World class from Burgdorf or: The cycling shoes from Suplest
22/1/2025
Translation: machine translated
Daniel Balmer and Robert Gehrig share a passion for cycling. They founded the company Suplest in 2007 and have been developing exceptional cycling shoes ever since. A visit to Burgdorf.
It's cold on this mid-December morning. The high fog hangs grey over people's heads like a thick duvet. And weighs on the mind. You long for sunshine and perhaps a good mood on a bike ride with friends.
I'm in Burgdorf and meet Daniel Balmer (45) and Robert Gehrig (48). The two family men set up their business here 18 years ago. Suplest develops cycling shoes for professionals and amateurs. Meanwhile, the Bern-based company's products are more than just an insider tip in the industry.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
Once Burgdorf-Taiwan and back
In addition to the two founders, three other people work for Suplest at its small but cosy headquarters in Burgdorf. Small but mighty, also in terms of the team. Daniel is mainly responsible for the business side of Suplest, while Robert is mainly responsible for design and marketing. I want to know from both of them where their passion for cycling in general and cycling shoes in particular comes from.
"My father worked for a large Swiss trading company in Asia in the 1970s and 80s," says Daniel. He spent the first twelve years of his life in Taiwan. "The company's portfolio also included Puma, so I had my first contact with the footwear industry at a very early age." Years later, his father's networks also gave them access to the production facilities in Asia.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
Back in Burgdorf, Daniel takes part in a bike race organised by the local cycling club, whereupon he catches the bike bug. Robert, who originally comes from the graphics industry, also rides road and cross-country races as a hobby. And is not only interested in the technology of the bike, but also in the design of the shoes in particular.
Best friends also thanks to the Swiss army
Daniel and Robert already knew each other briefly when they bumped into each other again in the Swiss army. Or rather, drive. After all, they were both serving in a cycling company. "Back then, football boot manufacturers had revitalised the market with new materials and, above all, fresh designs," recalls Robert.
The two were inspired by this fact. "We said to ourselves: why not create something similar for cycling shoes?" continues Robert. And he adds: "Let's not misunderstand each other, the design of the shoes is important to us, but functionality is the main focus. We don't just make shoes that look fun. The performance of our products takes priority."
Source: Patrick Bardelli
Many highlights, some lowlights
The company's almost 20-year history is characterised by many highlights and a few lowlights. One year before the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, for example, the Swiss Cycling Federation asked Suplest if the company could develop an aerodynamic shoe for the team pursuit on the track. Daniel and Robert accepted the challenge and, under great time pressure, developed a shoe with which the track foursome ultimately won an Olympic diploma. Multiple MTB world champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot also wins her titles in shoes from Burgdorf.
But there are also less pleasant moments. For example, a long-standing partner of Suplest in Vietnam cancelled the collaboration from one day to the next in 2019. Due to the US-Chinese trade war, various US companies came to Vietnam with large orders. Small companies like Suplest were squeezed out. Daniel and Robert had to look for a new production site virtually overnight. And then came Covid. "At the beginning of the pandemic, we were left without a production site. That was a punch in the gut," says Daniel Balmer.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
Meanwhile, Suplest has parts of the collection produced in Taiwan by a renowned manufacturer that works for major brands such as Adidas, Asics and Salomon. Two models are currently still being manufactured in Asia, using state-of-the-art materials and the highest quality. A first for Suplest, all other shoes from the new collection onwards are made in Italy.
The shoes for the road and off-road segments are all developed at the headquarters in Burgdorf. "The segmentation is very simple," explains Daniel. "Pro means that we use the best materials, such as the best carbon or the most expensive Boa fastener." Performance is the category with the best value for money and the Sport category is where the entry-level models are located.
Swissness, premiumness and simplicity
According to Daniel Balmer and Robert Gehrig, these three values stand for Suplest. A name that is made up of the terms "souplesse" - an extremely efficient form of training that involves small, fast pedalling movements - and the English word "supple", which stands for supple, flexible and pliable.
Properties that will also be in demand in the future. The friends are therefore relaxed about the challenges ahead. Anyone who has to relocate production from Vietnam to Taiwan and Italy in the midst of a pandemic is unlikely to break out in a sweat any time soon.
In the last few weeks, I was able to try out the new Gravel model from Burgdorf. The detailed test report will be available shortly.
Header image: Patrick Bardelli
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
