Today is a day that’s been four years in the making for the ski boot startup Phaenom Footwear. After years on the rumor mill and a limited release last season, the official global launch of the new brand is finally here.
Gear
New kicks on the block
Phaenom Footwear launches new freeski boot collection
company website
phaenom-footwear.comPhaenom Footwear makes its global debut with two product lines: the FS collection for all-mountain freestyle and the FR line for freeride.
At first glance, you might be reminded of the old SPK boot from Salomon: a two-buckle design and a beefy strap, as well as the hybrid cabrio / overlap design that pairs a shortened tongue piece with an overlapping cuff. But Phaenom hasn’t simply copied this old 2000s-era park rat favorite—there’s a lot more at work here.
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The Phaenom FS 01 120.
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The Phaenom FR 01 130.
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The strap is one of the collection’s most eye-catching features. Simply put, it looks like it means business. Oversized, elastic and patent-penting, Phaenom says that it provides noticeable rebound, shock absorption and flex control.
The simple, all-black design isn’t just for looks, either. This no-frills approach is intended to encourage repair and reuse of the boots and all of its parts. Phaenom says that everything on the boot is designed to be repairable and recyclable.
Phaenom has also put thought into the liner, with a shock-absorbing outsole on the base. In theory, you can even walk around in the liner after removing the shell—let’s see if this catches on as a thing. Last but not least, each pair of Phenoms ships with premium pre-shaped insoles from Austrian manufacturer Lenz; which, if they make your feet happy, could save you from dropping extra cash on custom insoles.
The Phaenom freeride line is nearly identical to the freestyle boots, but equipped with a walk mode and tech inserts. The FS 01 features four models with flex ratings of 90, 100, 110 and 120, while the slightly beefed-up FR 01 has a flex range of 100, 110, 120 and 130. All boot models have a last of 102mm.
The Phaenom liner with shock-absorbing base and tread for out-of-shell wearing.
“We believe technical footwear should be simple and modern,” says Daniel Tanzer, Head of Product. “Our team, a cohort of footwear experts in Innsbruck, Verbier, Paris, Montebelluna, and Asia, combined deep experience with new development techniques and materials to bring a fresh approach to ski footwear. We share a mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable processes, materials and circularity within the outdoor footwear industry without ever sacrificing performance and style. We are a Certified B Corp and a proud 1% for the Planet partner from day one.”
“We are thrilled that our industry-exclusive hybrid cabrio x overlap boot has delivered on a vision of fantastic performance in ankle and heel grip with comfort for a broad range of skiers,” adds CEO Alex Hoye. “The results are above our expectations, but most of all, our retail partners and athlete testers tell us that the design is a game-changer.”
For its initial rollout Phaenom is working with retailers worldwide, and the boots will be available at over 200 different locations. Find a store near you using the Store Finder.