Michelin is well known for creating excellent motorcycle tires, especially for the street. Michelin Pilot Road 4 tires are regarded as the best wet weather street tire currently on the market. And now the French manufacturer is looking to put their rubber on the soles of your feet too in partnership with Chinese textiles and manufacturing firm Jinhua.
While the partnership is aimed to produce footwear for many active sports, their first products will include a pair of motorcycle boots (plus a pair of mountain bike shoes) and incorporate many of the technologies that they use in their tires. Given that a shoe’s insole, midsole and outsole all contain rubber, it certainly makes sense for a specialist tire manufacturer to get involved in performance footwear.
The TCX-Adventure Infinity is designed for touring and is aimed at being comfortable both on the motorcycle and off it. Inspired by the Michelin Anakee 3 Enduro tyre, the sole has technical characteristics that, according to Michelin, perfectly meet motorcyclists’ needs. The sipes for example crafted to evacuate mud, gravel and water. They also deliver just the right amount of stability and adherence. The tyre’s notched sipe design has been reproduced on the sole to improve traction, control and adherence on the road and on loose, muddy soil. Other features include a rubber compound that offers heat and abrasion resistance.
The second motorcycle boot is the TCX X-Cube which is designed for the urban environment. According to Michelin, this shoe takes inspiration from The Michel Pilot Road 3 and Pro Grip 4 motorcycle tires. The exterior part incorporates XST technology from the MICHELIN Pilot Road 3 and 4 tires to effectively disperse water and enhance adherence on any kind of surface, from tarmac to paving stones, which is particularly important for motorcyclists when they have to dismount and walk their bike.
The interior part features technology borrowed from the Michel Pro Grip 4 tire, with rounded sipes providing exceptional adherence and pedal control in all weather conditions.
The product is also made from a rubber compound that guarantees good grip and high resistance to abrasion and heat.
Now word yet on availability and pricing.
Michelin Partners With Jihua To Create Motorcycle Boots
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