AEquilibrium Talks: stories of balance among mountain, products, and brands

The long-standing working relationship within La Sportiva and GORE-TEX brand has already produced a multitude of product innovations. The partnership is characterised by a shared desire to drive continuous innovation and can justifiably be described as balanced.

The latest chapter in the history of this cooperation is all about finding the right balance. La Sportiva and the GORE-TEX brand have recently launched the AEQUILIBRIUM SERIES, featuring boots geared towards balance and targeting three different aspects of mountaineering.

Stories of mountain: athletes’ talks

The word “equilibrium”, meaning the harmonic synthesis between opposite forces, had a strong impact on the development process of this series, leading La Sportiva and GORE-TEX brand to adapt the concept to a new event format, the “La Sportiva Aequilibrium Talks Tour 2022” (“AE Talks” for short), got under way in June to support the sell. This gave us the opportunity to try out these new footwear innovations. It also meant that we were able to get up close to some of mountaineering’s big names. At each of the tour stops in 9 European cities La Sportiva athletes have been talking about what the right balance means to them, in alpine environments and everyday life.

Mountain sports professionals test their limits on a regular basis. What they all have in common is the desire to get to know themselves better while testing their boundaries, lifelong learning, and an insatiable thirst for life. From the story of friendship and mountaineering presented by Roger Schaeli through his “North6” project, to the thin line between what we desire and what we can achieve described by Tamara Lunger, and the climbing life lived on its edge by the legends Alex Huber and Heinz Zack: these were just some of the topics and the protagonists of the tour, that will end this September in Courmayeur, with the participation of alpinist and La Sportiva ambassador Fabian Buhl.

Stories of product: La Sportiva AEQUILIBRIUM SERIES

In the world of technical mountain footwear, the main goal is to find the balance between comfort and technicality, but also lightweight and durability, all the features required by modern mountaineering that makes “light & fast” imperative. The name AEQUILIBRIUM is a declaration of intent from the R&D departments of La Sportiva and GORE-TEX brand: a series created for use on alpine terrain, for quick and light day trips, for technical passages on stony ground and mixed terrain, and is designed to accompany the mountaineer on the entire route from home to the top thanks to an unprecedented, comfortable fit.

The AEQUILIBRIUM ST GTX® is a lightweight, technical boot for via ferratas, trekking, glacier crossings and mixed terrain. Each of the three styles targets very specific alpine activities.

The AEQUILIBRIUM LT GTX® is the boot of choice for alpine hikes with heavy packs, ideal for backpacking and multi-day walks at high altitudes.

The AEQUILIBRIUM TOP GTX® is a lightweight, high-performance, high-tech boot for fast mountaineering on mixed terrain and use at medium altitudes. All of these styles can be tested at the “AE Talks”.

Stories of brands: a cooperation that strikes the right balance

GORE-TEX and La Sportiva have even more in common than their work in the sporting goods industry would suggest. Their company DNAs bear many similarities. They are both global market leaders and they both work tirelessly to drive innovation in the apparel market and professionalism within mountain sports. Both companies are family-owned. Both respect man and nature and focus on sustainable, low-emission production technologies, durable products and the efficient use of resources. The right mix of progressive ideas and stability is the key to success, both in the marketplace and in business relations. Francesco Delladio, La Sportiva Climbing & Mountain Product Manager: "For an outdoor company deeply rooted in a mountain territory such as the Dolomites, "balance" means continuing to offer high-performance, innovative, and safe products while preserving the environment that allows us to train, have fun and enjoy our favorite sports. A deep concern for the environment is crucial, both in the choice of materials used and throughout the production and logistics of our products."