Abstract: Coatings, coating systems and coating methods for skis and snowboards are provided. The coatings may be lubricious coatings including one or more hydrophobic compounds, adhesion agents, shape memory polymers, free-radical initiators, and/or carrying solvents. Batch and continuous processing systems for performing the methods of coating and/or curing of such hydrophobic coatings are also disclosed.

Abstract: A footwear assembly, such as a cycling show, includes a plantar shell, a dorsal shell, and a closure mechanism. The plantar shell that at least partially defines an interior area sized to receive a wearer’s foot and is shaped to conform to a bottom surface contour of the wearer’s foot. The dorsal shell shaped to conform to an upper surface contour of the wearer’s foot and includes a region positioned to apply a compressive force to a portion of the wearer’s foot. The closure mechanism configured to couple the dorsal shell to the plantar shell to apply the compressive force to the portion of the wearer’s foot to at least partially prevent movement of the wearer’s foot relative to the plantar shell.

Abstract: A customizable footwear assembly and manufacturing method. The footwear assembly having a plantar shell and dorsal shell forming a caging system. The plantar shell has a contour shaped to conform with a bottom surface contour of the wearer's foot. An upper perimeter portion forms an opening to the interior area configured to receive at least a portion of the wearer's foot therethrough. A dorsal shell has a shaped to conform with an upper surface contour of the wearer's foot. The dorsal shell is movable between open and closed positions relative to the interior area of the plantar shell. The dorsal shell has an outer perimeter portion configured to engage the upper perimeter portion of the plantar shell to form a caging system that transfer loads between the dorsal and plantar shells when the dorsal shell is in the closed position and during use of the footwear by the wearer.

Abstract: Coatings, coating systems and coating methods for skis and snowboards are provided. The coatings may be lubricious coatings including one or more hydrophobic compounds, adhesion agents, shape memory polymers, free-radical initiators, and/or carrying solvents.

Abstract: Coatings for skis and snowboards are provided. The coatings may be lubricious coatings including one or more fluorinated compounds, adhesion agents, shape memory polymers, free-radical initiators, and/or carrying solvents. Methods of applying the coatings to skis and snowboards are also provided. The coatings may be applied in a single layer or in multiple layers.

Abstract: According to the invention, a ski is provided. The ski may be a longitudinal member having lengthwise edges, a convex base, and a first and second pair of undulations. Each lengthwise edge may have a sidecut portion, where the longitudinal member is thinner near a middle portion of the sidecut portion than at an end of the sidecut portion. The convex base, in an un-deformed state, may have lengthwise edges which are elevated compared to a bottom-most portion of the convex base. The first pair of undulations may be located at a first end of the sidecut portion, one undulation of the first pair per lengthwise edge. The second pair of undulations may be located at a second end of the sidecut portion, one undulation of the second pair per lengthwise edge. The undulations may be a downward depression of the base compared to proximate portions of the convex base.

Abstract: Methods for creating a piece of hard shelled footwear are provided. The method may include determining a first set of data, where the first set of data represents a three-dimensional shape of a foot. The method may also include determining a second set of data based at least in part on the first set of data, where the second set of data represents at least a portion of an exterior shape of a piece of hard shelled footwear. The method may further include fabricating a mold shape based at least in part on the second set of data. The method may moreover include fabricating the piece of hard shelled footwear in the mold shape.

Abstract: Skis and snowboards are provided. The ski or snowboard may include a first tip, a second tip, and a body. The body may be between the first tip and the second tip, and may have a width and a length, wherein the width may be variable along the length of the body. The body may include a front portion, a back portion, and a sidecut length having a turning radius of between about 50 meters and about 115 meters.