FITASY, an Indianapolis-based footwear technology company, has won the Grand Prix at the ISPO Excellence Awards 2026 in the Fitness & Wellness category for its Stride 2.0 Custom recovery shoe. The Grand Prix goes to the highest-scoring gold winner in each category. Announced at ISPO Amsterdam, the award comes as FITASY extends its recovery footwear into endurance sport, starting with marathon, ultra-running, triathlon and cycling communities.
FITASY notes that endurance athletes optimize every detail of their training, nutrition, sleep, and recovery – yet what goes on their feet after a long run or ride often gets the least thought, even though tired feet carry them through the rest of the day. The company’s underlying philosophy is that recovery doesn’t stop when the workout ends, and footwear should provide the comfort and support athletes need during those crucial hours afterward.
According to the company, its starting point is simple: the body knows how to recover, and recovery footwear should support that process rather than work against it.
FITASY’s Stride Custom starts with a 60-second scan in the FITASY app, available on iPhone and Android. Spatial AI turns the scan into a fit profile and a print file for each foot. The shoe is then 3D printed in a single recyclable material without glue. This advanced engineering translates spatial AI and 3D printing into benefits for the wearer, using its zone-tuned lattice to deliver:
- Personalised fit derived directly from the wearer’s own foot shape rather than a standard size
- Targeted cushioning and arch support shaped to the individual foot, replacing conventional foam
- 360-degree breathability and ventilation, letting air and water flow straight through to keep feet cool and comfortable
Beyond the custom option, the lineup offers tailored choices depending on how wearers spend their post-activity hours. The Croissant Slide is designed for easy slip-on comfort after training or competition, while the Stride model provides a versatile lifestyle option for walking, travelling, and everyday wear. Both are built around the same core philosophy of recovery and comfort.
FITASY first took its recovery footwear into aquatic sport, where athletes spend hours on hard, wet surfaces between sessions. It is the official footwear partner of USA Diving and the American Swimming Coaches Association. Its footwear is also being trialled by medical and performance staff at more than 15 professional and collegiate teams across six leagues.
Devan McConnell, High Performance Director at Utah Mammoth states that “The custom fit process with FITASY was easy, and it shows. The fit is very good, and the shoes stay comfortable and breathable through the day. I’ve enjoyed testing them and plan to keep wearing them.”
Paul Silvestri, Senior Director of Health and Performance at the University of Florida, added “FITASY has created a great recovery tool for athletes. The importance of recovery after competition is paramount for our athletes.”
Dr Patrick DeHeer, Chief Medical Officer at FITASY, said “Our feet change as we age, and that’s where recovery shoes become important. Whether it’s from a long day of work or a hard training session, it doesn’t matter. It’s the same thing: you need support and shock absorption.”
Kevin Wu, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of FITASY, added “Recovery is something your body does on its own. Our job is to make sure your shoes aren’t getting in the way. Endurance athletes already personalise their training, nutrition and sleep, so the shoe they recover in should be built around them too. What matters on a pool deck, cushioning, support, fit and breathability, matters just as much after a marathon or a long day in the saddle.”
While endurance athletes are a natural primary audience, FITASY stresses that these benefits extend to anyone who spends long hours on their feet, tied to a broader mission of using thoughtfully engineered footwear to help people move better and live better.
FITASY footwear technology was developed by engineers and scientists with backgrounds from MIT, Caltech, the University of Wisconsin and Imperial College London to combine smartphone foot scanning, spatial AI and 3D printing to make personalised footwear.
