If you're interested in purchasing custom boots, please don't hesitate to contact us at orders@bont.com, and we'll provide you with information about the nearest molding agent.
Introducing the BNT Inline Speed Skate Boot by Bont: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation
The BNT is the epitome of Bont's craftsmanship in inline skate design. This custom-made boot embodies a classic style with clean, uncomplicated lines, reflecting Bont's dedication to simplicity and performance.
At the heart of the BNT is a base crafted from 100% carbon fiber, a hallmark of Bont's innovative approach to inline skate technology. This base is coupled with our renowned epoxy resin, heat-moldable for a perfect custom fit. The neoprene padding, a closed-cell foam, ensures no water absorption, keeping the boot lightweight and efficient.
Speaking of weight, the BNT is a marvel in this area. Stripped of bumpers, thermoplastics, and zippers, it's ultra-lightweight. Its carbon base sports a matte finish, a thoughtful deviation from the usual gloss finish found in most inline skates.
The outer skin of the BNT is crafted from premium Durolite, a material typically reserved for our high-end Bont Vaypor skates. Inside, the boot is lined with Suede-L, offering unparalleled comfort whether you're wearing socks or not.
Durability and reliability are key; hence, the BNT features aluminum mounting blocks with a hardened steel nut. At Bont, we pride ourselves on quality - we've never had a skate returned due to mounting block issues. Our foolproof system includes Loctite on the mounting screws to prevent loosening during races.
Comfort isn't overlooked. The boot's tongue boasts ventilation for cool feet and velcro for secure placement. The padding is designed to prevent lace bite, and the waxed laces have minimal stretch, maintaining tightness.
The BNT is built on a last with a tighter heel, ensuring a snug fit and a near-custom feel. This boot is tailored for professional racers; it's incredibly responsive but may not suit those seeking heavily padded skates.
Bont's legacy in skate innovation dates back to 1974, as the inventor of custom-made inline and roller skates. We produce more custom skates daily than all other makers combined. The custom-made BNT inline boot represents the pinnacle of this heritage.
Opting for a custom BNT means choosing the best-fitting boots you can ever have. Once you experience the difference, you'll never look back at stock boots. Our customization options are extensive, all included in the price.
Please note the custom boot-making process takes 8-12 weeks from when we receive your molds, which can take 2-3 weeks to reach us. The boot height is tailored to your ankle bone height, ensuring a perfect fit for every individual.
To order your custom BNT inline speed skating boots, contact us to locate your nearest Bont representative who will assist with foot molding. Experience the unmatched quality of Bont's custom inline boots and skates – a testament to our commitment to the art of skating.
Q & A
Q: What is the difference between the Vaypor and the BNT?
A: The Bont Vaypor uses uni-directional carbon which is hand-laid and takes longer to apply to the base of the boot and makes the boot lighter and stronger. The BNT uses standard cross weave carbon. The BNT is tighter in the heel and uses 2mm neoprene padding whereas the Vaypor uses 4mm EVA padding. The result is that the BNT feels harder. The Vaypor is more aerodynamic. The Vaypor’s mounting blocks have a more flowing look where the block meets the boot whereas the BNT has a more upright look.
Carbon Fiber
Ever wondered what Carbon Fiber is? For instance, is it Carbon Fiber or Carbon Fibre? To clarify, Fibre and Fiber have the same meaning. Fibre is the British English spelling, while Fiber is the US English spelling.
Carbon Fiber is a revolutionary material. It is as strong as steel with a fraction of the weight.
Carbon Fiber consists of mainly bonded carbon atoms. For example, the fibers’ long axis consists of particles that have been bonded together and aligned. Following this, a yarn is created by twisting several thousand of the threads together. Finally, a piece of fabric is woven from the yarn.
Here at Bont, we have been producing carbon-based boots since 1989. Above all and most importantly, we source our carbon exclusively from the world’s number one carbon manufacturer, Toray of Japan.
3K PLAIN
3k plain is a tightly woven carbon, which is commonly used in the Aircraft industry and Bont shoes.
UNIDIRECTIONAL
An extremely stiff, lightweight, and adaptive carbon fiber. We use Unidirectional Carbon in our boots, which allows us to lay the carbon in a direction we choose. Therefore provide extremely stiff and lightweight boots. For example the Vaypor.
12K PLAIN
A cheaper form of carbon. 12K Plain carbon is not as strong as 3k Plain carbon, which results in the price being around 20% cheaper.
INDUSTRY MISREPRESENTATION
In the old days, if you purchased a plastic or nylon based shoe, you knew what you were getting. However, nowadays, with all of the expensive modern materials, it is getting harder to identify what is in your product. As a result, you may not be getting what you thought you purchased.
Here are some handy tips on different ways manufacturers use materials. That is to say, use these points for consideration in your next purchase.
One layer of carbon
Often, manufacturers misrepresent carbon shoes. For example, the shoe base can be an injection-molded plastic, or nylon, or fiberglass base and usually covered with a single layer of carbon fiber. Unfortunately, when you buy a shoe, and you see that it has a carbon base, the chances are that only the outer layer is carbon.
Unidirectional carbon
A variety of shoes are marketed as Unidirectional carbon. However, many of these shoes use injection molded carbon in the plastic and call this Unidirectional Carbon. Consequently, we feel this is a misuse of the terminology. For example, here at Bont, Unidirectional Carbon means carbon fiber, where all of the strands travel in the same direction.
Silver fiberglass
Many shoes use a plastic injection molded base with some carbon particles in it. Also, these shoes typically have a single layer of silver fiberglass for the outer layer. As such, manufacturers advertise ‘carbon fiber’ for these shoes. They are allowed to use this term as there is carbon dust in the plastic mold under the outer fiberglass layer. However, the fiberglass woven material on the outside is not carbon. Above all, remember Carbon Fiber is always black.
100% composite
What is 100% composite? This term almost covers anything. Therefore, the question you need to ask when considering a composite boot is, A composite of what? In short, a composite boot is usually a nylon fiberglass composite.
Monocoque
A Monocoque shoe is where the carbon is directly laminated onto the liner. Unfortunately, some companies are calling a carbon shell with an integrated heel cup a Monocoque shoe; however, it isn’t.
In summary, be aware of companies jumping on the bandwagon of carbon technology and using keywords to promote their product. Above all, do your research and be mindful of what you are purchasing. We hope this helps your decision in your carbon boot purchase.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing skates by hand, inside out, is a method Bont retains and is exceptionally proud of. The manufacturing process is far more skill-intensive and time-consuming than other manufacturing processes. Perhaps, most importantly, this enables Bont skates to lead the industry in performance. It does, however, result in a higher production cost than mainstream skate construction methods.
We continue to develop and refine our manufacturing process to maintain the best delivery of our high-quality products. For example, processes such as the use of generic vacuum boxes for the curing of carbon have been replaced. Today, for carbon curing, we use methods such as pressure wrapping. Pressure wrapping provides four atmospheres of pressure rather than one atmosphere you find in traditional vacuum forming.
Inze Bont’s, the renowned skate designer, engineering, has allowed our production line to optimize the manufacturing of our handmade monocoque skates in the most time-efficient manner possible.
Our innovative manufacturing processes match our drive for design innovation. Lighter, Stronger, Faster.
Read our process for Last Design, Footbed, Liner, Anti-Stretch, Carbon Fiber, Upper, and more in the self-titled sections below.