Xpan 2 Primär funktion: Arbetskänga av Francis Lacroix

Designen Xpan 2 Primär funktion: Arbetskänga av Francis Lacroix är en högt ansedd vinnare av den mycket prestigefyllda 2026 A' Design Award i Guld i tävlingskategorin Skyddskläder och Personlig Skyddsutrustningsdesign.

GuldSkyddsutrustning· 2026

Xpan 2 Primär funktion: Arbetskänga

av Francis Lacroix

Klient: Royer

Vinnare av A' Design Award i Guld i kategorin Skyddsutrustning

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Färger

Designen

Om Xpan 2 Primär funktion: Arbetskänga

Boktext: Kängan Xpan 2.0 har en banbrytande sulkonstruktion som är utformad för extrema metallurgiska miljöer, där termiskt skydd och lätt prestanda måste samexistera. Dess avancerade sula motstår värme, halka och nötning i högriskindustrimiljöer. Ett värme- och flamresistent gummiskal omsluter mellansulan av polyuretan och bildar en integrerad termisk barriär utan att kompromissa med stötdämpningen eller öka vikten. Resultatet sätter en ny standard för skyddsskor mot smält metall.

Erkännandet

Om A' Design Award i Guld

Xpan 2 Primär funktion: Arbetskänga är vinnare av A' Design Award i Guld, ett oerhört prestigefyllt erkännande som tilldelas förstklassiga, underbara och enastående designverk. Guldvinnare är utomordentligt innovativa, visionära och glamoröst bländande skapelser som speglar sina formgivares briljans, visdom och skicklighet. Xpan 2 Primär funktion: Arbetskänga förväntas vara en högt prisad, trendsättande och monumental uppfinning som levererar oöverträffat värde. Detta vinnande verk i A' Design Award i Guld är ett spektakulärt, respekterat projekt som i hög grad gagnar och flyttar fram gränserna för konst, vetenskap, design och teknik. Xpan 2 Primär funktion: Arbetskänga skapar intensiva känslor av längtan, väcker passion, uppmuntrar kreativitet och fascinerar oss.

Bakom designen

Presskit

Erkännanden, teammedlemmar och tekniska detaljer tillhandahållna av designern.

Unika egenskaper: The sole is designed in a way to encapsulate the quasi-totality of the polyurethane midsole by the heat and flame resistant rubber outsole leaving only a slight contour. Thus, offering a lighter and highly shock absorbing sole all the while providing maximal foot protection and durability.
Dimensioner & förpackning: A US size 9.0 (42 EU) pair has an approximate height of 200 mm and is built on an ergonomic shoelast designed to closely follow the natural morphology of the foot, ensuring fit precision and comfort. Each pair is packaged in a rectangular box measuring approximately 200 x 200 x 100 mm. The packaging, made from recycled and recyclable cardboard, protects the product from factory to end user.
Taggar: Work boot, Safety boot, Cold Weather Protection, outsole technology, extreme job sites, Metatarsal Protection, Industrial Design
Produktionsteknik: The design process began with exploratory hand sketches to define proportions, functional zones and visual identity. Concepts were refined using Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator and Photoshop) to develop precise renderings and material simulations. A detailed technical drawing was then produced to guide tooling and upper manufacturing. A comprehensive tech pack ensured accurate translation of design intent into production.
Designutmaning: The most complex challenge was achieving resistance to molten metal, particularly full immersion in liquid aluminum exceeding 1,000°C. Aluminum’s very low viscosity allows rapid penetration, making material selection and upper construction highly critical. The difficulty was intensified by bonding the upper to a rubber outsole through polyurethane injection, a material sensitive to heat above 150°C. Balancing extreme thermal protection with manufacturability required extensive experimentation and process control.
Forskning: Type of Research: Experimental product R&D following a five-phase Stage-Gate methodology. Research Objectives: Improve protection, comfort, and durability in molten metal environments. Methodology: Define measurable performance criteria and validate materials against them. Data Collection and Tools: Iterative lab testing on weight, slip resistance, molten metal splash and aluminum bath immersion. Participants: Internal R&D and manufacturing teams. Results: Measurable gains across all parameters. Insights and Impacts: Enhanced safety standards, industrial reliability, and long-term value for high-risk metal processing sectors.
Inspiration: The sole design draws inspiration from the aerodynamic geometry of the CF-105 Arrow developed by Avro Canada. Its triangular wing structure and directional arrow motifs informed the tread’s dynamic chevron pattern, engineered to enhance forward traction and stability. The project merges aerospace precision with industrial safety research, translating principles of thrust, grip, and structural resilience into a high-performance work boot outsole.
Projektlängd: The project started in January 2023 in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, and was completed in December 2025. The three-year development cycle included the Definition, Design, Prototyping, and Production Implementation phases. The product was officially launched in January 2026. A continuous Monitoring and Feedback phase has been ongoing since market introduction to ensure long-term performance optimization.
Arbetsflöde: The Xpan 2.0 boot improves upon previous generations in every critical aspect. It offers higher resistance to molten metal splash, enhanced slip protection on certified test surfaces, reduced weight, improved ergonomic fit, and greater durability against abrasion and tearing. Each performance parameter was tested and validated, demonstrating measurable progress over the previous model, already recognized as a global benchmark in primary and secondary metal processing environments.
Teammedlemmar: Sponsor: Simon La Rochelle
Innovation Director: Francis Lacroix
Product Developer: Vincent Blais
Project Manager: Elyzabeth Bouchard
Operations Director: Etienne Sirois
Production Technician: Brittaney La Penna
Production Technician: Simon Turk
Technical Partner: Benedetto Scarnera (SFB Srl)
Technical Partner: Felice Scarnera (SFB Srl)