For over a hundred years, Michelin have been facilitating the better mobility of people all around the world.
From Édouard and André Michelin’s humble beginnings in Clermont-Ferrand, to the world’s first removable pneumatic tire in 1891 and the radial tire in 1949 – many of the modern technologies we know today are deep-rooted in this relentless pursuit of innovation.
With the mission to achieve the ultimate in traction, durability and safety, Michelin continues to develop its expertise in rubber compounds to provide vehicles all over the world with tires you can count on.
But why stop there?
Moving things up a gear, Michelin have taken their remarkable know-how off-road to create the next generation of technical soles for outdoor footwear. Because, after all, shoes are to people what tires are to a vehicle. The one connection between man and terrain.
Sign of the tires
With approximately 6,600 researchers involved in R&D across the globe, and more than 350 fields of expertise at Michelin, there are certainly no half measures in the mission to deliver superior tire performance.
Rigorous tire product testing relies on over 400 simulation tools to check for precise levels of stability, durability, traction and more. Worldwide today, road longevity and endurance tests total 1.8 billion kilometers per year, with one journey around the Earth completed approximately every 12 minutes. A standard that’s maintained globally by Michelin who continue to create some of the defining transport technologies in the modern era.
Michelin are committed to the cause, transferring their wealth of knowledge to develop the latest innovations in technical soles.
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Like tire, like sole
Forging enviable partnerships with specialist sports brands such as Babolat, Mizuno, Northwave, Ride, Salewa, Shimano and Under Armour – to name a few – the designers at Michelin have co-developed some of the most advanced technical footwear on the market today.
Stepping foot into this industry seemed only natural.
The manufacturing process resembles that of the tire production line:
The finished product
Trail runners, mountain trainers, mountain bikers, snowboarders – and all manner of outdoor sports enthusiasts – rely on their footwear to maintain superior performance. And with Michelin’s expertise, premium sole technology is now a reality. Using rubber compounds and technical tread designs, in collaboration with partner technologies, the transition between tire and sole is seamless.
Inspired by the likes of the Wild Grip’R, Country Trail and Country Mud mountain bike tires, and the Starcross HP4 motocross tire – each set of footwear incorporates its own unique design that’s specifically tailored to support and benefit the user in even the most testing of conditions.
The future of technical soles
As we move ever further into the 21st Century, outdoor sports enthusiasts should expect to see higher standards of technical design features. With new technology comes precision testing and new chances to create the unimaginable.
The Michelin designers are passionate pioneers in progressive rubber technologies and tread design. With heritage, experience and expert brand partners on board, they continue to strive for superior quality and innovation – embodying the drive to expand into fresh fields of design, own them and find a better way forward.
The tires to sole story has only just begun.
Watch this space.