The biggest revolution in surf traction since it was invented
After 3 years of intensive development with World Champs Mick Fanning and Italo Ferreira, we've created a traction pad that both elevates your surfing and drastically reduces manufacturing waste.
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Learn all about PROTO™1.4 below!
THE UGLY TRUTH: 67% WASTE
Traction has been left in the dust. Nearly 50 years from its creation, traction has yet to take the giant revolutionary leap like surfboards, leashes, wetsuits, fins and boardshorts have.
Surf grip is still made using the same inefficient and limiting processes as it has for decades.
Currently, making one tail pad creates 67%* EVA foam waste. And with anywhere from 13 to 24 Million surfboards being sold each year, it’s an ugly truth that produces a mountain of EVA foam off-cuts and dust.
*analysis undertaken using Creatures of Leisure Icon III pad using industry standard manufacturing methods
WHY IS MOULDED TRACTION BUILT BETTER?
Instead of cutting from blank EVA foam blocks, every element is injection-shaped for ultimate precision.
PROTO™1.4’s moulded tech reduces waste to just 5%!
We mix in EcoPure® organic additive to the EVA formula ensuring the material biodegrades at its end of life.
The end result is an ultra-precise tail pad that creates radically less waste and ultimate performance.
More grip. Less waste.
That’s the difference.
WHAT ABOUT PERFORMANCE?
Because moulded technology offers unlimited potential, we no longer had the archaic constraints of routing, cutting and sanding.
We worked with World Champs Mick Fanning and Italo Ferreira to re-imagine traction as we know it. And when it comes to performance, they each have radically different approaches and preferences...
Mick Fanning: 5'11" natural foot with a fundamental approach that's calculated and precise.
Italo Ferreira: 5'7" goofy foot with explosive, unpredictable flair and a massive bag of tricks.
With 4X World Titles and an Olympic Gold medal between them, we had the confidence to raise the bar.
MULTI-LOC™: WORLD'S FIRST MULTI-DIRECTIONAL GRIP PATTERN
13X World Titles have been won using our proven Square-Loc and Diamond-Loc traction patterns. This influenced the fundamental development of MULTI-LOC™.
Through the 3-year R&D process, we introduced foot mapping to analyse exactly what Mick and Italo required to push their level of connection and response.
Mick altered every detail down to a fraction of a millimeter, including the direction, angle and space of each traction element.
Italo increased the profile of the traction on the kick incline and in the "sweet spot".
Prototype Notes: Mick and Italo settled on a 55 duro for the perfect density. Not too hard, not too soft.
RECOIL KICK: SPRING LOADED KICK TAILS
"I love! Can I get a steeper kick?" - Italo
The RECOIL kick is where it all started and was identified as a potential game-changing component to modern surfing. The rear hex pattern offers a natural folding point that springs back when compressed. The steep alpine kick provides engaged response through critical maneuvers.
The form-fitting concave underside is designed for the convex deck of a performance surfboard for premium application. A channel on the top of the kick allows flex to form-fit any shaped deck.
Italo steepened the kick to a 46° angle.
Prototype Notes: The increased kick angle raised its overall height from 32mm to 38mm.
PRO-FORM ARCH: COMFORT AND SUPPORT LIKE A RUNNING SHOE
"I'm constantly moving my back foot, the arch provides support exactly where I need." - Mick
The PRO-FORM arch is based off our proven tear drop shape and is over-moulded by a grip pattern that is designed for comfort. The result is a squishy base and contoured shape that hugs your foot, helping soften the impact of hard landings.
It is compression moulded to the MULTI-LOC™ traction without the use of glue. This creates a single component that keeps water out.
Prototype Notes: Mick and Italo softened the arch squishiness at a duro of 40 for added comfort and impact absorption.
NEXT LEVEL TRACTION BUILT FOR THE FUTURE.
Prototype after prototype, test after test, we worked with World Champs Mick Fanning + Italo Ferreira to revolutionise the gold standard in traction. Re-inventing traction through Moulded Technology, PROTO™1.4 provides the world-first multi-directional grip pattern, MULTI-LOC™, to lock your foot in place. A PRO-FORM arch gives cushioned support, and a RECOIL kick helps lift projection through critical manoeuvres. In our aim to make a product that is BUILT better, moulded technology has allowed us to dramatically reduce our manufacturing waste.
MORE GRIP, LESS WASTE, ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE.
