OUR SOLES, OUR FIELD OF EXPERTISE
A decisive criterion fort the safety and well-being of a shoe-wearer is the quality of the outsole of his shoe. Material, tread depth and tread design must be in line with the respective application area. Numerous variants are possible here − depending on the peculiarities and specific conditions of a workplace. We help you to find the right sole so that you are perfectly equipped for your work.
PROFILES
TREAD DESIGN
An ergonomic tread rib configuration ensures improved rolling and guards against fatigue. Rounded tread edges provide for safe footing on the ground.
TREAD DEPTH
Sufficient height of the individual tread bars is particularly important on uneven surfaces. Deep treads deliver superb grip. Good self-cleaning characteristics are also decisive, in order to avoid accidents caused by dirt sticking in the treads.
TYPE OF SOLES
MONO VS. DOUBLE DENSITY
The major advantage of double-layered soles is that two different materials can be used here. For example, the outsole can be produced from rubber and the midsole from PU. This combines the advantages of both materials: The superb heat resistance of rubber and the comfortable impact absorption properties of PU. In contrast, the advantage of a single-layered sole lies in the fact that a single material can be injected with a lower density. This results in a lightweight sole, which conforms well to the ground characteristics.
AREA OF USE
INDOOR OR OUTDOOR?
Entirely diverse requirements arise when shoes are used indoors or outdoors, due to the different ground properties. Indoor floors are often smooth hall floors, where slipping prevention is particularly important. The sole should guard against the risk of slipping, whilst also supporting easy turning on the floor. Soles for outdoor workplaces should provide particular protection against twisting on uneven grounds and should also ensure secure footing on wet/frozen ground.
MATERIALS
Regardless of which material: Our soles are non-slip or slipresistant according to requirements, depending on the tread design and depth. Many have been given the best possible non-slip rating SRC − approved by independent test institutes.
RUBBER
robust and heat-resistant
Rubber outsoles are exceptionally sturdy: short-term temperature-resistant up to 300°C, tough to penetrate by sharp-edged objects and resistant to fuel, oil, microbes and numerous chemicals. Special manufacturing processes make them abrasion-resistant. However, rubber is heavier than PU and TPU, and is somewhat less flexible at cold temperatures.
POLYURETHANE (PU)
flexible and sturdy
PU outsoles can withstand temperatures of up to 130˚C and are flexible at temperatures down to – 30˚C. Similarly to rubber soles, they are resistant to oil and fuel, numerous chemicals and microbes, and are abrasion-resistant, although they are much lighter. Particular advantage of the material: the good impact absorption characteristics for cushioning foot comfort.
THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE (TPU)
extremely abrasion-resistant
The characteristics of TPU outsoles are comparable to those of PU outsoles in many aspects. Yet they are – as a result of a special manufacturing process – even more efficient. Thanks to a reduced abrasion they are more durable, and also their non-slip properties are stronger. Another advantage of TPU outsoles: their higher elasticity and resistance to the cold.
SAFETY-GRIP
OPTIMAL CHARACTERISTICS FOR OUTDOOR WORKS
01 BEVELLED PROFILE RIBS Particularly good grip on uneven substrates. Increased stability and exceptional non-slip properties: This is made possible by tread ribs, which are bevelled in the stopping or push-off direction. This makes the safety shoe highly versatile in every weather and on difficult substrates.
02 ERGONOMIC ROLLING An S-line runs through the entire outsole tread and supports the natural rolling action of the foot: Setting the heel down on the outer edge, rolling over the mid-foot in the direction of the ball of the foot – a movement that precisely follows an S-line.
03 FLEX GROOVES They facilitate improved physiological rolling of the foot and easier physiological bending during kneeling activities.
04 LIMITING THE RISK OF STUMBLING AND TWISTING Both ends of the sole exhibit a negative profile, which prevents „sticking“, in particular with turning movements and when setting the foot down.
05 OUTSTANDING SELF-CLEANING CHARACTERISTICS The configuration of the tread bars encourages the independent loosening of dirt, or makes it easy to knock out. Good self-cleaning characteristics optimise slip-resistance.
06 TOE PROTECTION FOR A LONG SERVICE LIFE An overcap from polyurethane (PU), which is moulded during the sole fitting process, offers exceptional protection against wear in the toe area and in doing so extends the service life.
DIMENSION PRO
OPTIMAL CHARACTERISTICS FOR WORKING IN INDOOR AREAS
01 HONEYCOMB Increased slip resistance on smooth industrial floors. These ensure good slip resistance and optimum stability when standing.
02 PIVOT POINTS in the sole reduce frictional resistance during rotation to a minimum.
03 TORSION ELEMENT Effective prophylaxis against stumbling and twisting in the centre of the outsole. This stabilizes the outsole in the midfoot area and supports the de-coupling of the front and rear of the foot to avoid twisting. It also reduces the risk of injuries and overstraining.
04 FLEX GROOVES They facilitate improved physiological rolling of the foot. Kneeling activities are also easier due to physiological bending. Furthermore, they effectively support forward movement.
05 NEGATIVE PROFILE The sole is rounded at the outer edges, and both ends exhibit a negative profile, which decisively reduces the risk of „sticking“, in particular with turning movements and when setting the foot down.
06 S-LINE Less fatigue at turning/standing workstations. Natural rolling occurs in this way: Setting the heel down on the outer edge, rolling over the mid-foot in the direction of the ball of the foot. This movement precisely follows an S-line. It is reflected in the design of the outsole.
07 PARTICULARLY THICK MIDSOLE LAYER Industrial floors are also smooth and hard: Full impact absorption with soft PU core significantly improves the load cushioning. This is especially important when working whilst standing with constant strain on the joints.
BIOMEX DYNAMICS
BIOMECHANICAL ROLLING MOTION SUPPORT
Inspired by nature: Biomechanics serves as example for Biomex Dynamics outsoles! When looking at joints, muscles and bones, the human foot follows certain movement patterns while walking. Our Biomex Dynamics outsole supports these and enables a dynamic forward movement inside the shoe, which is identical to the congenital walking movement.
NATURAL MOVEMENT DYNAMICS WHEN WALKING BAREFOOT The torsion is the natural ability of the foot to roll through an S-shape from the rear to the front of the foot. This allows the human foot to adjust to the smallest instances of unevenness in the ground.
GUIDE ELEMENTS The decoupling guide elements parallel to the S-shaped rolling line support the torsion and therefore the rolling dynamic of the front and rear foot.
PROPHYLAXIS AGAINST FOOT FATIGUE If the foot musculature is subject to even stresses then this has a positive effect on the guidance and stability of the joints too (ankle, knee and hip joints). This reduces the risk of injury and makes a contribution to counteracting degenerative diseases (osteoarthritis in the knee and hip joints).
ERGO-ACTIVE
CHALLENGING COMBINATION WORKPLACE
When it comes to workplaces where standing and walking activities are roughly at equal, the challenge lies in the fact that maximum non-slip properties bring an abrupt halt to the dynamic of rotational movement during upright activities.
01 FOUR PIVOT POINTS The solution! The pivot points in the sole decisively reduce frictional resistance during rotational movements.
02 BEVELLED TREAD BARS By bevelling the tread bars in the stopping or push-off direction, very good anti-slip properties take effect according to the ELTEN Safety-Grip concept.
03 S-LINE The configuration of the tread bars follows an S-line, which supports the physiological rolling of the foot.
04 FLEX GROOVES The S-line effect is reinforced by additional flex grooves. Bending during kneeling activities is also easier that way.
05 NEGATIVE PROFILE The sole is rounded off at the outer edges, and both ends exhibit a negative profile, which acts to prevent „sticking“ – in particular with workplace-typical turning movements and when putting the foot down.
WELLMAXX
REVOLUTIONARY CUSHIONING – PROVIDES MORE ENERGY ON HARD GROUND
01 BEVELLED PROFILE RIBS Particularly good grip on uneven substrates. Increased stability and exceptional non-slip properties: This is made possible by tread ribs, which are bevelled in the stopping or push-off direction. This makes the safety shoe highly versatile in every weather and on difficult substrates.
02 ERGONOMIC ROLLING An S-line runs through the entire outsole tread and supports the natural rolling action of the foot: Setting the heel down on the outer edge, rolling over the mid-foot in the direction of the ball of the foot – a movement that precisely follows an S-line.
03 FLEX GROOVES They facilitate improved physiological rolling of the foot and easier physiological bending during kneeling activities.
04 LIMITING THE RISK OF STUMBLING AND TWISTING Both ends of the sole exhibit a negative profile, which prevents „sticking“, in particular with turning movements and when setting the foot down.
05 SOLE CORE MADE OF INFINERGY® FROM BASF Cushions impacts and bounces back into its original shape extremely well when the pressure is being reduced, thus the energy is transferred back to the wearer.
06 HONEYCOMB Increased slip resistance on smooth industrial floors. These ensure good slip resistance and optimum stability when standing.
IGR
The test seal of the association of back specialists (Interessengemeinschaft der Rückenschullehrer/-innen e.V.) confirms the advertised product properties and the practical functionality of the tested products. IGR certification certifies the degree of adaptation of the product to the physical characteristics of the test subject. Usability and ergonomics are tested in accordance with DIN 33 419 /EN ISO 15537. Products recommended by the IGR e.V. bear the title „Ergonomic Product“.
