timur_redwhite_hero
Chrome just released the Timur sneakers. Made by hand in Thailand, these shoes feature a Forged Rubber™ sole fused directly onto the upper at 300 degrees Fahrenheit and 30psi for superior durability. These look amazing, and I will post more once I’ve had the chance to see them in person. Following is information from the press release.

Chrome turns modern manufacturing upside down by resurrecting 70-year-old Forged Rubber machines originally used to make army boots in Europe. Discovered in eastern Slovakia, an area of the world known for its demanding city landscapes, these Forged Rubber machines were refurbished and adapted to make Chrome shoes that embody the brand’s spirit of making thoughtful, highly durable products. Each Forged Rubber sneaker is individually made by hand using heated pressure and the outsole is fused directly onto the upper to ensure no separation. The result is that no undesirable cement is used and Chrome shoe lasts under the most demanding conditions. A reflective heel and an odor resistant technology are also integrated for daily city survival.

“Chrome isn’t re-inventing the wheel with our new Forged Rubber process,” states Ben McCosh, Chrome’s Product Director.. “We are challenging the industry by using the best processes available to make durable city sneakers that last beyond one season. It’s a back-to-basics concept that most manufacturers simply overlook today due to the time, effort, and resources required to make durable sneakers. This is the Chrome way.”

Chrome’s Forged Rubber shoes are crafted from the bottom up. Its foundation – the rubber sole – is harvested from local rubber tree farms in Thailand and molded just 3-5 days after leaving the tree. From there, the materials are quickly assembled, and the canvas upper is pressure fused with the rubber at 300 degrees Fahrenheit to create shoes that look like sneakers, but are constructed with the durability of army boots.