The story of Galibier, which we retrace on our website, begins in the 1920s when the need for durable, functional, and reliable shoes for all terrains drove Rémy-Alexis Richard to create a mountain footwear brand: Galibier! Until the 1980s, the brand continuously produced highly technical models, beloved by even the most demanding mountaineers… until the brand went dormant.
Bringing Galibier Back to Life
The passion, however, never left Galibier enthusiasts. So, in 2022, the project to revive the brand emerged! The goal wasn’t to replicate the iconic Super Guide or recreate the original Super Rando identically. Instead, the mission was to design a new, modern Galibier shoe — one that meets the expectations of today’s hikers.
Reinventing the Modern Hiking Shoe
The Galibier team, determined to create a high-quality model for the brand’s revival, joined forces with a team of outdoor and mountain footwear experts: the All Triangles team, based in Annecy! Their expertise is unparalleled, and their knowledge of the latest technologies is cutting-edge: design, shoe development, prototyping, field testing… This team of passionate creators worked tirelessly to revive the brand and design the new Galibier Super Rando shoes.
The Galibier revival project brought together a wide range of talents: project managers, engineers, prototypists, material testers, designers, marketing managers, material specialists… All these skills were combined with the Galibier team’s own expertise.
Staying True to Galibier’s DNA
What a challenge it is to invent a new Galibier shoe! Nothing was left to chance. The team dove into the archives to understand what made the brand famous, why the shoes were successful, and what makes a Galibier recognizable among thousands of others.
Special attention was given to the original Super Rando — a flagship model of the brand, known for its rugged, “indestructible” build, passed down from generation to generation. Redesigning an icon is no small task! It was decided to introduce a new, modern model focused on hiking and trekking. The All Triangles team identified the key elements of Galibier’s DNA and heritage: the Norwegian welt stitching, Galibier leather, the grid-patterned sole, and the robust, iconic lace hooks. The team didn’t stop at simply reviving the brand’s historical design codes. Every detail was modernized to deliver a top-tier, high-performance hiking shoe.
On the foot, the new Super Rando feels comfortable — offering a smooth walking experience and improved cushioning — while ensuring a significant weight reduction compared to the original model (Super Rando from the past = 2.5 kg vs. Super Rando 2025 = 1.45 kg in size 42).
Designing the Ideal Hiking Shoe
At first glance, the Super Rando reflects Galibier’s signature style, but it’s noticeably less bulky than the brand’s older models. The “wow” effect kicks in when you put them on: an unmatched feeling of comfort, lightweight ease, and walking flexibility. This is made possible thanks to the shoe’s unique design, especially the Vibram Springlug sole, which encapsulates foam within the sole block. This ensures lightness while providing exceptional cushioning and outstanding grip on all terrains.
A strong focus was placed on the “fit” — the shoe’s construction is remarkably comfortable and adventure-ready. The one-piece leather upper guarantees long-lasting durability, while the Sympatex membrane ensures excellent waterproofing, even in harsh weather conditions. Galibier’s iconic Norwegian welt stitching was used to ensure the shoe’s and sole’s durability.
Additionally, special attention was given to the tongue, ensuring it fits perfectly on the foot and remains unnoticed even after many kilometers. Comfort is the top priority!
Facing Technical Challenges Head-On
The All Triangles and Galibier teams invested heavily in research and development to create the best possible design for the Super Rando models. From the start, repairability was a key value, especially through the Norwegian welt stitching technique, which allows for multiple resoles. Mission accomplished — the Super Rando models are fully repairable.
Testing the Super Rando in Every Condition
Throughout the development phases, the All Triangles and Galibier teams put the shoes through rigorous testing. Whether it’s the Super Rando Mid — designed for long hikes with a mid-height upper providing ankle support and protection — or the Super Rando Low — with a low-cut design for versatile use on day hikes and even lifestyle wear — the tests refined the shoes to their final version.
The shoes were tested in all conditions: by men and women, uphill and downhill, on slopes, wet terrains, and against three competing products. Nothing was left to chance. During a trek in Asia, one tester covered more than 400 km with the Super Rando Mid. His feedback? The shoes were incredibly comfortable, reliable, and exceeded his expectations — lightweight yet technical.
Now It’s Your Turn to Test the Galibier Shoes!
The Galibier and All Triangles teams have poured all their expertise and passion into designing these new models. We hope the new Galibier Super Rando shoes bring you the same satisfaction and take you far and wide, exploring the world’s most beautiful trails.
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