Velocissima - Interview with Nicola Tondini
An engineer, mountaineer, mountain guide and director of a climbing gym: is there anything we've forgotten to mention about you?
I would add husband and family man (laughs). I have been a mountain guide ever since 1999 and a mountain guide instructor since 2001. I am also the director of Xmountain, a school specialising in mountaineering, ski mountaineering and climbing.
When did your love for the mountains first begin?
I was only 5 years old when I fell in love with the mountains for the first time. I was in Siusi (Bolzano) with my family and I persuaded my father to take me to see the Marmolada glacier and the mountaineers taking it on, which was an incredible experience. When I was 12 years old I did my first crag climbs, and from then on my love of the mountains grew every day until it eventually became my job. I still remember that on mountain trips in secondary school I used to act as a mountain guide for my classmates; it was clearly my destiny.
One of your latest adventures has just ended, opening a new vertical route, "Dulcis in fundo", on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. What challenges are you looking forward to next?
I can reveal that I already have 2 or 3 very interesting projects in the pipeline, right here in the Dolomites. I have always considered them my "playground", where I can have fun, teach and explore. My biggest dream is to visit Patagonia, and one day I hope that will happen.
Let's talk about the latest Dolomite approach model, Velocissima: you played a key role in its development…
In the past I was involved in the entire development process for the Veloce mountaineering shoe, which I absolutely fell in love with. So I was thrilled when they asked me to test and develop the Velocissima. I had the pleasure of trying it out over a long period of time, on all kinds of terrain and in all weathers. Seriously, this summer alone I wore out three pairs, trying them out every day for hours on end in the Dolomites.
In your opinion, what makes Velocissima, which recently won the ISPO Award 2021, so unique and different from the others?
To my mind, the most important aspect is the versatility of this shoe. It is so light and comfortable, ideal for approaching rock faces in the Dolomites, and it is easy to hang from your harness while climbing. Another important aspect that is often forgotten about is the descent. Especially in the Dolomites, where the Velocissima shows its full potential, there are lots of screes and descents where you really need a shoe with excellent grip, protection and durability. Velocissima has all of that. The Vibram® Crossover sole offers excellent grip, both up- and downhill, with a dedicated "climbing zone" that ensures optimum performance when climbing. The Perspair® upper is highly resistant to splits and abrasions and offers the advantage of being made from a single, seamless piece. On top of all this, don't forget that Velocissima is 100% Italian-made, and in this day and age, a shoe that combines technological innovation with a centuries-old shoemaking tradition is something to be incredibly proud of.
So considering its versatility, would you also recommend it for trekking?
Absolutely, yes. Most approach shoes tend to be more focused on climbing, and end up lacking in comfort and lightness. But Velocissima is excellent in all situations. It ticks all the boxes to make an excellent trekking shoe too, with a GORE-TEX lining that offers total protection from moisture and damp. This year, for example, Velocissima is the only shoe I have used for all my treks in the Dolomites.
