One of Vibram’s novelties for the 2010-11 winter season is Ecostep+, a compound made with recycled rubber at 50 percent. It is a further evolution of Ecostep, which was launched in 2006 and consists of 30 percent recycled rubber. The material is ideally suited for soft light trekking, travel and casual shoes. It can also be used for other applications. The same company has also come up with two new rock climbing compounds: XS Grip2, which provides an extreme grip for free-climbing and bouldering; and XS Edge, for getting a grip on small holds – it is also used in the lace-up model of Katana footwear by La Sportiva. Vibram will show at the World Expo in Shanghai this year as an ambassador of Italy in the country’s pavilion, promoting its Five Fingers footwear brand there.
