Comfort isn’t really determined when you first try the shoes on. It becomes apparent after hours on concrete, after hundreds of steps, with constant stopping, walking and carrying. It is in these moments that a shoe has to perform and do so consistently. With Wellmaxx Fit, we are combining two technologies in a single shoe for the first time, both designed precisely for this purpose: our multiple-width concept and the Infinergy® cushioning system by BASF. The two work hand in hand and are engineered not just to absorb impact momentarily, but to manage strain steadily throughout the entire working day.
Research-based innovation
Back in 2006, together with Professor Stefan Grau and his team at the University of Tübingen, we developed our first multiple-width series, ERGO-ACTIVE. This was based on an extensive study in which the feet of 1,000 industrial workers were measured in three dimensions. The key finding: feet differ significantly – even when they are the same length. Width, volume and proportions vary considerably. This led to the principle of three foot types: wide, normal and slim. Instead of defining a standard fit for everyone, we adapt the shoe to different geometries using various lasts. Wellmaxx Fit consistently builds on this exact principle.
The models are specifically tailored to these three foot types. In practical terms, this means the foot sits securely, is properly guided and can function evenly and that’s crucial. When forces are applied unevenly, pressure points develop and these intensify over the course of a working day. Pain and blisters then become inevitable. A precise fit, on the other hand, ensures that strain never turns into discomfort in the first place.
Designed With Women’s Feet in Mind
For the smaller sizes, 36 to 39, we produce the shoes in the new range using special women’s lasts. This is because the research data also shows that large women’s feet differ significantly in shape and volume from small men’s feet. A genuine fit solution must take this into account. Wellmaxx Fit does exactly that.
An optimal fit alone wasn’t enough for us. We wanted to combine it with outstanding joint protection. This is where Infinergy® comes into play. The eTPU material developed by BASF absorbs the forces generated while walking and returns a large portion of that energy to the wearer. This results not in mere ‘cushioning’, but in a dynamic combination of damping and rebound.
What this means in everyday terms is easy to explain: movement becomes smoother, peak loads are reduced, and the walking motion remains light. This is a decisive factor, especially on hard surfaces.
Comfort is no accident
The series itself is deliberately broad in scope. Different safety classes, a range of models from sandals to boots, and various fastening systems ensure that the footwear can be tailored to different working environments, whether industrial production, logistics or trades. Depending on the intended use, additional features such as toe protection are included.
In the end, everything comes down to one key point: comfort is neither a coincidence nor a “nice-to-have”. It is the result of a carefully considered interplay between fit and material. It is precisely this interplay that is the focus of Wellmaxx Fit.
