PUMA Berserker
PUMA Berserker
Advanced simulation and geometric optimization for track sprint footwear
BENEFITS
BESPOKE BIOMECHANICAL ALIGNMENT
A perfect synchronization between the athlete’s unique footstrike and the spike plate geometry, customizing the track shoe to Warholm’s mechanics.
OPTIMIZED PROPULSION
Strategic shifts in the metatarsal wave direction turn the inevitable braking forces of the landing phase into immediate, aggressive forward momentum.
MAXIMIZED GROUND PENETRATION
A targeted reduction in the wave amplitude ensures the pins penetrate the track surface instantly, minimizing energy loss upon impact.
ENHANCED LANDING STABILITY
Reduced central thickness and optimized surface contact rails provide a highly stable and uniform foot impact during the critical landing phase.
METRICS
46.61s
Meeting record set at the London Diamond League
60+
hours of simulation
1st
Individual win of the season secured with the new design
5
design & digital mockups
BRIEF
PROJECT BRIEF
The PUMA Berserker project represents the pinnacle of bespoke athletic engineering. Commissioned exclusively for elite hurdler Karsten Warholm, the primary objective was to overhaul the existing track spike tooling to perfectly match his unique biomechanical signature. The studio was tasked with analyzing the original shape’s performance during high-speed hurdling and proposing a highly targeted digital redesign. The goal was to optimize traction, reduce energy loss through shearing, and maximize propulsion by refining the precise micro-geometry of the spike plate.
METHODOLOGY
Methodology
The workflow centered on translating qualitative visual biomechanical data into precise geometric modifications on the digital model. By iteratively refining the micro-surfaces of the spike plate, the team engineered a highly specific mechanical response tailored exclusively to Warholm’s hurdle-clearing mechanics.
01
Biomechanical analysis
In-depth video analysis of the athlete’s stride to compare the original shoe shape’s behavior during the critical landing and midstance phases.
02
Surface rail engineering
Modifying the surface contact rails, shifting from straight lines to curved geometries to actively reduce shearing in the central section.
03
Profile optimization
Reducing the overall thickness in the central area for uniform shearing, while decreasing wave amplitude to improve pin penetration.
04
Metatarsal directional shift
Altering the wave direction specifically near the metatarsal area to fundamentally increase traction, braking impulse, and forward propulsion.
TECHNICAL FOCUS
Technical Focus
The technical application revolved around translating qualitative biomechanical video analysis into exact computational geometry. The studio utilized advanced 3D modeling to manipulate the micro-surfaces of the spike plate specifically the surface contact rails and wave amplitudes. By iteratively reducing central thickness and altering the wave direction in the metatarsal zone, the team engineered a highly specific mechanical response. This bespoke optimization limits shearing forces and maximizes stability during the intense ground-contact phases, ensuring peak performance on the track
OUTCOME
