GLOBE DEBUTS THE ‘ICON’ WITH d3o IMPACT PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY

First company to use d3o technology in performance footwear

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, El Segundo, CA. January 25, 2005 – Globe, a leader in action sports performance footwear and apparel, proudly presents the Icon, featuring the revolutionary new impact protection technology, d3o. Setting new standards with the Icon for 2005, Globe is the first company to offer the d3o technology in footwear, and will debut the Icon for fall 2005.

Designed with the purpose of making a purely skate driven model that would outperform all existing models, the Icon now stands among the most innovative advancements in skateboarding footwear to date. Globe continuously strives to find innovative solutions to help skaters perform at their best. Taking design inspiration from Globe team riders and footwear developers, the Icon featuring d3o delivers outstanding impact protection without compromising athletic performance.

A one year contract with the d3o Lab grants Globe exclusive rights to utilize the d3o technology within the action sports performance footwear market.

d3o provides intelligent cushioning by automatically and continuously adjusting itself. d3o is a unique material made of INTELLIGENT MOLECULES. The d3o molecules flow past each other at low rates of movement, but on shock (such as high or even low impact skateboarding) instantaneously lock together by linking with each other to form a protective barrier, returning to their original state after impact. As soon as the impact has passed they immediately unlock to provide flow and normal flexibility. This all happens in less than a 1000 th of a second, and the faster they are impacted the more quickly they react.

Skateboarders’ feet endure major impact with every landing, and d3o enables the skateboarder to have the protection needed, without compromising their freedom of movement. d3o can be directly integrated into the footwear and is light, breathable, and flexible, helping skaters to ride with maximum potential while reducing painful bruising of the heel and foot. The d3o impact protection technology will be placed from toe to heel internally in the Icon.

“d3o is the new face of cushioning and impact protection, and Globe is really the best company to bring this to the consumer. One of the nicest features of this amazing stuff is its subtle appearance. It allows for authentic application into modern performance, while at the same time the unmatched comfort story benefits the consumer even on a casual level,” said Globe’s Director of Footwear, Cory Schurian.

“Globe has always been dedicated to improving what skaters are capable of doing. We listen to our riders, and it’s their feedback that pushes us. This means creating innovative performance footwear that works for the skaters, giving them the benefits and solutions they need. The Icon is an exciting new development in our world that’s sure to affect performance footwear and skating in the future. It reinforces our stance as a leader in performance footwear innovation,” said Michael Marckx, VP of Global Marketing.

“It's about time someone made a simple and solid skate shoe with technical features infused into the design. Globe, along with the input from its world class skate and design team, created the ultimate performance skate shoe without sacrificing the look and most importantly ‘board feel’ and impact protection. It looks good and feels insane,” said Al Partanen, Globe skate team manager.

Globe continues to push the envelope with the Icon through the integration of new materials, technology, and unmatched performance features including:

• Structurally supportive double lasted upper
• Unique lower lace protection system
• Molded side panels for breathability
• Cradled Foam Tex footbed
• VAI 360 – Globe’s new Ventilations and Air Infiltration system
• Flexible low profile sole with Globe’s own grip enhancing tread pattern

The Icon will be released in three colorways: Black/Gum Suede, Light Earth/Khaki Suede, and White/Black Action Leather. The Icon will retail for $79.99 and will be available for purchase starting July 2005.

Globe’s introduction of the Icon featuring d3o marks the company’s ongoing commitment to performance skateboarding shoe innovation, a cornerstone of Globe’s skateboarding performance initiatives for the past 20 years.

For more information on Globe and the Icon, please take a look at www.globe.tv, and for further information about d3o, please visit www.d3olab.com.

About Globe:
Globe is a unique action sports brand--built on a heritage of surfing and skateboarding--with a healthy disrespect for the established way of doing things. Today, Globe is pursuing its ambition to serve the worldwide action sports culture and its most progressive elements, through an authenticity that is apparent in its forward, stylish, and functional designs.

Globe’s continuous support and dedication to the action sports is evident in its long list of team riders and events worldwide including, but not limited to: World Champion surfers Mark Occhilupo and C.J. Hobgood, top (WCT) surfers Damien Hobgood and Taj Burrow, professional skateboarder Rodney Mullen; as well as the Globe Fiji Pro (WCT), the Globe World Cup of Skateboarding, the Globe Sebastian Inlet Pro, and the Globe Wildcard Series.

Visit www.globe.tv  for more information on Globe and its people, products, and programs.

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Maria Boschetti
maria.b@globeintltd.com

Industry - Surfersvillage

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