Sports innovations listed in Time top 100

17/11/2021
Sports innovations listed in Time top 100
New York City-based news publication Time, established in 1923, recently released its list of the 100 Best Inventions of 2021, drawn from nominations solicited from its global base of editors and correspondents.

To curate the final selection, each contender was evaluated against several factors, including: originality, creativity, efficacy, ambition and impact.

Several sportswear, shoe and gear innovations made the final cut, with both the Allbirds-Adidas Futurecraft.Footprint sneaker and Reebok’s Thermowarm+Graphene activewear technology receiving special mentions.

2021’s top 100 features Nike’s hands-free Go Flyease sneaker design, intended to support those with visible or invisible disabilities to put on their shoes independently. It features a bi-stable hinge for security, whether open or closed, as well as a midsole rubber tensioner and a kickstand heel (essentially a piece of rubber on the heel, which facilities an easier ‘kick’ off the foot).

Another finalist was Vicis’ position-specific Zero2 Trench helmet (pictured), designed for National Football League (NFL) linemen. The Trench’s additional offset at the front and upper side is intended to mitigate against repetitive low-velocity impacts between 2 and 4 m/s, according to the brand. Complete with a soft deformable shell to absorb impact at point of contact, the helmet is made without air bladders and also offers an exclusive new mask for improved on-field visibility.

Meanwhile, Lululemon’s non-slip, natural rubber Take Form yoga mat earned a spot on the list due to its three-dimensional ‘ripple’ technology, made to assist yogis in perfecting their poses. The mat’s textured circles are meant to indicate exactly where one should place their hands and feet when attempting a pose, supporting sensory memory to some degree.

Bombas Underwear, which describes its line as “incredibly soft, unshrinkable [and] made to never roll, pinch or ride up”, also made the cut. Either made from cotton modal or seamless modal nylon, the brand’s intimates are available in women’s sizes XS-2XL and men’s S-3XL. For every pair of Bombas Underwear purchased, the company states that it will donate a pair of underwear especially designed to “address the needs of the homeless community” via its network of US-based giving partners.

Eagles Nest Outfitters’ tent-inspired Skylite hammock made an appearance in the travel category for its ergonomic design, which reportedly delivers a “weightless” sleeping experience for campers. The hammock’s proprietary pattern allows for a “flat and supportive” experience, the brand said. It also comes with removable DAC spreader bars and an integrated, tensioned bug net.  

Image: Vicis via Instagram (@vicispro)