Fortex

Work Boot for Royer

Fortex is a waterproof safety boot engineered for high risk industrial environments involving chemical exposure, impact hazards, and mechanical stress. Its innovation is a chemical co molding process that bonds thermoplastic polyurethane components to an injected polyurethane base, forming a unified structure without adhesives. Integrated elements include a metatarsal guard, lateral ankle protection, and a reinforced heel counter. The design provides resistance to water, chemicals, hydrocarbons, puncture, and slipping, while remaining lightweight, ergonomic, and thermally efficient.

Download Press Kit № 182037

Download Press Kit № 182037 Work Boot for Royer by Francis Lacroix to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

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Fortex by Francis Lacroix

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Work Boot by Francis Lacroix

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Francis Lacroix Fortex

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Francis Lacroix Work Boot

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RoyerBrand Logo

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Unique Properties

Engineered to redefine industrial performance, this boot features a quad-density co-injection system fusing PU and TPU into one seamless chassis. Anatomically mapped zones deliver lightweight shock absorption and targeted protection at key impact areas. A rigid heel stabilizes the foot on uneven terrain, while specialized outsoles ensure grip in extreme conditions. Cement-free bonding forms a waterproof, monolithic structure built for lasting durability and safety.

Tags

Co-injected Footwear, TPU Reinforcement, Polyurethane Safety Boot, Cold Weather Protection, Ankle protection, Metatarsal Protection, Industrial Design, Injection Molding Innovation, Chemical Bonding, Work Boot

Production Technology

This safety boot is engineered through co-injection molding, chemically bonding high-density TPU reinforcement with a lightweight PU core to form a seamless, monolithic structure free from adhesives and delamination. Developed for sub-zero climates, the TPU formulation maintains elasticity at -40°C, ensuring impact resistance without brittleness. Precision tooling guarantees exact reinforcement placement, delivering targeted protection, thermal stability, and durability without added bulk.

Design Challenge

The principal challenge was achieving reliable co-molding between TPU and a PU base, ensuring sufficient bonding strength in the metatarsal insert located within the boot’s primary flex zone. This required rethinking rotary-injection machine & tooling: a system allowing a pre-molded TPU insert to seat in an articulated receiver moving in frontal-transverse planes before mold closure and PU injection. Constraints included production feasibility, material behavior, wearer comfort and international safety standard requirements.

Project Duration

Designing started in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada in Dec. 2023. Engineering started in Legnaro, Padova, Italy in September 2024 with GGS, an elite Italian mold-making partner lead by M. Roberto Gobbato.

Operation Flow

This safety boot functions as a flexible exoskeleton, flexing at the forefoot while stabilizing the heel. TPU reinforcements shield the metatarsal area and ankle from impact without limiting movement. Unlike cemented footwear, its PU and TPU components are co-injected and chemically fused into a single monolithic structure, eliminating delamination. Built for harsh industrial and cold environments, it delivers long-term durability, reliability, and consistent performance.

Research

This applied industrial research explored polymer chemistry and precision engineering to eliminate adhesion failure and cold embrittlement in safety footwear. Using iterative prototyping and destructive testing, high-density TPU was co-injected with a cellular PU core to form a monolithic structure. Hundreds of bonding and sub-zero wear tests led to a cement-free boot with permanent molecular fusion, zero delamination, and full CSA, ASTM, and EN/ISO compliance.

Inspiration

This project merges heritage craftsmanship with advanced material science, transforming traditional footwear into an integrated high-performance system with protection embedded in its structural DNA. Inspired by biological exoskeletons, it acts as both protective shell and load-bearing frame. Rib-cage inspired arch geometry in the metatarsal zone disperses impact while preserving flexibility, creating a biomimetic system balancing safety and ergonomic performance.

Project Overview

Fortex Work Boot has been a Silver winner in the Safety Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment Design award category in the year 2025 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Image Credits

For design images and photos please credit Francis Lacroix.

Silver Recognition

Francis Lacroix was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2026, a testament to excellence of their work Fortex Work Boot .

Francis Lacroix Press Releases

Discover Francis Lacroix's journey through our press releases, available for all press members and journalists to use without restrictions. For immediate journalistic use: 2 press releases are available right now.

Fortex Safety Boot by Francis Lacroix Wins Silver A' Design Award for Innovative Industrial Protection

Francis Lacroix's Fortex work boot, inspired by biological exoskeletons and engineered with advanced co-injection technology, has been honored with the Silver A' Design Award 2026 in Safety Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment, recognizing its breakthrough in durable, ergonomic, and high-performance industrial footwear.

Francis Lacroix Newsroom

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