TM3
Adaptable, Dynamic and Versatile
3 PART FIT SYSTEM
The TM3 is built to be hyper versatile whether you're hitting a monster kicker, pressing a box, floating through knee deep pow or riding hard pack groomers. The boot shell is designed to enhance flex and durability, while the new injection molded liners provides unparalleled support with a customizable fit. Tune your flex based on your riding needs for more response or a softer flex when you need a little wiggle room. The TM3 is adaptable, dynamic and versatile.
MY ROLE
Lead Designer
Color, material and finish
Merchandiser
Product line manager
FIT SYSTEM
THE CHALLENGE
Riders must constantly adapt to Mother Nature. Traveling with various types of boards, goggles and outerwear for daily changing conditions and terrain. However, riders are limited with the boot, relying on one pair with a fixed fit, flex and support for unpredictable environments.
The challenge is to create a 3 part fit system for a new halo product and brand driver that is technically driven and customizable for both in-store experience and tunable fit for ever changing the rider's needs on the mountain.
HIGH LEVEL GOALS:
- Boot Upper - Enhance movement, support and durability
- Boot Liner - Maintain structural integrity and fit
- Flex Control - Customizable flex
- Footbed - Adaptable arch support
CHOOSE WISELY
BOOT SELECTION
The foot is made of complex shapes making boot fitting a tedious process. If the boot is ill-fitting it will automatically be eliminated. Boots must also meet specific needs of the rider. However, changing variables can impact what is needed in a boot.
PART 1 - BOOT UPPER
A BOOT THAT MOVES WITH YOU
THE CHALLENGE
With traditional upper construction flex and support are in direct correlation: the softer the flex the less supportive the upper. Softer boots break down faster while stiff boots restrict too much movement. Flex and support should be independent allowing boots with a soft flex and high support and vice versa. Riders who need a soft flex are at a disadvantage with boots that have a shorter life cycle.
Design a soft flexing upper allowing for freedom of movement with high support that enhances shell durability prolonging the life of the boot.
HIGH LEVEL GOALS:
- Movement - Enhance the movement of the rider
- Support - Strengthen the shell in key zones for rider confidence
- Durability - Prevent early boot breakdown and shell distortion
UNDERSTANDING MOVEMENT
BRAINSTORM
Examining flex and support areas of typical boot construction while understanding how this impacts the foundational movements of snowboarding.
Mapping basic movements and where support and flex are needed in a snow boot in order to understand ideal shell construction
ARMORED FLEXIBILITY
IDEATION
Exploration of material and construction applications to allow for dynamic movements while still adding support to the upper. Using a layered combination of TPU laminate with varying EVA densities, support and flex can be controlled by strategic placement and application on the upper.
Laminates can be placed in flex zones to reinforce areas of high wear or removed in flex zones to allow full movement. The TPU laminate acts as a waterproof barrier and is more durable than textile or synthetic materials used in shell construction.
Connecting ways to enhance the shell for durability while still maintaining flexibility
Placement options on boot shell that allow for armored protection and support while negative space allows the boot to move freely.
Expanding on the armored protection concept with a leverage lace system utilizing the boot tongue for heel lockdown
Refining the armored protection concept focusing on the key flex and support zone
MUTLI-LEVEL TRACTION
IDEATION OUTSOLE
Initial tread pattern and lug shape exploration focused on multi-directional grip. The final direction - inspired by the serrate legs of grasshoppers - emphasized a mutli-level grip and traction story providing mirco traction while larger lug shapes add stability for the user.
Outsole tread exploration focusing stability
Multi-level grip and traction concept
ENHANCED FLEX SUPPORT AND DURABILITY
BOOT FINAL DESIGN
Utilizing a simple but effective layered approach to solve the issue of a free flexing boot with high support. Strategically placed EVA and TPU on top of a textile base in key wear areas and sections that enhance support. Open textile panels and deboss details allow for maximum flexibility and movement. The material applications and placement communicated the functionality of the boot.
- Movement - Minimizing layers in flex areas and enhancing support zones accentuating and facilitating movement
- Support - Overlays in key support zone enhances stability without negatively impacting flex
- Durability - Utilizing TPU hotmelt and high density EVA for additional protection on exposed sections of the upper
Strategically placed overlays for support and flex
Medial side and toe down durability and lock down features
Shell construction built for flex and movement
Internal support story emphasizing heel lock down
Multi-directional tread with a combination of rubber pods and EVA serrated traction prevents side slipping and enhances grip
PART 2 - LINER
JUST NOT A GOOD FIT
LINER CHALLENGE
Liner construction is challenging because it is in direct contact with the foot. Liners must consider different ankle shapes, Liners are built with soft, low quality foams with priority placed on comfort not performance. The foam breaks down and packs out quickly resulting in improperly fitting boots. Ill-fitting liners are uncomfortable and cause heel lift which impacts response while riding.
The challenge is to design a high performance liner that maintains fit and structure over multiple seasons. Accounting for heel lift, comfort and overall responsiveness.
HIGH LEVEL GOALS:
- Fit - Reduce heel lift and maintain heat molding features
- Structure - Maintain shape and prevent deformation
MIND THE GAP
HEEL LIFT EXPLAINED
Examining the effects of poorly fitting liners and how heel lift impacts riding. Heel Lift is easily the most frustrating aspect of a snow boot making the boot feel sloppy, loose and unresponsive.
Preventing heel lift with a customizable fit solution
STACKABLE DONUTS
HEEL LIFT IDEATION
Heel hold is typically a result of narrow ankles and excess volume in the liner and boot. Ideation explores different solutions to add concentrated volume or to compress the ankle zone.
Ultimately, anatomically placed nesting EVA donuts were developed. This concept allows for varying thicknesses and full customization, locking down ankle and preventing heel lift.
Concept solutions for varying ankle sizes
Refining stackable donut solution for a dialed fit
OUT WITH THE OLD
LINER CONCEPT
Traditional liners are constructed with a high density EVA outer layer and softer inner layer that can mold to the rider's lower leg. Overtime the EVA breaks down resulting in an ill-fitting liner compromising performance and fit.
The new liner proposal is an injection molded "shell" and thermal moldable inner foam layer. This concept is more durable and less susceptible to breaking down often times outlasting the life of the snow boot.
Updating the snow boot liner with a longer lasting injection molded construction
LET IT BREATH
LINER IDEATION
The draw back to an injection molded construction is the lack of breathability. This leads to condensation and "swamp feet" in the the liner, once the moisture cools the feet get cold. A venting system is needed to expend the trapped heat in the liner.
Concepts for venting systems in the injection molded liners
Exploring venting perforation patterns in the injection molded liner
Refining and detailing construction, closure and visual language
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
LINER FINAL DESIGN
Utilizing a high rebound injection EVA material, the liner becomes ultra responsive while outlasting the snow boot itself. The upper portion of the liner maintains traditional liner construction preventing calf bite while the vents allow for a comfortable temperature in the boot.
The Heel Hold Kit combined with a thermal moldable inner layer allows for a customizable fit for varying ankle, calf and feet sizes
- Fit - Heel hold donuts for varying ankle sizes
- Structure - Injection molded liner shell
Integrating the heel hold it with a new high density EVA injection molded liner
HD EVA shell with vented internal thermal moldable foam package
Anatomically correct Heel Hold Kit to reduce heel lift
PART 3 - FLEX CONTROL
CUSTOMIZE FLEX
FLEX CHALLENGE
Integrate a flex system into the snow boot that allows the rider to tune for added stiffness.
HIGH LEVEL GOALS:
- Tailored Flex- Adaptable to changing terrain and skill
MIND THE GAP
FLEX EXLPAINED
Many components of the boot can impact overall flex: internal heel counter, molded backstay spine, tongue density and cutouts in the upper to allow for a smoother flex. Any combinations of these integrated into the snow boot will change the overall flex and riding experience
Components that impact boot flex
JUST NOT A GOOD FIT
FLEX IDEATION
ideation explored manipulating areas that can directly impact the flex of the boot.
The final direction inspired by leaf springs was chosen because of the ability to asymmetrically tune flex
JUST NOT A GOOD FIT
FLEX REFINEMENT
Multiple material combinations were chosen to enhance the spring and rebound of the flex rods. Ultimately, a simple TPU direction was picked because of the ease of manufacturing and cost.
Recoil flex rods
RECOIL
FLEX FINAL DESIGN
Recoil gives the user the ability to tune the flex of the boot based of preferred stiffness and terrain. The flex bars are inserted into pockets on the inside of the boot shell. Asymmetrical flex can also achieved for tweaking or symmetrically for higher responsiveness. Recoil can also be used when the boot shell begins to breakdown and lose its stiffness and support.
Recoil is a customizable flex solution
Recoil can be tuned based on the rider's use case
