The Solution

A hockey skate that relieves lower back stress while also speeding up the process

To prevent the problems above, the solution is to make hockey skates easier to put on and tighten. It is important for the skates to maintain a traditional appearance, as hockey players are often resistant to equipment that deviates  from the standard look.

Market Analysis

Initial Ideation

Exploring out of the box ideas and possible solutions

Concepts

Concept #1 BOA Tightener

Integrating a BOA system into the hockey skate would offer the ease and convenience required. Additionally, its proven durability under extreme impacts, demonstrated through its use in snowboarding and running, ensures it can withstand the demands of skating. A BOA would be on the tongue of the skate, ensuring its safety from puck impacts when tucked under a shinguard.

Concept #2 Ski Buckle Spine Head

Integrating a ski buckle spine head into the skate would enhance the ease of use. Similarly to the BOA, it is proven to withstand extreme impacts in skiing and snowboarding, ensures durability on the ice. However, the weight of the buckle is a concern. Also to tighten the buckle, you need a considerable amount of strength.

Concept #3 Zipper

A zipper is advantageous because most people are familiar with how it operates and it can be quite lightweight. However, its ability to withstand the tension from tightening the skate could be questionable. Additionally, if struck by a puck, a zipper might easily tear open, leading to injury.

User Testing

The key takeaways of 40+ players that I have met through my experience with hockey between the ages of 40-75

User Feedback:

Story Board

Prototyping

Learning from every skate, and expanding my experience working through the problems that arise

Layer Breakdown

Construction

Experimenting with different cuts and different skates

Presentation