Bowled
-
Prize
Winner in Sportswear Design / Ball Sports
-
University
University of Oregon
-
Lead Designer
Aarya Ghule
-
Professor Credit
Susan Sokolowski, Rachael Volker, Carly Mick, Vanessa Preisler, James Tuttle
-
Contributor(Other)
Industry Mentor: Chris Padilla
-
Photo Credit
Manikantanagasai Illuri
-
Design Status
Prototype
-
Web URL
Description Originating in 16th century England, Cricket stands as one of the oldest sports globally. In the present day, it holds the second position among the world's most popular sports, boasting over 2.5 billion fans worldwide and being played in more than 100 countries.
As the sport's demand and popularity continue to rise, driven by an influx of young players joining the cricketing arena, the supply of performance footwear remains a distinct factor, particularly given advancements and growth in technology, innovation, and design. To bridge this gap, Bowled introduces a collection of performance cricket cleats tailored for the next generation of bowlers and batsmen. These cleats are meticulously designed to cater to their unique performance requirements while also presenting a fresh aesthetic intended to make a statement on the field.
This collection not only pushes the boundaries in terms of the cleats' visual and tactile aspects but also incorporates elements that have been carefully crafted to enhance performance during specific movements and actions on the field.
Innovation The MomentumX bowler shoe showcases an innovative dual-strap system. The strap, constructed from high-strength polyester webbing, runs beneath the athlete's foot to offer arch support. It is then fastened on the shoe's lateral side using a low-profile Velcro, which effectively secures the foot with the assistance of a reinforced heel counter.
On the other hand, the Defender batsman shoe prioritizes lateral stability, impact protection, improved traction, and enhanced cushioning. The upper incorporates a 3D-printed 85A shore TPU cage structure, strategically placed in areas requiring heightened support and protection. The raised mid-foot midsole design serves to prevent the foot from slipping during intense lateral cuts while batting.
Additionally, this shoe boasts an asymmetric tongue and lacing system, enhancing the overall fit and alleviating pressure on the upper midfoot region. The asymmetric toe cap design, reinforced with TPU, offers impact protection against the ball and safeguards the shoe from tearing due to continuous foot-dragging.
Both of these shoes feature a zoned traction tread pattern, ensuring a sturdy grip upon landing.
Specification Both the Bowler and Batsman shoes are crafted based on a custom cricket shoe last that also accommodates individuals with wider forefoot. Both shoe sizes are set at Men's US 10. The physical prototype showcases a colorway combining blue, white, and green. However, digital prototypes featuring various colorways draw inspiration from the jersey colors of the top three T20 cricket nations.