Vibram said it raised $12,000 via its Sole Factor Program and subsequent summer/fall REI Tour for partner Big City Mountaineers (BCM). Announced by Vibram in April, all proceeds from its special 80th anniversary blue Carramato sole and Sole Factor Tour upgrades will be donated to BCM.

“We wanted to do something impactful with the funds raised from our special, anniversary blue sole,” said Allon Cohne, chief marketing officer of Vibram USA. “With the Carrarmato’s roots in mountaineering, BCM is the perfect partner for us to celebrate this milestone with, as one of its goals is to transform the lives of under-served youth through outdoor experiences in the mountains. We set out to raise $10,000 and by the time we stopped by BCM HQ this week, we surpassed the $12,000 mark – with six more stops still to go!”

Beginning in May, Vibram offered its blue Carrarmato sole and several unique 80th anniversary Carrarmato designs through its Sole Factor program at www.vibram.com. Shortly afterwards, they partnered with REI for the Sole Factor Tour. The tour kicked off in June visiting select REI stores across the country offering customers a chance to upgrade their favorite footwear with a new Vibram sole. In honoring the iconic design for the anniversary year, Vibram will continue donate all blue Carrarmato sole proceeds to Big City Mountaineers for the remainder of 2017, as well as upgrades during the REI tour stops.

“We are extremely grateful for this program,” states Bryan Martin, executive director for Big City Mountaineers. “Since 1990, Big City Mountaineers has worked to offer life-changing experiences for under resourced urban youth through wilderness mentoring expeditions and this wouldn’t be possible without the longstanding support of partners like Vibram.”

Currently just past the halfway point of the 2017 Sole Factor Tour, the Tour stops in Denver this weekend before traveling to Minnesota later this month. For more information on the remaining 2017 Sole Factor Tour, visit here.

Can’t make it to a tour stop? Upgrading soles through Vibram’s Sole Factor program is simple: choose a sole online at www.vibram.com, then take advantage of free shipping to send in footwear. Vibram will return the customized pair in 2-4 weeks.