Fortex Primary Function: Aarbechtsstiwwel vum Vincent Blais

D'Wierk Fortex Primary Function: Aarbechtsstiwwel vum Designer Vincent Blais ass en héich geschätzten Gewënner vum prestigiéisen 2026 A' Design Award an Sëlwer an der Wettbewerbskategorie Sécherheetskleedung a Perséinlech Schutzausrüstung Design.

SëlwerSchutzausrüstung· 2026

Fortex Primary Function: Aarbechtsstiwwel

vum Vincent Blais

Client: Royer

A' Design Award an Sëlwer Gewënner an der Kategorie Schutzausrüstung

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Verifizéierte Präisgewënner

Präisstatus fir #182037 verifizéieren

Säit besichen Kuckt beim A' Design Award Pressemëtteelung Award Badge

Faarwen

Den Design

Iwwer Fortex Primary Function: Aarbechtsstiwwel

Book Text: Fortex ass e waasserfeste Sécherheetsstiwwel, deen fir héichriskant industriell Ëmfeld entwéckelt gouf, wou chemesch Belaaschtung, Schlagrisiken a mechanesche Stress optrieden. Seng Innovatioun ass e chemesche Co-Molding-Prozess, deen thermoplastesch Polyurethan-Komponenten mat enger agespritzter Polyurethan-Basis verbënnt an esou eng eenheetlech Struktur ouni Klebstoffer formt. Integréiert Elementer ëmfaassen e Metatarsalschutz, e seitleche Knëchelschutz an eng verstäerkt Fersekapp. D'Design bitt Widderstand géint Waasser, Chemikalien, Kuelewaasserstoffer, Duerchbroch a Rutschen, während et liicht, ergonomesch an thermesch effizient bleift.

D'Unerkennung

Iwwer den A' Design Award an Sëlwer

Fortex Primary Function: Aarbechtsstiwwel ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Sëlwer, enger aussergewéinlech prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un Designe vun der héchster Qualitéit, prächteg a beandrockend vergi gëtt. Sëlwer-Gewënner si bemierkenswäert brillant a ganz kreativ Wierker, déi d'erausragend Expertise, d'Talent an d'Schaarfsënnegkeet vun hire Designer weisen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Fortex Primary Function: Aarbechtsstiwwel e wonnerbart, mustergëlteg, bemierkenswäert professionellt an déif innovatiivt Wierk ass. Dëst mam Sëlwer ausgezeechent Design ass eng bemierkenswäert, bewonnert Erfindung, déi dozou bäidréit, d'Grenze vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie ze erweideren. Fortex Primary Function: Aarbechtsstiwwel ass eng Kreatioun, op déi vill neidesch sinn, déi Wënsch erweckt, positiv Gefiller bréngt an Erstaunen a Wonner erweckt.

Hannert dem Design

Press Kit

Credits, Teammemberen an technesch Detailer vum Designer zur Verfügung gestallt.

Eenzegaarteg Eegeschaften: Engineered to redefine industrial performance, this boot features a quad-density co-injection system fusing PU and TPU into one seamless chassis. Anatomically mapped zones deliver lightweight shock absorption and targeted protection at key impact areas. A rigid heel stabilizes the foot on uneven terrain, while specialized outsoles ensure grip in extreme conditions. Cement-free bonding forms a waterproof, monolithic structure built for lasting durability and safety.
Dimensiounen & Verpackung: Product Dimensions (1 boot, size 42): 310 mm x 120 mm x 400 mm (height)
Package: 510 mm x 355 mm x 140 mm
Tags: Co-injected Footwear, TPU Reinforcement, Polyurethane Safety Boot, Cold Weather Protection, Ankle protection, Metatarsal Protection, Industrial Design, Injection Molding Innovation, Chemical Bonding, Work Boot
Produktiounstechnologie: This safety boot is engineered through co-injection molding, chemically bonding high-density TPU reinforcement with a lightweight PU core to form a seamless, monolithic structure free from adhesives and delamination. Developed for sub-zero climates, the TPU formulation maintains elasticity at -40°C, ensuring impact resistance without brittleness. Precision tooling guarantees exact reinforcement placement, delivering targeted protection, thermal stability, and durability without added bulk.
Design Erausfuerderung: The principal challenge was achieving reliable co-molding between TPU and a PU base, ensuring sufficient bonding strength in the metatarsal insert located within the boot’s primary flex zone. This required rethinking rotary-injection machine & tooling: a system allowing a pre-molded TPU insert to seat in an articulated receiver moving in frontal-transverse planes before mold closure and PU injection. Constraints included production feasibility, material behavior, wearer comfort and international safety standard requirements.
Fuerschung: This applied industrial research explored polymer chemistry and precision engineering to eliminate adhesion failure and cold embrittlement in safety footwear. Using iterative prototyping and destructive testing, high-density TPU was co-injected with a cellular PU core to form a monolithic structure. Hundreds of bonding and sub-zero wear tests led to a cement-free boot with permanent molecular fusion, zero delamination, and full CSA, ASTM, and EN/ISO compliance.
Inspiratioun: This project merges heritage craftsmanship with advanced material science, transforming traditional footwear into an integrated high-performance system with protection embedded in its structural DNA. Inspired by biological exoskeletons, it acts as both protective shell and load-bearing frame. Rib-cage inspired arch geometry in the metatarsal zone disperses impact while preserving flexibility, creating a biomimetic system balancing safety and ergonomic performance.
Projetdauer: Designing started in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada in Dec. 2023. Engineering started in Legnaro, Padova, Italy in September 2024 with GGS, an elite Italian mold-making partner lead by M. Roberto Gobbato.
Operatiounsablaf: This safety boot functions as a flexible exoskeleton, flexing at the forefoot while stabilizing the heel. TPU reinforcements shield the metatarsal area and ankle from impact without limiting movement. Unlike cemented footwear, its PU and TPU components are co-injected and chemically fused into a single monolithic structure, eliminating delamination. Built for harsh industrial and cold environments, it delivers long-term durability, reliability, and consistent performance.
Patenten: Protective Toecap & Puncture-resistant Sole
(CSA Z195-14) Certified grade 1 protective toecap that withstands impacts up to 125 joules and certified puncture-resistant sole that withstands at least 1200 Newtons (270pounds)

Electric-shock Protection
(CSA Z195-14) Certified electric-shock protection (18 kV / 60 Hz / 1 minute)

Metatarsal Protection
(CSA Z195-14) Certified metatarsal protection that can withstand impacts up to 101.7 joules

Protective Toecap Impact and Compression Resistance
(ASTM F2413-24) Certified protective toecap that can withstand an impact of 75 ft-lbf (~100 Nm) and a compression of 2500lbs (~1135KG).

Puncture-resistant Sole
(ASTM F2413-24) Certified puncture-resistant sole that can withstand a force load of 270 lbf (1200 N)

Metatarsal Protection
(ASTM F2413-24) Certified metatarsal protection that can withstand an impact of 75 ft-lbf (~100 Nm)

Electric Hazard Protection
(ASTM F2413-24) Certified electric-shock protection (18 kV/ 60 Hz / 1 minute)

Slip Resistant Sole
(ASTM F2413-24) Certified slip-resistant footwear with a coefficient of friction (CoF) of no less than 0.40 on dry and wet quarry tile
Teammemberen: Footwear Developer/Designer: Vincent Blais
Design Associate: Loïc Girard
Executive Director - Innovation: Francis Lacroix

DEVELOPING PARTNERS:
Equipment and Testing: Felice Scarnera & Benedetto Scarnera from SFB Srl (Italy)
Master Moldmaker: Roberto Gobbato – GGS (Italy)
Material and Chemistry: ELACHEM (Italy)
Int'l team coordinator: Alexandra Dombrovska (Italy)