Brussels, 14 June 2021
First introduced at ISPO in 2016, the GRIPWALK® ski boots binding system enables easier, safer, and increased comfort when walking in ski boots. Initially designed by FESI member Marker & Dalbello (also known as MDV Sports), the GRIPWALK® sole has just been certified by the International Organisation for Standardisation under the ISO standard 23223. The new certification will now ensure the compatibility of GRIPWALK® products across all brands manufacturing ski bindings and boots.
In contrast to classic ski boot soles, GRIPWALK® allows skiers to have a much better grip on smooth or sloping grounds thanks to the softer and ribbed foot surfaces. In short, it makes walking with ski boots significantly easier and safer, as if users were wearing classic street shoes. While the system was initially only available for Marker ski bindings and Dalbello boots, virtually all major manufacturers have since been added as licensees. Thanks to the new ISO standard, MDV Sports estimates that more than 60 percent of all alpine ski boots and bindings have already installed GRIPWALK® or are GRIPWALK® compatible.
“There are only a few standards within the ski industry. But uniform systems and joint developments such as GRIPWALK® can ensure that safety and comfort improve across manufacturers. That is how we are optimising collaboration, further developing the range of equipment offered by the outfitters and enhancing the attractiveness of skiing through increased comfort,” says Jonathan Wiant, President of the Marker, Dalbello, and Völkl brands.
As the Federation representing the interests of the major European ski manufacturers, FESI has always encouraged its members to embrace the GRIPWALK® innovative system. FESI winter sports task force was instrumental in facilitating a number of cross-brand discussions to finalise the technical details of the standard’s proposal for the GRIPWALK® certification.
“On behalf of the sporting goods industry, I would like to congratulate MDV Sport on the ISO certification, which represents a major innovation for winter sports’ products. FESI was very fortunate to witness the initial development of this technology and tried to leverage its role as a federation to facilitate discussions between its different members so that the GRIPWALK® innovation would become a true standard for the entire industry. Today, it is a common victory, both for the sector at large and for the end consumers”, stated Jérôme Pero, FESI Secretary General.
After a wrecked season for the winter sports industry’s economy, FESI hopes the new GRIPWALK® sole will boost the sector’s recovery and increase the satisfaction of ski lovers who will hopefully be back on the slopes later this year.
***
About FESI: Founded in 1960 FESI – the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry represents the interests of approximately 1.800 sporting goods manufacturers (85% of the European market) through its National Sporting Goods Industry Federations and its directly affiliated member companies. 70-75% of FESI’s membership is made up of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. In total, the European Sporting Goods Industry employs over 700.000 EU citizens and has an annual turnover of some 81 billion euro.
Contact: Ariane Gatti, FESI Communication Officer / [email protected] /+32 274 08 94
