top of page

+ Reimagining responsiveness and lacing technology for football cleat performance and injury prevention

impulse_updated_render_lateral.png

Impulse

DESIGN GOALS

Optimize perceptions of comfort and stability for football athletes in hybrid
speed-power positions to mitigate ankle injury and enhance performance

RESEARCH

ANKLE PROPRIOCEPTION

Spatting, or taping over cleats, is common among football athletes. Though believed to improve ankle stability, studies show that perceived stability (proprioception) is enhanced while structural integrity is not. 

RUSH ELITE research_edited.png
football kinematics.png

KINEMATICS

In hybrid positions (RB, DE, TE), both speed and power are needed in high speed play at a crowded line of scrimmage

Professional football athletes induce ankle movements and force vectors that exceed "normal physiological limits," highlighting the importance of ankle mobility for these players

PROTOTYPING

Untitled_Artwork 51_edited.png

Knit Sheath

360 Lockdown Between Foot + Plate

INVERTED LACING SYSTEM

The "inverted" lacing system creates a seamless connection between foot and ground, while a knit sheath mimics the proprioceptive benefits of ankle taping

Untitled_Artwork 51_edited_edited.png

Lacing Eyelet System Embedded in Cleat Plate

CLEAT PROTO 1 update.png
CLEAT PROTO 2 update.png

AESTHETIC IDEATION 

impulse moodboard-01.png
Untitled_Artwork 61.png
impulse_outsole_sketch-01.png
impulse_perspective_sketch-01.png
impulse_thumbnail_sketch_1-01.png
impulse_perspective_sketch-01.png

TECHNICAL FLATS

impulse_tech_flat_grey-01.png

A

B

C

Circular Knit Upper

  • Engineered knit for socklike fit

  • Fitted ankle cuff enhances proprioception

Polyurethane Shroud

  • Encases internal lacing system

  • Adds structural reinforcement to upper

Hot Melt Toe Cap

  • Abrasion resistance at high friction area

  • Lightweight reinforcement

A

B

C

D

impulse_tech_flat_grey-02.png

D

E

D

360 Internal Lacing System

  • Increased responsiveness b/w foot and cleat plate

  • Complete lockdown

E

Directional Cleat Studs

  • Engineered for sport specific movements

  • Optimized for speed-power positions

'Olympus'

White / Omphalodes / Gold Flake

impulse_update_moodboards2-02.png
impulse_olympus-02.png

'Flame Forged' 

Blackout / Anthracite / Flame Scarlet

impulse_update_moodboards2-01.png
impulse_forge-02.png
impulse_olympus-01.png
impulse_olympus-02.png
impulse_forge-01.png
impulse_forge-02.png

'Solar Citrus' 

Iced Mango / Blanc / Virtual Pink

impulse_update_moodboards-01.png
impulse_solar_citrus-02.png
impulse_solar_citrus-01.png
impulse_solar_citrus-02.png
impulse_updated_rendering_outsole.png

'Neptune' 

impulse_update_moodboards-02.png
impulse_neptune-02.png
impulse_neptune-01.png
impulse_neptune-02.png

Polynya / Mazarine Blue / Sulphur Spring

impulse_updated_render_lateral.png
bottom of page