Heierling relies on Riteflex to craft ski boot prized by top downhill stars

“Achieving top performance in downhill skiing means making the ultimate demands on you and on the material. This also applies to us as a partner of successful downhill racers,” said Hans-Martin Heierling, owner and director of the company, in explaining why the Davos, Switzerland-based company relies on Riteflex TPC-ET RKX-350 for high performance. “There was only one polymer in the running for the Heierling H1 because it exceeds the limit of performance of conventional materials. We found this high-performance polymer in Riteflex TPC-ET from Celanese because it does help in making the boot lighter and also provides a progressive-dynamic flex over all temperature ranges.”

The Swiss company launched the first ski boot in 1885. The Heierling H1, the first ski boot under the Heierling brand since 1997 when the company ceased production, is manufactured in association with Alpina Sports where the shell and cuff are injection moulded from Riteflex TPC-ET RKX-350. Assembly, including the liner and individual customising, is carried out at the Heierling workshop, which is recognised as one of the best boot fitters in Europe and has supplied equipment to downhill stars such as Bode Miller and Lindsey Vonn.

The thermoplastic polyester alloy offers a range of benefits for this application:

• good performance over a temperature range of -40 °C to 121 °C
• flexible with high-impact strength even at low temperatures.
• high mechanical strength
• good resilience
• highly resistant to chemicals and ageing
• excellent surface gloss and good paintability
• easy and economical to process
• excellent wear resistance
• improved wear and UV resistance
• low rigidity factor
• high flex modulus
• plasticiser-free

“The result is a boot that supports downhill skiers to the optimum, even in extreme situations. We are proud to present this unique boot made from highly innovative material,” said Heierling. “Riteflex is the material that allows us to make the ski boot of the future.”

Specifically, the boot provides the optimum balance of stability and flexibility, as well as consistent good resilience regardless of the conditions. This improves having control over the ski and permits faster reactions. “If you’re not primarily skiing for speed, you still experience more comfortable and dynamic skiing. And the hardness does not change when stepping in or out,” Heierling added.

High potential-material for sport applications

The Heierling H1 represents a series of successful sports equipment innovations based on the use of Riteflex TPC-ET, from running track surfaces through pole vaulting poles and football boot cleats to snowboard bindings. “Riteflex TPC-ET RKX-350 is a high-potential material for sport applications,” said Tilo Vaahs, Celanese global marketing manager - Consumer. “Celanese again emerges as the ideal partner for innovative manufacturers of winter sport equipment.”