LA SPORTIVA’s Professional Innovation Leads Industry Development
On January 16, 2019, ISPO Beijing 2019 — the 15th Asia Outdoor Trade Show & Ski Expo — grandly opened at the China International Exhibition Center (New Venue). As the most influential and largest industry benchmark exhibition in the Asia-Pacific sports and fashion sector, the internationally famous brand LA SPORTIVA showcased its top-tier international products at ISPO, attracting numerous professional visitors. The event saw a bustling crowd and lively business discussions among exhibitors and merchants.
Compared to the older model, the new LA SPORTIVA Olympus alpine boot is significantly lighter while offering enhanced warmth features. The previous version consisted of three layers: outer shell, inner boot, and sole boot. The new Olympus alpine boot is constructed with four layers. In winter, when wearing gloves for extended periods outdoors makes tying shoelaces inconvenient, the new Olympus alpine boot adopts a mainstream international lace trap system that allows easy loosening of the boot opening. The innermost layer is made of highly insulating material shaped like a sock for greater comfort, paired with a removable inner boot that facilitates easy wearing and removal. This design not only reduces weight but also ensures warmth.
One of LA SPORTIVA’s most significant and latest R&D achievements in 2019 was the innovation and improvement of the full crampon compatibility feature for alpine boots. Typically, alpine boots must be fully compatible — able to attach crampons — and the LA SPORTIVA Olympus alpine boot not only accommodates crampons but can also be directly mounted with bindings. At high altitudes, for sporting activities requiring support bindings, the LA SPORTIVA alpine boot can be directly clipped on. As a result, the Olympus alpine boot also functions for skiing. Thanks to this unique design, the new LA SPORTIVA Olympus alpine boot won gold awards at both ISPO Munich and ISPO Beijing. In addition to traditional styles, the boot now comes in various composite material versions, allowing selection based on different usage scenarios. The LA SPORTIVA Olympus alpine boot is also made from waterproof materials. Both the inner boot and trekking shoe weigh just one or two kilograms, enabling climbers to comfortably enjoy high-altitude mountaineering. Other shoe models mainly feature additional detailed designs to enhance aesthetics and keep up with modern trends.
LA SPORTIVA climbing shoes offer the world’s widest variety of styles and are globally recognized for their professionalism. As the longest-standing and highest-market-share brand in the climbing field, LA SPORTIVA dominates in both competitive and all-purpose categories, though its share is smallest in the basic category. From a foot mechanics perspective, climbing mainly involves the toes and heels. Therefore, some LA SPORTIVA climbing shoe models focus on toe-focused technology, while others emphasize heel technology. Shoe soles have varying usage needs and priorities — some are favored by speed climbers, while others are designed for difficulty routes or bouldering. Each shoe model incorporates distinct technical features to ensure stable foot hooking without slipping, greater toe sensitivity, and the ability to stand on even the smallest holds.
LA SPORTIVA is currently preparing for the Tokyo Olympics, where climbing will make its Olympic debut. For the Chinese market, LA SPORTIVA plans to leverage the Olympic momentum to promote the sport of climbing. In 2019, LA SPORTIVA will collaborate with experienced climbing gyms in multiple cities to raise awareness and encourage more people to try climbing.
LA SPORTIVA has invited renowned climber Mr. Liu Changzhong to serve as its 2019 brand ambassador. By integrating Mr. Liu’s climbing lectures with LA SPORTIVA climbing experience events, the brand will host a series of small-scale competitions. Most newcomers to climbing today are teenagers and children. LA SPORTIVA has been closely following the growth of this demographic and is dedicated to increasing their interest in the sport. The goal is to make climbing fun for kids and teens, while also raising parental awareness about the activity.
Climbing can develop cognitive abilities. The world’s top climbers often exhibit high proficiency in math and physics. Climbing routes require comprehensive planning, and every part of the body must coordinate with the chosen path. Climbing demands not only physical strength in the limbs but also constant mental alertness to guide and coordinate bodily movements. Thus, climbers must possess both intelligence and quick reflexes, rapidly understanding complex problems and synthesizing solutions.
In 2019, LA SPORTIVA exclusively sponsored an Italian trail running event, inviting Chinese trail running star Yang Jiagen to represent China — and also represent the Chinese elite athletes of Scarpa — in the competition. LA SPORTIVA provided full equipment support and covered all related expenses. The brand wishes Yang Jiagen success in completing the race and achieving strong results, while also hoping he brings back the spirit of international trail running to China. Abroad, trail running is not always about extreme long distances or grueling challenges. Many runners simply enjoy fitness in the mountains — a joyful five or ten-kilometer run, or even a race at 20–30 kilometers, without needing to complete a 100K to post on social media. In other words, trail running abroad is just an enjoyable running activity that embraces the ups and downs, better views, fresh air, and thrill. Road running may offer mental relaxation, but trail running challenges both body and mind, requiring coordination between the two as you adapt to external conditions and adjust your movements accordingly.
LA SPORTIVA’s all-season trail running product line includes competition, training, everyday, and winter trail running series — a full range that meets all runners’ needs. LA SPORTIVA trail running products collaborate closely with Sanfo, with LA SPORTIVA items now available through Sanfo’s online store in 2019. Additionally, LA SPORTIVA hopes that through trail running shoe trial events, more everyday runners can experience its products. Beginners might start by running in parks, lakesides, or riversides — experiencing the feel of not running on flat ground — before gradually moving on to ups and downs, mastering uphill and downhill techniques, using aids, and understanding full-body trail running gear.
As an internationally renowned brand, LA SPORTIVA has always been committed to creating professional outdoor sports products using the latest materials and technologies. Adapting to fashion trends, it delivers a refined sporting lifestyle for users.