#HTE

Footwear-Design-Inspired Tires

Here’s a rather odd match-up: Hankook Tire has teamed up with Vibram, the manufacturer of footwear outsoles, to create concept tires that, well, resemble hiking shoes. The Hankook DynaSync borrows Vibram’s distinctive-looking lugs…

…and grafts them onto their treads:

These will supposedly improve traction over rough terrain. (These being concept tires, proof in the form of performance figures has not been provided.)

Looking closer at the tire, you’ll note the honeycomb pattern between the treads:

“The honeycomb structure prevents puncture[s] or tire chips due to gravel or stones,” the company claims. “This improves shock absorption and provides powerful and safe handling.” (Again, no proof.)

The honeycomb motif extends to the sidewalls, which are double-layered for stiffness. It is here that we see the most blatant touch of gimmickiness, as the sidewalls would be ordered “in a variety of color compounds, allowing car owners to match the tires to their car’s body color.”

Gimmickiness aside, the DynaSync won a 2016 Red Dot Design Award in the Design Concept category. We’re less interested in the award and more interested in the nature of the partnership; do you think others will follow suit? It might be interesting to see Puma-Pirellis, Adidas-Goodyears and Nike-Michelins.