Inov-8 Launches First Graphene Sports Shoes
British brand inov-8 has unveiled a new product range that utilises the strongest material on the planet, grapheme, in what the brand describes as a world first for sports shoes.
Collaborating with graphene experts at The University of Manchester, the brand has infused the material into rubber outsoles for running and fitness shoes that – in testing – have lasted more than 1,000 miles.
200 times stronger than steel and super-lightweight, graphene is also the thinnest material on earth. inov-8 is the first brand in the world to use the Nobel Prize winning material in sports footwear, with its G-SERIES shoes available to pre-order from 22nd June ahead of going on sale in July.
The company first announced its intent to revolutionise the sports footwear industry in December last year.
Michael Price, inov-8 product and marketing director, said: “Over the last 18 months we have worked with the National Graphene Institute at The University of Manchester to bring the world’s toughest grip to the sports footwear market.
“Prior to this innovation, off-road runners and fitness athletes had to choose between a sticky rubber that works well in wet or sweaty conditions but wears down quicker and a harder rubber that is more durable but not quite as grippy. Through intensive research, hundreds of prototypes and thousands of hours of testing in both the field and laboratory, athletes now no longer need to compromise.”
The G-SERIES range is made up of three different shoes, each including graphene-enhanced rubber outsoles and Kevlar – a material used in bulletproof vests – on the uppers.
Dr Aravind Vijayaraghavan, Reader in Nanomaterials at The University of Manchester, said: “Using graphene we have developed G-SERIES outsole rubbers that are scientifically tested to be 50% stronger, 50% more elastic and 50% harder wearing.
“We are delighted to put graphene on the shelves of 250 retail stores all over the world and make it accessible to everyone. Graphene is a versatile material with limitless potential and in coming years we expect to deliver graphene technologies in composites, coatings and sensors, many of which will further revolutionise sports products.”
Commenting on the patent-pending technology and the collaboration with The University of Manchester, inov-8 CEO Ian Bailey added: “This powerhouse forged in Northern England is going to take the world of sports footwear by storm. We’re combining science and innovation together with entrepreneurial speed and agility to go up against the major sports brands – and we’re going to win.
“We are at the forefront of a graphene sports footwear revolution and we’re not stopping at just rubber outsoles. This is a four-year innovation project which will see us incorporate graphene into 50% of our range and give us the potential to halve the weight of running/fitness shoes without compromising on performance or durability.”
Graphene is produced from graphite, which was first mined in the Lake District fells of Northern England more than 450 years ago. inov-8 too was forged in the same fells in 2003, and now trades in 68 countries worldwide.
