All Sport Laterals – Nathan Rencher

Overview

Many shoes are not built to withstand the unusual forces generated from high impact sports. The Laterals add support to both sides of the toe box and a leather toe cap to reduce wear, providing durability where it's needed most.

Discipline: Footwear Design · Program: USU OPDD · Year: 2025

Mood Board

Visual Direction

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User Research

User Persona

Multisport Athlete

Carina Miller

Age 22 · Income $20,000

Motivations

Play multiple sports at a recreational level
Keep equipment costs low
Avoid needing new shoes multiple times per year

Pain Points

Needs different shoes for each sport
Shoes wear out quickly, especially at the toe
Limited budget makes replacing gear difficult

Research

Understanding the Problem

Toe Wear

Toe wear is caused by the front or top of the shoe being dragged or slid during the sport. Tennis, disc golf, and skateboarding are susceptible to this problem.

Lateral Side Wear

Many sport shoes are not built to withstand the high impact lateral forces generated in these sports. This can cause the sides of the shoes to fail. In some instances, the athlete's foot will tear through the fabric of the shoe during the game or match.

Market Research

The Market

The market has a gap for shoes with both lateral and toe reinforcement.

Most sport shoes on the market address either toe durability or lateral support — rarely both. Court shoes prioritize lateral stability but neglect toe protection, while shoes designed for disc golf or skateboarding often reinforce the toe but leave the sides vulnerable. No mainstream option combines both solutions in a single design.