What is Vibram? The philosophy behind its yellow logo

Small, shiny yellow hexagons on the bottom of sneakers and boots.
I'm sure many of you have seen the word "Vibram" written there at least once.

I've always loved shoes, and have worn a variety of styles, from city walking boots to hiking boots. It was just a few years ago that I first encountered Vibram soles.
To be honest, at first I just thought, "That sounds like a trustworthy name." I had a preconceived notion that a yellow logo means high performance.

However, when I tried them on, I realized they weren't just "just shoe soles."
Behind this lies a long history and the philosophy of its craftsmen.

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Vibram began with a "disaster"

Vibram was founded in Italy in 1937.
The founder was mountaineer Vitale Bramani.

While climbing a mountain with his friends, he witnessed some of them getting lost and losing their lives. One of the reasons for this was the slippery nature of the hiking boots used at the time.

"I want to create shoe soles that allow safe climbing"

--The world's first rubber hiking boot sole was born from this idea.
This would later become known as the "Vibram sole."

In other words, Vibram is a brand that started with "soles that save lives."

Characteristics of Vibram soles - more than just "grip"

When you think of Vibram soles, the first things that come to mind might be their grip and wear resistance.

However, when you actually try them on, you'll find a design genius that can't be explained by just that. They move with your feet on any terrain, allowing you to move forward effortlessly. I feel that the true value of Vibram lies in the accumulation of such invisible support.

Vibram has developed a number of technologies, some of the most notable of which are:

MEGAGRIP:

Highly adhesive rubber that provides firm grip even on wet rocks and slippery ground.

ARCTIC GRIP:

A special material that is reliable in winter, designed to be non-slip even on ice.

ROLLINGAITE SYSTEM:

The structure helps the foot's natural rolling motion, reducing fatigue when walking for long periods of time.

My own brand, YUEN, also uses this "rolling gait" structure. When I actually tried them on, I found that the center of gravity of my feet shifted smoothly, and my feet didn't feel heavy even when I kept walking.

On days when I'm standing for long periods of time, like at a festival or walking around town, I often feel like this is the way to go.

My Failure: Vibram Doesn't Mean It's Safe

To be honest, when I first bought sneakers with Vibram soles, I was a little overconfident. I assumed that "Vibram" meant all-purpose.

However, when I actually tried them on, I found that the mountaineering model was a little too stiff for city use. On paved asphalt, "footwork" is more important than grip. After wearing them for a few days, I began to feel pain in my heels and soles, and at first, I even developed blisters.

Still, I persevered and continued wearing them, thinking, "They're Vibram after all," and I noticed that they gradually became more comfortable on my feet. From that point on, they became like a "trusted partner."

Vibram is not just for outdoor use

Nowadays, Vibram soles are also used in sneakers for walking around town and lifestyles.
YUEN also uses it in models such as "TODAY",
Our ultimate goal is to create functional beauty that can be used in everyday life.

Not just for mountain climbing or hiking,
We value the feeling that "you can commute, go to festivals, and travel with just these shoes."

The design is classic and natural, while still maintaining durability and grip. This balance may be what suits the "realistic shoe selection" of today's era.

The problem with long-lasting shoes: The upper breaks first

The Vibram sole is really sturdy.
Even after wearing them for several years, the soles hardly wear down.
In fact, the upper (top part of the shoe) may even be damaged first.

When the soles are fine but the uppers are in tatters, I honestly feel it's a waste.
However, this also proves that the sole will last a long time.

If the brand offers resoling (shoe sole replacement), you can have the shoes refurbished by replacing the soles. This gives you a sense of the "manufacturing philosophy" that assumes shoes will be worn for a long time.

I can't go back to soft shoes

Once you get used to the Vibram sole, there are moments when other shoes feel strange, especially lightweight sneakers or soft soles, making your feet feel wobbly and unsettled.

At first, I thought the stiffness made them "uncomfortable to wear," but now I feel it as "stability." The feeling of gripping the ground firmly is addictive.

Even on days when I walk for long periods of time, such as at festivals or on business trips, my feet feel much less tired.
I began to think that "in the end, the sole of shoes is everything."

Summary: Vibram is "a foundation of trust"

If you ask me what Vibram is,
To me, it is something that embodies the feeling of security at your feet.

Although it is not flashy in appearance,
It makes you feel the difference as you take each step.

If you are looking for shoes that will last a long time and are reliable, then it is definitely worth choosing shoes with Vibram soles.

It's not just a material,
--Because it is a technology that enriches the experience of walking itself.