Comfort
Products, Ltd, based in Aspen, Colorado, has developed two new designs
for ski boots encorporating two NASA technologies. First, in the 1970s
they use the "heating element circuitry" used by Apollo astronauts
on the moon to regulate body temperatures to create a rechargeable heating
device that they sold to major ski boots producers.
Now, they have implemented the concept behind the joints in a space suit to provide extra flexibility, and together with Raichle Molitor USA have produced the Raichle Flexon concept. Flexon uses accordion-like property of the space suit joints on the tongue of the boot to provide fluidity of movement while preventing kinks.
The Raichle line also implements a "ceramic fit" systems that allows for a custom fit using a "breathing bladder." The chambered bladder is filled with hollow ceramic balls embedded into the inner boot. The balls fit snugly into place around the skier's foot, and when the boots is tightened, the air is squeezed out of the bladder, ensuring a "perfect" fit each time.
Articles on Raichle's use of NASA technologies:
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