custom climbing shoes

by hooq

Winterthur

Hooq creates climbing shoes based on the unique shape of your feet and adjusted to your individual preferences - for your unique climbing experience!

CHF 25’475

127% of CHF 20’000

127 %
This is how it works

The «all or nothing» principle applies: The project only receives the funds if the funding target is reached or exceeded.

117 backers

Successfully concluded on 1/12/2023

Climbing is much more than just a sport!

Climbing is an attitude to life. Climbing makes you happy. Climbing is one of the most amazing things you can do in life! And yet climbing can be a horror for your feet.

Painful feet due to ill-fitting climbing shoes are quite common in climbing, because of the enormous diversity of foot shapes and standard climbing shoes don’t serve everyone. Until now, a foot has to adapt to the shape of a standard shoe, which causes pain and it can lead to longterm damage.

This is exactly where hooq sets the focus and develops custom climbing shoes that meet the unique shape of each foot and the unique preferences of each climber.

  • a pair of hooq custom climbing shoes
    a pair of hooq custom climbing shoes
  • This is the hooq team:  Beat, Livia und Janick (left to right)
    This is the hooq team: Beat, Livia und Janick (left to right)
  • A heel hook with a unique hooq custom climbing shoe
    A heel hook with a unique hooq custom climbing shoe
  • Your feet are unique, so should be your climbing shoe!
    Your feet are unique, so should be your climbing shoe!
  • Here's how it works: First you get your feet scanned and configure the features of your shoe.  Based on this data we create the digital plans of your custom climbing shoes with our digital shoe shaping process. Your shoes are then manufactured at our production partner in the highest quality before arriving directly at your doorstep, ready for the next adventure!
    Here's how it works: First you get your feet scanned and configure the features of your shoe. Based on this data we create the digital plans of your custom climbing shoes with our digital shoe shaping process. Your shoes are then manufactured at our production partner in the highest quality before arriving directly at your doorstep, ready for the next adventure!
  • We develop and test diligently to improve our climbing shoes contiously
    We develop and test diligently to improve our climbing shoes contiously

What it's all about

A climbing shoe is a technical sports shoe that is specifically optimized for climbing and it has a very tight fit. The most important feature of a climbing shoe is, that it fits perfectly and provides optimal support.

For this, hooq is developing a completely new digital customization process to make customization more efficient and accessible to everyone, regardless of their foot shape. Leading to a unique climbing experience - with a lot of sensitivity and pure climbing pleasure, instead of unnecessary pain.

We have been developing, optimizing and testing on this process and our technology for over two years now and have been able to successfully produce custom climbing shoes of the highest quality with our latest prototypes, laying the basis for this crowdfunding.

In this crowdfunding you can choose between two models: A semi-custom and a full-custom climbing shoe:

The focus of this campaign is on the semi-costum climbing shoe. Based on a 3D scan of your feet, the best fitting shape for each foot is selected from a predefined shoe shape library. In addition, you can choose certain features of your unique climbing shoes.

Limited to only 3 pieces, the full-custom climbing shoe shows the possibilities of our customizing process and in which direction we will expand our product range in the future. Starting with the 3D scan of your feet, a fully customized shoe shape is created with our digital shoe shaping process. The full-custom process makes it possible to address your foot shape and climbing shoe wishes even more precisely. Thus, specific solutions for unique foot characteristics can be found.

What to expect

Once you have decided on a hooq custom climbing shoe, the first step is to scan your feet, which is the basis of your unique climbing shoe. For this purpose, we are present in various climbing gyms and at events throughout Switzerland, where you can have your feet scanned by us.

The first dates are already posted on our website (www.hooq.ch) and will be updated continuously and shared on social media. We are looking forward to your visit!

As a next step, you can configure certain features of your climbing shoes, such as stiffness or the sole rubber, or let us give you a recommendation before your shoe goes in production. Climbing is an interplay between human and nature. Therefore, the focus is not only on high-quality climbing shoes with a perfect fit and unique features, but equally on their sustainable and fair production in Europe.

To realize our vision and produce your climbing shoe, we need your support now! This will allow us to advance the research and development of our digital technology for the customization of climbing shoes and make it accessible to everyone. In addition, you will support the development of the production for your custom climbing shoes and support a Swiss startup in this important phase.

Note: We expect production of the climbing shoes in early summer 2024, but we’ll do our best to send out the vouchers before Christmas 2023. Be aware that we can offer shipping of products only within Switzerland at this stage.

  • During and after the crowdfunding we are on the road all over Switzerland and look forward to your visit!
    During and after the crowdfunding we are on the road all over Switzerland and look forward to your visit!
  • A 3D scanner creates a digital footprint of your feet. Come by, have your feet measured and learn more on custom climbing shoes!!
    A 3D scanner creates a digital footprint of your feet. Come by, have your feet measured and learn more on custom climbing shoes!!
  • On our website (www.hooq.ch), you can find the next scan dates near you.
    On our website (www.hooq.ch), you can find the next scan dates near you.
  • Thanks for your amazing support from the hooq team!
    Thanks for your amazing support from the hooq team!