Vibram footwear and rubber soles

Founded in 1937 by Italian mountaineer Vitale Bramani, Vibram is a global leader in high-performance rubber soles. The brand's origin was sparked by a mountain tragedy in 1935, which led Bramani to collaborate with Pirelli to develop the first vulcanized rubber lug sole, the iconic 'Carrarmato.' This innovation revolutionized footwear by providing superior traction and insulation compared to the leather-and-steel cleats of the time.

Today, Vibram is headquartered in Albizzate, Italy, but its manufacturing footprint is truly global. The company operates production facilities in Italy, the United States (following the 2015 acquisition of Quabaug Corporation), China, Brazil, and the Czech Republic.

Vibram remains a privately held family company, maintaining its independence and focus on technical advancement. Beyond providing soles to over 1,000 footwear brands worldwide, the company also produces its own iconic FiveFingers minimalist footwear line. As of 2026, it continues to set industry standards for grip, durability, and specialized rubber compounds such as Megagrip and Arctic Grip.