Hinge Pin secures Load ‘N Launch’ components while maintaining alignment.

Top Plate provides platform for transfer of energy.

Vent Holes allow air transfer for comfort and improved compression.

Bottom Plate provides solid foundation for springs to efficiently compress and release stored energy.

Compression Springs store and release energy propelling you upwards.

EVA Nest provides forefoot cushion and energy return, holds compression springs in place

The vast majority of athletic footwear companies focus their research and development efforts on shock absorption and cushioning. While this is clearly important in the manufacture of athletic footwear, it does little to help increase the vertical leap of an athlete. In fact, most technologies in the athletic footwear market are in the heel area of the shoe, though jumping occurs in the forefoot just in front of the ball of the foot through the toes. The forefoot is the most critical part of the basketball shoe for vertical leaping and this is where the Athletic Propulsion Labs® Load ‘N Launch® system is located.

The technology itself features a unique device that serves as a “launch pad” housed inside a cavity at the front of the shoe, which compresses (The “Load” phase) and then releases (The “Launch” phase) as the athlete exerts force on the front of the foot. The patented Load ‘N Launch device (US Patent # 8,347,526 B2, # 8,495,825, # 8,621,766) is uniquely designed to capture the maximum amount of energy through the compression caused by exerting pressure on the forefoot and then releasing the energy through the propulsion and liftoff stage to increase vertical leap. The device works in unison with a high-pressure Thermoplastic Urethane shank that extends through the arch of the foot. This serves to help stabilize the foot and efficiently transfer energy created by the athlete toward the area of the basketball shoe that impacts vertical leap.

In testing situations, athletes have experienced increases of several inches on their vertical leap wearing Athletic Propulsion Labs® basketball shoes with the Load ‘N Launch® technology. In some cases, athletes who were the proverbial “inches away” from being able to dunk a basketball on the regulation 10-foot basket, were able to dunk the ball when wearing Athletic Propulsion Labs® shoes. These are not training shoes. Athletic Propulsion Labs® has created actual playing shoes designed to make players jump higher during a game – increasing the benefits to a player’s jump shot, rebounding, dunking and shot blocking ability.

While results will vary based upon the athletic ability and physical conditioning of those wearing Athletic Propulsion Labs® shoes, the Load ‘N Launch® technology is designed to provide an instant advantage to virtually everyone who wears the product and engages in jumping on a basketball court.