Decathlon Footwear, Product design student need input

[dannyc]

HI all! So as the title states I'm a product design student and I'm doing a project where I'm going to design a shoe that can perform in every event of the decathlon, utilizing interchangeable soles that can be switched out for each event.

I'm looking for input as to what track and field enthusiasts would like to see in such a shoe, and problem areas that you would like addressed with the current offerings on the market.

Thanks guys, and I look forward to learning more about track & field and designing something that is truly a jack of all trades while being of the highest performance caliber for each event. I'll keep this thread updated throughout the design process as well.

[Marlow]

HI all! So as the title states I'm a product design student and I'm doing a project where I'm going to design a shoe that can perform in every event of the decathlon, utilizing interchangeable soles that can be switched out for each event.

??!! How do you turn a HJ shoe into a throwing shoe, into a 1500 spike? It's not just the soles that are different.

[dannyc]

I'm not sure lol, that's why I'm asking for input. Track and field is a whole new thing for me so i'm still in the research stage. My plan is to have the upper of the shoe be one piece, and then it would clip into each outsole. Are the different shoes for each event drastically different in their construction? I figured some events would need more ankle support and different features, etc
for example, the running shoes have considerably less material than say a shot put shoe or something correct?

I'm here to learn and this project isn't going to be actually produced or anything so as long as the design and technology behind it is believable, that's all my professor is really looking for. Maybe one day it could be made a reality. Thanks

[26mi235]

There are restrictions that apply to, say the HJ, that do not apply to other disciplines. For the HJ, the vertical rise of the shoe is restricted for obvious reasons. If you search IAAF for the rules there is a section on footwear, I think, that you might look at. Go look at the product catalog from Nike and adidas, that can also provide some insight.

[lonewolf]

Changing shoesis not a big deal.. you don't want "clip on" soles under the stress generated by the various events and you don't want the added weight of a double sole..just change to proper shoe for each event..

[26mi235]

I concur with lonewolf. The decathlon is not done by a lot of athletes. It is not like 3000 people at a fundraising 10K. The athletes train for one discipline at a time and they need appropriate footwear for doing so. The lower-level athletes doing the event might use the same spikes for the 100, 400, 110h and might use them also in the LJ and the PV. The jav has special shoes, as does the SP (might be the same for the discus), and the HJ needs its own shoes for technical and performance reasons (see above on lift).

Certainly at the better universities, the decathletes probably use shoes supplied by the sponsoring brand (e.g., Nike, adidas, Reebok), although athletes will sometimes want a different shoe by a different brand.

The decathlon requires a minimum of break between the events and this interval easily accommodates changes in footwear and other items, including taping, etc.

[Athleticsimaging]

I think most people have missed the point. The original poster is a "design student" not a researcher for Nike or Adidas.

This seems like a very good student assignment to reconcile conflicting design demands and I would be very interested to see the solution.

To assist:
Sprints - very light, generally larger spike plater, no support under heel
Middle/long distance - light generally smaller spike plate and very modest support under heel to take into account heel strike not seen in sprints.
Jumps (LJ/TJ) - generally larger spike plate but more rigidity that sprints and addition of heel cup for TJ
HJ - Semi-rigid sole with integrated spike plate and heel spikes and limit on heel/forefoot rise (as per earlier comments)
PV - either like sprinter or LJ spikes
JT - generally like HJ but more robust overall and rounded continuous toe cover to stop spike plate being torn off when dragged in delivery. Longest spikes allowed for all shoes (see IAAF specifications mentioned above).
SP - no spikes! relatively slick flat sole and rounded continuous toe cover for gliders and rounded sole and toe cover for spinners. Different Shore scale determines "stickiness" of sole and preferences depend on technique and skill.
DT - same as SP shoe for spinners
HT - same as SP shoe for spinners except also rounded heel coverage. Some designs suitable for SP/HT/DT

Hope that helps.

[skyin' brian]

FYI, this product already kind of exists:

http://www.everythingtrackandfield.com/ ... yErrorView

I'm not sure how well it works (haven't actually seen it in use much) but it has been in t&f catalogs for a while.

Also, to the above post, an all-purpose spike like an entry level MD or LD spike would be better for PV than a sprint shoe.

Actually, a cheap distance spike would be great for the 100, 400, 110 hurdles, LJ, PV, and 1500.

My wife did the Heptathlon a few times in college and she was able to borrow Jav spikes from someone on the team. I think she high jumped in her regular spikes though (she wasn't very good at the high jump, so it didn't really matter).

The thing I worry about with modular athletic shoes would be them coming apart while competing. That, and the potential for them to end up being really heavy.