Garmont design innovations fuel Amica Collection for women

WILLISTON, VERMONT (July 29, 2010) — Garmont Footwear (www.GarmontUSA.com) the recognized innovators in high performance outdoor footwear for all seasons, is introducing the all-new Amica Collection featuring exclusive women’s specific breakthroughs blending agility, support and style.

To be unveiled at the upcoming Outdoor Retailer Summer Market show, the Amica Collection features four inspired designs created by women, for women. In the Amica Hike, Amica Mid, Amica Trail and Amica Lite – Garmont marries award-worthy new technology with an understated style that reflects the brand’s deep Italian roots.

“Our mantra while designing this collection was ‘keep connected.’ The best stability and control comes from being able to sense and respond to the terrain,” said Gord Bailey, president of Garmont. “Under the Amica tag —the Italian word for “friend” — we have successfully created an elegant group of eye-catching walkers and hikers with specific innovations for women’s specific physiological needs,”

The foundation of innovation in the Amica series centers around the Vibram Fiore sole, and an exclusive set of supporting features which stem from the flower-inspired tread design. Available in the most technical shoes of the collection – the Amica Hike, Amica Mid and Amica Trail – the exclusive Fiore component set extends Garmont’s long history of innovation.

The Vibram Fiore component set begins with a 6mm deep, multidirectional, mud shedding lug pattern sole for maximum trail grip and superb braking in all direction and all conditions.

Continuing through the midsole, the Stelo double shank is a first-of-its-kind innovation, providing both stability and protection. In the forefoot, the Stelo system features a TPU grid articulated to flex with a woman’s foot and protect from uneven terrain, while a TPU shank is added for torsional stability and high performance.

The midsole also reflects the Fiore “flower” theme, with petals of polyurethane extending underfoot for extra stability and support around the perimeter. The three-layer midsole includes underfoot EVA for out of the box comfort, and a memory foam-like heel pad to lower the center of gravity, absorb shock, and add spring to your step.

The Solido lacing system features foot-wrapping webbing lace locks which root your foot to the trail by tying directly into the sole of your boot. The lacing passes through the tongue to prevent it from balling up or slipping to the side. A beefy toe bumper adds protection from loose rocks and trail debris.

The Amica Lite is the true lifestyle piece of the collection, built for coffee shop cruising as well as spur-of-the moment hikes. The Amica Lite uses Garmont’s proprietary Vibram Presa outsole, with a pattern inspired by tropical reefs, with 4mm multidirectional lugs full of surface gripping nooks. Using similar upper technology created for the Amica Fiore series, the Lite pares it down to the essentials in a package that’s clean, trim and lightweight.

The Amica Collection from Garmont will be on display at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market show in booth 24027, on “Main Street” in the Salt Palace Convention Center.