Vortech Response Liner
12.01.24
Shred the slopes
Footwear & Softgoods
Brief
Snowboarders push their limits, over-tightening boots and bindings to squeeze out every ounce of responsiveness. This relentless pursuit can lead to discomfort, reduced blood flow, and even faster gear wear. How can we deliver peak performance without the potential pain?
Team
Industrial Design Kush Vakharia
Understanding
Snowboarding is a sport of extremes. The problem is, snowboarders want the most response they can out of their gear, so they overtighten, causing a multitude of acute health issues which can accumulate over the course of the day. After on-foot testing, multiple respondents noted little to no change in the feeling of response when the binding was overtightened versus tightened properly. This led to the conclusion that the real problem is percieved response: snowboarders want to feel like they're locked into their gear, and they will trade comfort for quick turns. I dissected a snowboard boot and liner, making the solution clear: tightening from the inside out, not the outside in.
Embodying
To provide a locked-in feeling, I looked to other industries where lockdown was needed in a tight space. Some soccer cleats have implemented a tongue which connects to the sole, keeping the foot tied down to the boot to provide a tight feel. Interviews revealed that some players find this system uncomfortably tight. When imagined in the context of snowboarding, this is a perfect starting point, as snowboarders may be less sensitive to changes in comfort. I began with rough flat lay models on a foot last, eventually moving toward more robust fabric prototypes, tested on foot for pressure. The key was to apply a slight pressure to the right parts of the foot, which was achieved through numerous fabric models. Additionally, I noticed a foam plate on the outside of the liner which helps to prevent slippage from liner to boot. With more rigidity and different placement, these could provide lockdown as well.
The details
The Vortech Response liner is compatible with any traditional snowboard boot and features two key innovations: Response Plates and a Rapidfit Inner Sleeve. The Response Plates allow for a more snug fit in areas that are typically looser without the rigidity of bindings. They interface directly with the boot, so you can feel more of what’s happening outside the liner through better energy transfer. One layer below, an elastic sleeve connects to the bottom and back of the liner as well as the tongue and puts slight pressure on the toe area where overtightening occurs and the heel area where slippage occurs. his gives you instant response directly on foot.
