From the 7th to the 9th of September the Team Lafuma Vibram will visit the Vibram Performing Test Center, Vibram research and innovation outstation in Guangzhou (China).

We made the team some questions before leaving for the tour.

How do you expect the Vibram Performing Test Center to be?

Well, that’s a good question and we guess we‘ll get the answer very soon!! It’s true that it will be our first visit to the Vibram Performing Test Center in China. Even if we try to work on the soles to improve their features (by giving advises and feedbacks), we never went at this specific location. We look forward to be there.

What kind of activities (surveys, product testing…) are you going to join once there?

All the team is using the Vibram soles all over the year, so we can expect to be the people who know this product more than anyone. Our purpose would only be to answer the question that the Vibram Performing Test Center will ask. We have some requirements to continue to wear the best soles, and Vibram engineers will find the best way to do it. We also learn a lot, and we are sometimes very surprised on the complexity of the soles.

According to you, which kind of added value can a Performing Test Center bring to a company like Vibram?

This is obvious that to be the best, Vibram has to use the best tools. The Performing Test Center is one of these. Before testing the soles on real terrain, the internal tests are compulsory for having measurements and real scientific values on grip, lightness, durability, protection…

How can you help the client-brands like Lafuma to improve their cooperation with Vibram?

The team is just in the middle. As a sponsored team we are in charge to point out all the things to be improved without exception. It’s easy for us to criticize, and that’s what people ask us. By this way we help client-brand to change their requirements to Vibram and to finally have the shoes that adventure racers and trailers need.