If you know us, you've heard the term “ground connection” thousands of times. That’s because it has always guided how we design footwear. From every outsole pattern to every platform shape comes back to one question: how efficiently can an athlete use the ground?
Heading into the 2026 lineup, we decided to strengthen that connection even further. Every 2026 SQAIRZ shoe across golf, baseball, softball, and pickleball now includes a custom Blumaka anti-slip footbed built directly into the shoe. If you haven’t heard of Blumaka, you are missing out. They have been scientifically proven to help you reach peak performance with 14% higher energy return and 17% more cushioning. You know we love our science here at SQAIRZ.
Golfers will experience this first with the upcoming men’s line launch on February 27th. The same technology will carry across the rest of the new releases this spring.
Why We Chose Blumaka
We spend a lot of time studying what happens between the ground and the athlete. Where stability begins, where you get the most power, the list goes on. So when we found a company doing the same thing… with the same sports… It felt like a match made in heaven.
Blumaka focuses on the exact interface inside the shoe where the foot meets the platform. Their NonSlip technology is engineered to limit internal foot movement while maintaining energy return and cushioning. When the foot stays planted inside the shoe, force travels more cleanly into the ground. That concept aligns directly with our approach to footwear design.
What really impressed us was how Blumaka takes foam scraps from footwear and turns it into high-performance footbeds with up to 85% recycled content, 99% less water usage, and 65% lower carbon footprint than traditional foam production. Serious performance with a dramatically smaller environmental impact.
The Data That Backed the Decision
We looked closely at independent testing before making this move. Several studies stood out, but we will sum it up for you.
Golf Testing Results
Independent evaluations comparing golfers’ existing insoles to Blumaka footbeds showed measurable performance changes:
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Average 7-iron carry increased about 6.4 yards
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Driver carry increased about 8.2 yards
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Clubhead speed and ball speed both trended upward
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About 91% of golfers improved at least one performance metric
Some players experienced carry gains close to +10 yards, with many golfers describing feeling more stable through the swing and more confident applying force.
Athletic Movement Research
Biomechanics testing using motion capture and force plates evaluated athletic movement with Blumaka insoles as the only variable.
Results showed:
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80% started and stopped faster
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90% ran faster
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90% increased stride length
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80% demonstrated improved stability
What Players Should Expect
Golf
Golfers who already wear SQAIRZ tend to know the stable, planted connection that shows up in distance, balance, and consistency. Independent testing has documented around 12 yards of added distance, roughly 3.9 mph gains in swing speed, and about 30% tighter dispersion.
That foundation isn’t changing. It’s getting reinforced.
Adding Blumaka strengthens the connection inside the shoe so more of the energy you create actually transfers into the swing. Expect a more secure feel through transition and cleaner ground feedback. Over the course of 18 holes your feet start to fatigue but with the high performance Blumaka foam you will not feel the stress of a long round. Pair that with the new materials across the 2026 lineup and you’re looking at one of the most technically advanced performance shoes in golf right now, supported by data across multiple studies and real player results. If you know, you know.
Pickleball
Pickleball is fast, reactive, and extremely demanding on your feet. Stability has always been a priority, and clinical testing has already shown measurable balance improvements compared with players’ previous footwear and leading competitors.
Blumaka focuses on what happens inside the shoe. Expect no internal movement during quick cuts and fewer toe-jamming moments when you plant aggressively. You’ll feel more locked-in during long sessions when fatigue usually starts to creep in. Many players describe their feet feeling “fresh” after hours of play with no discomfort compared to their other shoes/insoles. The goal stays simple: stay connected to the court so your movement feels controlled and confident.
Baseball and Softball
Explosive sports demand a stable foundation. Players have already seen measurable improvements in sprint speed and throwing velocity with SQAIRZ cleats, along with consistent feedback around balance and comfort through long games and seasons.
Blumaka strengthens that internal foundation. Expect a more secure feel when accelerating out of the box and cleaner pivots in the field. Expect consistent ground connection during swings, throws, and quick directional changes. Over time, that stability helps maintain performance without the compression breakdown that traditional insoles tend to develop.
A Stronger Foundation Moving Forward
This integration reflects where performance footwear is heading. Athletes expect measurable results and more importantly, thoughtful material choices. They expect brands to invest in meaningful upgrades that improve real performance, so that’s exactly what we did.
Blumaka makes the ground connection even tighter. That’s always been the DNA here, and the 2026 lineup takes it to another level. More feel. More stability. More performance where it actually matters.
Want in early? Sign up to shop early access to the 2026 men’s line before it goes public.