Istvan Nemeth talks sport shoes and why rowing has been slow to join the party.

Timestamps

01:00 Istvan Nemeth has a background in sport science and started rowing as a child and more recently cycling and surf ski.

03:15 Performance enhancement is our focus. We developed a shoe based on this first and injury prevention second. What does it take to drive through your foot during rowing?

Stability in the kinetic chain.

06:30 What is the shape of the human foot?

We did 20,000 laser scans of feet around the world.

09:15 Rowers should look at orthotics more. When your foot drives the foot splays out a bit.

The heel cup in our shoe is anatomical - if you grip with your toes check your insoles for indentations from your toes.

13:00 The average rowing shoe is quite narrow.

Shoe materials are carbon - not a shock absorber like rubber. This is a waste of energy in rowing. soles are 3mm thin.

Waterproofed inside and outside using super stretch fabric for flex,

17:00 Heel restraints - loose shoes make it harder to get your feet out. Istvan thinks the heel restraint should be less than horizontal - 7 cms.

19:00 Small shoes increment in 0.5 cms per size. If the shoe is 3 sizes too large for your feet you lose connection on the drive.

20:00 Quick Release System - we made this affordable with easy to get replacement parts.

Ankle and heel wedges allows you to adjust how fast you engage your heel in the drive.

23:00 What you feel using a Bont shoe. Feel more connected. Performance enhancement depends on the individual.

27:00 For clubs considering changing to QRS affordability is key.

Clubs get volume discounts for shoes which subsidises the QRS to $18-20 per set. You need 20 pairs of shoes on a shelf for members who don't have their own.

30:00 What's new?

Bont has a lighter shoe upper material.

Tech mesh is very breathable

Flex material inside bends more easily

New sole serrations to bend and support the flex.

The carbon is thinner now 2.6 mm.

The shoe mount now allows internal adjustment

The heel has a deeper cut out.

The fore foot area is wider.

There are 3 designs BR1 has new colours; BR2 has velcro straps; BR3 is the entry level shoe US$99 per pair.

Buy over 16 pairs and get volume discounts.

37:00 Everyone wants to drive the sport forward. More clubs and associations should collaborate more

Find Istvan and the team at https://bontrowing.com/