In the middle of the following season, manufacturers are already holding exhibitions in various places to showcase new models for the 2023-2024 season. At various places such as the manufacturer's own solo exhibitions, collective trade shows, and test rides on the snow, we asked the manufacturer's PR staff about the hottest new models and hot topics for the 2023-2024 season.
This time, we asked about GEN, a Japan-made boots brand that has a reputation for its commitment to craftsmanship and high technical capabilities, at the "SNOW SPORTS Joint Exhibition" (February 14th to 15th @ Pacifico Yokohama).
Riders model "FUTURE" has evolved further!
The rider's model "FUTURE" newly adopts polyolefin-based thermoplastic for the upper and lower parts. Weight has been reduced by 8%. We exchanged requests from the riders involved in the development to make it as light as possible, and ended up with this material. In the 2022-2023 season, light materials were used only for the lower part, and different materials were used for the upper and lower parts of the upper part. By combining different things, we succeeded in further reducing the weight.
The polyolefin-based thermoplastic adopted this time has a softer surface hardness than urethane material, but it is characterized by its softness and elasticity. Not only is it lighter, but it's also more flexible, which improves response performance. When the riders tried it on, they were surprised, saying, ``It's completely different.
The riders model has changed the buckle to a wire buckle called "NEW frex-wire buckle" from the 2022-23 season. This also contributes greatly to improving the flexibility as well as the quality of the fit. There is a big difference between the conventional style of pressing down from the top and the "round tightening" with a wire buckle, and this has improved the tightening considerably.
GEN's team manager, Tokunori Sasaki, said with enthusiasm, "This is really good! It seems like a small change, but it's had a tremendous effect."
"BUZZ-WIRE" equipped with a new wire system
"BUZZ-WIRE" equipped with a new wire system named "BUZZ-Wire" has appeared as a freeride model. It's a new style boolean with one missing buckle at the bottom and fastened with a wire as shown in the photo. It looks like the buckle version of BOA, and it is attractive that you can hold it easily and comfortably without stress. Perfect for all-mountain cruising.
Introducing an inner that can be used without heat molding!
At GEN, we have developed two types of original spec special heat molding compatible inner "THE CORE" developed in collaboration with INTUITION. It has excellent molding ability with INTUITION FOAM, it can be freely fitted according to the level and foot shape, and it is an excellent product that combines heat retention and light weight. In the 2023-2024 season, new types were added to this innerwear, making it 4 types.
In addition to the conventional fully thermoformed innerwear "THE CORE TEAM FIT", "THE CORE PRO FIT", and "THE CORE COMFORT FIT", a new non-thermoformed type thermo inner "THE CORE CLONE AUTO FIT" has appeared. "is.
It is an inner that gradually adapts to the foot and naturally forms as it is worn by the heat of the earth. It's going pretty well, so I definitely want to try it. *"THE CORE COMFORT FIT" can be used without heat molding if there is no problem with wearing it.
Completed rental boots for juniors compatible with SDGs
In the 2023-24 season, GEN completed sustainable boots that take into account the environment and are an initiative for the SDGs. Approximately 50% of the shell material is made from recycled materials, with shell and cuff components made from recycled plastics and recycled materials collected directly from the production site. The liner also used recycled pads as much as possible. … sounds simple, but in fact, this cannot be realized without a lot of corporate effort.
It is said that the initiative started when a certain ski resort asked, "Can you make recycled boots?" In the process of manufacturing ski boots, plastic scrap is inevitably produced during injection molding. Is it possible to mix this scrap that has been thrown away with the original plastic into a product? So, it was all an unknown challenge from scratch.
After repeated trial and error to see how much recycled material could be used for the shell itself, they finally succeeded in commercializing it with their own original resin blend manufacturing method. In order to check the quality, we tested the durability by performing 20,000 forward bending exercises at a low temperature of -20°C. In addition, as a low-temperature impact test, a 4 kg iron ball was dropped at -20°C to test whether it would break. This proved the safety and performance of the ski boots, and successfully commercialized them as rental products.
In this way, by reducing the energy required to produce conventional gears and reusing recycled materials in new products, a virtuous cycle of sustainable manufacturing is created. The first work is rental boots for juniors, but what kind of development will spread in the future? It can be said that GEN FACTORY's environmental efforts have taken a big step forward.
Official site: http://jcreate-corp.co.jp/
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