In the last month, thanks in part to the discussion over NFL hits and concussions, the athletic protective gear industry has been buzzing. And while there’s plenty of focus on helmets, the most revolutionary game changing product might be Evoshield, which hits mass retailers in January.
The company, which was founded by former University of Georgia athletes makes wrist guards, elbow guards, as well as rib and heart protectors. But unlike the rest of the marketplace, which are sold as a one-size-fits-all product, Evoshield uses a proprietary substance that turns a gel into a hardened material and allows consumers to custom fit their protective device.
“The problem with standard plastics and foams that have been used is that they are antiquated,” said Justin Niefer, one of Evoshield’s co-founders. “They are one size fits all and they don’t actually fit to your body and hug it close enough to actually protect it from high impact.”