For us climbers,Vibram is synonymous with a super grippy sole, capable of providing us with solid confidence on micro-edges that can make a difference in the most critical movements of our climbing projects. But this is not all, obviously: we all rely on Vibram technologies also during our treks, hikes, and approaches, or even when we explore mixed terrain with snow and rock, and in any situation related to outdoor activities. The history of Vibram is indeed closely intertwined with the development of mountain sports, including climbing, but also with that of the world of safety footwear and lifestyle.
The mission
However, its original "mission" is undoubtedly linked to mountaineering: the first sole designed for uneven terrains was born in 1937, from the ingenious intuition of Vitale Bramani (from whom it takes its name). He had the idea to create the sole after the tragic incident of 1935, where five companions of Bramani lost their lives on Punta Rasica in the Italian Alps, was partially attributed to the felt-soled rock climbing boots they were wearing. Their nailed boots were left at the base camp, leaving them stranded on the mountain. Bramani, who survived the ordeal, was compelled to finalize the development of a new boot sole he had been working on, that we all know as "Carrarmato," perfect for adapting to mountainous terrains thanks to its design and the stickiest rubber ever.
In the 1950s, Vibram began to partner with the most important Italian mountaineering expeditions. Among the first accomplishments of wearing boots with Vibram soles was the unforgettable conquest of K2 Peak in 1954. Ardito Desio, explorer and scientist, assembled a team with the best alpinists of the moment and, with the significant support of CAI, managed to organize a successful expedition. Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli reached the summit of the world's toughest mountain, the most hostile peak, inspiring generations of climbers for decades.
Quabaug Rubber Company advertisement featuring Jim, before the 1975 climb. Whittaker Family Collection
Vibram Grip is born: designed for sport climbing
Many other revolutions in terms of safety shoes and improvement of existing technologies followed, with Vibram becoming increasingly attentive to the changing and evolving needs of climbers. Vibram became a point of reference for all those climbers who began to seek pure sport performance.
The concept of Vibram Grip was born in 1988: the first super-adherent rubber designed specifically for sport climbing at high levels. This was a time when the climbing scene was in full ferment, and the first competitions started to enliven the atmosphere. Sportroccia was in its third edition, won in the men's category by Didier Raboutou and in the women's category by Catherine Destivelle. In terms of rock climbing, the highest result had been achieved a year earlier (1987) by Wolfgang Gullich with the First Ascent of Wallstreet in Frankenjura, universally recognized as the first 8c in history.
Over the years, Vibram Grip has evolved into a complete family of compounds tailored to the various needs of different disciplines, offering a wide range of possibilities to choose from, even if we confine our research to climbing and bouldering.
XS Edge: maximum support on edges and micro footholds
Vibram XS Edge has been one of the first to be created to ensure the best edging (hence the name) on little footholds and it is stiff enough to give absolute comfort to beginners or on multi-pitch routes. The solidity of the sole allows the shoe to maintain excellent resistance to distortion, maintaining the shape even on the edges just drawn on the rock. We find this sole in the iconic La Sportiva TC Pro climbing shoes, exactly the ones used by Alex Honnold during his epic free-solo ascents, as well as in La Sportiva Katana, SCARPA Boostic, Instinct VS and in all Maestro variants.
XS Grip 2: Evolution for Overhanging Bouldering
On the other hand, XS Grip 2 is a medium-stiffness compound where sensitivity starts to play a crucial role, artfully balancing with a still very strong support. It represents the evolution of XS Grip and is one of the most appreciated soles by boulderers due to its characteristics of maximum grip and excellent friction. It is one of the most admired and versatile soles because of its unbeatable compromise between stiffness and reactivity, exceptional on overhangs: you can witness it in action in all the most important climbing competitions, for example, supporting SCARPA Drago, Furia, and Chimera, as well as in La Sportiva Skwama and Solutions.
Megagrip: grip on dry and wet terrain
As regards for hiking and approach shoes, Megagrip is the main Vibram sole made for high performances: both if you have to deal with dry or wet terrains, Megagrip ensures you unparalleled grip. Besides giving you support and stability, Vibram Megagrip is highly durable and abrasion-resistant, so as to be able to take you along countless adventures. Hiking and trekking, but also trail running and mountain biking: this is an exceptional rubber compound for high performance of all kinds.
To face the most challenging and diverse terrain, Vibram Megagrip is often combined with Idrogrip: an excellent grip on wet and slippery terrain, absolutely essential in trail running and in many unpredictable outdoor situations. You can find this compound on almost all La Sportiva TX shoes, in SCARPA Crux and in the Hoka Mafate Speed shoes
Ecostep Recycle: Looking Ahead through New Evolutions
The combination of technologies and materials has given rise to many different solutions over the years. Those mentioned so far represent only a minimal part, usually the ones most appreciated by climbers. Vibram has introduced many little revolutions within specific niches, and we can't forget to talk about one of the innovations that Vibram values the most: Ecostep.
It was born more than thirty years ago when most brands weren't as careful about sustainability as they are today, and it has been one of the first eco-friendly soles ever. Initially used on casual and lifestyle shoes, its use has expanded over the years.
Vibram Ecostep is made with production leftovers from other soles, reducing up to 50% of the waste generated from the production process of all other compounds. Its success has been such that it is now also used as a surface for outdoor areas dedicated to children's games and as a noise barrier on motorways.
Resoling and Sustainability
In recent years, Vibram has launched a significant campaign to reduce waste and encourage the reuse of materials. It is called "Repair if You Care" and aims to explain when and how it makes sense to resole your climbing shoes, whether they are for sports and performance or city life. For this reason, Vibram has forged important collaborations with many indoor climbing gyms, such as UrbanWall in Milan, making them a reference point for both resonance and the location of many events, including Grip Experience and Vibram Party, which bring this brand closer to us climbers.
And the future? For us climbers, it seems to have a name: Vibram XS Flash 2!