Revelstoke entrepreneurs have created a component that will solve your two-piece ski boot sturdiness problem.
Developed by Pulse Labs Inc. the Pulse ProFlex is an insert that will stiffen the boot 15-30 per cent.
Nathan Bertram, one of the co-founders of Pulse Labs, said that Kai Palkeinen, owner of Pulse Boot Fitting and co-founder of the lab, and his team have been noticing that the newer, lighter boots with walk modes don’t perform as well as their alpine counter parts when it comes to downhill skiing.
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A lot of people were finding that the boot felt good but it wasn’t the performance that they needed, Bertram said.
The Pulse ProFlex is a plastic insert installed in the tongue of your ski boot.
Bertram said they have been working on this design since last fall.
At first they tried carbon fibre but it was costly, difficult to laminate and inconsistent. Then they tried manufacturing using a vacuum mold, however there was no rebound and structural weaknesses.
Their third attempt at manufacturing utilized 3-D printing technology, however is was too slow and there was breakage in the material.
The prototype the company is promoting through a Kickstarter campaign, was created with an injection mold and is ready for production.
However, Pulse Labs needs $10,000 in order to do the first production run. They are attempting to raise the money through a Kickstarter campaign. As of this morning they have raised almost $2,700.
Bertram said the Kickstarter is also a way to gauge interest in the product, which he claims is a new invention for the industry.
Supporters of the Kickstarter who pledge $35 or more will receive one of the accessories that will retail for $85. There are added rewards for supporters who give larger amounts of money.
For more information and to see the Kickstarter campaign go to www.kickstarter.com/projects/1855511816/the-pulse-proflex?ref=cb5jty