Hand Made_ High Tech Ossur Flex Run
The Nike Sole
APL Concept 2
Lonsdale Boxing Gloves
The flex run is developed by a company called Ossur who specialise in orthopaedics and prosthetics. The flex run is made from carbon fiber because of it’s lightweight, strong and flexible capabilities. Carbon fiber today is used as an alternative to hard materials such as metal and steel because it is more easier to work with and more can be done with it. Carbon fiber is made from pure threads of thin carbon wrapped tightly together to form big knots. The flex run allows athletes and people on the go to experience a new technological advance in distance running. The prosthetic leg is used for many different purposes, this one aimed at athletes.
The Nike sole is what makes the flex run more advanced and aesthetically different. Ossur have collaborated with nike to produce a sole specifically for the flex run. Traditionally athletes would have to attach a sole on to a prosthetic leg, whereas no nike have designed a sole or trainer for it. The sole breaks down in to five sections. At the bottom a rubber mesh with underlay grip serves as the outsole with a rubber leash attached that connects to the flex run. Then a polyurethane midsole is added for cushioning, followed by a thermoplastic urethane known as ‘aeroply’ which prevents the sole from slipping and noise cancellation. Then finished with nine plastic tabs which serve as locks on the sole that secure it in place with the flex run.
The APL concept 2 sneakers are designed by a company called athletic propulsion labs. The sneakers are designed to increase the vertical leap on a basketball players jump upon lift off. The sneaker uses a technology which apl like to call the load ‘n’ launch. This technology is centred in the forefoot of the sneaker and assists with the vertical leap. It uses a high pressure thermoplastic urethane that extends through the arch of the foot. The load ‘n’ launch shank absorbs maximum energy through compression from the forefoot and then releasing energy through lift off to increase the leap. The sneaker also uses high rebound of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) in the midsole and insole of the shoe. The vertical leap can increase a players lift off of up to 3.5 inches of additional leap. The shoe was banned by the NBA as they saw it as players would be given an unfair advantage.
I decided to look at the boxing gloves from the glove section at the exhibition. Lonsdale is a sport brand that specialise in MMA, Boxing and Sportswear. Their lonsdale gloves are have been in action for years. The techniques in to making the gloves have stayed the same. Boxing gloves are all hand made, from cutting the leather to stitching the glove up. The leather comes from cowhide or goatskin because of it’s durability and flexibility. The inside is filled with padding in which some manufacturers today use high amounts of polyurethane. However, traditionally manufacturers would use cotton or horsehair to pad the glove, some in which still do. And finally nylon thread is used to sew the glove together. In some cases gloves use a velcro to secure the gloves around the wrist.
Ashvin Goolab GDNM Year 3