working with the rubber and “ground contact” experts over at Michelin to develop soles that integrate into the structure of the midsole and upper. This, more seamless roll, delivers enhanced stability and superior grip underfoot.

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These high-performance outsoles have landed on several light hikers and trail runners in stores now as well as select bike and snowboard footwear. Recently, a similar partnership applied the rubber know-how of Continental mountain bike tires to footwear through brands such Adidas Outdoors.
 
Brands Hi-Tec, Northwave, and other Euro brands are on board with the Michelin Branded Technical Soles project, where many incorporate Gore-Tex to create a four-season outdoor shoe. Each brand partner collaborates with Michelin product and design directors to create a shoe-specific sole through a customized process.

Because the rubber is so sticky and durable, it doesn’t need to be extremely thick.  As such, the thoughtfully-designed, asymmetrical lugs perform at parity – or better – than competitive options. Biting edges, siping for wet surfaces, “heel to toe” tread design for optimal contact throughout foot roll, lateral bridging and heel brakes are among the specially designed outsole features found on partner brands’ shoes.

 
For the Northwave Enduro Mid MTB shoes, the companies created a fully thermo-welded upper with foam inserts in the tongue. Enduro sports increased protection and comfort while maintaining balanced thickness along with shock-protected toes inspired by motocross footwear.

Developing the Northwave Extreme XC shoes challenged designers as sections of the Michelin sole are inserted in a rigid plate in unidirectional carbon fiber to hold the pedal cleat.  In contrast, the Hyperlight XC sole was developed using a dual-layer compound technology. 

With superb grip, the Michelin rubber is performing well in tennis court shoes as well as in work wear for shop technicians, nurses and chefs. Non-endemic brand partnerships like this one may well be the catalyst for the next generations of performance-driven outdoor products