The Backstage.
This is a personal piece.
You'd have taken a good look at Drift already. Now you're here, let us take you on the inside.
If the plan would have been to make an off-the-shelf product, we wouldn't have even begun.
We needed to develop our own tools because the product demanded so. It was out of need, not for the sake of it. Drift achieved its final form in late 2022 in the form of sketches.
Designing a correct shoe last was important.
It was what would provide shape to Drift's toe box and the overall silhouette. We designed the last on our own. Three changes over the starting model, and we got the thing.
Mould for the midsole was a whole different story. It needed to incorporate zero additional heel height and grooves at the forefoot into the geometry.
Our manufacturer had not made such a sole before, so it needed a bit of explanation and convincing, but it was done.
What took time was the material of the midsole. After 9 prototypes, constant lab tests and tweaks in the composition, we did achieve what Drift shows today—the firmness and the durability. Did take long.
For Drift, we opted for a single-layer upper construction, selective outer sole placement, no fancy panel purely for aesthetics—all to cut weight. You'll only see what's functionally important.
We got Drift on the feet of 30 people. All body types, professions and ages. Refined over 8 months.
Collected feedback. Refined the shoe. Even picked up our brand communication line (the one you've seen on the home page)!
That's how, the Drift you see today, came to life.
It's what remains, when questions are asked, when all that's unnecessary is gone.
If you've not tried it yet, we'd be happy to have you. If you already have, we hope you're enjoying the experience.
What remains is a shoe that handles your world, not your movement. What remains is a Watlair.
