ISPO Award Winner 2025: EDV x i:D Aether S1 deck shoes

Imagine yourself on deck, harnessing the wind as you steer through rough waters. Each pull of the sail brings your shoes into contact with the boat’s tough surfaces, where stability and comfort are key. EDV x i:D Aether S1 shoes are built for exactly that. Developed under Vanbestco’s innovation leadership, in collaboration with Équipement de Vie (EDV), a UK brand renowned for high-performance sailing footwear. Vanbestco, a Taiwan-based leader in advanced outdoor marine performance innovation, spearheaded the Aether S1 development process, integrating sustainability with high-performance design. »Inspired by our shared island heritage, Taiwan and the UK, both surrounded by the sea, we set out to create deck shoes that merge peak performance with genuine sustainability, delivering for professional sailors while respecting the ocean that connects us«, the joint R&D team explains. 

»We built multiple prototypes and refined each one with partners and athletes. Their hands-on feedback ensured the final version offers the best fit, feel, and performance so every sailor wearing Aether S1 can trust it under pressure«, the team details their collaboration further. During this process of prototyping and brainstorming, great attention was also paid to the feedback of athletes testing the shoe in real-world conditions. »Athletes told us exactly where and how their feet moved and met friction on deck. Using that input, we customized the LENZI Perspair® upper to deliver top-tier protection and abrasion resistance while staying light, breathable, and strong. True to the “less is more” philosophy.« For example, the drainage layout and grip pattern of the outsole were developed straight from the feedback of the experts. These practical insights guided each design iteration until the shoe could shed water in seconds and maintain grip on wet, unpredictable decks — enabling confident, agile movement.

The EDV x i:D Aether S1 features a LENZI Perspair® woven upper which strategically combines Kevlar® for cut resistance and PUtek® for abrasion protection, precisely reinforcing high-stress areas like the toe cap and eyestay. This construction approach was led by Vanbestco’s materials engineering team, ensuring
performance optimization through every prototype cycle. Meanwhile, the vamp remains lightweight and breathable, thanks to its integration of monofilament yarns. This innovative single-layer construction ensures sailors stay agile and comfortable during long hours on deck, without the added bulk or weight of traditional multi-layer designs. And when it’s time to take a break below deck, simply collapse the flexible heel to slide the shoes on and off with ease. This thoughtful feature allows sailors to move around the cabin comfortably for quick rests or short walks, and also makes pulling on and off the shoes really quick and easy. Whether you’re tacking, jibing, or enjoying a brief break in the cabin, Aether S1 keeps you moving effortlessly while providing the durability you need to face marine environments.

As a versatile state-of-the-art sailing shoe, its advanced materials also set the EDV x i:D Aether S1 apart. As already detailed, the upper is made from LENZI Perspair®, a lightweight yet durable single-layer weave that provides protection while allowing breathability. For insulation in cold, wet conditions, Yulex® offers a flexible natural alternative to neoprene. Inside, a removable Blumaka™ insole made from recycled ETPU enhances comfort and slip resistance. The Kevlar® Lock & Quicklace system ensures a secure fit that can be adjusted quickly and also allows you to secure or release your shoes instantly, even with wet or cold hands. Durable Kevlar® webbing holds firm through the toughest maneuvers. Finally, a flexible, deforestation-free natural rubber outsole with drainage delivers reliable grip and stability on wet deck surfaces.

Reflecting on the journey, the team at Vanbestco described what winning an ISPO Award means: »This recognition celebrates the journey: months of trials, redesigns, and honest conversations with our partners at Équipement De Vie. We built the Aether S1 together, layer by layer, and that's where real progress happens. It's a powerful moment - encouraging us to dream, and to believe in what's possible.« This milestone underscores Vanbestco’s ongoing mission to advance sustainable innovation across marine environments.

• Advanced multi-functional material integration: reinforced in high-wear zones, ultralight vamp, collapsible heel

• Sustainable materials, i.e., Yulex®, bio-based neoprene alternative, recycled Blumaka™ insole, and deforestation-free natural rubber 

• Purpose-built for professional sailors and challenging marine environments

• Targeted reinforcement, thermal insulation, and advanced drainage for wet surfaces