Salming’s description: “An increased radius on the inner side of the outer sole, facilitates rolling the foot inwards and toe push off. Reaching for that stop ball in squash or covering a shot in floorball is made easier with the RollBar™ technology.”
Our take: The key benefit of the Rollbar technology is the aid it provides in pushing off towards the ball. When you dig your foot in to the court to push forwards, Rollbar allows the foot to work inwards towards the toe to provide better push off. Additionally, the shoes are very firm in in the toe area to maximize energy transferred to the court and provide the best possible drive.
Salming’s description: “Torsion Guide System. The distance from heel to the ball of the foot (62% of the shoe) has been designed with extra stability, which ends in the so-called ”ballet” line, a 75° angle. In front of the 75° line, the shoe is equipped with greater flexibility to stimulate the foot’s natural movements. TGS 62/75 takes all of the gait cycle criteria into consideration. It also softens the strains caused by friction during lateral movements. The shoe bends in exactly the right places, stimulating the foot’s natural lateral and forward movements.”
Our take: The back portion of the shoe is firmer and designed to improve balance and stability. The forefoot area of the shoe has been designed to allow more freedom of movement to allow your foot to move and perform naturally. The split comes at the ballet line. If you were to drive your heels up off the floor so that your weight is on your forefoot area the “ballet line” is where your foot would leave the floor. It is also where Salming has designed the shoes to flex. The front part of the shoe is more flexible. The back 62% of the shoe is firmer to provide maximum stability.
Salming's description: "The fully integrated ExoSkeleton connects the lacing system for support and stabilises the midfoot. A thin durable breathable mesh. A gusset tongue construction, where the tongue is integrated with the interior of the shoe making sure that the tongue always is in prefered position."
Our take: This is one of the key technologies. The shoe is largely made of mesh. The fully integrated EXOSKELETON provides the necessary support to the shoe. The EXOSKELETON is the little bands that come up from under the foot then around the foot and in to the lacing area of the shoe. They are very light but very solid and keep your foot in place inside the shoe. This is a critical component in lateral support as if you foot starts to slip outwards when planting the foot on a lateral movement your weight will start to transfer outwards and this increases the risk of injury. It also decreases performance.
Salming’s description: “The exo skeleton design stabilizes the foot for lateral movements and reduces pressure at the MTP joints (Metatarsophalangeal joints). It is important to keep the foot stable medio-lateral, avoiding friction and side forces in the soft parts of the foot sole, especially underneath the forefoot.”
Our take: This is one of the key components of Salming’s shoes. The shoes that feature the EXOSKELETON design are largely made of mesh. The EXOSKELETON provides the necessary support to the shoe. The EXOSKELETON is the little bands that come up from under the foot then around the foot and in to the lacing area of the shoe. They are very light but very solid and keep your foot in place inside the shoe. This is a critical component in lateral support as if you foot starts to slip outwards when planting the foot on a lateral movement your weight will start to transfer outwards and this increases the risk of injury. It also decreases performance.
Salming's description: "A new 3 layer upper construction that has a soft mesh at bottom, towards the foot, microfiber reinforced areas and sealed off with a thin TPU film. Combined these areas creates a smooth and rigid construction that keep the foot in place and a snug fit."
Our take: The VIPERSKIN upper is vastly different than what is found in the Hawk, Kobra 2, or previous version of the Viper. The inside mesh layer provides comfort and breathability. It is reinforced in key wear areas to provide good durability. The outside layer is a TPU film that seals off the upper but is perforated in essential areas to allow the shoe to breath. VIPERSKIN provides the structure to the Viper 5.
Salming’s description: “To stabilize and fixate the heel, which is key to providing a great fit and comfort, we have developed a new anatomical Ergo Heel Cup that is slightly longer than the average heel cup.”
Our take: Salming’s description is clear and accurate. The Ergo Heel Cup helps keep your heel locked in place in the back of the shoe to prevent it from slipping. This keeps the back of your foot from rubbing against the shoe and prevents blisters.
Salming’s description: “A new very durable lightweight rubber compound – HX120 – that features Salmings HexaGrip™ pattern designed for the best possible grip on all indoor surfaces.”
Our take: Hexagrip was first introduced in the Kobra series. It is an update to the rubber that they use on the outsole of the shoe. The rubber is formed in a hexa pattern, a 6 sided pattern to provide the best possible grip to the court. HexaGrip provides incredible traction. To maximize your movement you need your court shoes to have the best grip possible and HexaGrip is exceptional. Good grip on the court is also important from an injury prevention perspective as if you slip on the lunge you risk tearing muscles. Salming XR112 with HexaGrip is their top of the line outsole material.
Salming’s description: “In order to help you control all of this cornering performance, our XR110 outer sole has an extra sticky developed compound!”
Our take: XR110 rubber is the compound the outsole of the Viper, Race and Adder are made of. It provides excellent grip on the court. All Salming shoes grip well which aids in their performance. Good grip also reduces the risk of the foot slipping out from under you which reduces the risk of injury.
Salming description: “Lateral Movement Stabilizer – an especially designed light weight integrated dual torsion unit that supports the foot during fast and irregular lateral movements.”
Our take: Lateral stability is one of the key performance and safety components in a shoe designed for squash. There is a lot of lateral movement in squash with the need to change directions quickly. Salming’s LMS provides torsional stability to the shoe in its mid section. That helps prevent your foot from rolling outwards when planting your foot to change direction. This reduces the risk of injury (rolling your ankle) and allows you to change directions as quickly as possible.
Salming’s description: “Fast lateral stops expose the foot to the risk to roll over outwards, causing injuries. LMS+ (Lateral Movement Stabilizer Plus) is a unique design with a positive angle of 11° that prevents the foot from rolling over outwards.”
Our take: LMS+ compliments the LMS system to provide lateral stability in the shoe. The 11°/8°/5° angle refers to the angle from the lateral (outside) side of the foot to the medial (inside) side of the foot. There is an 11, 8 of 5 degree angle with the lateral side being higher than the medial side. That angle keeps your weight inwards and helps to prevent your foot from rolling outwards.
Salming's description: "The material in the midsole is a newly developed compound named RECOIL™ ERF - Energy Rebound Foam - which is a super lightweight cushioning compound that releases a higher rebound energy effect."
Our take: In the mid to forefoot area Salming have used a RECOIL ERF foam system. The RECOIL ERF foam absorbs shock but it also transfers energy back in to the foot to add more spring to your movement. It’s a smart design that provides comfort and aids performance.
Salming's description: "A cushioning compound featured in the heel impact zone designed to reduce impact forces. The SoftFOAM™ heel insert area has 70% better shock absorbing properties than standard EVA midsole. The RECOIL™ and SoftFOAM™ combined - creates a sandwich construction made to maximize your performance."
Our take: A cushioning compound featured in the heel impact zone designed to reduce impact forces. The SoftFOAM™ heel insert area has 70% better shock absorbing properties than standard EVA midsole. The RECOIL™ and SoftFOAM™ combined - creates a sandwich construction made to maximize your performance.