What is Gradient Density Design?

On 03/20/2007 Dan Husom was awarded patent number 7191552** from the United States Patent Office for his invention of Gradient Density Design.  GDD was designed to rectify the negative effects caused by wearing soft soled footwear.  Shoes modified with this soling are more stable, durable and 10%-20% lighter than the unmodified originals.

To view the patent for Gradient Density Design technology, visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office by clicking here. **Copy and paste the patent number on the site.

View Patent

Why Gradient Density Design?

In today's world we mainly walk, run and work on hard, flat surfaces.  Footwear with soft, or compressive soling is popular and the most commonly worn in the United States today.  Observing the way people "walk off" the outside of their shoes, i.e., lateral sole compression, shoe migration and distortion indicates standard soft soling is unstable.  Scientific research backs these findings.

Gradient Density Design provides subtle, but effective stabilization to standard soft shoe soling, or mid soling.  Excessively broad platforms, strategically-placed rigid plastic or carbon postings, extended wedges or flairs, motion-controlling contoured foot beds, counter reinforcement, etc., are no longer necessary when using Gradient Density.  This design incorporates geometric stabilization that is uncomplicated and lightweight.

When the lateral, or outside, of the sole compresses, the brain perceives the body is not on a stable walking surface and sends a message to the body to correct this instability.  This manifests itself in the broadening of stance, over-pronating of feet and tensing of muscles.  This happens as a biomechanical adaptation and most people are not even aware it is happening.

Internal ankle and hip rotation and knee flex are natural movements of the body and have lesser vulnerability to injury.  However, external ankle rotation, knee extension and genu varum (bow-legged) have greater vulnerability to injury in active excess, or hyperextension.  The Central Nervous System actively works to protect the body against external ankle rotation up to, and including, the collapse mechanism, demonstrated when we step in a hole or on a rock.

Repetitive, long-term compensatory patterns become normalized dysfunction.  For example, a runner who uses motion-control shoes may be uncomfortable running in a shoe that allows for more natural movement.

People wearing shoes with Gradient Density Design will experience normal, healthy foot biomechanics and still enjoy the comfort of soft soling.

Dan Husom C.Ped., C.O.
Phone:763-684-1800 Fax:763-999-9030

Please click this link to view an informational video about Gradient Density Design. 

Invention Video