Mountain bikers hurtle down the trails in Geißkopf Bike Park at breathtaking speeds – with more or less traction. Regular work is carried out on the course so that they can ride down the mountain as smoothly and safely as possible. Jan and Tobias work as head shaper and shaper in the bike park. Their job is to shape and maintain the course. After all, the trail should not crumble again after the first mountain biker. So the shapers protect the course – and safety shoes protect the shapers. Jan and Tobias wear the ANTONIO XXSG GTX Mid ESD S3S WR CI model from ELTEN.
Every detail is important to ensure that the trails are both technically challenging and safe. From the right equipment for the trails to planning descents and obstacles – it is always about offering the best experience for riders of different experience levels. Jan and Tobias are out and about in all weathers to create the trails and keep them in top condition. They sometimes work with spades and shovels but often also with heavy equipment such as excavators or vibratory plates. It is particularly important to protect their feet. “I really like the new safety shoes from Elten,” says Jan. “They have a completely new material that looks like leather but isn’t.” He is referring to the new EXTRAGUARD upper technology from Gore, which ELTEN is using for the first time in the ANTONIO XXSG GTX Mid ESD S3S WR CI model.
LIGHTWEIGHT AND ROBUST
EXTRAGUARD is a shoe upper technology that combines the advantages of robust materials such as leather with those of more lightweight and breathable textiles. The new upper consists of three layers: an outer, highly abrasion-resistant and robust protective layer, the functional layer and the innovative inner construction layer. This three-layer upper is sealed with GORE-SEAM® tape and then combined with the GORE-TEX lining, the so-called bootie construction, to create a safety shoe. The result is a shoe that is not only extremely hard-wearing and waterproof but also significantly lighter than other robust safety shoes.
ANTONIO remains lastingly waterproof, even without waterproofing and in the event of damage to the upper, and absorbs practically no moisture from the outside. An important aspect for the shapers, who work outside come rain or shine and sometimes have to stand in a puddle for a long time. As EXTRAGUARD shoes cannot become waterlogged, this reduces the formation of cold bridges – feet not only stay dry but also warm.
Different surfaces such as dirt, gravel or wood make a trail particularly exciting and challenging – and this also applies to the shapers’ safety shoes. They have to provide the best possible grip on each of these materials. It is just as well that ANTONIO XXSG GTX Mid ESD S3S WR CI features the WELLMAXX SAFETY-GRIP PU/PU sole. It has an anti-skid tread and is extremely slip-resistant, allowing you to tread safely even on difficult terrain.
As the shapers are on their feet all day long, the comfort of their shoes is extremely important. Here too, the WELLMAXX Safety-GRIP sole shows what it can do. It has a sole core made from BASF’s extremely resilient Infinergy® particle foam. This returns over half the energy expended when walking to the wearer. This means less stress on the joints so that feet stay fit for longer. A PU overcap protects the upper at the toe and a steel toe cap and metal-free anti-perforation protection with components made from recycled materials provide the necessary safety. Thanks to Laddergrip in the tread, the safety boot is also ideal for safely getting in and out of the excavator and working on ladders.
SAFETY, COMFORT AND INNOVATION
“I put the shoes on today and immediately felt comfortable,” says Tobias. “The previous leather shoes were always a bit stiff at first, but this new material is much more comfortable to walk in.”
For Jan and Tobias, the protection and comfort of their shoes is an indispensable part of their daily work. This allows them to concentrate fully on what they do best: offering mountain bikers a perfect course. Safety, comfort and innovation – with the ANTONIO XXSG GTX Mid ESD S3S WR CI from ELTEN, the shapers are ideally equipped to do their job even under the most challenging conditions.
