Hypsole Launches the World’s First 3D-Printed Cleat Guards
Sports equipment is not always cheap, which is why parents always teach their offspring to handle expensive shoes, equipment and gear with care. However, looking after and caring for sports equipment often involves a lot of effort and time. Who wants to change their cleats between the dressing room and the pitch because the studs might wear out? Active athletes are well aware of this, which is why former track and field athlete Jes Christian has tackled this problem and developed a solution. She founded the footwear startup Hypsole and launched Tidal 3D™ Elite, the world’s first 3D-printed cleat guards.
Hypsole combines sport, fashion and technology in Tidal 3D™ Elite and thus offers a product for athletes at different levels and different sports. For example, they could be used for football, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball, rugby and Ultimate Frisbee, among others. With the cleat guards, athletes will be able to wear their sports shoes everywhere; on the way to training, on the way home and for errands, without the shoes suffering wear and tear. The protectors work in a similar way to removable outsoles and, in addition to their functionality, are also comfortable and handy. The look also played a decisive role for Jes Christian. She wanted to develop a product that was easy to put on, suitable for a wide range of sports and looked good at the same time.
“Once the functional requirements of the product were established, the aesthetic – from fit to finish – became a top priority. I didn’t want this product to be just another piece of sports equipment – I wanted fashion and streetwear to be infused into the design visuals. I felt strongly that it needed to look good – and that we needed athletes to want it as much as, if not more than they needed it, because at the end of the day, if it works, but it’s not hitting aesthetically – then we’re going to be fighting an uphill battle with our target demo.” – Hypsole founder and CEOJes Christian
To achieve this, Hypsole relied on the latest technologies in design and production. Tidal 3D™ Elite was designed to blend seamlessly into the overall look of the sports shoe, following the curvature of the shoe while still providing support and adhering to the cleats. The grid design provides strategic support areas, robustness and durability. Athletes can also customize the cleat protectors to their needs, as Tidal 3D™ Elite is equipped with buttons and straps so that cleat heights and widths can be adjusted.
Tidal 3D™ Elite cleat guards can be used for shoes with various sports
To produce the cleat protectors, Hypsole worked with Carbon. Tidal 3D™ Elite was produced using Digital Light Synthesis, in which the projection of light leads to the curing of liquid resin. In this way, functional products with an impressive appearance can be manufactured. The material used is carbon elastomeric polyurethane (EPU), 40% of which is based on biological resources.
“Carbon’s technology was developed to bring about products that push the boundaries of what’s possible no matter the markets or industry — and Hypsole is no exception,” says Phil DeSimone, Co-Founder and Office of the CEO at Carbon. “We’re proud to partner to bring its revolutionary sports footwear concept to life, with Carbon’s DLS technology, enabling improved performance for athletes at all levels.”
The Tidal 3D™ Elite cleat protectors are available from August 21st, 2024, and are priced at $75 in Calcite Hex and Onyx Hex colors. Sizes offered cover ten unisex sizes, from children’s sizes to adult shoe sizes. If you are interested in the cleat protectors and hypsole, you can learn more about them HERE.
The 3D printed cleat guards
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*Cover Photo Credits: Hypsole
