INSIDE
GAERNE
WORDS AND PHOTOS: MATT WRAGG
There aren't many companies like Gaerne anymore. For centuries shoemaking has thrived around the market in Montebelluna, just north of Venice in Northeastern Italy. Local artisans would crowd into the market to sell their wares and purchase the supplies to make more. In the surrounding area a strong, vibrant shoe industry emerged about this hub and from it sprang globally-recognised brands, like Fila, Alpinestars and Scarpe. Yet in recent years the globalisation of industry has changed things, most of these companies have shifted their production overseas, away from the harsh Italian taxes and legislation. As these companies departed the industry that was once so alive began to decline and the artisans that drove the area's success became more and more scarce. The economics of it are simple, to produce a shoe in Italy today costs ten times more than it does in the Far-east or Eastern Europe, and the expertise in production there is world-class these days.
Gaerne is one of the few companies left who believe that there are people out there who still want to buy Italian craftsmanship, who are looking to buy from brands who put a little bit of their soul into each and every product they make. Bucking the trend for outsourcing, every single pair of shoes or boots they make is made in the same, small building on the edge of Asolo, much as they have been for the last 50 years. While the materials and technologies change with the times, the attention that goes into making them doesn't. They may not be a name that we are as familiar with on the gravity side of mountain biking, but their boots were certainly up to spec for James Stewart in Supercross, or Fabien Cancellara on the road. As they prepare to launch their first enduro and downhill-worthy shoes, we took a look inside this legendary shoemaker.
The shoes of their sponsored athletes, past and present take pride of place in their showroom.
Design then begins by covering the footform with art tape that can be drawn on and they can start to layout the shoe as it will sit on the foot. Once they have a shape they are happy with the tape is then ultra-carefully peeled from the form.
The elements of the upper are then all stitched together by hand.
www.gaerne.com/cycling/en/articolo/27/110/238/g-gravity/black
i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/LowCel/bikes/DeercreekTTJune2012a.jpg
but I say TLD 2007-2010 collections - never forget, never unsee
motorcycleridergear.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Troy-Lee-Designs-GP-VooDoo-Womens-Jerseys.jpg
Price tag ain't cheap though...
I think what Waki wanted to say with all this "not giving a damn but also giving a damn"-stuff is that you always have a certain outward appearance. If you don't care about your appearance, you will certainly have less to worry about. Efforts are the cons of taking about it, financal efforts and brain efforts.
But the problem of not taking care is that you won't have the pros of it,too. (Girls , respect (reasonable or not), ...)
I think fashion is the easiest way to manipulate the people surrounding you, unfortunately.
Even a short look can make one appreciate the hard work that is needed to design, fabricate and make a product availiable to the market. Let alone companies who avoid outsourcing, thus supporting the local economy and controlling the product's quality.
Thanks Pinkbike, keep it up!
I hope Gaerne won't disappear like Carnac did! Carnac disappeared because its founder retired and no one bought the company. And the company was profitable ... Some people bought the name and from then on their shoes were not produced in France anymore...
So Dear Mr Gaerne, I want to buy something else than 5.10 when it comes to flat pedals riding. Make it happen please .
I am sick of the all the Asian crap that never fits right and lasts only 6 months.
Had to buy some Fizik m5b's great shoe, chill looking but I not the trail shoe I need.
Gaerne does make the G.Nemy Gore-Tex® - Freeride Shoe, Does not seem to be available in the states though.
Great article, glad the Italians are still making shoes.
foot form is another word for what we call a "last"
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