Charles Cole (climber)
Charles Cole | |
|---|---|
Cole in Yosemite, c. 1980s | |
| Born | Charles David Cole III April 29, 1955 Mineola, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 14, 2018 (aged 63) Redlands, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan (MBA) |
| Occupation(s) | Inventor, Entrepreneur, Climber |
| Known for | Founder of Five Ten, inventor of Stealth Rubber |
| Spouse | Paola Cole |
| Children | 3 |
Charles David "Charlie" Cole III (April 29, 1955 – July 14, 2018) was an American rock climber, inventor, and entrepreneur. He was the founder of the climbing shoe company Five Ten, established in 1985, and is best known for inventing the ultra-sticky Stealth Rubber outsole that revolutionized rock climbing and mountain sports footwear. An accomplished climber himself, Cole achieved several notable first ascents in Yosemite and Joshua Tree and earned a reputation as a pioneering innovator in climbing gear. His developments in high-friction rubber technology "changed the way we all climb."