SUMMER SHOES

Presenting the INESIS WW500 shoes

By Inesis

February 23^rd, 2022

A WALKING (R)EVOLUTION

Launched in 2019, the Inesis Grip Waterproof and Grip Dry shoes have revolutionised the Inesis range with their common 3-part sole ensuring maximum grip. For the past year and a half, we have been working on their replacements and it is now time to present the final version of the WW500, designed to play golf in hot weather (temperatures above 20°C).

Erik, who designed the Grip range, remains at the helm of design, supported by Tanguy at the Foarms agency. In close collaboration with the Inesis design teams and the Decathlon footwear division.

A 100% RUBBER SOLE

The design team first looked at the sole of the WW500 (“WW” stands for Warm Weather). Considering the importance of good footing in golf, designing a good sole is essential to give golfers the best connection with the ground.

The designers sought to increase comfort and lightness without sacrificing grip. In hot weather, the ground is dry, so the engineers opted for a 100% rubber sole on the WW500. This allows for more flexibility and versatility for the benefit of comfort.

DICTATED BY THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE SWING

Sophie, a footwear product engineer, worked with the Sportslab teams. They defined the study to be set up, on the one hand, to specify the pressure zones by level of intensity, and on the other hand, the orientation of these stresses during a golf swing, for the left and right foot.

DICTATED BY THE DOWN TO THE LAST DETAIL

The results of this study showed us very precisely what stresses are applied to the sole at any point.

An asymmetrical sole was designed, with each stud serving a specific function: in length, width, height, no two are alike! They are also distributed over the surface of the sole to match the pressure areas when walking and swinging. This work on the studs guarantees excellent grip qualities while limiting wear.

The outsole is also perforated to provide more flexibility and save weight where possible.

THE COMFORT OF EVA

Inesis WW500 shoes are extremely comfortable. This is due to the flexibility and suppleness of the rubber outsole, but also the cushioning properties of the EVA foam midsole. It is a component widely found in running shoes. We benefit from all the expertise of the engineers of the running and trail brands at Decathlon who have developed exclusive EVA formulas.

Erik and Tanguy wanted to emphasize the comfort qualities of the WW500 by designing the bumpers, the undulations found all around the midsole.

A MORE DYNAMIC UPPER

While Erik and Tanguy started from scratch to design the Inesis Grip Dry, this time they were able to use the design of the previous version to design the upper of the Inesis WW500.

ULTRA-BREATHABLE MESH

When playing golf in hot weather, you can quickly feel discomfort in your feet. But not in the WW500. The team chose a new mesh that combines two qualities: breathability and durability.

It is highly breathable, so it wicks away heat perfectly and keeps feet dry. It's also very abrasion resistant, so it's perfectly at home on the golf course, even when walking on shoe-scratching rough. The mesh of the Inesis WW500 is reinforced by a thermally bonded PU band that runs all around the forefoot. It is an extra protection that allows you to brave the summer dew.

ECO-DESIGNED SHOES

The WW500 shoe is eco-designed. We worked on this subject at several levels. Efforts have been made to maximise the use of recycled materials in the various components that make up the WW500.

The dyeing process called “print dyeing” means that hardly any water is used compared to conventional dyeing.

Finally, sugar cane is used in the composition of the EVA midsole and thus limits its environmental impact.

GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY

Clément, a field test engineer at Inesis, spared nothing for the WW500. In particular, he set up a long-term test, which tested the shoe's resistance in real conditions.

10 men and 10 women from all over France took part in this test. This gives a good representation of the different conditions encountered on a golf course in hot weather (temperatures over 20°C).

They tested the first version of the WW500 in May 2021. Their feedback helped to improve certain aspects of the model: the tongue was shortened, the rear shape of the midsole was modified and the heel was refined.