A Classic Look With The Highest Performance Possible The Hybrid boot combines the classic look of Bont's 80's quad boots with all the modern advancements in boot technology such as the use of carbon fiber, heat moldable resins, and new layup techniques. Durolite Outer Skin As the name suggests, Durolite is an extremely durable and light weight material. It will withstand minor crashes without scratching. The Hybrid has two Durolite options, Black or Super Yellow. A Durolite liner is also available as an upgrade. The Hybrid is also available in four genuine Australian leather options. Stitching The Hybrid is stitched by an expert sewer who has no other role apart from stitching. Unlike most boots on the market that use cosmetic stitching, the stitching on Bont boots actually serves a purpose and stitches the outer skin to the boot itself. This results in less stretch and a longer lasting boot. The Hybrid incorporates a beautifully crafted double stitch into parts of the boot. Light Weight Bont boots are manufactured by hand in a process where we build the boot from the inside out by hand laying the carbon of fiberglass around the last (plastic foot). This method of manufacturing is extremely time consuming compared to the traditional method of quad boot manufacturing which is done by gluing the upper to the pre made base. However, our method results in a much stronger and lighter structure. Anti-Stretch Between the outer skin and the liner we add a material that is proprietary to Bont to stop the boot from stretching over time. This material has similar strength characteristics to Kevlar. This material is stitched to the outer skin and bonded to the liner so it can never move or be removed, it becomes part of the boots structure. This layer is the reason that Bont boots do not stretch out as much as other brands of boots over time. Carbon Fiber We source our carbon exclusively from the world's #1 carbon manufacturer, Toray of Japan. The base of the Vaypor is made by hand by sandwiching cross weave carbon and uni-directional carbon fiber which is embedded with epoxy thermo setting resin. The fibers are hand laid in the matrix according to the strain they will have to bear. Last Design A last is a plastic replica of a foot that the boot is built around. Last makers do not make skate lasts, they only make shoe lasts so perfecting a speed skating last is not an easy prospect. At Bont, we have been perfecting our lasts since 1975 and the process is ongoing. We feel that we put more effort into our last than any other skating brand and it is the reason that Bont boots fit more skaters than any other brand on the market. Memory Foam The Hybrid is made with high density closed cell memory foam. This padding will not deform over time or retain water from sweat or wet surfaces. Eyelets Small eyelets put pressure on a very small area and can cause pain. Bont eyelets have a large head which spreads the preasure over a larger area. Tongue The Hybrid's tongue has a number of features. It is heat moldable so it can be heated in the oven and molded to your foot but it will also mold to your foot with the temperature from your own body heat. It has ventilation to let hot air out of the boot. The tongue has a handy velcro place holder that stops your tongue from moving. The tongue is made from foam that is thin and light yet still protects your foot from the laces. Anatomical Forefoot Shape Conventional quad skates offer a “dress shoe” type shaping. Although highly aesthetic this will cause the toes along with the metatarsals to be overly constricted, compressing the nerves between the metatarsals which often results in the common "hot foot" sensation. Bont skates anatomical shaping allows the foot to function in its most efficient and anatomically correct position. Anatomical Heel Cup The anatomical heel cup shaping of Bont quad skates provides increased stability and more power through your push. This stabilization is achieved without any mechanical operation or over tightening of straps/laces allowing for increased comfort and blood circulation. The heel cup is fully heat moldable in the oven. Heat Moldability The carbon fiber in the boot is made hard by the use of a thermosetting epoxy resin. Resin development is something that we have been doing since 1975. Formulating a resin that is super stiff, yet becomes moldable at low temperatures and has a fast cure time is critical for our unique requirement which is why we are the only skate manufacturer who develops our own resins in-house. Our resin becomes soft at just 60°C (140°F) which is the lowest in the industry. Once you heat the resin, mold the shoe and let it set, it is permanently set without the need to remold. You can also reheat the resin as many times as you like.
