Meet SoftShox.
The world’s first wearable hydraulic shock absorber.
SoftShox is a patented liquid hydraulic device that adapts in real-time to impacts, dispersing forces away from the body. SoftShox uses the same energy absorbing physics as aerospace and automotive hydraulic systems, but in a soft and wearable form.
Hydraulic system from automobile
SoftShox hydraulics
SoftShox fits into existing products
SoftShox replaces foams and other materials, integrating seamlessly into existing products to make them more force reducing. This way, users can still purchase products from the brands they love, with all the same functions and features, except with the energy absorbing superpower of hydraulics
SoftShox unlocks new categories
SoftShox’s ABC’s of adaptive impact protection enables users to perform while being protected like never before. Working in our in-house lab, our engineers love bringing entirely new product categories to life.
The Shift
TRADITIONAL PROTECTION
X Focused On Passing Today’s Standards
X Material - Static and Highly Tuned
X Optimized for a few point impact conditions
X Layers solutions to mimic adaptation
ADAPTIVE PROTECTION
✓ Start with the Standard and Push Beyond
✓ Device - Engineered to Respond
✓ Strong energy absorption across wider range of conditions
✓ Adaptive by design
It’s all about the ABC’s of Impact Protection
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Impacts are not just head-on. Instead, they come from every angle and when they do not pass exactly through the center of mass, they cause a mix of linear and rotational forces. Some commonly used energy absorbing materials are point solutions, absorbing only one these forces. SoftShox hydraulic units adapt, with the ability to absorb both linear and rotational forces in unit tests.
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Impacts are not only skull fracturing. Instead, they come in all sizes - big, little and everything in between. Plus, kids often don’t move as fast as adults. Some commonly used energy absorbing materials are tuned to a narrow range of impact velocities, offering less protection outside that narrow range. SoftShox hydraulic units adapt, adjusting performance across a wider range of impact velocities in unit tests.
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Impacts don’t only happen in perfect weather, because we work, play, live in all conditions. Some commonly used energy absorbing materials are temperature sensitive, changing how they absorb energy in hot and cold. SoftShox hydraulic units adapt, experiencing great performance from -20 C to 50 C in unit tests.
Invented in Stanford, California
Researchers recognized brain injuries were occurring at a range of impact conditions, not just the few that helmet standards test. There they set out to find solutions that could reduce helmet impact forces across a wider range of conditions. One of the technologies studied - liquid hydraulics.
Tested and Tested. Again and Again.
Check out our blog and our papers
SoftShox goes where you go.
Performance without Compromise.
Featured SoftShox products
Guardian FLEX SoftShox Chinstrap
First force reducing football chinstrap, reducing HARM by up to 35%. Launched in the NFL in 2025, available for everyone today.