"The equator is superior to any other"

With the MEINDL Equator, a new type of patrol boot is hitting the market, which is unique. Equipped with a new class of Gore-Tex shoe laminate – the Extended Comfort Footwear Laminate – it impresses with high functionality and top performance. We had firm CEO Lukas Meindl explain to us what makes this new shoe special, how the idea came about, and what the MEINDL and GORE collaboration is all about.SPARTANAT: It's hot in the summer, and that's exactly when MEINDL has released the Equator boot. But why wear a boot with laminate in this season?

Lukas Meindl: Originally, we assumed that the wearer buys a pair of shoes and goes to a region that is hot and presents many other challenges. Gore-Tex is not just the laminate that protects against moisture. GORE offers much more. Due to its construction, the Equator has achieved a climate comfort that is far better than if we were to use a normal 2D mesh construction. That would be the first and crucial point. In addition, there are several other factors that show what Gore-Tex can achieve with such a shoe.

One important aspect is the topic of quick drying. Due to the new laminate and construction, the Equator absorbs very little water and dries back quickly. This shoe offers several advantages: it is waterproof, has quick drying, tremendous climate comfort, high stability, foot protection, and is also sandproof.

Normally, a shoe with regular lining has the following problem: the sand penetrates through the outer layer into the middle layer, leading to blister formation. With the Equator, this does not happen because nothing goes in. Everything stays out. That's why I am convinced that this system will prove itself. However, it is important to note that we are no longer able to construct a stiff, firm shoe. That was not the idea, because then the whole structure would become too thick. The Equator is not a mountain boot, but a patrol boot.SPARTANAT: When a consumer sees a boot, they only think about the shoe manufacturer, in this case MEINDL. However, the creation of such a boot is a complex and intensive collaboration between the manufacturer and GORE. How does a partnership like that work – using Equator as an example? How long does it take to develop such a shoe?

Lukas Meindl: The Equator had a very long lead time, over two years in total. First, there is an idea. The big idea here was to achieve much better climate comfort and protection in a shoe like this. Then Gore develops a corresponding material. After that, we at Meindl are called into action.

MEINDL has a close development partnership with GORE, a kind of Center of Excellence, with the ability to conduct development projects in a special production plant. Among other things, the Equator was one of the big projects. After the idea and prototyping phase, comes the phase where everything is completed. This Equator system is now ready for production.

What are the refinements in this shoe? The art was to bring all materials together tightly, even in the upper part, so that no air is left between them. We had to create a kind of direct lamination, even though the materials are sewn together. We succeeded in doing that. At the end, everything should still be waterproof. At this point in the partnership, GORE steps in again, because GORE is well-equipped and extensively tests the new shoe in its lab.SPARTANAT: We already had a prototype of the Equator for testing. Now, a completely different sole is being used in the production-ready model. Why was this choice made?

Lukas Meindl: When we started with this shoe, the current sole was not available yet. It was developed during the project. Why did we choose this new sole? Because it is lighter, more sporty, and more dynamic than the one we initially tested in the prototype stage. Users demand a flexible, lightweight, and still stable shoe. With this sole, we are closer to what the customer wants. The material itself has not changed. The design is new, and the composition of the sole material has become lighter and more flexible. The rubber outsole for good grip remains.

SPARTANAT: The shoe comes in three different colors: Black, Coyote Brown, and light Khaki. Why this selection?

Lukas Meindl: The color choice is oriented towards the users. Initially, these shoes were planned in Beige or Khaki, as we always thought of hot regions. But it is not limited to that: For example, today we have 32 degrees, it is humid, and the humidity is very high. This means that even in our region, we quickly get too hot feet. This morning at 7:30, there was sunshine, then clouds came in, and it started to rain. Our weather is more unstable than ever before. Therefore, we also wanted to have a black shoe that has more applications than the one designed for desert regions. The black model appeals to security forces. For military and police, we need black. The difference in the models: the black ones use smooth cowhide, while the brown tones use rough suede leather, otherwise the material mix remains the same.

SPARTANAT: Why were the German ASMC and the Austrian Military Partner chosen as exclusive distribution partners?

Lukas Meindl: The Military Partner from Austria has a very good market access. They are a specialist retailer with good expertise and offer corresponding services. We at Meindl have been working with them for a long time. The same goes for ASMC in Germany. However, this does not mean that we will limit ourselves to only one partner per country in the long run. At the moment, the Equator is being well received, but it is not yet well-known. Of course, it is important for the Equator to find its customers. We produce only the quantities that we need in the market, we do not flood it. With the Equator as it is now, I am convinced that it will work, as the tests with it alone were very convincing.

LUKAS MEINDL

For over 35 years, GORE has been working with the company MEINDL. Lukas Meindl, who currently leads the company, joined the German family business in 1990, which has been producing shoes for over 300 years. There is a great story here that portrays the collaboration with and the history of MEINDL in detail.

THE LEADING ROLE

GORE is increasingly using wear tests to introduce new shoe concepts – together with its shoe partners – to the market. The new concept for GORE-TEX desert boots with Extended Comfort Laminate Technology was introduced via SPARTANAT (LINK to the article HERE). Currently, international wear tests are taking place at the Polish magazine FRAG OUT, where the Equator is being tested as a lightweight patrol boot. But also, local security forces and others working in hot regions are already using models of the new shoe. Recently, 50 soldiers were recruited through SPARTANAT to have the Meindl Equator field-tested globally. We will report on this in early October. Additionally, the new desert boot concept was successfully presented at this year's IWA 2016 in Nuremberg. GORE is supporting the development of a new shoe and helping to bring it to the market.

The new Patrol GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort Footwear will be showcased at IWA 2017 in Nuremberg from March 3-6.

GORE online: www.gore-workwear.de

MEINDL online: www.meindl.de

GORE at IWA 2017: Booth 9, Stand 320

MEINDL at IWA 2017: Booth 4, Stand 111