The two partners have been working together since 2016, first bringing G-GRIP rubber outsoles to the market for running, hiking and outdoor fitness. The hard-wearing rubber is infused with graphene, making the shoes 50 per cent more durable than competitors and capable of lasting more than 1,000 miles in endurance testing. The outsoles are also claimed to deliver the world’s toughest grip, making them ideal for outdoor pursuits such as trail running.
In addition to G-GRIP, inov-8 and Manchester University subsequently developed G-FLY, a foam midsole with embedded graphene that was launched in 2021. The two patent pending technologies have been incorporated into award-winning footwear. The TRAILFLY G 270 and TRAILFLY ULTRA G 300 MAX were both named ‘Trail Running Shoe of the Year’ in the Runner’s World UK Gear Awards for 2020 and 2021 respectively.
Graphene-enhanced shoes have also been worn by athletes to set records, notably over ultramarathon distances. Damian Hall wore them to set a new fastest time for the 185-mile Wainwright’s Coast to Coast trail in 39 hours and 18 minutes, as did Jasmin Paris to win the 268-mile Spine Race, setting a new record time that still stands. On the back of these successes and the underlying success of the collaboration itself, Innovate UK has honoured the recently completed Knowledge Transfer Partnership between the two organisations with the highest possible grade of ‘Outstanding’.
“This partnership is an excellent example of how a university research group and a SME can collaborate closely to take cutting edge technology from lab to market at a rapid pace,” said Aravind Vijayaraghavan, Professor of Nanomaterials at The University of Manchester. “It demonstrates the significant benefits that graphene can bring to everyday products and impact our daily lives.”
inov-8 founder Wayne Edy added: “This powerhouse forged in Northern England has taken the world of sports footwear by storm. We’re combining science and innovation together with entrepreneurial speed and achieving incredible things.”
