words_Brandon Richard
There’s no doubt that ankle sprains account for majority of the injuries suffered while playing basketball. In fact, there are more than 1 million visits to the Emergency Room anually due to ankle sprains. Not even halfway through this NBA season, 45 different NBA players have been sidelined due to injury with more than half of the cases being sprained ankles. Twisted ankles are the #1 orthopedic injury in the world, a fact that orthopedic radiologist Barry Katz has set out to change.
A former basketball player himself, Dr. Katz believes that the world’s leading footwear brands haven’t properly addressed the problem of ankle stablility. Along with a team of top doctors and experienced footwear designers, Katz developed Ektio shoes, billed as the first physician-designed sneakers specifically aimed at enhancing ankle stability. The brand gets its name from the Greek words “ektor” and “alexio,” meaning “defend” and “protect.” Technology incorporated into the shoes is meant to replace the braces, tapes and other precautions athletes use prior to athletic competition.
Ektio shoes, which claim to “marry” the foot to the shoe with double straps built into the wall of the shoe and anti-rollover bumpers on the lateral sole. Studies conducted by Drexel University’s Dr. Sorin Seigler and Dr. Howard Hillstrom of the Hospital for Special Surgery showed that after much debate, a shoe of any height can be the cause of an ankle sprain. Further studies suggested that Ektio’s anti-roll technology prevents ankle rollover without inhibiting mobility.
Two Ektio models are available to purchase today. First up is the Wraptor 2010, a high-cut shoe constructed in either leather or mesh. The Wraptor also features sections of patent leather, quilted stitching, a carbon fiber shank plate and Velcro fastened cross-straps. The second model is the three-quarter Post Up 2010. Leather, suede and mesh make up the upper on this shoe, which also gets help from the carbon fiber shank plate and double-action leather straps.
Endorsed by former New York Knick John Starks, the Ektio shoes are currently available here at Eastbay. Sizes run from 8-14 and retail is $200.
Interested in how the Ektio kicks perform? Sole Collector will be posting a Kicksology Review shortly. Stay tuned.
Available: Ektio Wraptor
Available: Ektio Post Up
I am scepticle on how much a shoe can stop ankle sprains but time will tell, i wonder how well these will sell with the hefty $200 price tag!
im very interested to c what happens with these
You gotta do a better sales pitch it you think people are gonna drop 200 on those.
^Agreed. But there will be a performance review posted here shortly. Hopefully that will give us a little more insight to how they perform.
You have to figure – one sprained ankle in these shoes kills the whole appeal lol
The design is okay, but they look heavy for us bigger players. Take it easy wit the rubber.
the design is WACK !!!!!!!!!!
I am the inventor of the product, a doctor and former player who had many ankle sprains. I would be happy to address any of the issues you may have about our revolutionary product. The numbers don’t lie. 30 ankle sprains in the NBA this season in 2 months. 3 million/year in the U.S. Doesn’t matter if you wear high tops, low tops, tape or braces. Sprains happen when you land on another player’s foot, no matter what you do. We want you guys to have a great playable shoe that keeps you healthy and on the court. Ektios are thoroughly tested and they work. One thing we can all agree on. Nobody wants to sprain their ankle.
anti-roll over bumpers? its just the Nike Avar Outrigger on steroids. Goodbye mobility on this shoe, to much restrictions. Kinda looks like Transformers shoes.
these shoes are kinda weird looking, but i’m guard and those could be useful! when are we gona be able to get these and where? and what colorways?
THOSE ARE NICE!
They are nice…but they look way to heavy.
these shoes are uglyy! i wouldnt be seen dead wearing these things. and i would love too see how effective they are on the ankles… anyone else thinking about maybe paying 100 for these? no way 200
The design seem to be excellent. People are too quick to criticize without the relevant information. If it
had nike on it I guess the response would have been different. I like the idea. The black looks great.
Good luck to the concept.
The black ones look ok, the red/white look wack man!! My new shoe coming out will kill this in sales, my shoes and only my shoes are the best, that is why I am the best!! MJ all the way ese!!
We made sure that there was excellent mobility in the shoe to go along with the revolutionary ankle support. No longer do you have to choose between feeling restricted with tape or braces or playing free with no protection but risking injury. In Ektios, you get both for the first time. This was clinically tested and proven.
These shoes seem to really hit the spot at what all basketball players are looking for right now. If they could nail better looks and a lower price say $120. These would be the number basketball shoe on the market. No doubt about it. Bye Bye Nike. Here comes Ektio.
These shoes are best and they feel great i was able to get a pair right away but i wont play NBA game with those on they look weird but they feel great! Lebron James.#6
Why are they not available in wide sizes?
ugly
Well it is now January of 2012 and no review… wondering what happened. I was really looking forward to the review. Also would be the first time Sole Collector promised review and never gave one.