JACOB BLOOM

Soccer footwear and protection equipment have been historically characterized by a separation between cleats and shin guards—each performing its unique function independently.  Discontinuities between cleats and shin guards cause large bumps and ridges in the playing surface (top and sides of foot and shin) which can lead to errant strikes on the soccer ball.  Multi-material 3D printing now allows for cleats and shin guards to be combined into a single, seamless boot.  

A gradient from flexible to rigid materials can be combined with a variable structural framework to achieve any combination of flexibility and permeability, creating a single surface with multiple material properties.  The surface can also thicken, to create two rigid layers separated by a cushioned interlayer to provide both impact protection and impact absorption.