I t is called the Shark Stable Impact System and is the major innovation for 2023 at Diadora Utility. It is safety footwear designed and manufactured in the Diadora Research Centre in Caerano di San Marco (Treviso) guaranteeing maximum support in all situations thanks to a special cushioning technology that reduces the stress felt by the body on contact with the surface, while maintaining a balanced energy return. The line consists of a polyester or leather upper and is lined internally with an Air Mesh lining, with an aluminium toe cap and an anti-puncture fabric insert. Available in S1P and S3, mid and low versions, in a variety of colours.
“In June this year,” says Michele Risatti, R&D & Quality Manager at Diadora Utility, “we received confirmation of the filing of the Italian patent for the Stable Impact System technology, which allows us to continue with this project that we strongly believe in, also due to the investments made. Compared to other shoes, Shark has the ability to adapt to the terrain and characteristics of the wearer, therefore offering constant cushioning and stability regardless of the strain and weight involved. All this is possible thanks to a unique design with a central opening in the horseshoe-shaped heel area and lateral perforations that allow the sole to stretch both in the length and width direction, independently and uniformly.
The cushioning capacity, therefore, remains stable under varying applied force and weight. The research, tested in our laboratory, has produced a highly innovative safety footwear with unrivalled comfort to meet every need of the worker. We are very satisfied with the result obtained, because with Shark Stable Impact System, Utility once again confirms the inseparable link between safety and technology.
It is a path that has been underway for some time now at Diadora. “Research began four years ago,” Risatti resumes, “and as is often the case with Utility, it is a project that finds its roots in the world of sport. The Shark Stable Impact System takes advantage of the experience gained through running, particularly from a biomechanical point of view. Our know-how allows us to transfer all the parameters developed for sporting activities, into the world of safety, by adapting the various specificities and/or needs in compliance with the regulations enforced in the work safety area’.
“In general, there are three macro-themes that guide the work of Research & Development at Diadora: cushioning, comfort and breathability, the latter also thanks to systems patented together with Geox. Our processes remain strict, which means laboratory tests will continue, both in theory and in practice. In order to obtain the best possible results, we collaborate with cutting-edge research centres such as the Instituto de Biomecánica in Valencia (IBV), the University of Medicine in Washington (USA), the Polytechnic of Turin and other Italian universities. A fundamental role in our research is played by the ‘field testers’, i.e. workers from different sectors, such as plumbers, carpenters and warehousemen, to whom we give a preview of the footwear: they test the shoes for a few months and then return them to us to analyse wear and other technical aspects. We provide each practitioner with a form for a personal report on comfort and any critical issues to be assessed in relation to the type of use.
Cristian Ardissono, Utility Design Leader of the Veneto company, explains the reason behind the choice of the name ‘Shark’.
“The choice of name is very important as it must immediately communicate the unique characteristics of a product, and this choice is never made randomly. The process always starts with a thorough market analysis, which includes the evaluation of existing brands and names. The final decision is made after an internal discussion between the product team and colleagues in the marketing and merchandising departments over a list of names resulting from a brainstorming session where associations, inspirations and concepts are explored. In this specific case, we chose ‘Shark’ because the Stable Impact System technology is inspired by the physical characteristic of the shark, which is capable of performing spectacular dives while always cushioning its fall with perfect balance. In addition, the sole design, with its visible side perforations and lamellar pattern, recalls the gills of the shark. At the same time, we thought it would be an easy name to remember and usable in all countries, with English being a language spoken all over the world.”
Utility is characterised by its refined design with the sporting DNA of Diadora: how did you manage to combine it with high technology?
“The harmonisation of sophisticated design, technology and protection required commitment, dedication and effort,” Ardissono admits, “but in the end they are our distinctive strengths.
The modernist phrase of the design masters, ‘form follows function’, is still a valid concept today, but with a somewhat extended meaning, particularly for digital products. In contrast, footwear has remained one of the few objects where function is recognisable and inseparable from form.
The planning and design of a safety shoe is created and evolves around the different zones of the foot. In Utility, we analyse and interpret all the data provided to us by biomechanics studies, integrating them with the protection elements. To this, from time to time, we use functional elements that derive from the great experience of Diadora in the world of sport. So the osmosis, or rather the transfer from the world of sport to Utility safety footwear, is continuous. For example? The protective heel cup derived from cycling that controls movement and gives stability to the ankle. If we think of the construction world, where uneven ground is common, it can be of great help in preventing certain injuries. Another example is the EVA midsole that comes directly from the world of running performance. Still on the subject of the midsole, there are other elements to consider, such as the drop, i.e. the difference in height (in mm) between the heel and the forefoot, which helps to cause less leg and back fatigue.The balance to all this is given by a design that seeks to favour the flexibility of the footwear, to enhance the areas that need more breathability and conversely those subject to greater stress. Like the tread patterns that facilitate slip resistance in different conditions of use.
Comparing this with athletics, which is always dear to us, we can define a worker as a marathon runner. The work shoe must guarantee, for 8 to 10 hours, not only the best protection, but also maximum comfort, so that the professional arrives at the end of the day with a dry foot and non-fatigued legs and back.
We asked the manager of Diadora Utility about the criteria that lead to the choice of colours and materials for a collection.
“Here, too, there is a great deal of research by the entire team,” Ardissono emphasises, “to identify high-performance materials. The heart of the design process of our safety footwear lies in the material selection phase characterised by precision and uncompromising attention. Every component of the footwear and accessories is chosen with the utmost care to guarantee a high level of quality and performance.
For the choice of colours, the rule of all product development approaches applies, i.e. the analysis of markets, the intended use, with differentiation by geographical areas, because tastes vary significantly from one country to another. For example, the German market has different needs than the Spanish market, not only for environmental reasons, but also for cultural reasons. We strive to harmonise these characteristics to create colour variants that reflect regional preferences without compromising the overall design, bearing in mind that there are neutral colours, such as black, blue and grey, that are generally well accepted in different work and cultural contexts. As a Product Office on this colour base, we add colour accents such as the lace, logo application and other details that enhance the shoe and its spirit of sport. Design and colour characterise our safety shoes to meet the needs of each individual worker while respecting the uniqueness of individual market.”
Cristian Ardissono, Utility Design Leader
Michele Risatti, R&D & Quality Manager