The rise of outdoor-inspired style: Kapriol redefines safety with the Dune line, combining EVA, design, and utmost functionality
The brand Kapriol, founded by Morganti S.p.A., a company whose roots date back in 1927, has turned into a key player in the international construction industry. With over 5,000 products in its catalogue and a presence in over 70 countries, the Lombardy-based company has elevated the integration of decades of experience and a penchant for innovation to a truly strategic asset. From the first tool forged by Alessandro Morganti to modern PPE and no-risk clothing, Kapriol has established itself as a byword of well-known quality and top reliability, with a growing and decisive expansion in the safety footwear segment.
The work footwear sector, long anchored to traditional production and style models, is undergoing a significant transformation, drawing on expertise from the sports and outdoor sectors. To analyze this evolution, we spoke with Franco Morganti, CEO of Morganti S.p.A. Kapriol, at the launch of the new Dune line of high-top safety footwear, designed for the most demanding construction site environments.
Mr. Morganti, the Dune line represented a turning point, introducing EVA and a trekking-inspired design. With the “Alto” version, what are the technical features that enhance its performance in the most demanding work environments?
“The high-top version of the Dune inherits the core technology of the low-top version: the lightweight EVA sole, enhanced by a special nylon-composite blend. This combination offers the rebound and lightness typical of athletic footwear, while also ensuring the durability required for construction site environments. The real qualitative leap, however, lies in the increased grip. We’ve developed a much deeper and more aggressive tread pattern, essential for working in extreme conditions like mud, humidity, or ice. This is a targeted evolution, in line with the heavy-duty stresses the product must withstand.”.
The market is increasingly demanding, pushing for footwear that combines safety and agility. How have you managed the evolution of uppers and the integration of quick-release fastening systems to optimize usability?
“For uppers, we’ve diversified our offering into three main variants to cover every need. The leather version, the Dune Stone, achieves S7S certification, including cold protection (CI) and water resistance (WR), thanks to an internal membrane. Furthermore, for the highest-performance models like the black Dune Rock, we’ve relied on a rotor closure system, similar to the one commonly used in technical and sports apparel. This upgrade not only improves ergonomics and quicker entry compared to traditional laces, but also underscores our strategy of functional innovation. We’ve focused on an equally effective alternative to better-known brands, while ensuring greater bureaucratic agility and cost containment, which turns into exceptionally competitive pricing for the features offered.”
The use of materials and solutions from the outdoor world seems to be your focus. How crucial is the R&D department’s contribution to not only to comply with regulatory standard, but also to anticipate market demands?
“Our R&D department is the driving force behind every corporate decision, including our marketing strategy. In an industry where safety is constantly being tightened by regulations, investment in research is not only necessary, it must be substantial. The key is finding the perfect balance between certification and material composition. For the Dune, for example, close collaboration with our sole supplier allowed us to calibrate an EVA compound that, despite its origins in the sports world, ensures the durability and abrasion resistance that are essential for the construction industry, surpassing the limitations of pure sports compounds. This philosophy, which draws on trail solutions (such as the all-nylon apparel that is currently our best-seller), allows us to bring to market products that are objectively different and superior in terms of comfort and performance, keeping a clear competitive advantage.”
Staying on the topic of the market, direct feedback is vital. What channels do you use to understand the real needs of the end consumer and guide product development?
“Feedback is crucial, especially in an industry where shoes are subjected to extreme stress. We have a data collection system that includes our Lecco store, which functions as a true laboratory for contact with the end user. Unlike channels filtered by distribution, the store provides us with clear and direct feedback. To maximize this interaction, we have an internal training program that encourages sales staff to spend one day a month in the store. This approach ensures that our development strategies are based on an empirical understanding of performance in real-world conditions, allowing us to refine product durability and functionality in response to the needs expressed by those on the front lines. The sales success of the Dune low, with extremely low returns, confirms the validity of this approach.” Kapriol’s approach shows how success in the safety sector no longer lies in compliance alone, but in the ability to blend sports technology, eye-catching design, and industrial efficiency. With the upcoming launch of the full Dune Alto high-top range and a new marketing campaign across digital and television channels (including football A Series matches on DAZN), Morganti S.p.A. is positioning itself as a key player in reshaping the concept of protective footwear, propelling it toward previously unexplored standards of comfort and performance.
DUNE STONE
DUNE ROCK ATOP FASTENING SYSTEM
DUNE ROCK
