Salomon Unveils New [opti·vibe] Technology and Their Spring 2020 Trail and Road Running Range

Salomon introduces its new [opti·vibe] technology which is specially designed for all road and trail runners. [opti·vibe] technology is the result of six years of research that has produced a comfortable, high-performance shoe. It is a unique combination of cushioning and dynamism. During each foot strike, the cushioning not only reduces shock absorbed by the body, but it also returns energy.

By combining two materials with complementary properties – cushioning and rebound – Salomon has produced a heel that meets all expectations in terms of cushioning, stability and feel. Heel strikers will benefit from the comfort of great cushioning that is also dynamic. Runners with a forefoot strike can also take advantage of this technology by choosing a model with a low drop. When fatigue sets in they will appreciate the increased comfort that comes from the cushioning in the heel.

To create [opti·vibe] technology, Salomon invested in a digitally-modelled human leg—including the bones, muscles, and ligaments—in order to study biomechanics. In this case, the Salomon biomechanics lab focused on dampening vibration and how shoes can help protect runners. Doing so helped the product team create a shoe that is intended to reduce lower leg fatigue, and do so without sacrificing dynamic rebound. In fact, Salomon biomechanics experts were able to confirm a 15 percent reduction in the vibration when compared to traditional running shoes.

[opti·vibe] technology is injected into the new road running series Sonic 3, and can also be found in trail models, Sense Ride 3.

Road Running Range – Sonic 3

New Sonic 3 footwear collection designed for everyday training and protection

It’s no secret that Salomon cemented its reputation in running by being at the forefront of the trail running explosion of the last 10-15 years. More recently, however, the company has made it clear that it is highly capable of creating seriously good road running shoes. It started with the hiring of several longtime running industry personnel, which showed that the company was taking its foray onto the street seriously. The results over the past two years speak for themselves. Salomon had huge retail success with its Sonic and Predict RA shoes in 2019, which turned heads with both specialities running shop experts and podiatrists for their unique design approach. In fact, the Predict RA was a Runner’s World Hot List award winner. 

For the spring 2020 season, the company builds on that gathering momentum with an evolving range of Sonic models—the Accelerate, the Balance and the Confidence. Working with the firm belief that a running shoe should work with you, not against you, Salomon developed three new Sonic models designed to match the stride of every runner. Each model features Salomon’s [opti·vibe] technology, which helps runners save energy so he or she can run more. [opti·vibe] technology uses a unique combination of foams—one to dampen, the other to propel—which helps to reduce fatigue-inducing vibrations at foot strike allowing you to focus on moving forward. Sonic 3 is designed for runners in search of a training or all-around running shoe (see specific descriptions below) that will protect their joints and muscles.

Sonic 3 Accelerate

At just 223 grams, the Sonic 3 Accelerate is a lightweight training shoe packed with features designed to optimize your speed training. [opti·vibe] technology, a unique combination of foams (one to dampen, the other to propel), helps reduce vibration on foot strike to decrease fatigue without affecting your overall ride. To ensure a fast, efficient forward transition from contact to propulsion, the Geometric Decoupling axis is oriented medially with a larger lateral platform. The road-specific, lightweight Sensifit upper fits the contours of your foot, gently securing it in place, for dynamic comfort with no added weight.
Drop: 6mm. Stack height: 24/18mm

Sonic 3 Balance

 An advanced training shoe for all-around performance, the lightweight Sonic 3 Balance is packed with all the essential features you need to optimize your road running, and nothing else. [opti·vibe] technology, a unique combination of foams (one to dampen, the other to propel), helps reduce vibration on foot strike to decrease fatigue without affecting your overall ride. The Geometric Decoupling axis is centred to deliver a balanced, effortless forward transition from contact to propulsion. The road-specific, lightweight Sensifit upper fits the contours of your foot, gently securing it in place, for dynamic comfort with no added weight.
Drop: 8mm Stack height: 28/20mm

Sonic 3 Confidence

A structured training shoe when you need a bit more, the Sonic 3 Confidence training shoe is packed with features to give you extra assurance on the road. [opti·vibe] technology, a unique combination of foams (one to dampen, the other to propel), helps reduce vibration on foot strike to decrease fatigue without affecting your overall ride. The Geometric Decoupling axis is oriented more laterally to create a larger medial platform for a more stable forward transition from heel to toe. The road-specific, Sensifit upper fits the contours of your foot, gently securing it in place, for dynamic comfort and extra reassurance.
Drop: 10 mm Stack Height: 30/20mm

Trail Running Range – Sense Ride 3 & Sense PRO 4

New product offering caters to experienced and new trail runners as sport continues to grow

As the undisputed leader in trail running, Salomon has consistently invested in the growth of the sport with trail running workshops, community runs and sponsored events for both amateur and elite athletes. Through these efforts (and the efforts of other brands and organizations), the sport continues to flourish around the world. 

According to the 2018 Outdoor Industry Association, the number of trail runners in the United States more than doubled between 2007 and 2017 (+117%). The average yearly growth in trail running participation with 18-24 year-old Americans over the last four years was 10 percent, and ages 18-24 now represent 22 percent of trail runners in the U.S. In France and Germany, trail running sales have grown more than five percent per year from 2015 to 2018. In fact, there are now more than nine million trail runners in the U.S. and one million in France. 

The proper experience with footwear, apparel and gear are crucial if these newcomers to trail running are to return for more. When it comes to footwear, comfort and traction provide confidence as new trail runners gain experience running off-road. To deliver that confidence, Salomon offers several shoe models in spring/summer 2020 with the fit and feel of a road running shoe in a package built to handle technical terrain. The new Sense Ride 3 and Sense PRO 4, for example, have ample cushioning and Salomon’s [opti·vibe] vibration reduction technology for a well-protected ride.

In spring 2020, Salomon will continue to offer Plogging runs during which participants help clean up the environment around them by gathering litter. Additionally, the brand will continue its How to Trail Run Workshops and offer a new, second-level experience designed to help novice runners take their abilities to the next level by practising uphill and downhill running in timed sessions. 

Sense Ride 3 and Sense PRO 4 are designed for trail runners, road runners looking to head off-road and urban residents who run in a park or in the forest.

Sense Ride 3

An everyday trail running shoe from the leader in the sport, the Sense Ride 3 draws on road-running standards to provide overall comfort and soft cushioning. For extra grip and protection, it’s also packed with trail-specific features like anti-debris mesh, a ground filter and a Contagrip® outsole. Using Salomon’s road running knowledge, the Sense Ride 3 delivers a comfortable ride via extra cushioning, an optimized midsole with [opti·vibe] technology vibration-reduction and decoupling. The soft upper is designed with just the right amount of protection. The full rubber Contagrip® outsole offers premium traction, while Profeel film protects your feet from sharp objects on the trail.

Sense PRO 4

Ideal for picking up the pace on fast, rolling terrain, the Sense PRO 4 features road running technologies to deliver a dynamic ride and just the right amount of protection to take on challenging trails. A soft hydrophobic upper, ample cushioning and optimized midsole featuring [opti·vibe] technology vibration-reduction technology provide a well-protected ride. The full rubber Contagrip® outsole offers premium traction, while Profeel film protects your feet from sharp objects on the trail. The Sense PRO 4 also has an Optimized drop (4mm) for greater precision and stability and a more efficient forward transition.

#Timetoplay #RunOnEmotion with the latest [opti·vibe] technology.
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