With Lybrah, CMP expands its proposal dedicated to trail running. New for FW 26/27, it is a shoe designed to offer maximum grip, cushioning, and stability, even on the most technical and challenging terrains. The new model integrates the Vibram Madeira sole with Traction Lug technology, a solution designed to increase traction, grip, and control. The 5.5 millimeter drop instead favors a smooth and natural foot transition, ensuring a balance between comfort, protection, and responsiveness. We spoke with Alessandro Marchioron, brand manager of CMP.
Lybrah represents a new step in CMP’s trail running journey. What role will it play in the brand’s footwear strategy?
Lybrah will play a crucial role in the evolution of the trail running category. The goal is to consolidate CMP’s technical credibility in the segment, enhancing the work done in terms of research and development on materials, grip, and running comfort. On one hand, it will allow us to intercept a target of more demanding runners, who may have oriented towards other brands so far; on the other hand, it will enrich our offer with a product with an outdoor DNA but with a more lifestyle aesthetic. Lybrah demonstrates, in summary, that CMP can compete in pure performance while maintaining its identity as an accessible brand deeply rooted in the outdoor world.
What needs led to the Lybrah project and what type of runner did you take as a reference during development?
The Lybrah project stems from a need for total safety and confidence on technical terrains and in unpredictable conditions. During the project development, our reference runner was therefore the evolved trail runner, passionate about technical alpine trails. A demanding user who seeks high performance, pushing to the maximum without having to worry about losing control and grip during support. 
Where does Lybrah fit within the CMP range and what are the main differences compared to other trail models already in the collection, like Jemini?
Lybrah represents our most technical proposal within the trail running category. To face wet rock, mud, and unstable terrains, we could not compromise on the definition of the sole. Hence the collaboration with Vibram and the choice of the Megagrip compound combined with Traction Lug technology, which guarantees greater uphill traction and high braking capacity downhill, even on friable surfaces. The EVA midsole also offers exceptional comfort and effective response during push-off.
The collaboration with Vibram represents an important evolution for CMP’s footwear proposal. How strategic is it?
The relationship with Vibram has been ongoing for many years, driven by the desire to meet market needs with high-level technical solutions. In trekking, this partnership has already allowed us to achieve excellent results, and the transition to trail running was a natural evolution of the path taken.
Lybrah has a 5.5 millimeter drop. What technical evaluations led to this choice and what kind of running experience did you want to achieve?
The choice of a 5.5 millimeter drop was carefully considered and is the result of careful technical evaluation. We wanted a shoe that offered a natural and dynamic run, but at the same time safe. On alpine and irregular trails, technically we were looking for an intermediate positioning of the heel’s center of gravity to prevent distortions and maximize foot sensitivity, allowing the runner to “feel the ground.” At the same time, the 5.5 millimeter drop favors a correct midfoot support, efficient uphill and on technical sections, and the right protection: “forgives mistakes” when, after many kilometers, fatigue physiologically leads the runner to rely more on the heel. It is the ideal synthesis between reactivity and protection. 
What characteristics did you look for in terms of cushioning, stability, and foot protection?
The goal was not to achieve a “spongy” cushioning, but rather resilient: we needed a midsole compound that absorbed repeated impacts returning energy to relaunch the run quickly. In terms of stability, we worked so that the shoe enveloped the foot. When fatigue sets in, the runner needs effective containment of the heel and midfoot to avoid twists and internal slips, especially in technical descents where the Vibram sole performs at its best during braking. The highly breathable engeneered mesh upper, together with the TPU lateral reinforcements, ensures high stability in lateral movements.
On what type of trails and distances does Lybrah best express its potential?
Lybrah is designed for technical and alpine trails and medium-long distances, where resilient cushioning and protective structure work together to delay muscle fatigue. It is a versatile shoe: for the experienced trail runner, it is an excellent companion for daily training, ideal for accumulating elevation gain safely; but thanks to its dynamism, it is absolutely ready to face medium and long-distance competitions, where reliability and downhill control can make a difference in terms of performance.
LYBRAH – TECHNICAL SHEET
COLLECTION / FW 26/27 UPPER / 100% recycled polyester+PU LINING / recycled polyester INSOLE / EVA+PU+90% recycled polyester MIDSOLE / EVA Vibram Metaflex SOLE / rubber – Vibram Madeira S2646 WEIGHT / 330 gr (men) – 280 gr (women) DROP / 5.5 mm
