UNDER ARMOUR Unveils Footwear with World's First Seamless Heel Cup
UNDER ARMOUR
A seamless heel cup that fits the shape of your foot, eliminating slippage on impact for stable running.
Footwear Featuring the World's First "Seamless Heel Cup"
UNDER ARMOUR, the "performance athletic brand" that evolves athlete performance, is launching the "UA Speedform Apollo" and "UA Speedform RC," two models featuring the world's first "seamless heel cup" that dramatically changes the conventional concept of footwear construction. They will be available from Friday, February 28th.
Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)
For Runners: Races (10km - Half Marathon), Speed Training
When running, the foot lands on the ground heel-first. However, if the heel does not fit snugly inside the shoe, the motion control (load transfer) from landing to toe-off is not performed effectively, leading to a loss of stability.
The origin of Under Armour's innovation, "second skin," was born from the idea of maximizing athlete performance. To achieve a "second skin for your feet," the inspiration came from the fact that spacesuits, designed to fit the body and allow for smooth movement in extreme environments, were manufactured in bra factories.
"UA Speedform Apollo"
Sole design enhancing stability and grip.
For Runners: Races (10km - Half Marathon), Speed Training
Price: ¥10,000 (excluding tax)
Colors: ERB/MSV/MSV, BLK/MSV/MSV
Sizes: 25.0cm (7.0) - 29.0cm (11.0), 30.0cm (12.0)
Weight: 198g (MEN'S 27.0cm)
*Overpronation control model
"UA Speedform RC"
Designed for lighter, faster running.
For Runners: Races (10km - Half Marathon), Speed Training
Price: ¥12,500 (excluding tax)
Colors: HVY/MSV, NPU/BLK
Sizes: 25.0cm (7.0) - 29.0cm (11.0)
Weight: 170g (MEN'S 27.0cm)
Through a shift in perspective unique to Under Armour, they succeeded in creating an integrated heel cup, something traditional shoe factories had been unable to achieve for years, in collaboration with a bra factory. The "seamless heel cup," molded from a single piece of material to realize a "second skin for your feet," fits the shape of the heel, eliminating slippage on impact and enabling stable running.
Furthermore, by integrating parts rather than sewing them, excess components were eliminated, resulting in an upper constructed from three pieces: toe, heel, and tongue. Combining these integrated parts, the upper achieves a simple structure of just three pieces. This, in turn, eliminated excess weight, leading to a lighter shoe.
Additionally, connecting each part using ultrasonic welding creates a smooth feel against the foot, reducing stress during wear.
Dome Customer Center
0120-106-786
www.underarmour.co.jp