Tragedy in the South Tyrolean mountains: the inventor of barefoot shoes dies in an accident

Tragedy in the South Tyrolean mountains: the inventor of barefoot shoes dies in an accident

In a tragic accident, Robert Fliri, the inventor of the revolutionary barefoot shoes, lost his life in a mountain accident in the South Tyrolean Alps. The 48-year-old outdoor enthusiast fell 300 meters from a height of around 3,400 meters while descending near the northern Schwemser Spitze on Wednesday, which resulted in his serious injuries. Despite the immediate alerting of the mountain rescue service, any help came too late and he died at the scene of the accident, as was the case Krone.at was reported.

A pioneer of barefoot running

Fliri, who grew up in Naturns in South Tyrol, developed the “Five Fingers” barefoot shoes, which enclose the foot like a glove and ensure maximum freedom of movement. The idea came about during his time at the design academy in Bolzano, and the shoes were launched by Vibram in 2005. Success didn't take long to arrive: They quickly became bestsellers, and Fliri received great recognition when the New York Times named the barefoot shoes one of the best inventions of the year in 2007. They were already an integral part of the marathons in New York in 2009 Berliner-Kurier.de reported.

In addition to this tragic incident, two other fatal accidents occurred in the same region within a few days. This raises questions about the safety and challenges of mountaineering in these dangerous areas. Fliri leaves behind not only a tragic story, but also a legacy that has left a lasting mark on the world of sports equipment.