RAM

  • Prize
    Winner in Sport Equipment Design / Winter Sports
  • University
    College For Creative Studies
  • Lead Designer
    Evelyn Vondrachek
  • Professor Credit
    Brook Banham
  • Design Status
    Concept

Description
RAM is a hockey shoulder pad system designed to priorities player safety, comfort and performance. Features such as soft cushioned inner layers, sweat-wicking pockets built into the foam, mesh cutouts placed in denser areas for breathability, and extra adjustability points, allow players to maximize comfort in such hefty gear. Where RAM differs from other products on the market is the use of heart rate monitors and force impact sensors imbedded within the layers of foam. Tracking player heath and safety from the sidelines. Ensuring that players no longer play on injury and are safe to perform in their game and all future games to come.

Innovation
In highly comparative contact sports, player injury is all too common. On top of that, sometimes players ignore their body and continue playing on injury. This can be because of a multitude of reasons ranging from adrenaline dulling pain receptors and the resulting fact that athletes have higher pain tolerance, to the toxic sporting culture, resulting in the pressure to preform and placing the resulting athletes who continue to play on higher pedestals. With RAM, heart rate monitors and force impact sensors imbedded within the layers of foam, track BPM joules of force. Sending live data to a device on the side lines which would be monitored by trainers, coaches, and/or medical personnel. This would calculate the likelihood as well as the severity of injury bases on impact location, player health history, force, and heart rate. Alerting the monitor if a player should be pulled out for medical evaluation.

Product Detail
RAM is strategically constructed of a multitude of layers protects in order to ensure player safety, comfort, and performance. From the inside to out: RAM's material layering includes a soft recycled polyester on the innermost section nearest the user, followed by a cushiony inner foam layer made of Dreamcell Aerflex VP 10V-202. This foam also includes little holes in the foam to allow beads of sweat to pool, and through movement, pinch up into a thin high absorbing microfiber material stretched inside to keep moisture and sweat off of the body. Next, is the technology monitors and sensors that track player health. After that, is the firm outer layer of foam of Durapontex Shield SH40 which acts as a shock absorber to protect the user from the initial blow. And finally, the outermost layer is an injection molded plastic to shield the body. The whole thing is bonded together and an Econly recycled nylon strip is used to seam edges.

Specification
RAM is a shoulder pad system geared towards high-end and professional male hockey players. Its sturdy layers are designed to absorb and protect players against rough playing styles. RAM also comes in a variety of colors such as Jet Purple, Orange Blaze, Viper Green, and the standard color, Electric Blue. This allows players a sense of individuality when able to express personality through their gear.



  • FIT Seal

FIT Sport Design Awards 2025
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.