Immortals and K-Swiss team up to create esports performance shoe

Immortals Gaming Club has forged a groundbreaking partnership with athletic footwear veteran K-Swiss to introduce the gaming industry’s inaugural performance-optimized footwear solution. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in competitive gaming’s evolution toward professional athletic recognition.

The ONE-TAP represents footwear engineering specifically calibrated for professional esports athletes, developed after K-Swiss design teams conducted extensive observation sessions of Immortals’ competitive players during tournament preparation and gameplay. The shoe’s design philosophy centers on three core performance pillars: adaptive comfort, environmental versatility, and thermal regulation. The integration of breathable mesh construction with elastic closure systems enables slip-on convenience reminiscent of premium slippers, while maintaining secure fit during intense gaming sessions.

Advanced cushioning technology in the sole combines with strategically placed ventilation units to create dynamic bidirectional airflow, actively managing foot temperature during extended gaming marathons in warmer environments. For cooler competitive settings, the integrated wool-lined insole provides thermal insulation to maintain optimal foot comfort regardless of external conditions. This temperature-adaptive approach addresses a frequently overlooked aspect of esports performance – the impact of peripheral physical comfort on sustained concentration and reaction times.

K-Swiss president Barney Waters emphasized that elite esports competition shares fundamental performance principles with traditional athletics, noting that “comprehensive physical and psychological preparation cultivates excellence in competitive execution, precisely the performance enhancement framework the ONE-TAP delivers.” The design acknowledges that while esports athletes may not require the same explosive physical movement as field sports, their need for sustained comfort during hours of focused competition demands specialized footwear solutions.

Immortals CEO Ari Segal acknowledged to Yahoo Finance that significant skepticism exists regarding the necessity of performance-optimized footwear for competitive gamers. He clarified that some industry observers may misunderstand what “performance” signifies in this context – it’s not about enhancing physical athleticism but about creating optimal conditions for mental performance and competitive execution.

“When competitors in any discipline engage in activities that compromise their focus on immediate objectives, they cannot achieve peak performance levels,” Segal explained. This perspective aligns with established sports psychology principles that emphasize eliminating distractions to maximize competitive output.

By developing footwear specifically designed for gamers with appealing aesthetics, players experience enhanced psychological comfort and professional identity affirmation. This emotional and psychological benefit translates directly to improved confidence, which research consistently links to enhanced performance outcomes across competitive domains. The psychological component represents what many traditional sports apparel companies have missed in their approach to esports – the critical intersection of comfort, identity, and mental preparation.

Beginning this week, limited quantities of the MIBR ONE-TAP performance footwear become available exclusively through K-Swiss’ digital storefront. Priced at $125, selected participants in the beta evaluation program will provide detailed feedback on the shoe’s performance characteristics after extended use in competitive and training environments.

The comprehensive user feedback gathered during this controlled release phase will inform final design refinements before the product’s official market launch scheduled for 2020. This community-driven development approach ensures the final product addresses the specific needs and preferences of professional and aspiring competitive gamers.

This strategic product development and release methodology demonstrates how traditional athletic apparel expertise can successfully adapt to the unique demands of esports professionals. The partnership between Immortals and K-Swiss establishes a new category within gaming peripherals that acknowledges the specialized physical requirements of competitive gaming at the highest levels.

No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Immortals and K-Swiss team up to create esports performance shoe Immortals and K-Swiss launch revolutionary esports performance footwear designed specifically for professional gamers