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Flexible carbon fiber composites company  (Kennewick, Wash., U.S.) has teamed up with performance insole brand  (Santa Barbara, Calif., U.S.) to create a dynamically flexible carbon fiber-plated insole to target prevention and relief for athletes suffering from a debilitating and career-threatening condition.

The Blumaka insole leverages Carbitex’s GearFlex technology and Blumaka’s Konnect ground reaction force (GRF) technology to address turf toe, an injury that involves a sprain of the ligaments around the big toe joint. The condition has been reported to occur in up to 45% of NFL players, though it is common in many high-impact field and court sports including lacrosse, baseball, soccer, basketball and others. 

“Turf toe is a frustrating and common injury. And because it’s the big toe, it doesn’t seem like something that should sideline an athlete, but it does, and can be recurring,” says Junus Khan, founder and CEO of Carbitex. 

Blumaka Carbon Elite Insole features technology that addresses both prevention and recovery. Carbitex GearFlex adapts dynamically, remaining flexible for natural movement at low angles, then stiffens as it bends to prevent over-rotation of the metatarsophalangeal joint — the root cause of turf toe. Blumaka’s Konnect GRF technology ensures maximum energy transfer, eliminating power loss from internal foot movement. The combination is reported to enhance biomechanics, increasing ground reaction force for greater propulsion while protecting the vulnerable big toe joint.

According to Stuart Jenkins, founder and CEO of Blumaka, “When players load up to eight times their body weight on that toe joint — that’s over 1,800 pounds for many NFL players — our technology adds protection without sacrificing performance.”