Technology for footwear retailers and brands takes all shapes and in the case of Carbitex, a leader in flexible carbon fiber composites, that shape now expands across its flexible AFX technology platform with two new carbon fiber innovations.
AFX Formed is focused on performance athletic footwear, while AFX anti-puncture (AFX-AP) is designed for added protection in the workwear trade market. Both are built upon the proven asymmetrically flexible AFX technology platform that is stiff in one direction and highly flexible in the other.
For the athletic performance footwear market, Carbitex AFX Formed expands upon the existing AFX flexible carbon plate material with a pre-formed angle to generate a responsive landing while allowing for a more natural toe-off.
AFX Formed is designed to provide a responsive ride, bring stability to increase efficiency over time and protect the foot, all formed to align with a runner’s natural gait. Carbitex’s AFX Formed plate is customized to each brand partner’s needs and unique shoe designs to achieve peak performance in footwear.
Carbitex AFX-AP material is a multi-layer composite plate that offers a high degree of performance and is the only patented plate with anti-puncture protection and asymmetric flexibility that provides comfort while preventing the foot from over-flexing and exhibits high flexibility in the other direction for more ergonomic movement.
Carbitex’s latest material innovation introduces a paradigm shift in work site footwear, expanding the possibility for lighter weight work shoes that don’t require heavy protective soles and excel in safety, stability and all-day performance. AFX-AP passes global industry test standards (ASTM F2412-11, EN 12568:2010, CZA Z195-14) and is ideal for workers at increased risk of underfoot injury as often seen in construction, workwear and utility sectors.
“AFX has become a staple in our product offering and with the evolution into AFX Formed and AFX anti-puncture we can tap new business segments and brands looking to achieve better performance, whether that is on a construction site or on a marathon route,” says Clark Morgan, VP–business development and customer product development at Carbitex. “Expanding the properties of our patented technology continues to bring new benefits to the footwear market, allowing for a transformational shift in traditional thought on how performance and utility footwear can be constructed.”
AFX Formed, as featured in the Altra Vanish Carbon, was available for the Spring 2022 season and will be featured in the Saucony Endorphin Edge trail shoe for Fall 2022.
AFX-AP is Carbitex’s first foray into the work and utility footwear markets and is available to brand partners beginning Fall 2022 for in-market product release as early as Fall 2023.
