Clarks Pace · 5D Molded Heel Counter
Clarks Pace: 5D Molded Heel Counter
The Clarks Pace family needed a molded heel component that could sit naturally within two different upper constructions. We focused on the rear-foot geometry, the connection to the collar and lining, and the checks the team would need before approving the component inside the finished shoe.
Heel geometry and upper integration
The challenge
One heel concept had to work with two different upper packages.
Clarks presents Pace Rise with a knitted upper and Pace Walk with a woven upper. That makes the rear-foot interface especially important: the molded counter needs to follow the heel, meet the collar and lining cleanly, and leave the separate TPU heel clip to do its own job. The task was to make those relationships clear at component level before the team evaluated the complete shoes.
Our work
What We Did
We focused on the geometry, material, interfaces and checks needed to move the part into shoe testing.
Started with the heel and the last
We organized the brief around the last or 3D heel data, size range, rear-quarter construction and the support feel the product team wanted.
Defined the molded geometry
We mapped the counter shape, contact areas, support zones, edges, surface texture and visual direction instead of treating the part as a flat reinforcement.
Checked every nearby interface
We reviewed how the part would meet the collar, lining, upper and separate heel clip so each element could do its job without creating an avoidable fit or assembly conflict.
Built validation around the shoe
Component checks cover geometry, finish and layer integrity; fit, heel hold, entry and contact feel are then confirmed in the complete Pace construction.
Result
The Result
This approach gave the footwear team a clearer 5D heel-counter definition to review across the Pace family. Geometry, appearance and neighboring interfaces could be discussed as one component package, while finished-shoe fit and support remained part of the full footwear validation.
In the finished shoe: Clarks describes the Pace family as walking footwear and lists the molded heel and a separate TPU heel clip among the finished-shoe features. We use that complete-shoe context to understand where the component sits; the final fit and support result still comes from the whole construction working together.
References
Sources
The project brief confirms the component. The brand page provides the finished-shoe context.
Scope: Our focus here is the 5D molded heel counter. Finished-shoe performance statements remain with Clarks and the complete Pace footwear system.
| Reference | Used for |
|---|---|
| Project brief | Confirms the footwear model and component named in this case. |
| Clarks US — Introducing Pace ↗ | Provides the finished-shoe construction and product context. |
| FX Footwear — Custom 5D Integrated Molded Heel Counter ↗ | Explains our relevant component platform and development scope. |
FAQ
Common Questions
What made this heel-counter brief different?
The Pace family uses both knitted and woven upper packages. We therefore had to think beyond the molded shape and pay close attention to how the counter meets the rear quarter, collar, lining and separate heel clip.
What do we need to start a similar 5D heel-counter project?
Send us the last or 3D heel data, size range, upper and lining construction, desired support feel, color and texture direction, and the checks your team uses for component and finished-shoe approval.
Can the heel counter be approved without building the shoe?
We can inspect geometry, finish, layer integrity and the main interfaces at component level. Fit, heel hold, entry and contact feel still need to be confirmed in the complete shoe.
Does the molded counter replace the TPU heel clip?
No. Clarks lists them as separate features. We treat them as neighboring parts and make sure the component brief keeps their roles and interfaces clear.
More work
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Need Help With a Similar Part?
Working on a molded heel component? Send us the last, rear-quarter construction, size range and support direction. We’ll help you turn them into a component brief that is easier to sample, review and validate.
