The textiles, clothing, and footwear industry has officially awarded its Patent of the Month for July 2026 to Kahtoola, Inc. for their groundbreaking invention, “Footwear traction device and method of using the same” (U.S. Patent 12642333). Invented by Christopher Bunch and Bradford Lever, this newly patented device represents a major leap forward for outdoor enthusiasts who need reliable grip across highly varied terrains. By successfully securing this patent, Kahtoola has demonstrated their continued commitment to advancing outdoor safety and mobility.

This invention is incredibly innovative because it completely solves the traditional limitations of winter footwear accessories, which have historically been bulky, heavy, and limited to a single surface type. Kahtoola engineered a unique openwork traction base featuring stepped, sloping polymeric lugs with hard tipped spikes. This advanced design provides the necessary depth and effective height for gripping steep, snowy, or uneven trails while maintaining a specialized material hardness that remains comfortable and stable on smooth paved surfaces. By bridging the gap between rugged trail performance and everyday sidewalk comfort in a single lightweight device, it rightfully earned its recognition as the industry’s top patent this month.

The practical applications of this patent make it an ideal candidate for claiming a Research and Development (R&D) tax credit in the USA. Developing this multifaceted traction device easily aligns with the IRS four part test for qualified research activities. To create an openwork base with specific polygonal openings and polymeric traction bodies, the company had to overcome technical uncertainties regarding material durability, flex fatigue, and biomechanical comfort. The engineering team engaged in a rigorous process of experimentation to test varying polymer hardness levels and lug geometries across diverse environments from icy trails to concrete. Because this systematic development relies heavily on the hard sciences of material science and mechanical engineering, the labor, materials, and prototyping costs associated with solving these technical challenges would qualify as eligible research expenditures.