Polyurethane experts from global chemical manufacturer Huntsman have collaborated with German running shoe specialist Joe Nimble and German design and development company Footwear Innovation Lab GmbH on a new, “revolutionary high-performance running shoe.” Developed by Joe Nimble founder Sebastian Baer in cooperation with renowned biomechanics expert Lee Saxby, the Ultreya long-distance running shoe features an innovative design that protects the feet of runners who typically cover around 40 miles per week.
While conventional running shoes restrict the toes and prevent their natural anchoring and stabilizing function, Ultreya incorporates Joe Nimble’s toefreedom® technology to increase the stability of the foot in motion. With a wider, anatomically correct toe box that provides a natural stabilizing function during the ground contact phase of running, muscles are said to be protected from being overworked. The midsole, which is intended to provide additional comfort and performance-enhancing potential, is made of polyurethane with high energy return. The technology is based on a special dual-density Daltoped® polyurethane system from Huntsman – called NmblFoam® by Joe Nimble. The Daltoped system has also allowed Joe Nimble to radically simplify the manufacturing of the shoes by eliminating certain production stages. According to Saxby, the overall geometry of the Ultreya shoes provides maximum shock absorption. It ensures a smooth transition into the flat phase of running, while the polyurethane midsole offers additional cushioning to propel the wearer into the propulsion phase of running. “It’s a powerful combination that enables Joe Nimble to deliver on its mission of creating running shoes that can help facilitate pain-free running, for life,” Saxby said.
The first shipment of Ultreya shoes was manufactured in Portugal. Joe Nimble plans to produce the shoes in larger quantities in Pirmasens, Germany, starting in the fall of 2022. Pirmasens is located about 500 km from Deggendorf, where Huntsman (global headquarters in Texas) manufactures its Daltoped® footwear systems, and less than 100 km from Ludwigsburg, Germany, Joe Nimble’s headquarters.
Behind Joe Nimble stands the traditional company Bär GmbH, which has been producing footwear for healthy and comfortable walking for 40 years. Under the management of the two founding siblings Christof and Sebastian Bär and Werner Ruf, Bär GmbH/Joe Nimble employs over 500 people in Germany and India.
To support the launch of Ultreya, Joe Nimble is sponsoring the Badwater® 135 on July 11-13, 2022, in California. Eighty runners participating in the 135-mile non-stop event from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney receive a pair of Ultreya shoes. Joe Nimble was the official shoe of the Badwater® 2021 race and gave all participants a pair of recoverToes sandals made using Huntsman’s polyurethane systems.
